NorthWest Sports Blog brings you daily features on Oregon, Washington State, and BC amateur and pro sports teams.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions’ blogger Phil Slater speaks his mind on what he believes the Lions will do in the upcoming CFL Draft. Travis Lulay, Andrew Harris and Adam Bighill are players that will be operating under new deals. Buono has also brought in some little known talent to fill out the depth at quarterback and O-Line, but he is still a few players removed from bringing in a full squad to the upcoming training camp in Kamloops.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Phil “The Bartender” Slater tells us that the Leo’s have reloaded their roster in advance of trying to win the 2013 Grey Cup. Anthony Reddick, the veteran outside linebacker was released, most likely to give Lin-J Shell or Solomon Elimimian additional playing time. Khalif Mitchell & Geroy Simon are also gone. In are Justin Harper, Elvis Akpla, Adrian Awasom, Adrian Awasom and DJ Woods. Lets go!
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Phil “The Bartender” Slater tells us that the Leo’s preseason is in full effect. Coach Benevides has the offense working extra hard this spring, with Travis Lulay and the WR corps getting extra reps with the new offense. Gone is Geroy Simon, but who needs him anyways (trader). But the Bartender wants to know who will step up? Who will be the next go to guy for the Lions?
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Phil “The Bartender” Slater tells us with all the off season activity in the CFL the most impactful transaction probably happened right here in BC with trade with Edmonton, where the BC Lions lost their valuable backup QB Mike Reilly. Buono and Coach Mike Benevides have been left searching for a high-quality number two option behind CFL All Star Travis Lulay.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Phil “The Bartender” Slater brings us an update after the first day of the CFL Free Agency Period. With 20 moves on the first day, the BC Lions did their part to try and stay as active as they could be. Bringing in DE Julius Williams from Edmonton, and losing LB James Yurichuk to Toronto. GM Wally Buono was busy re-signing two players who were not in the free agent class, Paris Jackson, and Korey Banks. With plenty of time still remaing, Phil thinks that there will still be more singings in Leos camp soon.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Phil “The Bartender” Slater brings us his wish list for Wally Buono in this years free agency signing period. As Phil recalls, defense was excellent this past year, but what needs a big dose of retooling this year is the offense. With a mix of trades, releases, and poor play, the Lions are in need of a new look offense, starting with the line. Phil has his eyes on a couple non-import veterans from the Riders, and Stamps. There are a few WR’s available that Phil likes as well, and he would like to see Buono go out and get another QB either via trade, or free agency.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Phil “The Bartender” Slater updates us today on the Leo’s roster after the Mike Reilly trade today made by Wally Buono. The mastermind GM behind the Lions franchise. Phil says the Leo’s must lock up Shawn Gore. He is the next real deal. A Mr. Everything for the Lions Offense as he is the possession receiver, a threat at every range and can be lined up inside or flexed out wide.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger points out the Leo’s had a tremendously successful regular season and points out most would think they don’t need to re-tool or re-load. Now that Arland Bruce is gone, and GeRoy Simon has some questions to answer we know Nick Moore, Courtenay Taylor and Ernest Jackson will be the future. Also Angus Reid will eventually retire. Maybe not in 2013 but sometime soon, and the Lions have failed to address his replacement…
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Phil Slater is here to give us his rendition of the BC Lions offensive unit report cards. The QB’s of the Lions were definitely the high point for this roster in 2012, leading the team to a game within reaching the Grey Cup in consecutive seasons. The RB position also scored an A in Phil’s eyes. Clearly the best offensive weapon for BC is Andrew Harris.
New NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Bryan McFarlane gives us his reasoning behind why the BC Lions in the 2012 Grey Cup would have made for a much greater challenge for the Toronto Argos. He points out Travis Lulay is the leader of the Lions. There is no denying or doubting that. But he spent the end of the season nursing an injury and saw little meaningful game reps heading into the postseason.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger Steve Lee points out it has been nearly a week since the B.C. Lions were knocked out of contention for the 100th Grey Cup. Enough time has passed in order to fairly grade the effort of the Lions and their first year coach Mike Benevides. After four years as an assistant coach, he had to learn what it was like to take on 100% of the responsibility. Now he knows. Now he can plan better. Still, tough loss.
NWSB Insider and BC Lions blogger points out what happened last Sunday in the Calgary Stampeders vs. BC Lions Western Final. He says the Stamps played arguably their finest 60 minutes of defensive football this year in 34-29 win Sunday at BC Place Stadium to earn a trip to Toronto for Sunday’s Grey Cup.
