Buono looks to get back on winning track in his final season
Special teams ace could see plenty more touches this season in the Lions’ backfield
Last season featured more offensive implosions than explosive plays for the B.C. Lions.
This year, one of their chief pyrotechnic artists is primed to light the fuse on a Jarious Jackson-run offence that could be, well, “dyno-mite.”
Running back Chris Rainey has long been a return threat — he again led the CFL in kickoff return yards (1,671) and added another 690 on a league-high 77 punt returns — but will likely see an expanded role this season in Jackson’s offensive plans.
In 2017, when it came to big plays — defined by the CFL as rushes of 20 yards or more or catches of 30-plus yards — B.C. brought up the rear on the ground. They had seven rushing big plays, two coming courtesy of the explosive Rainey, lowest among all CFL teams.
“I’ve got to work on my highlights, for sure,” the Florida native, who had to cede the title of most-watched Rainey last season to his son Makari after a video of the toddler getting dizzy at a Surrey park went viral, said with a laugh.
Offensively, the Lions were middle of the pack overall in the CFL, but when it came to firing offensive haymakers, they frequently left themselves open to counter-punches. Their total plays per game (57.3) and yardsper-play average (6.5) were fifth overall, but when they tried to force the issue — especially through the air — things went south.
Quarterback Jonathon Jennings had 21 passing big plays on 246 attempts, the second-lowest total overall, and was picked off a league-high 10 times on passes over 20 yards. Travis Lulay was more efficient with 11 big plays on 165 attempts, but the Lions still had the lowest efficiency rate on passes over 20 yards (74). Every other team was over 100 in that category with the exception of Winnipeg (96.3).
A wider utilization of Rainey in the backfield could help balance the offence, make blitzing more difficult for the opposition and give the Lions another big-play threat on the field.
In his lone start at running back last season — an 36-27 road win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — Rainey had 106 yards rushing to go with 89 yards and two touchdowns receiving.
Jackson, the former QB, in his first season as the Lions’ offensive co-ordinator plans to use Rainey at running back and as much as he can wherever else without compromising his team’s kick-return game.
“Any situation where I feel I can get him the ball in space,” he said. “We’re still going to hand him the ball in the backfield, we’re still going to expect him to protect, but he’s definitely a dynamic player.
“Anytime you can design plays where you can potentially get him in a one-on-one matchup or get him the ball in space, it basically becomes a punt return for him.”
Rainey’s slight stature — he’s 5-foot-9, 180 pounds — and return prowess have made his coaches hesitant to use him as a feature back, especially with a productive workhorse in Jeremiah Johnson (158 carries, 913 rushing yards and nine touchdowns; 542 yards and three majors on 48 receptions) as the incumbent No. 1 back.
Don’t expect to see Jackson swinging for the fences or calling the home-run play every time the Lions are in possession; he’s got a more patient, adaptive philosophy, one he hopes will reverse the trend that saw the Lions go two-and-out 84 times last season, the third most in the league.
“First and foremost, it’s about us staying on the field and not going two-and-out, two-and-out, two-and-out … that’s an OC’s nightmare,” said Jackson. “I want to be explosive, but at the same time I want to keep our defence fresh and off the field, so when they do get on the field, they’re able to explode and make plays.
“It’s about managing the game, staying on the field, concentrating on getting first downs and the next thing you know you look up and you’re in the red zone. So that’s my philosophy. Somebody will miss a tackle here and there and the next thing you know it’ll be a big play for us.”
Enter Rainey, who led the CFL in combined yards for a second consecutive season (3,181) in 2017. He’s confident he can be productive wherever he lines up, even as he enters his 30s.
“It takes a little bit longer to warm up, that’s all. That’s it,” he said, laughing. “But I still have everything else, that’s all that matters. I’m just ready, man.”
Any situation where I feel I can get him the ball in space ... he’s definitely a dynamic player.” Jarious Jackson