This one (literally) comes out of the Blue.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers' signing of kicker Troy Westwood to its practice roster on Monday is a blast from the past. The Bombers are bringing back a 17-year veteran of the team, cut unceremoniously in training camp last year by a coach subsequently punted after the season
While the Bombers have done some unusual things this year under the banner of rookie head coach Mike Kelly, signing Westwood is not necessarily a bad move; albeit one that has certainly raised many an eyebrow.
Westwood signed as a replacement for injured rookie punter Mike Renaud, who to date had been doing a solid job. While Westwood is known more as a field-goal kicker than a punter, at the tail end of the 2007 season and in a run that landed the Bombers in the Grey Cup he developed into an excellent punter. He had made changes to his technique and it showed.
Bottom line is that the Bombers are protecting themselves at a key position, and Westwood brings an added dimension. He understands the tricky wind conditions at the team's home stadium, where the Bombers are hoping they will play in the East semi-final. They are tied with Hamilton for second in the East and play host to the Ticats in the final game of the regular season, which may theoretically determine second place. At some point the nasty windy weather will return to Winnipeg, and Westwood understands that better than a local weatherman.
Westwood has a chance for closure, something he didn't have last year. He is a person of intense pride, and surely this opportunity is something that will stoke his competitive fire. He routinely keeps himself in shape, so all things considered Westwood should be fit and ready to go.
He also brings backup help for second-year kicker Alexis Serna, who supplanted him last year, should the Bombers need it. Serna has enjoyed a solid season, nailing 34 of 41 attempts for a percentage of 82.9, patching up a key problem that affected the Bombers last year. Serna has put behind all the struggles of his turbulent rookie season in which he had been asked to punting, which is not his strength, and field-goal kicking. He missed a couple field goals in the Bombers' three-point loss to B.C. last Sunday, albeit successfully nailing four others. You couldn't pin this loss on his kicking foot; the Bombers made too many mistakes as a whole, ending a three-game win streak.
The only danger is Westwood's return is the possible psychological effect on Serna, but he appears to have found a comfort level and confidence that he sadly lacked last year. If Serna can shake off his recent misses, it will truly show his maturation. A kicker's mentality can be fragile, even more so if he feels threatened by competition, but surely the Bombers have made it perfectly clear to Serna that Westwood has been signed to punt. (And Westwood is old enough and wise enough to appreciate this rare opportunity and know his role.)
You can knock Kelly for a lot of moves this year, but not this one, although it has added another interesting story line to the most interesting team in the league.
