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Brendon LaBatte

BUCK PIERCE wasn't the only Bomber basking in the glow of a new contract Thursday.

The Winnipeg Football Club's board of directors and Bombers CEO Garth Buchko approved an extension for Bombers GM Joe Mack. Mack, who was entering the final year of his original three-year deal, actually signed the agreement Wednesday.

He will remain in charge of football operations through the 2014 season.

"I've always had outstanding support from the board in trying to put a framework together on where we're going to be -- a top-flight organization on all fronts, particularly on the football field," Mack said via conference call Thursday. "I feel like I've had that support in the past."

Sticking with Mack was a no-brainer for the organization. He's brought a steady hand to a club that was reeling from the unsettling seasons of 2008 and 2009. Together with head coach Paul LaPolice, the duo has stuck to their word regarding their initial mission statement for the club -- the Canadian content has slowly been restocked and they've tried to develop a quarterback or two while remaining competitive.

Making the Grey Cup in just his second season? That looks pretty good, too.

Mack points to the New England Patriots as a model he'd like to emulate. Part of that methodology: Refuse to get comfortable with what you have.

"It's just not the nature of the best," he said. "You have to be willing to take a critical eye of your past season, where you're at, and acknowledge that you may have to make some tweaks."

COACH UP NEXT: LaPolice is also heading into his final year of his original contract. Here's what Mack had to say on that front: "I felt that there was a certain protocol, out of respect to the club, that we shouldn't go too far down that road until the club had made a decision about (my position). That would have been a bit presumptuous."

Translation: Expect a contract extension for LaPolice sooner than later.

ON THE BRINK: Now that QBs Pierce and Elliott are inked, does that mean Alex Brink is headed to free agency?

Not necessarily. Brink would probably see a bit more on the open market, but Mack feels Winnipeg is still an option.

"My impressions are that we're in a good spot with Alex," he said. "I think we're very close."

FREE AGENT WATCH: As of this writing, Winnipeg still has nine players eligible for free agency at 11:01 p.m. (Central) on Feb. 15. That list includes Brink; offensive linemen Brendon LaBatte, Glenn January, Steve Morley, Andre Douglas; receivers Greg Carr and Aaron Hargreaves; defensive lineman Don Oramasionwu; and safety Brady Browne. Some will be allowed test free agency, Mack said, adding that the club is close with Carr and "two or three" offensive linemen.

LaBatte, a Weyburn, Sask., product, is the main target. The Bombers would be foolish to let a young, All-Canadian who can play multiple positions along the line walk, but that's what the club is potentially facing, Mack said.

"He knows we want him back. He knows we're willing to make him a very well-paid Canadian offensive lineman," he said. "It's going to come down to a personal decision for Brendon."

At this point, given the demand for his services, it's hard to envision LaBatte not testing free agency.

Mack was noncommittal regarding his interest in free agent non-import O-lineman Alex Gauthier, a player he courted a year ago. It's believed the 35-year-old earned upwards of $180,000 with Saskatchewan last season.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 3, 2012 C4