Andrew Harris doesn’t normally overheat and lose his temper. He can take and deliver a hit, keep his composure under almost any circumstance, and then get back up ready for the next down.
But an incident in last Friday’s 56-10 beatdown of the Alouettes in Montreal was a rare exception.
Late in the third quarter – and with the Bombers up 37-10 – Harris was hit on the knee by Alouettes linebacker Jermaine Robinson. Harris was down for a spell and when he got back up to his feet, he was livid and unloaded with a verbal attack on Robinson and others in Alouettes colours as he left the field.
Harris was replaced by Kienan LaFrance and finished the game riding the exercise bike on the sidelines, but did not speak to the media until returning to the practice field today.
“I was hot after I got hit,” said Harris. “It’s just part of the game, I guess. Ultimately, you want guys to hit you in a spot where it’s a safer hit. I mean, the quarterbacks… guys are getting penalties for those kind of hits, and honestly, I feel it should be (that way) for everyone. A lot of guys get big injuries off certain low tackles and it’s the way it happens.”
“The guy was talking trash right after and then he came and said sorry to me. But I’ve got no time for that. If you’re going to hit me like that, talk trash and then try and say sorry after… I mean, ultimately that’s just disrespectful. They’re trying to take you out of the game that way. Any time you’re a successful player, there’s going to be more emphasis on those hits and trying to put a lick on you and it’s definitely something I’m going to have to be prepared for.”
Robinson didn’t receive any supplementary discipline for his actions, but another Alouette did get hit in the wallet. The league announced Wednesday afternoon that linebacker Henoc Muamba had been fined the maximum amount for spearing Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler.
Harris has been in the league long enough and understands – especially as the Canadian Football League’s yards-from-scrimmage leader a year ago – that he’s going to occasionally take those kinds of shots. But he also stressed Wednesday he tries to play the game respectful of his opponent and would like to think he’s earned that back in return.
“It’s a double-edged sword, right?” he said. “You’ve got to take the good with the bad and realize you’re going to get hit in lower positions, and also gang-tackled. There are times when you’re held up and guys are trying to take shots at you. It’s part of the game. You just hope that the opposition is just being smart about it and not trying to be dirty and get you in a situation where you’re going to get hurt.
“There are opportunities for me to be dirty and hit guys in situations, too. But you’ll never see me do that. I’ll always try and do that in the best way possible, the cleanest way possible. In return, I just want to have that same respect back.”
BOMBER REPORT | June 27, 2018
The Bombers completed their final full practice today before heading to Hamilton Thursday morning in advance of Friday’s date against the Tiger-Cats. Here are some tidbits from today’s session…
OUCH REPORT:
As indicated above, RB Andrew Harris was back at practice on Wednesday, rejoining Pat Neufeld – who returned on Tuesday – with the starting offence. DB Brandon Alexander was a spectator on Wednesday, meaning it’s possible there could be two changes in the secondary, with Anthony Gaitor already ruled out.
Maurice Leggett will take Gaitor’s spot, with Marcus Sayles and Tyneil Cooper both getting reps with the starting D on Wednesday.
TALKING A GOOD GAME:
More from Harris, who offered his take on the Ticats defence and then riffed on two Hamilton defenders who are notoriously adept at the trash-talk game.
“They’re a team that swarms and they bring a lot of pressure,” said Harris. “They’re definitely aggressive. But, I think we can utilize some things within that. They’re a veteran group. We’ve gone against (former Ticats defensive coordinator and current assistant head coach Orlondo) Steinauer many times in the past and understand what kinds of things he does.
“I’m looking forward to going against the mouthy Simoni Lawrence and Larry Dean… those are both guys I always have a lot of fun with and a lot of chatter. It’s a lot of fun playing them and even playing in the Donut Box (Tim Hortons Field). It’s always a good atmosphere there.
“When we’re winning (Lawrence) is not as mouthy. It’s when they start making plays, that’s when he starts talking more. It’s definitely one of those things where you’ve got to get on top and be successful in the run game and pass game and then just work him down until he’s quiet. Honestly, as mouthy and loud as he is, it’s fun to play against him. It’s always a good battle.
“We’ve gotten to know each other over the past couple of years and so maybe it’s a little personal. Before, it was just trash talk. But now we just basically make fun of each other. I’m never mic’d up when we play Hamilton for a reason. So, maybe it’s a good thing.”
SPEAKING OF WHICH…:
TSN’s first live mic game goes this weekend with the Bombers in Hamilton. There will be 18 live mic games this season, including four for each team. The Bombers live-mic games are Friday, July 27th vs. Toronto; August 25th at Calgary, and October 26th vs. Calgary.
GETTING AFTER IT:
The Bombers want to bring pressure on the quarterback every week, but Ticats QB Jeremiah Masoli has proven to be particularly elusive over the first two games this year and dating back 10 more last year after he replaced Zach Collaros as the starter.
“He’s got a lot of weapons and you can’t focus on only one guy,” said O’Shea. “But you’ve got to make sure you’re disciplined in your pass rush and real sure-handed when you’re tackling… you can’t just arm tackle because he’s strong, he’s fast. You’ve got to be relentless because he will buy time in the pocket, without even leaving the pocket. He moves around very well inside the pocket and then he’s got a lot of weapons downfield that keep working for him.
“It’s all about balance and being right more. You’ve got to be right. You can’t whiff on him.”
To that end, O’Shea was asked about the work of the Bombers D-line. Winnipeg has registered four sacks through two games, tied for the third-most behind Calgary (six) and B.C. (five).
“They’ve been active. They’ve worked hard,” said O’Shea. “The whole front has worked hard to get pressure. The D-line, like you need them to be, have been relentless. Our interior guys have created some havoc and our edge guys are working hard to get to the quarterback.”
