It’s an idea that has always looked good on paper for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Take two dangerous running backs in Andrew Harris and Timothy Flanders, put them in offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice’s hands and in a huddle with Matt Nichols, and just imagine all the possibilities.

Those possibilities first came to life last year in bits and pieces over three games, but are becoming more of a fixture this season now that Flanders has been in the lineup for the last three weeks – perhaps not coincidentally, all victories.

But there were always also some potential landmines and roadblocks in having both Harris and Flanders not only on the roster together, but on the field together.

Would Harris be cool with giving up some of his touches?

Would Flanders be patient in waiting his turn?

And how do you even get Flanders on the roster, given the ratio issues and the club’s use of its four designated imports (Justin Medlock, Jovan Santos-Knox, Kevin Fogg and Flanders, of late) and with Tristan Okpalaugo soon to return from injury?

Right now, the addition of Flanders to the Canadian Football League’s highest scoring offence looks like a boon, given his production – he’s averaged seven yards per carry, has two receptions for 26 yards, and has one kickoff return for 29 yards – and how it has further energized Harris, who is coming off arguably his best game as a pro after finishing with a double-triple, with 100 yards receiving and rushing in the win over the Edmonton Eskimos.

It turns out the setup is working because of a couple key reasons.

First, for as much as Harris wants his heavy workload to continue, he is driven on grabbing another Grey Cup ring.

Second, Flanders has been extremely patient and loyal to an organization that asked him for weeks to sit tight and watch from the reserve list.

And interestingly, the foundation for this relationship was first built during their days with the B.C. Lions, back in 2015…

“I can still remember my first meeting with them,” said Flanders, who joined the Lions in October that year. “I probably knew 2-3 guys on the team and had already heard so much about Andrew. But he helped me with a lot of little stuff with the game and then watching him work and play was like getting all these daily tips. And it was the exact same thing when I came here.”

“When I first met Timothy I thought right away that he was a great running back,” added Harris. “I really think the biggest thing with him now is he understands the playbook a lot better. Obviously, when you come in from the NFL game and into a new system – and in B.C. he came in in Week 12 or 13 – that’s tough to figure out. But last year he learned the playbook. And this year he knows what the receivers are doing and understands what the protections are.

“Once you can do that, you can fly around and not think too much.”

The production of the Harris-Flanders combo has grown since it was first implemented this season, three games ago. Against Ottawa, the two combined for 13 touches, averaging 7.92 yards; that total jumped to 22 touches and 6.73 yards in Hamilton and 27 for 10.96 yards last week against the Eskimos.

“We talk about ‘efficient runs’ (runs of five yards, for first downs or touchdowns) and how successful we are on each run,” Harris explained. “Any time both of us are on the field we’re 100 percent in efficient runs. There’s a number of reasons for that. One, I might be the main ball carrier on a play and he might get the ball. And it just throws a defence off a little bit.

“They can’t key on one guy when we’re both back there. Either one of us can carry the ball, we can both block well for each other and we’re both threats in the pass game. It really puts a bind on a defence in terms of who to key on. Every time the defence comes out and there’s two backs they say one’s a receiver and one’s a fullback. With us, we’re both tailback bodies and can bring that tailback aspect as far as running the football. It just makes it tougher on defences and it throws them off.

“Timothy’s a threat in all three phases – blocking, catching and running the ball, and he’s a guy that will continue to be an asset for us.”

Harris’ skillset has been on full display for seven seasons now. He’s a driven runner and a dangerous receiver. And to Flanders’ credit, while he is an outstanding rusher, he worked extensively in the offseason to improve his route-running and his receiving skills – knowing that if he had to replace Harris, who caught 67 passes last season, he’d do more than just lug the ball.

But the most important skill Flanders has flashed in the development of this two-headed tailback monster for the Bombers has been this: patience.

“A lot of guys back home were messing with me about not playing,” said Flanders with a grin. “But the way I look at it, there’s a lot of guys who are just trying to get on the team or trying to get a look. It takes a lot of patience. I’ll tell you, there were times I’d be saying, ‘Man, I wish I was playing.’ Or, ‘Man, I wish I was doing this or that.’

“But more of it, for me, is just about being on the field, not the reps. It’s about being out there and doing whatever I can to help the team win. At the end of the day, though, it really is a blessing. And I’m happy to be in my role.”

BOMBER REPORT – August 22, 2017

The Bombers completed their final full practice on Tuesday in advance of this week’s visit to Montreal to face the Alouettes. Here are three things you should know before the team hops on a plane Wednesday morning for Quebec…

TWO SALUTED

The CFL released its weekly Top Performers honours Tuesday morning, and to the surprise of few, both running back Andrew Harris and quarterback Matt Nichols were saluted, along with Toronto’s S.J. Green.

Harris rushed for 105 yards and added 120 yards receiving in the win over Edmonton, while Nichols completed 80 per cent of his passes for 390 yards and a TD.

“Any time you’re recognized as an individual there are so many people who made plays for you and all that stuff,” said Nichols. “It’s always good when guys on our team are getting recognized. It means we’re doing the right things.

“We had a good week, but we’re three or four days removed from that now, so for us the focus has solely been on this game. We know it was a tough one last time (against Montreal), we know that’s a tough place to play and a tough team to play against. That’s what we’re focused on, not personal accolades.”

WHO FITS WHERE?

Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea, as is his custom, won’t reveal any possible lineup changes or adjustments in the days before Thursday’s game. But CB Brandon Alexander was back working with the No. 1 defence, with Kevin Fogg at halfback for Brian Walker, who hasn’t practised all week.

Safety Taylor Loffler has also not worked out this week, but O’Shea won’t rule him out for Thursday. DE Tristan Okpalaugo was also taking turns on defence while LB Ian Wild has had the cast removed from his hand.

And just FYI, Travis Bond was back at practice after heading home for a few days for personal reasons, while Julian Feoli-Gudino split some reps at wide receiver with Matt Coates. Feoli-Gudino did not finish last week’s win after suffering a lower-body injury.

HARD TO BE OUT/GOOD TO WATCH

No pro athlete wants to watch from the sidelines, especially due to injury. But Brandon Alexander tried to find some sort of silver lining to missing the last three weeks.

“As a football player or as an athlete in general, when you’re not out there when you want to be out there with your teammates it definitely does hurt, just because you want to play,” said Alexander. “It’s the nature and the competitiveness of the person. But sometimes things happen for a reason and you have to sit back and you have to watch.

“That’s a good thing sometimes because you can sit back and pick up on things that you wouldn’t see if you’re on the field. You always have to keep a positive mind.

“I feel good. I’m just glad I’m out here running around again and being able to help my teammates in any way possible. If I’m up this week, I’m up. And if I’m not, so be it.”