BC Lions Thread

[jerrym]

Former 2018 seventh round New England Patriot draft pick QB Danny Etling has signed with the Lions. He never got into NFL game action. QB Shea Patterson has been released.

He spent his rookie season on the practice squad and earned a Super Bowl ring before being waived and picked up by the Atlanta Falcons in August 2019. Etling was promoted to the Falcons’ active roster in Week 8 of the season after an injury to veteran starter Matt Ryan. The native of Terre Haute, Ind. then spent the 2020 season on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice roster and was released at the start of 2021 training camp.


Etling transferred from Purdue to Louisiana State University for his final two years of eligibility (2016-17). With the Tigers, Etling won 16 of 23 starts while completing 325 passes for 4,586 yards and 27 touchdowns. To cap off his junior season, he helped take down Lamar Jackson and Louisville 29-9 in the 2016 Citrus Bowl. Etling was named SEC Football Scholar-Athlete of the Year in 2017.



https://www.bclions.com/2021/09/10/l...-danny-etling/

[Will]

Very difficult to get a read on these Lions. Naturally, they have a chance with Reilly at QB, however they also got to beat up on Ottawa twice.
Bigger test coming up against the Als.

[jerrym]

BC is dedicating their next game to residential school survivors, and provided 350 tickets and $20,000 to the Orange Shirt Society, a non-profit organization, dedicated to residential school reconciliation. Besides being a very worthy cause, it could help attract another group of fans as indigenous people make up 5% of the BC's population. The team needs to build its fan base in every community.

https://www.citynews1130.com/2021/09...orange-shirts/

[jerrym]

QB Mike Reilly's third 300+ yard game of the season helped him win CFL top weekly performer honours and already has him mentioned as a possible candidate for MOP this year.

[jerrym]

The Lions have released American LB Dyshawn Davis, a five year CFL veteran including four with BC, who had 26 DT and 40 ST tackles during his career.

[jerrym]

Former Argo WR has signed with the BC Lions after being cut by Hamilton.

[jerrym]

Tough luck for the Lions with the loss of Lucky Whitehead who was giving their offence some real umph. He needs an operation for a broken hand and will be out two to four weeks, which is probably why they signed Posey.

[jerrym]

Along with Devier Posey, the Lions have signed five other players including Americans DE Alex Bazzie, RB Shawn Wilson, WR/KR Quadree Henderson, and LB Josh Woods, as well as National FB Mario Villamizar.

Bazzie (6’1”, 228 lbs)- Is back for a third stint in orange and black after most recently suiting up with Edmonton from 2018-19. Bazzie originally joined the Lions in May of 2014 and would suit up in 50 games (46 regular season, four playoffs) over the next three seasons. His best pro season to date came in 2016 where he recorded a team-leading 11 sacks, 31 defensive tackles and a forced fumble while earning a West Division All-Star selection. After signing with the Indianapolis Colts in early 2017, Bazzie attended training camp with the Carolina Panthers before returning to the Lions in September of that year. In 45 games over five years at Marshall, Bazzie racked up 175 total tackles, 23 coming for a loss and four sacks.



Villamizar (6’3”, 237 lbs)- A sixth-round selection (51st overall) of the Lions in the 2019 CFL Draft, the native of St. Catherine’s, Ontario suited up in all 18 games in his rookie season in orange and black. Along with recording four special teams tackles, Villamizar recorded a pair of receptions for 13 yards. The versatile back missed 2021 training camp after suffering an Achilles injury during off-season workouts. In four years (2015-18) at Wilfrid Laurier, Villamizar suited up in 38 contests while hauling in 16 receptions for 91 yards and five touchdowns while also earning an OUA All-Star nod in 2018.


Wilson (5’9“, 185 lbs)- The Charlotte native signed as a non-drafted free agent with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2018 and rushed for 29 yards on six carries in his rookie year before being placed on injured reserve. Also attended training camps with the Washington Football Team and Tennessee Titans. In five years (2015-17) at Duke, Wilson rushed for 1,865 yards and 13 touchdowns on 397 carries while also chipping in as a receiver with 63 catches for 546 yards and five majors. Named co-MVP of the 2015 Pinstripe Bowl when the Blue Devils took down Indiana.


Henderson (5’8”, 180 lbs)- Most recently attended training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2021 and previously had NFL practice roster stints with Pittsburgh, Jacksonville, the New York Giants and New York Jets. Appeared in 34 games with the University of Pittsburgh Panthers, rushing for 887 yards and five touchdowns on 98 carries. Added 45 receptions for 473 yards and a touchdown in his career at Pitt while also leading the FBS with 1,116 return yards in 2016. Earned consensus All-American honours that season. In his senior year, Henderson led the team with 1,204 all-purpose yards (100.3 per game).


