Football's best name comes to Winnipeg

Buck Pierce is a Blue Bomber. 

First, this means one of the best names in all professional sports remains in the CFL firmament.  My wife, who adores such things, will be ecstatic. 

Second, Winnipeg finally has a quarterback with a respectable CFL resume.  He's got a record of 21-12-1 as a starter, which if carried through to Winnipeg means challenging Montreal for East Division supremacy.  Nothing against the marvellous Als organization, but the CFL needs more parity in the (l)east.  Badly.  Getting capable players like Pierce into Toronto, Winnipeg and Hamilton is key. 

Third, this makes five QBs on Winnipeg's roster: Pierce, Steven Jyles, Stefan LeFors, Ricky Santos, and Adam DiMichele.  You have to think LeFors will be the odd man out.  Jyles is the obvious backup (and spot starter), with Santos and DiMichele left to compete for the clipboard/developmental spot. 

Fourth - and most unfortunately - the CFL has its most injury-prone player front and centre.  Last week (or so) Wally Buono essentially wrote Pierce off as a professional athlete.  Not as a man - he's hardly Ryan Leaf - but for the simple reason he can't stay healthy.  If you've been paying attention, you know where this is going:

Dave Dickenson, like Pierce, was a very talented quarterback (more so, even) who simply took too many big hits.  The problem with concussions, of course, is each one make the one after that much liklier. 

Buono, like many, felt Pierce's next one was just too likely.  Here's hoping he's wrong.