BC Lions Thread

[jerrym]

Here is an interview with many see as the next Canadian starting QB, Natan Rourke:

https://www.bclions.com/2020/04/30/c...an-growing-up/

[jerrym]

Travis Lulay who retired last year to work in the corporate partnership team in the front office of the Lions, is leaving the team to work in his father's financial services business.

[jerrym]

Below is a look at the BC Lions' situation as Covid-19 hammers the CFL:

Employees of the 66-year-old franchise have laboured away with a dark cloud of uncertainty hanging over their season for months, only to have CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie send a lightning bolt into their midst with his sledgehammer plea to the House of Commons Thursday: “Our most likely scenario is no season at all.” His plea of $30 million upfront, followed by another $120 million should the season be cancelled, was followed by an ominous warning the Canadian league’s existence could hang in the balance.

For the Lions, it meant business as usual, but business in the COVID-19 era is anything but. “I think our team has held together very well,” said Lions president Rick LeLacheur. “We’ve done a lot of Zoom calls and conference calls with everybody working from home. We’ve tried to be very cautious with all our employees, just not the work level, but the health and well-being of everybody.

“I think overall (morale) is fairly good, but we all recognize there’s a lot of unknowns out there, and it plays on everybody’s minds. And not just with the B.C. Lions or the CFL — I’m sure everybody’s going through it. There are a lot of ‘what ifs?’ and unfortunately we just can’t answer those questions.”

The original question remains: How many games will the Lions play this season, if any? ...

But the larger one is: will the government rescue the league which, according to Ambrosie, lost $20 million collectively last season?

The B.C. government has stated there will be no gatherings of more than 50 people in the province until a COVID-19 vaccine is procured or other, equally effective solutions are found. That means no football, soccer or concerts at B.C. Place Stadium or Rogers Arena for the foreseeable future. ...

The Lions, along with Montreal and Toronto, have lagging attendance and revenue. The three community-owned clubs — Winnipeg, Edmonton and Saskatchewan — are on solid financial footing, with Calgary, Ottawa and Hamilton not far behind. But the gate-driven nature of the league has made it ill-equipped to handle the economic crisis caused by COVID-19. If the worst-case scenario of no games and no bailout occurs, it could spell the end of the CFL and the Lions.

“I’ve been to 15 straight Grey Cups now. I’ve met people from way across the country. I’ve realized that CFL fandom is a family,” said Brian Wawryshyn, a longtime Lions supporter and popular podcaster. “When you go to a Grey Cup you see people wearing all sorts of different jerseys and you never see a fight, you never see any arguments. It’s just people, it’s just Canadians getting together in celebrating something that is uniquely Canadian. And I think it would be a real tragedy if that was lost. This league has a 100-year-plus history in this country. And I think that needs to be considered as part of our cultural history.”

Wawryshyn also pointed out the amount of outreach work the team does in schools and communities across the province, something that would also end should the team fold. But he’s also straying toward the side of positivity when it comes to the future of the CFL, even if he knows the status quo must be shaken up to change that future. “I was surprised to hear (Ambrosie) be so blunt about it, but I guess when you’re bent over and asking for money, you have to paint the grimmest picture you possibly can,” he said. “Perception is a big part of (the problem) as well. It’s gonna be a tough go here no matter what happens to get the league turned around. There’s this perception in this city that the CFL is minor league. You’ve got to start changing that … because this league has tremendous talent. ...

Much like other sports, a possible lifeline might come in the form of a truncated schedule and hub-city format, where all the teams temporarily relocate to play televised games in closed-to-the-public venues. That was the most recent solution for MLS, which might have its teams play in Orlando once COVID-19 restrictions are loosened. ...

“I’ve said it many times. If you could take somebody who’s said ‘the CFL is a joke’ and plunk them down in the middle of Grey Cup week, (for) the parties, the camaraderie, the family atmosphere, it’s just incredible,” he [Wawryshyn] said. “It’s Canada. It’s what Canada is all about.”

https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions/j-j-adams-b-c-lions-remain-strong-positive-in-face-of-mostly-sobering-cfl-news

[jerrym]

Matt Baker interviews the CFL's first overall draft pick LB Jordan Williams, in the video below:

https://www.bclions.com/2020/05/01/🎥...it-into-words/

[jerrym]

BC Lions have applied to the provincial government to open up their training facility and are looking at all options for playing games.

The fleeting hope of home games for the B.C. Lions rests on provincial health guidelines, border crossings — and if there is even a CFL season for them to play.

Despite the grim prediction from CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie last week, the B.C. Lions haven’t given up hope of playing games this year — maybe even in front of fans. ...

But hope springs eternal — or at least for right now — for Lions president Rick LeLacheur. He’s still hopeful there will be some games at B.C. Place Stadium this season, and on Tuesday he filed a plan with the B.C. government to reopen the team’s Surrey practice facility. LeLacheur said he could envision an eight-game schedule, with each team playing each other once, followed by playoffs. “We’ve been doing an awful lot of modelling on what we can get done financially. We have not given up on this year,” LeLacheur told BCLions.com’s Matt Baker. ...

