Sears latest to be designated ‘SAM I am’

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This article was published 25/10/2012 (4739 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

STEP right up, Johnny Sears… you are the next contestant in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ search for a regular strong-side linebacker.

Head coach Tim Burke announced Wednesday that Sears, who has lined up at corner and halfback this year, will move inside the box to play the strong-side linebacker position this Saturday in Hamilton.

Sears will be become the fifth Bomber to line up there this season — and after Clint Kent started 18 straight there a year ago — after Brandon Stewat, Jonathan Hefney, Jovon Johnson and Demond Washington.

Washington started there a week ago in Toronto, but suffered a “stinger” injury and will not dress.

Enter Sears who, at 6-0 and 184 pounds, does have the size and skill set to possibly excel at the position.

“The spot physically is good for (Sears) because he’s a big guy with good speed,” said Burke. “That’s really the kind of guy you want at SAM linebacker. We had to rely on him so much on the outside earlier this year (at corner and halfback) and so he never got a chance to be that position. We’ll try him this week and see how he does.

“Some guys I would think they don’t relish that spot so then you have to do a sales job. Today, I just said, ‘OK, who wants to be the SAM this week?'”

Two other updates from the Bomber infirmary:

— Defensive lineman Bryant Turner, who was ruled out Tuesday, was green-lighted to play on Wednesday. He’ll probably take turns at both end and tackle.

— Receiver Terrance Edwards, who missed last week, will suit up against the Ticats at wideout.

FAREWELL… AGAIN: The Bombers’ regular-season finale on Nov. 3 against the Montreal Alouettes offers a second chance to say farewell to the stadium that has been the club’s home for the past 59 years.

The club announced Wednesday it will hold a closing ceremony at midfield after the game. Bomber players and alumni will take part and it will feature a video tribute, fireworks display and a speech by Bomber and Canadian Football Hall of Famer Joe Poplawski. The Bombers will open the 2013 season in the brand new Investors Group Field.

The game is also the CFL’s annual Hall of Fame Game and this year’s inductees include former Bomber greats Milt Stegall and the late Tyrone Jones along with Damon Allen, Jack Abendschan and Eric Lapointe and David Braley and Peter Connellan in the builder category.

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @WFPEdTait

SCARY RECORD, SCARIER NUMBERS

The Ticats may be just 5-11, but QB Henry Burris is throwing up some gaudy stats. The 37-year-old vet leads all CFL pivots with a 104.6 QB-efficiency rating while throwing for 4,702 yards and 37 TDs.

ROAD WOES

The Bombers haven’t won back-to-back games since last Aug. 13/26 and have not posted consecutive road victories since reeling off three straight over a stretch from July 1-Aug. 13 in Hamilton, Toronto and B.C.