January, Douglas solid at tackle

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/06/2012 (5189 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

BARRING injury or some drastic change in thinking, the Bombers appear set to head into the season with two American tackles — Glenn January and Andre Douglas — on the offensive line.

As the one extra import in camp, conventional wisdom figures rookie Jordan Taormina is in a very good position to make the club as the backup in that spot, ala Kelly Butler last year.

Not so fast, says Paul LaPolice. The head coach told reporters the club isn’t marrying itself to that import-for-an-import premise and will explore the possibility of using a young Canadian at a tackle spot should an injury occur.

Who are the non-import tackle possibilities? Paul Swiston and Tyson Pencer, LaPolice said.

In his next breath, however, the coach reiterated the team’s position that Pencer, Winnipeg’s first pick in last month’s draft, would be a long shot to make the roster as anything more than a backup in his first season as a professional player.

“We’re not going to push any agendas. We think our roster is ready to play two American tackles and we’ll evaluate it from there,” LaPolice said.

— Wazny