Game day: 411

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 22/10/2011 (5156 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

O-LINE SHAKEUP

Though today’s matchup with the Montreal Alouettes at Canad Inns Stadium is one of the biggest games of the season, the Blue Bombers are making a change in arguably the most important part of the offence.

No, not the quarterback position. It’s still the Buck Pierce show.

The club is making two moves in the offensive line. Brendon LaBatte slides to centre from his guard position, replacing Obby Khan, while second-year lineman Chris Greaves takes over in LaBatte’s spot.

It will be LaBatte’s first start at centre this year, and his first time in the middle of the line since the pre-season. Greaves, meanwhile, makes his first start of 2011 and just the second start of his career.

No worries about O-line continuity, says LaBatte.

“Greaves has been in the system for two years and I’ve been here for four years, so we have some continuity already built up,” he said Friday. “Even though Greaves hasn’t been on the field with us he’s been around, he knows the calls (and) he’s sat in the meetings and everything. We feel 100 per cent confident we can execute.”

In an area where chemistry is referenced most, Winnipeg just opened up a big hole for a lot of second guessing should the switch not pay off.

“You can’t play the game scared, you can’t call plays scared,” coach Paul LaPolice said. “You have to believe that if a change might make you better, you go ahead and make that change.”

LaPolice referenced the Edmonton game last week, a 24-10 loss that saw Pierce get sacked five times and was Khan’s worst game of the year. Khan remains on the active roster and can come in if a change is needed, but that’s little consolation for the eight-year CFL veteran.

Getting benched is never fun.

“Coaches evaluate film and make their call,” he said. “Of course I want to play, of course I want to get out there, but it’s the coach’s decision and I respect his decision.”

OTHER ROSTER MOVES

Punter Jamie Boreham is in over Mike Renaud, while defensive end Kenny Mainor is back on the roster, replacing Quentin Davie. The club is toying with the idea of activating a receiver (Terence Jeffers-Harris, perhaps?) into one of the three designated import spots.

PLAYOFF PICTURE

If Winnipeg wins: They would clinch a home post-season date, they would win the season series against Montreal and pull into a first-place tie with the Alouettes in the East Division. Should the clubs remain tied at the end of the season, Winnipeg would claim first place, a first-round bye, and host the East final. If Montreal wins: The Alouettes win the season series and wrap up first in the East — two games up on Winnipeg with two to go.

EXTRA POINT

Montreal currently has the CFL’s leading passer (Anthony Calvillo), rusher (Brandon Whitaker), receiver (Jamel Richardson) and scorer (Sean Whyte)… Bombers receiver Terrence Edwards needs 94 yards to crack the 1,000-yard mark for the second straight season… Today marks the sixth straight sellout for the Bombers.

— Wazny