Willy happy Moore preparing to play Als

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This article was published 20/08/2014 (4405 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NO one was happier to see slotback Nick Moore once again taking first-team reps at Winnipeg Blue Bombers practice this week than quarterback Drew Willy.

Moore missed the last three games with a foot injury sustained in a Bombers’ win in B.C. late last month and he ran some extra reps with Willy following practice Tuesday afternoon at Investors Group Field.

Willy said the extra reps were all about rediscovering the timing between a receiver and quarterback who hooked up 22 times for 320 yards in five games before Moore went down.

“He’s reliable, he’s accountable, he knows exactly what he needs to do to get open,” Willy said of Moore. “He’s a CFL vet and just understands the CFL game.”

Moore said he found it hard to sit out the last three games, particularly with his team stumbling through two losses.

“It’s hard sitting out and being on the sideline or at home watching the game and your team is losing and you can’t do anything to help. It sucks,” said Moore. “But I’m back now and I’m ready to help this team get some victories.”

With Moore drawing back into his starting role, expect receiver Romby Bryant — who had two objectionable conduct penalties and a fumble in last week’s loss to Toronto — to take a seat Friday when the Bombers (5-3) play the Montreal Alouettes (1-6) at Investors Group Field.

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The CFL announced its stars of the week on Tuesday and the special teams nod that went to B.C. Lions returner Tim Brown raised some eyebrows in Winnipeg.

Brown had 10 punt returns for 169 yards and three kickoff returns for 80 yards in a Lions’ win over Toronto last Sunday.

Brown’s 249 combined return yards were less than the 273 combined return yards racked up by Bombers returner Troy Stoudermire last week in a Bombers’ loss to Toronto. On top of that, Stoudermire — making his Bombers debut — also put up the better numbers with four fewer returns.

Stoudermire ripped off three punt returns for 119 yards — including a 61 yarder — and added six kickoff returns for 154 yards.

The CFL’s weekly stars are selected by TSN analysts Duane Forde and Matt Dunigan and RDS analyst Pierre Vercheval.

The other stars were B.C. running back Stefan Logan on offence, Saskatchewan defensive end John Chick on defence and Saskatchewan receiver Rob Bagg as top Canadian.

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Yardsticks: Bombers linebacker Ejiro Kuale (shoulder) was back at practice on Tuesday, but head coach Mike O’Shea was noncommital about whether he would play. Abe Kromah has been taking Kuale’s reps on defence and special teams in his absence this week… Defensive end Jason Vega, who also missed practice on Monday, returned Tuesday, but O’Shea said the team is also taking a wait-and-see approach with him.

— Wiecek