Andrew Harris has been around long enough to understand a bit about marketing and promotion.

And sometimes, it’s better to under-promise and over-deliver.

Case in point, we give you the veteran Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back after practice on Tuesday when asked this simple question:

What should we expect from the Bombers offence this year?

“Guess we’ll see… guess we’ll find out,” began Harris with a grin. “I don’t want to give away too much.

“We’ve got some talented guys across the board that can stretch the field. We’ve got an amazing O-line and a great quarterback that can spread the ball around and get the ball the deep. And myself, I feel like I’m a three-way guy (run, pass, block).

“We’re definitely well-rounded and it all starts with those five guys (along the offensive line). And when those guys are rolling, the playmakers can make plays.”

Harris was back at work on Tuesday for the Bombers after missing last Friday’s practice, and when he looked around the club’s offensive huddle, he saw 10 familiar faces staring back at him.

That continuity could be critical for a Bomber attack that welcomed aboard a ‘new’ offensive coordinator in Paul LaPolice last year, changed quarterbacks after a 1-4 start and was crushed by injuries to the receiving corps.

All that has this bunch quietly gushing about the possibilities for the ’17 season.

“Some of the guys last year, I didn’t even know their first names at this point,” Harris said. “I know everyone well now. I know their wives’ names, I know their kids’ names. All that stuff adds up and makes a big difference. It’s more of a brotherhood, for sure.”

“It was a new system last year,” added veteran left tackle Stanley Bryant, “but we’re all familiar with it now and we’re hitting the ground running.

“We’re able to put more in now because of that and I think the offence, as a whole, has grown a lot.”

With the club’s 2017 debut now just a few days away, here’s a look at some of the pieces that make the Bombers offence run:

QB1

Matt Nichols turned a 10-3 run into a new contract this offseason, as the organization rewarded him not just for the career numbers he posted, but for how this team rallied around him in the process.

It could be said no one in the entire CFL has more of a chip on his shoulder than the veteran pivot. Loved by the men in the Bombers clubhouse, he’s still got some critics to silence outside of those walls.

THE WORKHORSE

Harris finished third in the CFL last year in yards from scrimmage (rushing, receiving) with 1,608 – 974 along the ground, 634 through the air – ranking behind only Edmonton receiver Adarius Bowman (1,757) and Calgary tailback Jerome Messam (1,683).

Some have pointed to Harris’ rushing average of 4.8 last season, but it’s worth noting this: in the first five weeks of the season – before the Bombers made their quarterback change and tinkered with the offensive line to find its current crew – Harris averaged 3.89 yards per carry. After that, his average jumped to 5.42.

THE BACKBONE

Bomber fans who have watched so many offensive lines struggle over the years were positively giddy with the work this bunch provided last season, particularly in the final 13 weeks.

With Bryant at left tackle, Travis Bond at left guard, Matthias Goossen at centre, Sukh Chungh at right guard and Jermarcus Hardrick at right tackle, the Bombers have a combination that loves to push the pile in run blocking and has been steady in pass protection.

As this group goes, so goes the offence.

RELIABLE

Slotback Weston Dressler has the kind of career numbers that already have some discussing his possible place in the Canadian Football Hall of Fame. He’s 28^th on the CFL’s all-time receiving yardage list and has 57 career touchdowns. Tossed aside by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the 31-year-old North Dakota product instantly became a favourite here in Winnipeg – as he was in Regina – and finished last year with 80 catches and 1,003 yards in 14 games.

TRENDING UP

Darvin Adams was one of the bright lights in the Bombers’ 1-4 start last year before suffering a shoulder injury in late July that derailed what would have been a career season.

Adams, just 27, started eight games last year and finished with 51 receptions for 690 yards and six TDs. His 86.3 yards per game was best among the Bomber receivers.

THE SILENT KILLER

Clarence Denmark’s return was one of the most-compelling stories of the season last year, as he returned to post a career-best and team-high eight touchdowns in just 10 games. He’s become a favourite and reliable target for Nichols, and there’s no higher-compliment for a receiver.

FOOT SOLDIERS

Two Canadians who often get overlooked but whose contributions are valuable: fullback Christophe Normand and wide receiver Julian Feoli-Gudino. Normand is arguably the most-athletic at his position in the CFL and Feoli-Gudino is a sure-handed target who does a lot of grunt work away from the ball.

NEW FACES

The Bombers receiving depth features an interesting mix of the new, the unproven and the hungry. We told you of L’Damian Washington’s tough road to the CFL and he looks to be part of the starting lineup this Saturday in Regina.

Canadian Matt Coates is healthy again and could provide depth behind veteran Julian Feoli-Gudino, while T.J. Thorpe still figures to be a key piece once he is healthy again. Same goes for Ryan Lankford, who had a solid preseason after getting his feet wet last year with the Riders.

THE SPECIALISTS

Kicker Justin Medlock and long snapper Chad Rempel are two of the best in the biz. Medlock was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player last year after setting a league record for field goals, while Rempel is as steady as a metronome.

Both Lankford and Kevin Fogg appear to be the primary kick-returners – Fogg has superb numbers last year – but who handles the gigs will depend on the club’s use of their four designated imports this season.

KEY ‘O’ NUMBERS

Points per game: 27.3
CFL rank: 6^th (Calgary 1^st – 32.6)

Net offence: 357.4
CFL rank: 6^th (Ottawa 1^st – 423.7)

Rushing yards per game: 85.8
CFL rank: 5^th (B.C. 1^st – 111.8)

Passing yards per game: 285.7
CFL rank: 6^th; (Ottawa 1^st: 354.1)

Completion percentage: 70.4
CFL rank: 3^rd; (Ottawa 1^st: 70.8)

Sacks allowed: 33
CFL rank: 4^th (Calgary 1^st: 20)

Fewest turnovers: 28
CFL rank: 2^nd (Calgary 1^st: 26)

Time of possession: 28:33
CFL rank: 8^th (Calgary 1^st: 31:36)

Second-down conversion rate: 46.7
CFL rank: 6^th (Edmonton 1^st: 53.6)

Tomorrow: a look at the Bombers defence as their 2017 opener approaches.