When Andrew Harris signed with the Toronto Argonauts in February, marking the end of his time with the Blue Bombers, the choice to shift on from the future Corridor of Fame functioning again was achieved with blended inner thoughts.
While admirers had been brief to condemn or justify Harris’ departure immediately after five seasons in Winnipeg, a tenure that finished with back-to-back Gray Cup titles, it was a tough tablet to swallow for various Bombers players. For numerous of Harris’ now-former teammates, it continues to be challenging to digest the fact that No. 33 is no longer with the Bombers and element of their operate at a 3-peat.
Robust outing earns Houston marketing
JOHN WOODS / WINNIPEG Free Push Data files
Demerio Houston experienced six tackles towards the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and produced the deal with that led to Willie Jefferson’s touchdown.
Posted: 8:50 PM Jul. 1, 2022
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were so amazed with what they noticed from second-yr player Demerio Houston in a Week 3 earn more than the Hamilton Tiger-Cats theyve made a decision to shuffle the secondary to guarantee him a lot more enjoying time.
Houston, who played admirably at field corner in a 26-12 victory above the Ticats final Friday, has been promoted to boundary-side corner at apply this week, changing Winston Rose. Rose has been shifted to the area-side corner, a spot that was occupied the first a few games by an additional veteran in Tyquwan Glass, who was unveiled early Friday.
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Even though it is been months since Winnipeg opted to transfer on from Harris, leaving sufficient time for the original shock to don off, it’s nonetheless heading to be unusual to cross paths when the Bombers journey to Toronto for a Monday matchup from the Argonauts at BMO Area. Winnipeg and Toronto perform just once this period, with the Argonauts not scheduled to return to IG Area for a rematch.
“It is often difficult. Specifically a man like him, a guy who we have shaped a marriage with more than a very long time period of time,” Bombers offensive lineman Patrick Neufeld claimed pursuing Friday’s follow at IG Industry. “But which is usually the sh—-y aspect about this business. Everybody says, and all people, at some point, additional very likely than not, is gonna go by means of it. So, it is it sucks not having him all over, but we have a phenomenal locker place and I’m guaranteed he’s forging all those new bonds out in Toronto, too.”
Harris signed with the Bombers in 2016, after breaking into the CFL with the B.C. Lions in 2010. A Winnipeg indigenous, quite a few believed that Harris would end his occupation playing for his hometown crew.
After an harm-plagued 2021 period that noticed Harris minimal to just seven game titles, with his manufacturing also dropping off a little bit from former decades, the Bombers opted to go in another path. Toronto was fast to sign the 35-calendar year-previous, inking Harris to a a person-calendar year offer value $165,000 – the optimum wage amongst CFL operating backs.
“Respectfully, the best running again in the Canadian Football League,” claimed Argos GM Michael Clemons, in a organized assertion, shortly right after signing Harris. “Homegrown as a result of junior soccer, he is not described by his beginning certificate but refined by our Canadian activity. His will to win is only paralleled by his appreciate of the sport. Andrew is a present, a video game-changer.”
In two online games with the Argonauts this period, Harris has rushed 25 times for 114 yards — an common of 4.6 yards per run — and reeled in 5 of 6 targets for 42 yards by the air.
“Andrew has meant a lot to the group. He was listed here four many years right before I even arrived,” Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros mentioned. “It’s heading to be an enjoyable video game and I know Andrew is likely to participate in with a chip on his shoulder.”
Collaros and Harris became speedy close friends immediately after Collaros was obtained from the Argonauts just prior to the 2019 trade deadline. The Bombers quarterback would frequently communicate glowingly of Harris and what he introduced to the offence, as nicely as the strength he extra to the huddle.
Possessing players shift on to other groups is absolutely nothing new in experienced athletics, specifically the CFL, where one particular-year contracts have grow to be the norm. Collaros has skilled the tricky side of the company, getting performed for four teams in excess of his 11-12 months job in the league.
Nonetheless, that working experience did not make Harris leaving far more palpable.
“I really do not think it makes it any a lot easier. I have been in similar cases clearly, not to that extent,” Collaros stated. “But often a crew just would like to go a unique way and which is just, I guess, what transpired.”
To be apparent, Collaros and Neufeld, whilst near with Harris, are pleased with what the Bombers have in the backfield. Brady Oliveira and Johnny Augustine were equally signed to make up for the sizable reduction, and every has contributed to a operate activity that will only boost about time.
The Bombers are averaging 84 rushing yards per match, which ranks just fifth in the nine-workforce league. The B.C. Lions guide the CFL in that group, averaging an eye-popping 167 hurrying yards. Hamilton has a league-worst normal of 44 yards.
With Harris as their function back for 5 seasons, the Bombers had been ranked initial in hurrying yardage a few occasions and second at the time. Harris also led the league in speeding for a few straight seasons (2017, 2018, 2019).
“The guys that we have in the backfield never appeared at it as filling Andrew’s shoes. They have their individual identities, they’re their personal players,” Neufeld reported. “They do unique items, and when it arrives to power, distinct position teams provide that electrical power. So, there is no fall off in that department, for positive. It’s just the uniqueness of Brady and Johnny and what these men bring is wonderful, also.”
Bombers offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce has used a two-again program so much this 12 months, although Oliveira has received a majority of the touches. The 24-yr-old Oliveira, who is also from Winnipeg, has 39 rushes this time when compared to Augustine’s 12.
With Harris, when he was wholesome there was no debate over who was functioning the ball.
“Oh, of training course,” Pierce mentioned when questioned about the difficultly in replacing anyone like Harris. “But every yr we have received to proceed to come across distinctive methods, and wanting at what you’re performing, and participate in to our strengths now. The past is the earlier and we’re hunting ahead to transferring on ideal now with the fellas that we have. We’re proud of the function that they’re executing and we’re just going to keep grinding as we go.”
Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca
Twitter: @jeffkhamilton
Jeff Hamilton
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Following a slew of injuries enjoying hockey that bundled breaks to the wrist, arm, and collar bone a tear of the medial collateral ligament in both equally knees as well as a collapsed lung, Jeff figured it was a fantastic notion to consider his fascination in athletics off the ice and in to the classroom.
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