Game 10: Host Saskatchewan, Sunday, 3 p.m.
THE FRED AND JOE SHOW:
RB Fred Reid took a good chunk of the work out of the Bombers backfield at Friday's last full practice before Sunday's rematch with the Riders, although new tailback Joe Smith is getting busier. Smith, interestingly, also returned a kickoff at the workout as he digests more and more of the offensive game plan."I've probably picked up a good 70 per cent of the playbook," said Smith. "It's happening fast. We feel confident in it. I feel comfortable with it and I'm pretty sure the coaches feel comfortable with it, too."
Now, although it's the same offence the Bombers ran with Charles Roberts in the backfield, having Smith -- a 6-foot-2, 224-pound bruiser -- does give the club a different dimension and a different personality.
"That's all it's going to be, all physicality," said Smith. "That's what one of my coaches used to say, 'Be phys-i-CAL.' It's going to be all physical. I know the O-line is up for the challenge, I know the receivers are up for the challenge and I know I'm up for the challenge. It's going to be a physical game. You'll see guys being knocked down by the O-line. You'll see receivers going up and hitting guys in the mouth and I'll do my part of hitting guys in the mouth. It's going to be exciting."
And when it was suggested there isn't a whole lot complicated about his game, Smith just grinned and said: "Everything I do in life, there's nothing complicated about it. It's very simple."
Smith's wife Andrea is headed to Winnipeg and should be at the game on Sunday. She is of Filipina descent and the couple hope to immerse themselves in their new home.
"We're both looking forward to it," said Smith. "I've heard about how big the Filipino community is here. Other than that, there was the talk about mosquitoes and also the talk about the Latin dancing here. We're looking forward to getting around and checking things out."
DON'T GO THERE:
Head coach Doug Berry on a possible offence-vs.-defence split in the room, given the attack's struggles: "There's none of that, absolutely none of that. It happens when it's allowed to happen. And if you don't allow it to happen it probably is not going to. We're just not going to let it happen. It's part of our style. It's part of me, part of how I coach, part of how our coaches coach. It's not just me, it's the whole staff. It's part of our makeup."
Pressure? What pressure?
Here's new running back Joe Smith on replacing Charles Roberts and joining a 2-7 squad: "There's no pressure. It's all about coming out and having fun. As long as we're having fun and having success, it's all good. That's what fun is, having success on the field. We'll have a lot of fun out there."
Kicker watch
Rider punter Jamie Boreham (ankle) is doubtful for Sunday's Banjo Bowl and if he can't go all the kicking chores will be handled by Luca Congi. Meanwhile, Saskatchewan could have dominant defensive end John Chick back in the lineup. He has been out since late July with a knee injury.
The festivities
Fans should remember that today -- Saturday -- is Bomber autograph day. Stadium doors open at 10:30 a.m. and fans are asked to enter through The Bomber Store. Autographs are available after practice (one item per fan to keep lines moving) and team posters are being handed out.
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