Lions aim to turn 2016’s big strides into a stampede this season
VANCOUVER — The B.C. Lions took some important strides in 2016. With legendary head coach Wally Buono back on the sidelines, the CFL club rebounded with a 12-6 record after a couple disappointing seasons before winning a playoff game for the first time in five years.
Then the Lions ran into the powerhouse Calgary Stampeders in the West Division final and learned first-hand that the difference between good and great is in the details.
“We took big steps in terms of production and guys making plays, but there were still a lot of mistakes,” B.C. wide receiver Bryan Burnham said while reflecting on that 42-15 blowout loss in November. “You play a team like Calgary, they expose that. “We’ve got to get the little things right.” The Lions are keenly aware that unseating the Grey Cup finalists — a franchise that’s topped the West three of the last four seasons while going a combined 58-13-1 — will require razor-sharp focus.
“Part of what this team has to do is mature (and) understand when you play big games you have to rise up to that level,” said Buono. “That’s sometimes just part of growth.”
Despite the disappointing end last season, there’s lots to get excited about on the West Coast ahead of the Lions’ opener against the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday.
“We have a very talented team, that’s one thing we know for sure,” said B.C. defensive lineman Bryant Turner Jr. “I can’t wait to see what happens.”
Coming off his first full year under centre, quarterback Jonathon Jennings looks poised to build on a breakout campaign where he threw for 5,226 yards and 27 touchdowns, with the only blemish a CFLhigh 15 interceptions.
“I want to focus on being smarter in general with the football,” said Jennings, who became just fourth QB in franchise history to surpass 5,000 yards.
The 24-year-old has another weapon after B.C. added free-agent deep threat Chris Williams to an attack that already includes Emmanuel Arceneaux and Burnham — the CFL’s third- and fourth-leading receivers last season.
“I’ve tried to coach against Chris for a lot of years,” said Buono, also the club’s general manager. “Chris makes you aware of who he is and where he is.”
Williams might not be ready for the opener as he continues to rehab a surgically repaired knee, but even without the speedster there are plenty of weapons.
B.C. looks primed to start four Canadians on the offensive line, a move that would allow for another American at a skill position, after acquiring former NFLer David Foucault from Montreal for six-time all-star Jovan Olafioye.
Swayze Waters, meanwhile, has been brought in to handle all three facets of the kicking game after Richie Leone inked a deal with the Arizona Cardinals.
The biggest question mark is undoubtedly on defence, where half the starters have moved on. Linebacker Adam Bighill, the CFL’s top defensive player in 2015, signed with the New Orleans Saints, while defensive back Ryan Phillips was released before joining Montreal.