THE CANADIAN PRESS

WINNIPEG -- Last season was a disappointment for Glenn January, but the offensive lineman is coming back to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and promises his line will do a better job of keeping their quarterback healthy.

With a rotating cast of quarterbacks, the Bombers missed the playoffs after making a Grey Cup appearance the year before.

"I don't know that anybody in that locker-room was satisfied with the results we had last year,'' January said Wednesday.

He says part of their job is to keep the quarterback healthy. Starting quarterback Buck Pierce missed 11 games last season with a foot injury, concussion and finally a shoulder problem.

"Obviously, we didn't do a good enough job of that last year.''

The line was hampered by rookies who took time to find their feet but their play improved and by the end of the season January suggested they compared well with any o-line in the league.

"At no point do I think we should have been handed the keys to the city but we definitely were a hardworking group.''

He says they have the ability to be one of the top teams in the CFL.

January, a six-foot-six, 293-pound native of Houston, was named an East Division all-star for a second straight season in 2012.

The veteran left tackle played 17 games and helped the Blue Bombers finish fourth in net rushing yards (1,923) and average rushing yards per game (106.8).

He also helped running back Chad Simpson rush for over 1,000 yards.

"Glenn is an integral part of our offensive line who provides leadership and experience to our young stable of linemen,'' team vice-president and general manager Joe Mack said Wednesday in a release.

"We're happy to have him extend his contract so that we can build upon the consistency we began to establish last season.''

Originally signing with Winnipeg in 2009, January has appeared in 53 regular-season games with the Blue Bombers and was named the team's outstanding offensive lineman last season.

January entered the CFL with the Toronto Argonauts in 2007 before being traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders the following season.

"Part of the reason I chose to extend with the club is because I truly feel like we have a good core group of guys in that room," he said.

"I think we're capable of some very special things, so we'll just stay the course and continue to work hard," he added.