HARRIS ON PACE TO BREAK TWO ENDURING RECORDS
If Andrew Harris is unaware of the numbers, he has plenty of people to remind him.
“I should probably log off Twitter, cause that’s where I see most of it,” the Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back said Tuesday.
Harris is on pace to break a couple of long-standing CFL records this season while playing for his hometown Bombers. He says he’s trying not to focus on it, but fans and media have a way of keeping it in his consciousness.
“People mention me on Twitter and keep me updated as to where I’m at,” Harris said.
The 30-year-old has 88 catches through 14 games this season, which puts him on pace to shatter the record for receptions by a running back of 102, set by Craig Ellis of the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 1985.
He’s also on track to become the first player in CFL history to record at least 1,000 yards rushing and 1,000 yards receiving. With four games left, he’s on pace for 1,053 rushing yards and 1,006 receiving yards. Only one player in CFL history has had more than 1,000 yards rushing and 800 yards receiving. That was Robert Drummond of the Toronto Argonauts in 1997 (1,134 yards rushing, 840 yards receiving).
Harris has 819 rushing yards through 14 games and 783 receiving yards. Not that he pays too much attention to those numbers.
“If I’m on pace, great,” Harris said. “But I’m just trying to be out there making plays for my team and trying to get us into a good situation for the playoffs.”
He may not get a chance to hit the 1,000-yard milestones, depending on how bad the Bombers need him. They are 10-4 and need just one point to clinch a playoff spot, and are also narrowing in on a home playoff date. It’s possible Harris will be rested toward the end of the season.
Either way, you get the sense the Bombers would like to see him get the records, but won’t let it get in the way of their ultimate goal of winning the Grey Cup.
“I don’t think it’s a distraction at all and I don’t think we have to avoid it,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said Tuesday. “I think his teammates want the most for Andrew, more than Andrew would want for himself. Andrew wants more for his teammates than he would ever want for himself.
“I don’t think it’s a situation that we have to manage at all. Not surprisingly, Andrew is a selfless teammate and that’s one of the things that makes him so likable and so enjoyable to come to work with.”
TRADING PLACES?
The CFL trade deadline is at 3:59 p.m. ET Wednesday, but nobody is expecting a flurry of activity.
It has been quiet on the trade front. Only the Montreal Alouettes, eliminated from the playoffs, are believed to be sellers.
The Als could unload veteran players like defensive end John Bowman and linebackers Kyries Hebert and Chip Cox. All three are in their mid-30s and could be a big help to teams in contention.
The Toronto Argos, first in the East Division with a 7-8 record, could dangle receiver Brian Jones, their top pick from the 2016 draft, or offensive lineman Mason Woods, a 2017 draft pick, who has sat healthy on the sixgame injured list all season.
The 12-1-1 Calgary Stampeders are believed to be in the market for depth on the offensive line.
While there has been talk the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will try to trade former No. 1 quarterback Zach Collaros, it’s unlikely anyone would take on his hefty contract now. He will likely be moved or released in the off-season.
LOCKING DOWN SPOTS
The B.C. Lions and TigerCats could be eliminated from playoff contention as soon as this weekend if they lose to the Blue Bombers and Stampeders, respectively.
The 6-8 Lions need help as it is, as they are four points out of a playoff spot with four games left in the season. If they lose Saturday and both the Edmonton Eskimos and Saskatchewan Roughriders win, B.C. will be eliminated.
Winnipeg will clinch a playoff spot with a win or a tie against the Lions, while the Riders and Eskimos will clinch at least a crossover playoff spot with wins and a Lions loss.
The Stampeders have already clinched a home playoff game and can lock up first place and a first-round bye with a win and a Winnipeg loss.
Despite being just 7-8 on the season, the Toronto Argos can clinch first place in the weak East Division with a win at Edmonton and a loss by the Ottawa Redblacks at Saskatchewan.
If 4-10 Hamilton loses to the Stampeders Friday, the Argos will clinch a playoff berth and a home playoff game, even if they lose this week.
If 6-9-1 Ottawa wins at Saskatchewan and Hamilton loses to Calgary, the Redblacks will clinch a playoff berth and a home playoff game and the Tiger-Cats will be eliminated.