“We’re still looking at trying to get a number of games in in the fall. I think it’s pretty clear now we’re not going to play this summer. We know the government came out with their restart program … we know we’re (included) in Phase 4 of that and no dates are set. We’re working with the government and health-care officials and B.C. Place. We’d love to get back in and play games in the fall. We’re still looking at the potential of being able to play. Getting a couple games in, or four (at home), that would be great, then hopefully in a shortened season, head to the playoffs. We know with B.C. Place, they’re modelling how we could do it with social distancing, with getting a number of fans in B.C. Place, maybe using both the bottom and top deck. Everything is still on the table. We’re just going to have to take it a day, or a week or a month at a time. Unfortunately, that’s the position we’re in.”

https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions/j-j-adams-b-c-lions-to-exhaust-all-playings-options-file-facility-reopening-proposal

[jerrym]

Canadian WR Tyler Turner, who had 429 receiving yards and 2 TDs in 2019 with the University of Alberta after previously playing with UBC, has signed with the Lions. The team also released Canadian LB Kdadim Mbaye who played in seven games on STs last year.

[jerrym]

Below is the Lions depth chart, not including draft picks. The url includes an analysis of team members.
https://www.cfl.ca/2020/05/14/lions-reload-trenches-try-get-back-playoffs/

[jerrym]

David Braley, onetime owner of the Argos, Tiger Cats and Lions, is warning that if there is no 2020 season, the situation would be dire enough to lead to the league's extinction.

Braley appearing on TSN Radio 1040, believes a truncated season is possible because the alternative, according to the retired Senator, is extinction.

“I think there’s enough time to play from Sept. 5, Sept. 6 on, to play an eight-game, nine-game schedule,” said Braley, now owner of only the Lions. “I don’t think we should throw it out because I really believe if we don’t play this year, there’s a very good chance that we won’t survive.”

With no money being generated and teams asking front-office staff and club employees to take pay cuts, the situation is dire. ...

“There’s no money,” said Braley, who has kept the league afloat because of his money and specifically through his purchase of the Argos when no one else was willing to step up. “How can you afford to lose five, 10 million a team?”

https://theprovince.com/sports/football/cfl/bc-lions-owner-david-braley-sounds-the-alarm-no-games-will-lead-to-no-cfl/wcm/031727a0-9dad-48ca-8a05-d68bed1c8aab

[jerrym]

The Lions continue to poach players and staff from the Eskimos with the addition of OC Jordan Maksymic who was Mike Reilly's QB coach in Edmonton. He is profiled below.

https://www.cfl.ca/2020/05/29/new-oc...k-reilly-leos/

[jerrym]

Here's a closer look at former Argo Chris Rainey who has returned to the Lions during free agency:

Speed and excitement. That’s what Chris Rainey brings to the BC Lions. The Leos’ return game wasn’t the same without the Rain Man in 2019, so Ed Hervey and his staff arranged a reunion with the fleet footed star for the 2020 season, signing him as a free agent this offseason.

Chris has been one of the most feared return men in the CFL ever since he entered the league in 2015. The 32-year-old has racked up incredible numbers during his six-year career, accumulating nearly 13,000 total yards. He has been dynamic on special teams but has also made significant contributions in the running game and the passing game. ...

Chris’ exploits on the football field at the University of Florida are well documented. Playing for four seasons under future Hall-of-Fame coach Urban Meyer, Rain man ran for 2,464 yards and 13 touchdowns, 795 yards and six touchdowns on 69 receptions, and returned 18 kickoffs for 454 yards. He teamed up with Tim Tebow, Percy Harvin, Brandon Spikes and Joe Haden to lead the Gators to a national title in 2009. Given Chris’ electrifying speed, it will surprise no one that he was also a successful member of the Florida Gators track and field team. In 2010, Rainey teamed up with Jeff Demps, Terrell Wilks and Jeremy Hall to sprint around the track in 39.04 seconds to capture the NCAA championship in the 4×100-metre relay. ...

Dual sport stars are nothing new in the NCAA, but it’s exceedingly rare for an athlete to win national championships in multiple sports. ...

2016 was a season for the ages for Chris Rainey. He appeared in all 18 games, catching 30 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns. He added 36 carries for 309 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. He led the CFL with 1,359 kickoff return yards, and finished third in the league with 942 punt return yards while returning a pair of punts for touchdowns. Chris earned a CFL All-Star selection after leading the CFL with 2,945 combined yards. ...

