WINNIPEG – There’s a difference between being fearless and reckless.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Buck Pierce has the fearless side down pat, but offensive co-ordinator Jamie Barresi is trying to make sure his quarterback thinks before he scrambles and remembers when to slide.
“We’ve talked to him about it and I think he’s been very smart about it,” Barresi said earlier this week. “He’s taken note of what we’ve said about it.
“I was with him when he was in B.C. and I saw him a lot more, I guess the word would be reckless, and I see him much more cautious now. I think he’s doing things a bit more intelligently.
“Things are going to happen, no matter what. It’s football. He’s doing the best he can, but there’s still going to be people that are going to put a target on him.”
Pierce has guided his team to a 3-1 record. Next up are the winless B.C. Lions (0-4) at home on Thursday.
The Bombers go into the game in sombre mood, in the wake of the death of Richard Harris, the team’s defensive line and assistant head coach.
Pierce, a seven-year veteran, has a history of injuries and has taken some punishing blows this season, including a late helmet-to-helmet hit by Toronto linebacker Ejiro Kuale in last week’s 33-24 win over the Argonauts.
Kuale was ejected and Pierce went on to complete 22 of 27 pass attempts for 361 yards and three touchdowns. His performance was recognized Tuesday when he named the CFL offensive player of the week.
Second-year Bomber receiver Cory Watson got the nod as Canadian player of the week after he caught seven passes for 75 yards.
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Pierce didn’t want to get into the controversy of whether Kuale’s hit warranted an ejection.
“It was a call that was made. At the time I thought it was fair,” he said. “Now it’s over.”
The league investigated the Kuale hit, as well as a helmet-to-helmet hit Bomber linebacker Joe Lobendahn put on Toronto quarterback Cleo Lemon as he was running with the ball. Lemon’s helmet flew off and he cracked a tooth, exposing a nerve. He left the game.
Lobendahn wasn’t penalized and the league has said he won’t be fined. However, he’ll miss this week’s game because of a sprained ankle.
Kuale said earlier this week he was a “clean player” and he led with his shoulder, not his helmet. The league disagreed, fining him an undisclosed amount.
Barresi didn’t see Kuale’s hit because he was watching Pierce’s pass go to Terrence Edwards, but he did see the play on film.
“I honestly think it was a guy playing football. I really do,” Barresi said.
“I think Kuale’s a very good player . . . I watched it on video and I think, yeah, it’s a penalty. But I’m not questioning the referee’s decisions. I just don’t feel he wanted to go out and take him out of the game.
“He probably wanted to hit him, which is what he did. Our guys get that type of penalty, without that intent.”
Pierce has been on the receiving end a number of late hits this season, including two in a win over Calgary. The second hit bruised his thigh and he missed the second half – his only downtime due to injury this season.
In Winnipeg’s first win in Hamilton, linebacker Jamall Johnson drilled Pierce while he was in the pocket. The clean hit knocked off Pierce’s helmet and he smacked his head hard on the turf.
It was a play that had Barresi worried, until Pierce reached the sidelines.
“He came off the field very defiant because I was cringing there a little bit,” Barresi said.
“He really wants to show that he can be a resilient quarterback. That’s the thing that comes through in our conversations. His first reaction when he came off the field was, ‘Get away from me, I’m fine.’ “
Pierce’s toughness is admired by his teammates.
“He’s coming back from (the hits),” Bomber defensive end Odell Willis said. “The actions speak louder than words.”
Pierce said he’s been listening to Barresi’s advice about playing smarter.
“I understand what he’s trying to do is help us be successful and minimize hits on me,” he said.
“When I am in the open field, I do slide, I do go out of bounds. When I’m in the pocket making a throw down the field, I’m expected to stand in the pocket and deliver the ball accurately on time.”
He doesn’t know if he’s taking more hits this season or not.
“I try to minimize hits on myself and be pro-active and keep myself upright,” Pierce said.
“But I get hit, I’m a football player. I’m just like everybody else who puts a helmet on. I don’t shy away from contact. I understand my position.”
And when it comes down to it, Barresi doesn’t want Pierce to change his ways too much.
“He’s what you want in as a quarterback,” Barresi said.
“He’s a very competitive guy and he is fearless. But at this stage in his career, he just has to realize that he’s been stung a bit and so you’ve got to be careful about what you’re doing and so you’ve got to temper yourself a little bit.”
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