THE CANADIAN PRESS
WINNIPEG — Quarterback Buck Pierce can rest assured that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ offensive linemen have his back.
And that’s not just because of Pierce’s reputation of being injury prone.
"I’ve heard the Buck Pierce stories, but I’m not 100 per cent sure how accurate they are," Bomber left tackle Steve Morley said Monday at the club’s training camp. "No matter who’s back there, we’re going to give it all we have to keep him upright.
"We’re not going to say, `OK, (Steven) Jyles is back there, we’re not going to block as hard.’ Whoever is back there, we’re going to go 100 per cent all the time."
Pierce was released by the B.C. Lions in March and signed by Winnipeg the following month after the CFL team checked out the five-year veteran’s health.
At the time of his signing, Pierce said reports he’d suffered numerous concussions were blown out of proportion. He confirmed he had one last year, but noted he didn’t finish the season because of an injury to his non-throwing shoulder in October that’s since healed.
Pierce, 28, started 34 games for the Lions and posted a 21-12-1 record. The veteran quarterback is expected to be Winnipeg’s starter but is facing a challenge from Jyles for the job.
Jyles backed up Darian Durant in Saskatchewan last season, where new Bomber head coach Paul LaPolice was offensive co-ordinator. The four-year veteran was signed by Winnipeg as a free agent.
Winnipeg also has newcomer Alex Brink and Adam DiMichele, who joined the Bombers’ practice squad last fall.
Bomber centre Obby Khan said he’s not dwelling on Pierce’s injury history.
"I think his health is a non-issue right now," Khan said. "If Buck was going to get hit really hard versus anyone else getting hit hard, the same outcome would happen."
But he doesn’t plan on testing that theory.
"Whether Buck gets hit, Steve gets hit, Alex or DiMichele gets hit, to an offensive lineman that shouldn’t happen so we don’t really care who’s back there," Khan said. "If someone gets hit, that’s one hit too many.
"The fact that Buck’s been hurt, I’m not going to block any harder than I would for Steven or any of the other guys."
LaPolice has been switching players such as right tackle Glenn January to the left side, a position that protects a right-handed quarterback’s blindside.
"Each three days we rotate everyone through," said LaPolice, adding there’s a lot of depth on the offensive line.
Pierce has been doing well and all the quarterbacks are "getting better" as they pick up his system, LaPolice said.
"It’s another opportunity and I’m just trying to make the most of it," Pierce said of his fresh start.
He has to get used to the players around him and vice versa, but isn’t about to change his style.
"I am going to be aggressive when I have to be," Pierce said. "I think that’s one of the reasons that they brought me in, my competitiveness.
"I’m willing to get us to where we need to be by November."
It’s an attitude welcomed by the men paid to protect him.
"He seems to be a really confident guy and guys will follow someone who’s really confident," Morley said. "That’s what you need — somebody who’s confident, not afraid to speak their mind and has a swagger."
NOTES — The Bombers have 68 players in camp, including 18 starters from last season … Winnipeg added import wide receiver David Ball. The University of New Hampshire product set an NCAA Division 1-AA record for career touchdowns (58), breaking Jerry Rice’s previous mark of 50 … Defensive tackle Doug Brown, 35, didn’t practise in the second session, but there’s no issue, LaPolice said … Bob Cameron, who spent 23 seasons as the Bombers’ punter, is a guest coach with the club.
