Lions to ease reins on Rainey
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, “dynomite.”
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 30plus yards — B.C. brought up the rear on the ground. They had seven rushing big plays, two coming courtesy of the explosive Rainey, lowest of all CFL teams.
“I’ve got to work on my highlights, for sure,” the Florida native, who ceded the title of mostwatched Rainey last season to his son Makari after a video of the toddler went viral, said with a laugh.
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 — a 36-27 road win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — Rainey had 106 yards rushing to go with 89 yards and two touchdowns receiving.
Jackson, a former QB in his first season as the Lions’ offensive coordinator, 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.”
But don’t expect to see Jackson swinging for the fences every time the Lions are in possession.
“First and foremost, it’s about us staying on the field and not going two-and-out, two-and-out, twoand-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.”