Burke unhappy with work of veterans

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This article was published 14/06/2013 (4840 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ASK Tim Burke a question and he will always give you a full and honest answer.

Thursday afternoon was no different as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach didn’t sugar-coat his dismay when he was asked by reporters what he thought of his team losing 24-6 at home Wednesday to a Toronto Argonauts club that had left almost all their starters from last year’s Grey Cup champion squad at home.

“It is a little bit disconcerting that that happened and that’s what I told the guys last night,” said Burke, who played most of his starters Wednesday.

“I thought that was the disconcerting part — that we didn’t show better against their backups.”

Burke also revealed his squad came out of Wednesday’s game banged up. Burke said starting receiver Kito Poblah and embattled starting defensive back Jonathan Hefney were both hurt during the game and will both likely miss the next week, including Winnipeg’s final pre-season game Thursday versus the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Other players injured on Wednesday included receivers Kurt Adams and Isaac Anderson, returner Jameze Massey and defensive back Jeremy McGee. Burke said all those injuries are day-to-day and none of the injured are expected to miss more than the next week.

Burke also revealed starting middle linebacker Henoc Muamba — who missed Wednesday’s game and has also missed practice going back to last week with a hamstring injury — will also miss the next week of practice.

In other news:

• Burke said the team didn’t intend to make any cuts Thursday, but will in all likelihood begin to trim the roster either today or Saturday.
• Burke said punter Mike Renaud went a long way Wednesday to “solidifying” his return as the Bombers punter in 2013.
• Burke also said local receiving prospect Brett Carter, who made two catches against the Argos, still has a chance to make this year’s squad.
• Burke said defensive back Marty Markett could also earn himself a job with a solid final week of camp.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca