January hot to play, feeling ‘fantastic’

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This article was published 05/07/2012 (5191 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

GLENN JANUARY has declared himself fit and ready to hit somebody.

The import left tackle returns to the Blue Bombers lineup when the team takes on East Division rival Montreal Alouettes at Molson Stadium Friday night. The 29-year-old was dealing with a leg issue the last few weeks, and after a false start against the B.C. Lions — he made the trip to Vancouver, only to bow out of the starting lineup the morning of the game — he says he’s feeling better than ever.

“I feel fantastic,” January said after a rain-soaked, lightning-filled practice at Canad Inns Stadium Wednesday afternoon. “It’s been a long process getting healthy and working through some different things, but I’m excited to get back out there on the field and I’m excited to get out there Friday night.”

On top of the leg issue, the six-year veteran was feeling a bit under the weather this week. He got himself checked out by doctors Tuesday just to make sure, and was given a clean bill of health.

“I felt great (Wednesday). I felt like a young buck running around.”

With January in the lineup, the club will shift rookie import Jordan Taormina to the right-tackle spot. The interior of the line — right guard Steve Morley, centre Chris Kowalczuk, left guard Chris Greaves — remains intact.

Head coach Paul LaPolice told reporters he’s pleased to get January’s experience back in the trenches, but tempered expectations on what kind of impact the lineman could have on the offence as a whole.

“I’m just concerned about him doing his job more than him taking care of everyone else,” LaPolice said.

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Winnipeg added another import offensive lineman Wednesday, bringing Shannon Boatman back into the fold.

The former Toronto Argonaut was released out of training camp but was summoned as a precautionary measure in case January’s injury flares up again. Boatman, 27, was added to the practice roster.

Though January expects to play, a new face in Bomberland might serve as a wake-up call for right tackle Andre Douglas, who’s been nursing a hip injury for a month now.

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

Vega good

Defensive end Jason Vega practised for the second straight day Wednesday and should make the trip to Montreal this morning. He’s been dealing with an undisclosed injury. Fellow defensive end Kenny Mainor (ankle) missed another day and his status looks doubtful. Running back Chad Simpson (leg) is also not ready to play.

Bump in the road?

“I’m hoping we’ll find out this week it was (nothing more than) an aberration.” — Alouettes head coach Marc Trestman to the Montreal Gazette, days after the 38-10 loss to Calgary last week. It was Montreal’s worst defeat in 30 years and it was only the fourth time since 1996 the Alouettes lost the season opener.