411 Bombers

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 14/08/2015 (3949 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Who is Robert Marve?

It’s a question the Toronto Argonauts are still trying to figure out on the eve of their matchup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“I know of him, I know his background and I know a guy who has trained him, but until he plays a full game I don’t know if I can answer that,” Argos field general Scott Milanovich said.

Milanovich feels Marve has the skill set and arm to be successful.

“Somebody asked me the other day, ‘Do you make a big deal about playing a backup quarterback?’ ” he said. “I said, ‘How can I do that when our quarterback is our backup quarterback?’ The next guy is paid to do the job, that’s how I look at it. I didn’t bring it up one time this week.”

Return of the smack

Two key cogs in the Blue Bombers’ defensive line will make their return to the starting fold this week.

Bryant Turner, who missed four games after a thumb injury, and Greg Peach, who was sidelined for three games with an undisclosed lower-body ailment, will assume their regular duties attacking Argos pivot Trevor Harris.

Turner will wear a protective cast on his left hand that will protect his thumb while allowing his other four fingers to roam free.

“If anything, I feel like it will help me out technique-wise,” Turner said. “I’ve had some good days of practice with it. I’m excited to see how things go (tonight).”

Down but not out, Turner says he’s harvested a lot of useful information while spending the last month watching games unfold off the field.

“Just more of what the coach wants, more of his coaching techniques and how they benefit,” he said. “You see yourself, and then you see other people do it, and see other people make the same mistakes or not make the same mistakes, and you get a lot out of it.”

Flash Gordon?

While the spotlight this week has been on Marve’s first professional kick at the can, there’s another Bomber who will be strutting his stuff for the first time.

At the tender age of 21, Jhomo Gordon — he was born in Jamaica and moved to Florida in Grade 6 — will be strapping on his pads alongside Marve for his first start in a professional football game.

“It’s an exciting feeling,” Gordon said. “I’ve been looking forward to it all season. I’m finally getting the opportunity so I’ll take it and run with it.”

While head coach Mike O’Shea was playing coy Thursday about the breakneck speed Gordon possesses, Gordon himself said it was one of his best assets.

“And catching the ball,” Gordon said, big smile and all.

Gordon feels he and Marve have created a successful concoction in chemistry class together.

“We throw every day after practice,” Gordon said. “It’s been a long season so far, I’ve been ready to play all season. It’s just that time. I’m really confident that I’m ready.”

And it shouldn’t take him too long to shake off the rookie jitters.

“After that (first) catch, I’ll know it’s real.”

Heat Treatment

Don’t expect Marve to be thwarted by the intense heat and humidity come game time tonight.

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Another heat warning will likely accompany the forecast today, with the temperature reaching 31 C and the humidity making it feel like close to 40.

But to Marve, who grew up melting in Florida year after year, this heat is peanuts by comparison.

“I like hot games, that doesn’t bother me at all,” Marve said. “I feel good with the 90 degrees (F). I was out there with the guys today and a couple guys that are from up north were like, ‘Hey, is this like back home?’ I said it was kind of like spring, it’s not summertime weather, it’s not humid enough.”

O’Shea will tell his team to hydrate before the game, but he knows cramping is likely inevitable.

“There always is. I don’t know how much you can do, it depends on their body,” he said.

Scott Billeck
Reporter

Scott Billeck is a general assignment reporter for the Free Press. A Creative Communications graduate from Red River College, Scott has more than a decade’s worth of experience covering hockey, football and global pandemics. He joined the Free Press in 2024.  Read more about Scott.

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