Muamba right on schedule

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 24/06/2012 (4845 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The clock started on Henoc Muamba when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers selected him with the first overall pick in the 2011 CFL draft.

At the time of the selection, the club asked for some patience with the talented youngster, as it would take at least a season — maybe two — before he’d be ready to step into the middle of the defence and be the next great Blue and Gold linebacker.

And after a 2011 season spent on special teams and a second training camp — one where he managed to stay healthy and challenged for time on defence — the 23-year-old is right on schedule.

There’s no urgency.

This is how it’s supposed to play out.

“It’s just a huge change from this year to last year,” the six-foot, 230-pound Muamba said last week. “Coming back to a playbook that I’m familiar with makes a world of difference.

“I was just trying to fit in last season. This time, I feel like I’m ready to contribute.”

The ceiling on Muamba is high. So high, in fact, the club decided to put him in battle with fellow Canadian Pierre-Luc Labbe for the starting middle linebacker position. Muamba is the physical specimen; Labbe is always in the right spot.

The Bombers had yet to declare who won that battle, but that decision is expected to show itself at practice today.

A popular premise says Labbe earned more time against first-team opposition and therefore the job is his, but that theory was blown out of the water when Clint Kent and Dorian Smith — who both played against opposition starters in the pre-season — were released Friday.

Labbe, the Bombers’ last pick and second-last pick overall (47th) in the 2008 draft, put in his time behind Joe Lobendahn over the years, watching how the then-starting linebacker prepared for games during the week and how he made an impact when the bright lights came on.

This season presents a unique situation for Labbe. If there is one player who will be instrumental in helping Muamba become an impact player, it’s the 28-year-old. At the same time, he’s not ready to just hand over the job.

After getting a taste of being a defensive starter last season, Labbe dedicated himself to keeping the spot during the off-season. Personal trainers and nutritionists were added to his personal payroll, as was an English tutor to help him communicate more effectively on the field.

Labbe understands his role in shaping Muamba.

He also wants to play.

“Of course I want to be in there,” he said last week. “I’ve been waiting to play for four years. I think back to those days hoping to play, trying to get better behind Joe (Lobendahn). He was such a positive influence on me. Never seen anyone work as hard as he does.”

Labbe then laughed. “I hope people say the same things about me.”

He should talk to his protegé.

“Pierre is one of the best professionals on this team,” Muamba said. “No one works harder than him. I hear a lot of people talking about him not being athletic or anything like that, and that’s just not the case. He knows how to get the job done at this level, which is something I’m trying to pick up from him.”

The St. F-X product is confident he can play now, and if he gets the call at some point — whether it’s in the season opener against B.C. later this week or in a game in October — he feels he’ll be ready to go.

He couldn’t say that truthfully last year.

“At the end of the day, it’s the coaches decision,” Muamba said. “The competition with Pierre has been great. There’s been a lot of intensity at our spot, which has made both of us better players.”

After taking the last three days off, the Bombers are back on the practice field this morning at Canad Inns Stadium. Winnipeg opens the 2012 regular season on Friday, when they travel to B.C. to take on the Lions.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @wazoowazny

Final cuts to be announced this morning

SATURDAY afternoon, the Bombers were sitting with a 54-man roster — eight more than the CFL allows.

Saturday evening, prior to the 9 p.m. deadline, decisions on the final 46-man group were made and submitted to the league office. Announcements on those moves won’t come until this morning, the club says.

Then there’s the matter of the practice roster, which can hold up to seven players. That, too, was under wraps, but there are some obvious front-runners for this list. Wideout Doug Pierce and running back Bloi-Dei Dorzon seem worthy of inclusion, while linebacker Terrell Parker already celebrated his P.R. spot on Twitter, telling his network he’s agreed to join the taxi squad Saturday.

And then there’s the matter of the injury reports — don’t forget about those.

The team had to put those players deemed unfit to participate in Friday’s season-opener against the B.C. Lions on either a one-game or nine-game reserve.

Receiver Cory Watson (hamstring), right tackle Andre Douglas (hip) and linebacker Marcellus Bowman (leg) come into the Week 1 practice schedule a little banged up, as do rookie offensive lineman Tyson Pencer (shoulder) and running back Carl Volny (still getting back from a knee injury).

All or some are candidates to start the year in sick bay.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Thursdays

Keep up to date on sports with Mike McIntyre's weekly newsletter.

Sign up for Mike McIntyre | On Sports

Sign Up

I agree to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies, and CASL agreement.

HASH MARKS: It looks like former Bomber linebacker Clint Kent has landed in northern Alberta. Kent, who was with the club for two seasons and was a defensive captain in 2011, was released by the Blue and Gold Friday.

He’ll play for former Bombers defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed, now the Eskimos head coach, in Edmonton.

In other “one-time Bomber” news, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats released receiver Terence Jeffers-Harris Saturday. If you recall, the Ticats signed Jeffers-Harris on the eve of the Eastern Final after the Bombers cut ties with him.

— Wazny