Lulay back at pivotal moment
Veteran quarterback has been sidelined since suffering injury a month ago
Veteran B.C. Lions quarterback Travis Lulay is feeling good after spending a pair of games on the sidelines with a dislocated shoulder.
Or at least he’s feeling good enough.
“I feel like I’ve caught up to where everyone else is playing hurt at this time in the season. No one feels great at this point of the year,” Lulay said after practice on Tuesday. “But I definitely feel good, confident, ready to play.”
The 35-year-old has thrown for 1,845 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in eight games this year. He’s also faced a series of injuries throughout the season, which he started on the sidelines as he rehabbed a knee injury he suffered last year.
This time around, Lulay was hurt during the Lions’ 32-14 win over the Montreal Alouettes on Sept. 14, and he sat out B.C.’s next two matches.
Last week, the shoulder — his left, non-throwing arm — started to feel better and Lulay suited up as an emergency third option for the Lions (7-7) as they took on the Toronto Argonauts (3-11).
B.C. won 26-23, improving its record to .500 and retaining hope for a playoff spot.
Now the veteran is poised to be back in the starting role this week when the squad visits the Calgary Stampeders (12-2).
“We expect Travis to start and if we have to, Jonathon (Jennings) will be ready,” said Lions head coach Wally Buono.
He added that both Lulay and backup Jennings are taking a lot of reps in practice, just in case.
The 26-year-old Jennings has filled the starting role the past three games with mixed results, including a 199-yard performance last Saturday.
The coaches want to have a hard time picking a starting quarterback because they want everyone playing well, Lulay said.
“There’s no guarantees about anything. If I’ve learned anything about this business, it’s to not get ahead of yourself,” he said.
“You’ve just got to be ready to play. And we need everybody down this stretch run. So it’s hugely important
that everyone’s locked in and ready to play good football.”
Knowing the team’s usual starter is back in fighting form hasn’t changed anything for the backup.
“I’m going to work hard as I always have (in practice) and be ready,” Jennings said.
Questions have swirled recently about the quarterback’s commitment to the game.
Lions general manager Ed Hervey spoke with two Vancouver media outlets last week, saying he has seen some good things from Jennings, but that the Columbus, Ohio native is “rarely ” seen around the team’s training facility enough to show he has what it takes to take his game to the next level.
Jennings refuted the comments after practice on Tuesday, saying he believes he’s one of the hardestworking players on the team.
“I work my tail off. I’ve worked my tail off for four years,” he said, adding that he puts in the same amount of work as other quarterbacks in the league, including video review at home in the evening.
He began the season as the Lions’ starter as Lulay rehabbed his knee injury.
He’s passed for 1,427 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions in eight games this year.
Jennings said he prides himself on his hard work and character, and never thought that either would be questioned.
“Obviously you’re not going to like everything that’s said about you, whether that’s your teammates, coaches or fans,” he said. “But you’ve just got to accept it, you’ve got to move on, you’ve got to play through it.”
He added that he hasn’t yet had a chance to speak with Hervey about the comments.
“It is what is,” Jennings said.
I’m going to work hard as I always have (in practice) and be ready ... I work my tail off. I’ve worked my tail off for four years.
JONATHON JENNINGS, Lions quarterback