Lions keeping Lulay under centre against Bombers
VANCOUVER A career performance by Travis Lulay doesn’t mean the B.C. Lions quarterback is about to start second-guessing his role with the team.
The 33-year-old backup came off the bench to throw for 436 yards and lead the CFL team to a 41-26 road win over the Hamilton TigerCats Saturday and will remain behind centre Friday when the Lions return home to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Lulay replaces starting pivot Jon Jennings, who was injured on the first B.C. offensive play from scrimmage in Hamilton. Jennings has been diagnosed with a shoulder strain and Lions coach and GM Wally Buono said the club won’t rush him back.
The performance validated the need to have two strong quarterbacks in the pass-happy CFL, but it did not change Lulay’s projected career path. He signed a contract extension before the 2016 season knowing Jennings would be groomed as the Lions starter and isn’t about to look for another team on the strength of one solid outing.
Lulay becomes a free agent at the end of the season, when Jennings has an option-window in his contract in which he could explore NFL opportunities. That’s time enough to think about his options.
“I made peace with that decision (to stay) as I was making it. I’m in a good mental state of mind,” said Lulay, who has made nearby Blaine, Wash., his year-round home. “My family is happy here. It’s rewarding to know I’ve made the right decision.
“I have a good rapport with Jon. If it was a weird relationship maybe it would be different. All those things have helped me sleep at night.”
The Lions had a chance to trade Lulay during the off-season when the Saskatchewan Roughriders reportedly inquired about his availability. It turned out to be a good non-move with the injury to Jennings, who says his fellow quarterback is unique.
“He understands the plan is bigger than just him and that portrays on the field. He’s doing everything he can to compete but he’s not worrying about the outside stuff,” Jennings said.
Against Winnipeg, Lulay will make his first meaningful start in a regular season game since Sept. 3, 2015. He started a game in November that year that had no bearing on the standings.
The Lions didn’t make major changes to their offensive scheme when Jennings went down last week and won’t Friday when they play the first of five games against West Division rivals.
“There’s certain things I know Travis has seen before, some things that Jon may not have seen,” Lions offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones said. “As far as game-planning goes, we make adjustments once the game starts, but I trust both of them.”
B.C. (3-1) won all three games on a road trip through the East Division for the first time in the 64-year history of the franchise, but struggled to post a 5-5 record against West Division teams last year and dropped its season opener at home to Edmonton.
Winnipeg (2-1) returns to the site of a disappointing loss to B.C. which ended its 2016 season in the West Division semifinal. That’s in the past, according to Bombers tailback Andrew Harris.
“We had the lead and the Lions came back and stole from us. It definitely was a solid blow. But it’s a new year,” Harris said.