Bob Irving
CFL.ca
First place in the CFL-East belongs to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Yes, we’re only one week and one game into the 2010 CFL season and the standings don’t really mean much at this point. Still, the Blue Bombers and their fans are encouraged after a season-opening 49-29 win over the Hamilton Tiger Cats and they are particularly buoyed by the performance of quarterback Buck Pierce.
The 28-year old Pierce, in his Bomber debut, showed the kind of savvy and leadership that has been lacking since Kevin Glenn had his big 2007 season in Blue and Gold. Ironically, it was Glenn who was upstaged by Pierce as the Bombers mauled the Tiger Cats.
While Glenn was held to 15 completions in 30 throws for 197 yards, Pierce was a solid 17 for 25 for 291 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. In addition, Pierce showed an element to his game that wasn’t entirely expected as he rushed for 89 yards. And he played a smart game, avoiding unnecessary hits by sliding at the end of most of his runs, rather than going head to head with Ticat defenders.
The other offensive stars for the Bombers were receiver Terrence Edwards and running back Fred Reid. Edwards, who caught five passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns, had a disappointing 2009 season when he caught 52 passes for 816 yards. His two previous seasons with the Bombers, Edwards had 1,280 and 1,010 receiving yards and the 31-year old veteran was determined to return to that form.
Reid was held in check much of the night by the Tiger-Cats, but he came through with a spectacular and timely 50-yard run in the fourth quarter after the Tiger-Cats had narrowed Winnipeg’s lead to 31-23. Reid finished the night with 98 yards on the ground.
On the other side of the ball, second year defensive and Phillip Hunt gave second year Ticat tackle Simeon Rottier fits all night long. Hunt finished with three tackles and two quarterback sacks while middle linebacker Joe Lobendahn also had a big night, racking up eight tackles and two sacks.
Lobendahn’s talent has never been in question but injuries have dogged him his first two seasons with the Bombers. Also encouraging for Bomber head coach Paul LaPolice was the play of rookie defensive back Alex Suber. Replacing Jonathan Hefney, the 2009 East Division rookie of the year, Suber turned in a solid effort. At 5-feet, six-inches on a good day, Suber is without doubt the shortest defensive back in the CFL, but he played a BIG game in the opener.
The one significant flaw in the Bombers’ game Friday was their kick coverage as Marcus Thigpen returned two kicks for touchdowns. But all things considered it was exactly the kind of beginning a new regime would hope for.
As is his style, LaPolice downplayed the significance of the win, saying it’s just one game and there is room for much improvement. But it’s one win the other three teams in the Eastern Division failed to achieve in their openers and it has Bomber fans excited and optimistic about what the 2010 season could in store.