It didn’t take Chris long to etch his name into the BC Lions’ record book. The Lakeland, FL product became the Lions’ all-time leader in kick return yards with 5,475 yards, besting the former record held by Tim Brown. He is currently second behind Larry Crawford in club history with 2,926 punt return yards. Crawford sits at 4,058 yards, so Rainey could conceivably break that mark if he is able to string together a couple more good seasons with the Orange and Black.

https://www.bclions.com/2020/06/11/c...hings-to-know/

[jerrym]

Lions owner David Braley, who earlier said the CFL must play this year if it is to survive, is now also saying that the league needs fans in the stands, even if it is only 5,000 at $50 each. However, I just don't see the government allowing that to happen because of Covid-19 and the problems that have occurred in the United States when large groups assembled.

[jerrym]

BC Lions President Rich Lelacheur says that it will take at least two years for the CFL to recover from the damage done to it by Covid-19. To this end he says the league must reduce its costs by at least 20%.

[jerrym]

Canadian WR Chase Claypool has been added to BC's negotiation list, although they are very unlikely to ever see him after he was drafted in the second round by the Pittsburg Steelers, following his outstanding performance at the NFL Combine and his 2019 1,000+ yard and 13 TD receiving season at Notre Dame.

[jerrym]

BC Lions and their fans are mourning the loss of kicker Ted Gerela, one of the league's first kicking specialists who set a pro record for FGs in a season.

Raised in Powell River from a young age, Gerela joined the Lions out of Washington State University and would enjoy a very successful seven-year career with the organization from 1967-73, primarily as one of the CFL’s first true kicking specialists.

He won the Dr. Beattie Martin Trophy as top rookie in the Western Conference in 1967 and would set a new pro football record the next year with 30 successful field goals while also winning the Conference scoring title. His 570 career points is tied for third in club history with Geroy Simon.

Known for his versatility, Gerela also suited up at running back and receiver while recording a pair of interceptions on defence in 1969. Ted was part of a very talented multi-sport family, as his brother Roy kicked in the NFL for 11 seasons while winning three Super Bowl titles with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Another brother Metro was a member of the 1979 NASL champion Vancouver Whitecaps and also had a brief stint with the Montreal Alouettes in 1968.

https://www.bclions.com/2020/07/20/l...er-ted-gerela/

[jerrym]

RB coach Beau Walker has quit the team to pursue other opportunities without specifying what they were, but probably prompted to leave by the uncertainty created about CFL football by Covid-19.

[jerrym]

Canadian rookie QB Nathan Rourke talks about preparing for the season in a Covid-19 environment, the prospect of learning from Mike Reilly, and being a running QB in the video interview below.

https://www.bclions.com/2020/07/29/1...nathan-rourke/

[jerrym]

Here's TSN's all-time BC Lions team. I would have picked Damon Allen or Dave Dickenson ahead of Lulay. I also would have picked Korey Banks ahead of Eric Carter at DB.

Head Coach – Wally Buono (2003-11, 2016-18)*
Quarterback – Travis Lulay (2009-18)
Running Back – Willie Fleming (1959-67)
Running Back – Andrew Harris (2009-15)*
Receiver – Geroy Simon (2001-12)
Receiver – Mervyn Fernandez (1982-86, 1994)
Receiver – Emmanuel Arceneaux (2009-10, 2013-18)
Receiver – Bryan Burnham (2014-Present)
Offensive Line – Al Wilson (1972-1986)*
Offensive Line – Jim Mills (1986-93, 1995)*
Offensive Line – Tom Hinton (1958-66)
Offensive Line – Jamie Taras (1987-2003)*
Offensive Line – Jovan Olafioye (2010-16)
Defensive Line – Brent Johnson (2001-11)*
Defensive Line – James Parker (1984-89)
Defensive Line – Cameron Wake (2007-08)
Defensive Line – Nick Hebeler (1979-85)*
Linebacker – Solomon Elimimian (2010-18)
Linebacker – Adam Bighill (2011-16)
Linebacker – Barrin Simpson (2001-05)
Defensive Back – Larry Crawford (1981-89)
Defensive Back – Keith Gooch (1984-89)
Defensive Back – Eric Carter (1999-2003)
Defensive Back – Ryan Phillips (2005-16)
Defensive Back – Dante Marsh (2004-2014)
Placekicker/ Punter – Lui Passaglia (1976-2000)*
Special Teamer – Jason Arakgi (2008-17)*
Foundational – Norm Fieldgate (1954-67)*
Foundational – Byron Bailey (1954-64)
Foundational – Joe Kapp (1961-66)
Foundational – Jim Young (1967-79)
Foundational – Ken “Kato” Katsuya (1980-2019)*

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/tsn-s-a...-lions~2014304

[argolio]

Maybe too much recency bias. I like Roy Dewalt and Ray Nettles at QB & LB.

[Argo57]

Mind boggling, Bobby Ackles name not on this list?

[jerrym]

Mind boggling, Bobby Ackles name not on this list?

He should have been on the foundational list as he was there in their foundational year, performed virtually every administrative duty there is in football from waterboy to president and came back from the NFL and XFL to save the dying franchise.