Lions can’t wait to open their present
Lokombo, with all his potential, sits behind all-star Bighill at weak-side linebacker Lowell Ullrich
On the hottest day of the year, Mark Washington conjured up a perfect analogy about the most intriguing Canadian on the B.C. Lions: Bo Lokombo.
“As a defensive co-ordinator, when you get a question asking, ‘What is this guy?’ you get excited,” Washington said. “(He’s) that Christmas gift you’re ready to open. You don’t know what you’re getting inside.”
It was 34 C when Washington was talking about Christmas.
Lokombo, the 24-year-old who grew up in Abbotsford, derived similar reactions in high school at W.J. Mouat and it was much the same thing before a shoulder injury sidetracked his college career at the University of Oregon.
He’s attending his first CFL camp with the Lions, having signed midway through last season, and as such, expectations are tempered by Washington and his fellow coaches.
Likewise, Lokombo is not the least bit chafed about being brought along slowly either. He resides behind Adam Bighill on a depth chart, and because Bighill happens to be a twotime league all-star at weak-side linebacker, Lokombo knows he’ll not be introduced with the starters on defence any time soon.
He and another promising linebacker, Alex Hoffman-Ellis, will be used in some packages this year to give Washington’s unit a different look, and for the time being it is just fine with Lokombo.
But there are brief moments when inner thoughts leak out, much as occurred with a handful of other non-import athletes drafted by the Lions over the years who also took time to find their place.
“Do you think I can play on offence? Because I ask myself the same thing,” he said thoughtfully after practice. “Eventually, the coaching staff is going to have to place me at one position and that will have to stick. As time goes it’s going to come.
“The one thing I’m starting to understand about this league, and it’s only my second year, is that there’s a lot of different ways to use athletes. Right now, I’m not worried about the outcome.”
The Lions have formulated a good record when it comes to finding positions for non-import athletes, but not a perfect ledger.
Andrew Harris has worked out at tailback of course, having once been cast by general manager Wally Buono as a receiver and safety. Ricky Foley worked out as a pass rusher, only not with the Lions. Running back Jamall Lee didn’t stay with it long enough and retired.
Lokombo says he isn’t like any of them, even though he also volunteered last year with the Lions at safety and was a running back in high school.
“I don’t really compare myself to any athlete to the CFL or NFL,” the former Province Head of the Class honoree said. “I think I’m my own guy.”
It means the same patience that was necessary when Lokombo went through the NFL draft unclaimed will be required this season, though the Lions are warming to the idea they have a player who can make an impact beyond special teams.
“We’re learning he has special abilities,” said Washington. “He’s a hybrid athlete, big and long but fast and quick. You project players like him as to what he will be two or three years down the road, but in two or three years none of us might not be here. Let’s get the maximum out of him now.”
It certainly doesn’t hurt that Lokombo, like Hoffman-Ellis and several teammates, was once recruited by coach Jeff Tedford to join him at the University of California. Perhaps, Lokombo said, this is the way it was all meant to play out.
“My mom told me when I went through the (NFL) draft thing that everything happens for a reason. It might have been a bad idea to hurry and go to the NFL,” he said.
“What my mom was saying was that (I was) meant to come to the CFL. My mentality is don’t worry too much.”
Christmas is coming, if you’re willing to count the days until it is time to open the gifts.