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Good to see Blue Bomber head coach Mike Kelly getting into the spirit of Halloween so soon.
The Professor took off the nice-guy mask on Friday that he’d been wearing the last several weeks and revealed, once again, his complete lack of respect for the people who provide information to the public about his football team.
Even Bomber staffers were left shaking their heads when the coach changed practice time without informing anybody, causing TV and newspaper photographers to forego an opportunity for pictures, others to miss chances for interviews.
This, at a time when the 6-9 Bombers, struggling to sell tickets, need all the publicity they can get for Saturday’s game against the visiting Montreal Alouettes.
I can only imagine how the marketing department felt about this one.
After fielding complaints, including one from a miffed female reporter, the Professor offered this tasteful “apology” at his media briefing.
“I hate when the media’s so angry,” Kelly began. “I want to apologize to everyone who had their panties in a ball.”
Classy. But what we’ve come to expect from the Professor.
Coach, you’re supposed to put the disguise on for Halloween, not take it off.
TALL TASK: So what’s it going to take for the Bombers to beat the 13-2 Als today?
“I won’t say perfection,” receiver Adarius Bowman began. “But no turnovers. You’ve gotta play your A-game against Montreal.”
Would help, too, if Montreal brought its B-game — or went even deeper into the alphabet.
Running back Fred Reid figures if the Als go two deep into their quarterback stable, starting Adrian McPherson instead of Anthony Calvillo, it’ll help, big-time — even if McPherson had a big game in relief of Calvillo last week.
“Their No. 2 didn’t look bad, but I’d rather their No. 2 was in there instead of their No. 1,” Reid said. “No. 2, he’s had not many reps. You know he’s capable of having some bad throws in there. Hopefully we get their second-string QB. That would be a big plus for us.”
Maybe. But B.C.'s No. 3, Travis Lulay, managed to beat the Bombers last week.
STILL WAITING: I can only imagine how frustrating it must be for backup Bomber quarterbacks Casey Bramlet and Ricky Santos. It doesn’t matter how poorly Michael Bishop is doing, they just don’t get a shot.
Bramlet, No. 2 on the depth chart, hasn’t thrown a pass in anger since Montreal last came to town, when he completed one of eight passes and had two intercepted.
Santos, stuck at No. 4 in Montreal before the Bombers traded for him five weeks ago, was under the impression he’d have received a shot by now.
But if he’s upset, he’s not showing it, saying things obviously changed when the team won three in a row under Bishop.
“What are you going to do?” Santos said. “Why change just because they told me something different? I’m still young. My best years are ahead of me.”
Bramlet, who arrived midseason, says he’ll bide his time, too.
“I knew coming in middle of the season it’d be hard to step right in,” he said.
With the season likely coming down to the final game against Hamilton, it’s not likely anybody will step in ahead of Bishop.
ABOUT-FACE: One last thing about Alexis Serna losing the punting job to Troy Westwood.
Here’s what Kelly said, going into last week’s game, about Serna pulling double duty.
“His head’s in such a good place right now, I don’t have any concerns about, ‘Oh, he’s doing two jobs,’ or anything. Just watch him out there, he’s like a kid in a candy store. It just shows how he’s such an integral part of this team. He’ll do fine.”
Two missed field goals later, and it’s Old Lefty to the rescue.
And you thought the weather was unpredictable.