Woods (6’2”, 234 lbs)- Suited up in 31 games at UCLA from 2015-19 while recording 111 total tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, five-and-a-half sacks, two fumble recoveries, two pass knockdowns and an interception. As a senior in 2019, led all Bruins defenders with 4.5 sacks and was fourth on the team with 51 tackles.

https://www.bclions.com/2021/10/08/b...n-lions-add-3/

[jerrym]

BC has released American RB Shaq Cooper who had 142 yards in five games in 2021 after playing for Edmonton where he had 496 yards in 2018-19.

[jerrym]

Americans QB Kevin Thomson and DL Shakir Soto have signed with the Lions.

Thomson (6’1”, 220 lbs)- The native of Auburn, Washington most recently attended rookie mini-camp with the Carolina Panthers earlier this year. In 27 games over four seasons (2016-19) at Sacramento State, Thomson completed 441 passes for 6,424 yards and 52 touchdowns while adding 257 carries for 1,247 yards and 21 majors. He also earned Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and First Team All-Big Sky Honours in 2019. Transferred to the University of Washington for 2020 before forgoing his final year of eligibility due to the pandemic.

Soto (6’3”, 290 lbs)- Spent the later part of 2019 on the Seattle Seahawks’ practice roster before being waived in May of 2020. Also had practice roster stints with the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders and Dallas Cowboys between 2017 and 2019. The Wilkes-Barre, Penn. native played both defensive tackle and end over his 52-game career at the University of Pittsburgh (2013-16). Recorded 120 tackles (74 solo, 46 assisted), 18 tackles for a loss, eight sacks, and a pass knockdown at Pitt.

https://www.bclions.com/2021/10/18/l...ractice-squad/

[jerrym]

BC Lions suffered their first shutout in 51 years while being slaughtered like lambs by the Bombers 45-0 with Reilly going 15/31 for 131 yards and having to play injured following Rourke went down injured after going 3/4 for 31 yards when he replaced him with 20 minutes to go. Rourke pointed to his shoulder, so if it is a major injury, it could prevent the team from developing him as the Lions season winds down and playoff opportunities likely disappear. This also shows the risk of playing only two QBs in a QB pass-driven league where QBs often also run a lot.

[jerrym]

The Lions have re-signed 2015 Canada West Rookie of the Year RB Jamel Lyles after releasing him in August. In 2019, he was 11/86 rushing while going 3/10 in receptions and 6/114 in returns. He dressed for two games this year but had not stats.

[jerrym]

Backup QB Nathan Rourke is listed as having a right shoulder injury and has not practised this week in preparation for the upcoming Argos game.

[jerrym]

After Jimmy Camacho going 0/3 against the Argos, thereby getting an assist in Toronto's win, the Lions have added American kicker Nick Vogel.

Vogel (5’9”, 188 lbs)- Attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) from 2017-19 and left as the program’s third all-time leading scorer with 269 points while making 41 of 47 field goal attempts. Vogel also set a school record for PAT percentage after making 128 of 131 tries. Vogel then signed with the Baltimore Ravens before being released just prior to 2020 training camp.

https://www.bclions.com/2021/11/02/l...er-nick-vogel/

[jerrym]

Because of their ongoing FG problems, BC has added another kicker to the roster, American Bailey Hale, who was 30/40 in FGs and 91/92 in converts in college.

[jerrym]

BC Lions are inducting David Braley into their Wall of Fame. As always with Braley, I have mixed feelings about that.

https://www.bclions.com/2021/11/15/w...ake-mr-braley/

[ArgoRavi]

BC Lions are inducting David Braley into their Wall of Fame. As always with Braley, I have mixed feelings about that.

https://www.bclions.com/2021/11/15/w...ake-mr-braley/

Braley was always great at saving franchises but terrible at growing them.

[jerrym]

Lucky Whitehead has been won of the few bright spots on BC and it showed when the team went downhill following his injury. His return in November led to his winning Player of the Month for this 247 reception yards and 79 yard punt return TD in three games.

[jerrym]

Team captain and FB David Mackie is BC's nominee for the Jake Gaudar award.

Mackie has battled through major injuries over the past few seasons. His determination and perseverance have earned him the respect of his peers, and he has been voted team captain for the past two seasons. He is not only a consummate professional, but also a thoughtful leader.

He generously opens his home to his teammates to build and strengthen their bonds, including during the holiday season when some are unable to make the trip home. Mackie serves as a staunch advocate for the Indigenous community, creating a bridge between them and the team to foster understanding and allyship.

https://www.bclions.com/2021/12/01/m...eterans-award/

[jerrym]

Ryan Phillips, who was the DB coach has been named defensive coordinator. Six other assistant coaches have also been re-signed.

https://www.bclions.com/2021/12/15/r...stants-return/