NOTEBOOK

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 1:00 AM CST Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

Buck to start

Read this article for free:

or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

*Billed as $4.00 plus GST every four weeks. After 24 weeks, price increases to the regular rate of $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

*Billed as $19.95 plus GST every four weeks. Cancel any time.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/11/2011 (5261 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Buck to start

BUCK Pierce will be the starter when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the CFL East Division Final this Sunday at Canad Inns Stadium.

Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice was asked by reporters Thursday afternoon — for the millionth time in the last two weeks — if he was finally prepared to declare Pierce as his starter after watching him practise three times this week with no apparent lingering issues from a sprained knee that kept Pierce out of the Bombers final regular-season game.

LaPolice finally relented. “Sure, let’s declare him,” LaPolice laughed. “We’ve been monitoring how his movements are. It’s been fine. He’s been throwing the ball accurately. So we’ll expect him to start.”

A cool taste of Sunday

THURSDAY’S weather made for the most inhospitable practice the Bombers have had to endure in 2011, with light snow, wind and a temperature of -7 C roughly approximating the conditions the team — and fans — can expect Sunday.

Pierce said the weather was a non-issue for him. “It’s not as easy, but I’m one of those guys who says, ‘I’m not going to think about it, let’s just go out there and play.'”

Pierce said he’s never worn gloves and likely won’t on Sunday. “I went to school in New Mexico,” he laughed, “so we didn’t have too many cold games. Some people swear by it, but I just never have. And I think that’s something you have to adapt to over time and I’m not about to start trying this week.”

Pierce is no stranger to football in late November at Canad Inns Stadium. Pierce dressed for the B.C. Lions in the 2006 Grey Cup game in Winnipeg — he got into the game for a handful of plays and is officially listed as having one rush for zero yards in a 25-14 Lions victory over the Montreal Alouettes.

But the game-time temperature that day was -6 C, warmer than the daytime high of -8 C forecast for this Sunday.

Slotback Terrence Edwards said he didn’t find Thursday’s practice particularly uncomfortable. “It wasn’t bad at all,” said Edwards. “If it’s like that during the game, I’m going to enjoy myself out there.”

Hargreaves, for sure

LAPOLICE said non-import receiver Aaron Hargreaves will retain his starting job this week, regardless of whether rookie Canadian Kito Poblah makes the game-day roster. “If he makes it on, it will be as someone rotating in and out,” LaPolice said of Poblah.

Poblah’s missed 15 of the Bombers 18 regular-season games with injury, including the last seven with a shoulder injury sustained in the Banjo Bowl.

LaPolice said he’s concerned conditioning could be an issue for Poblah given the lack of game-time in the past two months and the fact he’s only been engaged in full practices for the past couple of weeks.

500 extra seats at $35

THE Bombers announced Thursday they have sold out Sunday’s East final, but the club is opening up about 500 temporary seats that they are now selling for $35 apiece. It’s the eighth consecutive sellout at Canad Inns Stadium.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca