THREE THINGS TO WATCH

MARKED MAN

Steven Clarke, the new man in the Lions’ secondary, expects to be tested often by the Stamps as he steps into the starting short-side halfback spot vacated by the injured T. J. Lee. Lee was in all-star form (third on the team with 15 tackles, and one sack) before he was hurt in the final minute on July 16 against Saskatchewan. “When you lose a great player like T.J. Lee, they’re going to come after you, and see if you can live up to the same responsibilities,” said Clarke.

TAKE THE ‘A’ TRAIN

Anthony Allen, who has averaged more than six yards per rush in his three-year CFL career, will again be the starting running back for the Lions, despite Jeremiah Johnson’s readiness and eagerness to return. Johnson, the No. 1 back coming out of training camp, was a force in the Lions’ first two starts before spraining his ankle July 1 against Hamilton. As his replacement, Allen ran for 107 yards against Toronto (July 7) and 61 more against Saskatchewan (July 16). Eleven of his 27 carries have been for 10 yards or more. “I’m ready. It’s all up to the coaches,” Johnson said. “Anthony’s had a great couple of games, and we just want to keep that going As for me, I just want to be a great teammate.”

BENEVOLENT DICTATOR

For four seasons — alone, imperial, impassive — Wally Buono peered down on his subjects at practice from the roof of the Lions’ training facility in Surrey. At 66, having taken up the coaching reins again, the Lions’ authority figure has been unmasked this season as a man of flexibility. That was evident during the Lions’ bye week, when only one light practice was scheduled over an eight-day period, an almost unthinkable amount of R&R compared with the way he used to do it.