Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back Alex Suber celebrates after a Montreal Alouettes incomplete pass during first half CFL action in Winnipeg, October 22, 2011.Reuters
Alex Suber is hungry to start another CFL season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and wipe away the memory of 2013, one of the worst on record for the team.
"I'm excited just for a new start, just to see where things are going, to bring some kind of tradition back to the team and guys being excited about something new," the defensive back said during a conference call Monday after agreeing to stay with the Bombers rather than go to free agency next month.
Suber is entering his fifth CFL season, all with Winnipeg. He played 18 games last season at halfback, recording 54 tackles, two interceptions and one fumble recovery, while adding six special-teams tackles.
"He brings an attitude to the field and is a great athlete on both defence and special teams," GM Kyle Walters said in a statement about Suber. "He was a player on our free-agent list we targeted very early on as a guy we wanted back and the organization is very excited to have him wearing the Bomber uniform for the foreseeable future."
Suber says he has already started preparing for the new season, working in the gym in Tampa, where he noted the weather isn't great by Florida standards but it's certainly a lot better than the Canadian prairies.
He says he wants to show up in good shape after playing through some minor injuries last season.
Suber says he isn't worried that new head coach Mike O'Shea has yet to name a new defensive co-ordinator.
"I think they're slowly working it out and figuring out exactly what they want, not rushing for the fans and the media . . . and I appreciate that," he said.
Suber was happy to see announcements that Jason Vega and Bryant Turner are returning to the defence.
With just three wins in 2013, the Bombers tied a modern record for the second-worst season in team history. It cost general manager Joe Mack and coach Tim Burke their jobs.