The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened up their training camp on Sunday. With all the labour talks going on with the league, it was good to see the players back on the field and going through the paces of a real practice.
Just because training camp is open, doesn't mean the issue of a potential work stoppage didn't come up.
"No talks scheduled this time, that I've heard of,” said offensive linesman Glenn January. “I think we're always open to have a sit-down with the league and our intention is to get this resolved before the season starts."
But on the field, it was all business. Players took part in the drills and weren't holding back with thoughts of a strike on their mind, something Coach Mike O'Shea wasn't expecting to happen anyways.
"When they get on the practice field, they want to practice,” said O’Shea. “They want to win. They want to compete. They want to battle. They want all that stuff. They're not the regular Joe you find. These guys are professional athletes."
The Bombers finished last season with a dismal 3-15 record but this season they're trying some different tactics, starting with new defensive co-ordinator Gary Etcheverry, whose system can be summed up in a word.
“Unique,” said Johnny Sears Jr., Bombers defensive back. “You can't get a beat on it. It's different. From the little things, like the linebackers, to the D-line, to the DB's, it's unique.”
