Enlarge Image

Quarterback Buck Pierce hoists the hardware for winning the Eastern Division last season. Next step is the Grey Cup. (WINNIPEG FREE PRESS)

Back in 2010, the two needed each other to help repair respective reputations.

So it should come as no surprise that quarterback Buck Pierce and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were willing extend this marriage of convenience with the announcement of a multi-year contract Thursday. After two seasons together, through all the ups and downs, they still need each other.

Pierce, the rugged, good-looking soul dipped in country charm, wanted to stay in a place where he could continue to lead a football huddle. He wasn't going to find that outside of Manitoba; the seven other CFL clubs had starters penciled at the position.

The Bombers, not enamored with the prospects of an uncertain future with quarterbacks they haven't really got to know yet, also had little leverage in the relationship. They needed Pierce's leadership on the field and hard-balling a fan favourite would have been a tough sell to the community.

Yes, one needed the other just as much as the other needed the one.

"That's what it looks like from the outside in," Pierce said, addressing reporters inside the Bombers locker-room at Canad Inns Stadium Thursday.

"It would have easy for me to be knocking on the door every day, saying 'Where's my contract, where's my contract -- are we going to get something done?' I had the faith in them that they would approach me and we'd get something done."

Pierce, who has enjoyed an off-season of not having to rehab an injury, looked genuinely excited to be back in Blue and Gold Thursday, as his re-signing signals the end of a chapter of sorts in his career.

Cut loose by the B.C. Lions in 2009 after five seasons in Vancouver, he was essentially left in the CFL quarterback bargain bin, passed over by a few teams before the Bombers walked in looking for a discount option with experience under centre.

Following an injury-plagued 2010 season where he only played five games (finishing two), Pierce broke through and answered the critics in 2011. The New Mexico State product started 16 games, putting up career-high numbers in completions (261), attempts (411), passing yards (3,348) and rushing yards (324).

His touchdown to interception ratio wasn't great (14 TDs, 18 picks), but he's coming off a season where Winnipeg went 10-8, won the East Division and earned a berth in the Grey Cup.

Knowing how the market is at his position -- there isn't a great demand for a 30-year-old starter with average passing numbers -- Pierce was hoping he wouldn't find himself unsigned at the Feb. 15 free agency deadline.

"This place is my home now," he said. "I didn't want to go anywhere else. I would have stayed here and done whatever role they wanted me to be in."

Financial terms of the three-year deal (two plus an option) were not announced, but it's believed Pierce was searching for a base salary in the neighbourhood of $200,000 plus performance-based incentives. The club was looking for more of an incentive-laden deal, with a base below $150,000.

Bombers GM Joe Mack, himself earning a contract extension from the organization Thursday, said conversations regarding compensation between Pierce's agent Brian Cox and himself were frank.

Injury history came up, as did the intangibles Pierce carries with him.

"I gave consideration to what Buck has meant to the organization overall; the fact that he's been extremely tough, he's been a leader. I anticipate him continuing that," Mack said. "We factored that into the contract, while Buck also acknowledges that there is that medical history."

It wasn't about the money, Pierce said, adding that he feels comfortable where his salary is in relation to other starters in the CFL -- some which command over $300,000 a season.

"I knew the money thing would get figured out," he said. "Basically, when these kinds of things take longer than expected, people think it's about money. It wasn't really about that for us."

Though he's worked with former offensive co-ordinator Jamie Barresi for a big chunk of his career, Pierce said he's excited to work with new OC Gary Crowton, believing the veteran NCAA college coach can help spark the inconsistent Winnipeg offence into a more explosive unit.

"A change was needed," Pierce told the room Thursday.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

more cfl coverage c4

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 3, 2012 C1