READY TO ROCK
2016 first-round pick Couture believes he is poised to be a starter on Bombers’ O-line
The way Michael Couture sees it, he’s had a golden opportunity to learn from some of the best and now he’s ready to make his own mark on the CFL.
Couture was drafted 10th overall by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2016 and has spent three seasons in Blue and Gold, dressing for every single game and soaking up every bit of information he can about playing offensive line at the professional level.
He’s been a backup for all but two games and has taken reps at every spot on the line, making him a versatile player who now believes he’s ready to start regularly for the Bombers.
“It’s given me an opportunity to learn from a lot of different guys,” the 24-year-old Couture said Tuesday after signing a oneyear contract extension with the Bombers. “Being able to take reps in games and mainly in practice behind all five spots on the O-line is quite beneficial because I’ve learned things that I wouldn’t have learned if I had stuck to right guard or centre or whatever it may be. I’d definitely say it’s been an advantage.”
The Bombers have had one of the best offensive lines in the CFL for several years and have several key pieces returning for the 2019 season, including two-time league most outstanding offensive lineman Stanley Bryant at left tackle, 2017 all-star Jermarcus Hardrick at right tackle and solid veteran Pat Neufeld at left guard.
Where Burnaby, B.C.’s Couture fits in remains to be seen.
National all-stars Matthias Goossen (centre) and Sukh Chungh (right guard) are both potential free agents on Feb. 12 and there’s a good chance one of them won’t be back.
The Bombers also have 2017 first-round draft pick Geoff Gray in the fold for next season along with Couture, who believes he could start at either centre or guard.
“I know some guys are free agents right now and we’ll see what happens but I want to take that next step and I want to see that happen with Winnipeg,” the 6-foot-4, 295pound Couture said.
“I’ll be coming to camp and trying for a (starting) job. I’ve been preparing the last couple seasons to play whatever position they need me to play. Absolutely, that’s a challenge I look forward to with the kind of group we have and our O-line room.”
Couture, who has played 54 regular-season games for the Bombers as well as four playoff games, could have become a free agent on Feb. 12 and the thought of trying to earn a starting job on a team with less offensive-line depth certainly crossed his mind.
“I’d be lying if said I didn’t think about it at all, but it was a very short, short period,” he said. “Winnipeg has everything that I’m looking for in an organization and a city to play for. It didn’t take much.”
That being said, Couture signed just a one-year contract with the knowledge that if a starting gig doesn’t materialize in Winnipeg this year, he might be able to try his luck elsewhere next year.
“That’s definitely an aspect of it, for sure,” he said. “It was a suggestion and an agreement between me and my agent that maybe that would play into it and that’s just how it worked out.”
Since Couture first arrived in Winnipeg, the Bombers have had pretty much the same line for almost every game.
Bryant and Goossen have never missed a game, Hardrick has missed five games in three seasons, Chungh has missed three games and Neufeld has recovered to play every game the last two seasons after an injury plagued 2016.
“I’m pretty sure the continuity in the room wasn’t where it is now when I got to Winnipeg in 2016,” Couture said. “From what I’ve heard it was a bit of a revolving door with the amount of guys that were starting.
“Now, for hopefully going on four years, we’ve had a consistent seven guys that have stayed as a core in there. Especially in football and especially playing O-line, keeping the same core together is very important cause it’s five people but they say you’ve got to play as one.
“When you know a guy that you’re sitting beside for years, compared to six months at a time with a different guy, it builds a connection and I think it probably shows on the field too.”