Bowman could be big target to help out Manziel
Veteran ready for ‘challenge’ that awaits in Montreal after trade from Winnipeg
Adarius Bowman is only two years removed from one of the greatest seasons recorded by a CFL receiver. And yet, only last month, he was traded to the Alouettes by Winnipeg for a conditional eighthround draft choice — basically given away.
Did Montreal inherit a receiver who was once, and could still become, great? Or were they sold a bill of goods, one reportedly making $140,000 this season?
The answer to that question will begin unfolding Saturday night, when Bowman is expected to make his Als debut against the Ottawa Redblacks at TD Place. At six-foot-three and 215 pounds, he could provide quarterback Johnny Manziel with a much-needed large target and assist in the CFL rookie’s assimilation of Montreal’s offence.
Manziel was intercepted four times in the first half Aug. 3 in his Als debut against Hamilton during a 50-11 defeat.
“I’m not afraid to take on the challenge ... being in the right place for Johnny,” Bowman, a 33-yearold in his 11th CFL season, said Wednesday. “I look at myself as that true veteran. Johnny’s been around, but he’s also kind of a rookie. He’s definitely a rookie up here, although I don’t treat him like one.
“He’s taken on a lot and I’ve been trying to comfort him. We’re watching film and hanging around a bit outside the building. I’ve gotten to know him. He’s a very downto-earth guy. I can’t imagine being in his shoes.”
Bowman’s footwear hasn’t exactly been comfortable recently, either.
Over a three-year period beginning in 2014 with Edmonton, he caught a combined 325 passes for 4,521 yards, while scoring 22 touchdowns. In 2016 alone, the Chattanooga, Tenn., native caught 120 passes — the fifth-highest total in CFL history — for 1,761 yards.
But he was held to 45 receptions for 534 yards last season while finding the end zone five times. He was released by the Eskimos on Feb. 5, but signed with the Blue Bombers four days later.
In six games with Winnipeg, he caught only nine passes for 95 yards. In three of those contests, he failed to make a catch. He was traded to the Als on July 23 — one day after Manziel was acquired from the Tiger-Cats — for the conditional late-round 2019 draft choice.
If Bowman sticks with Montreal and performs well, Winnipeg gets the pick. If not, it will be remembered as a salary dump.
“I feel like it’s their loss,” Bowman said. “I have nothing negative to say about Winnipeg; nothing negative about no player or coach. But I wasn’t really getting used and I want to play. I could be out of a job, done forever. Or I can take on the task I was given if somebody’s willing to give me an opportunity. I’m going to make the best of it.
“Nobody knows what you can do unless you get that work, those targets. If I go from being 10-plus targets to two and if I drop one of those two, it looks like a bad game. I hate that s---. I’m trying to do the right things and get myself back out there.”
The trade reunites Bowman with Als general manager Kavis Reed, the former having played under the latter in Edmonton. Reed believes he knows what makes the complicated Bowman perform well, so he allowed the player four days’ grace before he reported to Montreal. Bowman had moved his family to Winnipeg this season.
“We see a lot of man coverage in the CFL. He’s very adept at that. He’s not going to be bullied. He still has a lot of speed. He’s a very big target for our quarterbacks to find. He understands the game. I think he’ll elevate our receivers,” Reed said.
“He’s a very passionate individual. Inside, there’s a competitor. He can tend to get his RPM way high when things aren’t going well for him. Bring the RPM down and realize your talent’s good enough. Don’t fight trying to get the ball. Let it happen. He’s that team guy, but he needs to be mentored. Let’s make certain we don’t get too overexcited when things aren’t going well.”
The irony of the trade hasn’t been lost on Bowman. When he became a free agent, the Als reached out — but the player made it clear he wanted no part of a team that lost its final 11 games last season and hasn’t made the playoffs since 2014. Montreal has shown no improvement and has a 1-6 record.
“That’s how life shows you sometimes,” Bowman said. “There’s obviously something there. They brought me here and I’m supposed to be here. That makes me smile. I’m grateful and blessed for that. I felt refreshed when I got here.”
Should the Als suffer another lopsided loss this weekend, that freshness might quickly dissipate.
“I love adversity. I love the process of football,” Bowman said. “I have a lot left in the tank. I feel good about myself. The body’s working great.”
Notes: It appears defensive back Joe Rankin, just signed this week to the Als’ practice roster, will start at field cornerback. He played six games for Toronto in 2016 and also spent time with the NFL’s Cleveland Browns . ... With rush end John Bowman sidelined for up to six weeks with a partially torn biceps muscle, one of the players who will replace him is the wonderfully named Willie Mays.
I feel like it’s their loss. I have nothing negative to say about Winnipeg ... But I wasn’t really getting used and I want to play.