Bob Irving
CFL.ca
If the Winnipeg Blue bombers three-day voluntary offseason workout at the Winnipeg Indoor Soccer Complex proved one thing conclusively, it’s that veteran Bomber quarterback Buck Pierce is completely recovered from a catastrophic dislocated elbow suffered last year during the Bombers annual labour day weekend visit to Saskatchewan.
When Pierce went down during that game against the Riders, there were concerns about how the mangled elbow on his throwing arm would impact his career. An off-season that saw Pierce dive head-long into a rigorous rehab and training program has resulted in a full recovery, and a leaner, stronger Pierce than ever.
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| A leaner, stronger Buck Pierce is looking for a bounceback season in 2011 after an injury plagued 2010. |
Pierce says he has lost a few pounds, lowered his body fat and strengthened his overall core. He showed off his new physique by throwing the ball with as much, or more, authority during the mini-camp than he ever has in his pro career.
“I threw over 1000 balls over three days and the arm is not a bit sore, I never once experienced any pain or discomfort in the elbow. The labour day weekend injury is no longer a concern and hasn’t been for quite some time,” said Pierce
All four Winnipeg quarterbacks were among the 27 players who attended the voluntary mini-camp. Purdue product Joey Elliott, who started the final 2 games of 2010 and is the consensus choice to be Pierce’s backup this year, Alex Brink and Justin Goltz all took turns running offensive plays during the three 90-minute workouts.
The Bombers are considering signing one more young quarterback before training camp but Vice President and General Manager of Football Operations, Joe Mack, says he has no plans to seek out a veteran quarterback with some CFL experience.
Blue bomber head coach Paul LaPolice was a happy man when the camp ended and not just because of how good Pierce looked. LaPolice has known for weeks that Pierce made a full recovery from the elbow injury.
“For our first year and first run through, it went tremendous,” said LaPolice. “We had a boatload of individual time, which really benefits the coaches. And just speaking the language of what we do gets them thinking football and should make them train harder when they get home.
“There is obviously some talented kids here, which isn’t a surprise because Mr. Mack watches a lot of film and doesn’t sign anybody that he doesn’t think can legitimately compete,” he said. “All these new guys are athletic, talented kids, and I’ve been places before where we brought players in who didn’t belong.”
Lapolice also pointed out that the Bombers are still a very young team so having three days together in the off-season was a great benefit.
Three rookie import receivers all made favorable impressions on Lapolice. The three newly signed wideouts were Tim Brown, a 5-foot-7, 155 pound receiver and kick return candidate from Rutgers, Bobby Guillory, a 23-year old Central Missouri product, and Damian Sherman, a 6-foot-4, 215 pounder from Southern Illinois who hasn’t played for two years since blowing out his knee while playing Arena ball.
Lapolice also liked the showing of two young Canadian receivers. “Cory Watson looked tremendous, and Aaron Hargreaves, 10 pounds lighter, looks much faster and is a better route runner,” said Lapolice.
Watson is a second year player while Hargreaves, a Simon Fraser product, is a three-year CFL vet. Perhaps the most impressive receiver at camp though was big Greg Carr. The 6-foot, 6-inch giant from Florida State made a big impact last year, catching 31 passes for 568 yards in just seven games. He looked sensational in the mini-camp, and should be headed for a real breakout year.
Veteran defensive backs Jovon Johnson, Jonathan Hefney and Deon Beasley also took part in the camp, as did holdover offensive linemen Obby Khan, Steve Morley, Chris Greaves, Kelly Butler and Glenn January.
January is coming back from a severely torn pectoral muscle that cost him the entire 2010 season. He is in fantastic condition and is eager to prove he deserves to be one of the two import tackles the Bombers plan to play on their offensive line.
Lapolice said he’s already thinking of ways to improve the camp next year, including bringing in more than the 27 players who attended this time. The Bombers will now prepare for the May 8th CFL draft. After that, it’s only 23 days until rookie training camp opens on June 1st.
