Just kickin’ it

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 08/06/2013 (4498 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Timing is everything in place-kicking and Justin Palardy’s has been impeccable lately.

In tying his own single-season franchise record for field goal accuracy in 2012, Palardy earned himself a luxury almost no other member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has at training camp this season — job security.

In a year when even quarterback Buck Pierce is being pressed and there is a strong mood for change after a 6-12 record last season, Palardy is almost as unique these days as he is alone.

While there are a total of five kickers in camp this year, four of them are competing for the punter’s job, leaving Palardy free to do his thing this spring without having to worry if his next football paycheque will be his last.

With a new contract signed during the off-season and no competition in camp, Palardy heads into his fourth season with the Bombers looking increasingly like he has carved out a legacy position for himself as Winnipeg’s kicker — just like the last two men to hold the job for any length of time, Troy Westwood and Trevor Kennerd.

In a town that measures its kickers’ careers in decades, Palardy says he hopes to also be here for the long haul. “I don’t plan on going anywhere. I’d like to stay here for as long as they’ll have me.

“I love it in Winnipeg. The new stadium alone is amazing. I’d love to play 15-plus years here.”

With an 86.7 per cent field goal percentage in 2012 — 39-of-45 — whatever reservations the Bombers coaching staff had in prior years about the strength of Palardy’s leg has long since been overshadowed by his accuracy.

While the Bombers would still love it if he could be longer on kickoffs and on field goals — Palardy’s average field goal came from just 27.4 yards in 2012 and his longest was from 46 — they say the more important thing is that he makes the ones he does attempt.

“The thing that’s great about Justin is consistency,” said Bombers head coach Tim Burke. “You know that from a certain point on the field is he is going to be good consistently.

“I feel good about Justin. I know exactly what he’s going to give us… And if you can say that, that’s good as a coach. Sure, we’d all like some guy who can boom it from 70 yards, but they’re not around.”

Punter Mike Renaud, who is heading into his fifth season in Winnipeg, says Palardy has matured in his time with the Bombers and is unflappable these days.

“I think his best attribute is his mental toughness. He’s unfazed by anything that happens and that’s rare — in kickers especially.

“It keeps him calm and cool and it makes it easier to forget if he does have a bad kick.”

Palardy spent a month last winter touring South America with his girlfriend and saw both awe-inspiring beauty at places like Peru’s famous Machu Picchu and racking poverty in the slums of Bolivia.

It all puts things in perspective, said Palardy. “I would recommend travelling like that to anyone my age. Seeing the world in that way, it just opens your eyes. It was a pretty amazing experience.”

Palardy says the 2013 season will pose its own unique challenge for him as he grows accustomed to the swirling wind conditions that seem to have been created by the unique configuration of Investors Group Field, with its bowl shape and sail-like roofs.

“I’ll look up and the flags (atop the uprights) won’t be moving,” explains Palardy, “but where I’m standing I will have wind in my face. It plays with your head.

“But it’s great. The turf is awesome and it’s going to be an amazing experience when they pack this place. I can’t wait.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca