Miller: No need to upgrade IGF’s tight security

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This article was published 24/10/2014 (4058 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

THE Winnipeg Blue Bombers say they have no plans to upgrade their security plan for Saturday evening’s game against the B.C. Lions at Investors Group Field in the wake of Wednesday’s shootings on Parliament Hill.

Bombers CEO Wade Miller said Thursday the new security plan the club put in place when they moved into Investors Group Field last year is already one of the tightest in the CFL, noting the Bombers are the only team in the league that uses security wands at entrances.

“We won’t be changing our security process. When we moved into Investors Group Field, we instituted security policies that are for a world-class venue like this. And we’ll continue to do what we do and work with the CFL,” said Miller.

The Calgary Stampeders announced Thursday they were upgrading their security for their home game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders tonight. Stampeders fans were warned to expect delays getting into McMahon Stadium and urged to leave bags and backpacks at home.

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The Bombers will be without slotback Nick Moore and defensive back Demond Washington for their must-win game against the Lions.

Both men were injured in Winnipeg’s 33-23 loss to the Calgary Stampeders Oct. 18 but the club had been holding out hope until Thursday they still might be able to play Saturday.

But head coach Mike O’Shea said both men have been ruled out. The decision means rookie receiver Justin Wilson, who the club signed to their practice roster just three weeks ago, will start Saturday night against the Lions.

O’Shea was asked why he’s decided to give the start to Wilson and not to veteran Aaron Kelly, who led the Bombers in receiving yards through a four-game stretch earlier this season but has been unable to crack the lineup in recent weeks.

“He shows a different kind of burst,” O’Shea said of Wilson. “That’s not to say Aaron Kelly isn’t a good receiver. There were certainly points in the year that he was the go-to guy and scored touchdowns for us and held on to the ball well.

“But we’re just trying to change things up and get a different feel in the lineup.”

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Rookie offensive lineman Matthias Goossen will get the start this weekend at right guard after veteran Patrick Neufeld hurt himself once again during practice Wednesday.

Goossen has made spot starts in injury relief throughout the 2014 season and he was asked to describe his transition to the pro game.

“Obviously, you have no idea until you actually experience it,” said Goossen, who was Winnipeg’s first- round pick and second overall in the 2014 CFL Draft.

“I’m just trying to learn something new every day… and try to soak it all in and really try to learn. You can’t ever match the intensity in university or anything that you get here. The speed is crazy and the players are all bigger, faster, stronger.”

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca Twitter: @PaulWiecek