VANCOUVER – Frustrated by back-to-back mediocre seasons that tarnished the organization’s reputation and discouraged the players, a rejuvenated B.C. Lions team has promised a renewed commitment to winning in 2011.
“I was on this team when we were really, really good,” said veteran slotback Geroy Simon. “We took a little bit of a downturn the last couple of years.
“Right now, it seems like we are back on that upswing. We are going to do it with guys who are really focused on football.”
With the 99th Grey Cup being hosting at a refurbished B.C. Place Stadium this November, the Lions are anxious to improve the 8-10 records they’ve fashioned the last two CFL seasons.
The team’s different attitude isn’t just reflected by the personnel brought to camp, said Simon. It’s shown in the players let go by Wally Buono, the Lions coach and general manager.
“Wally is trying to get rid of the guys who aren’t on-page with winning,” said Simon. “We’re here to play football. We’re here to win football games and try to win a championship.
“That’s what he’s all about now. I think he got rid of players who were not on board with that.”
The house cleaning began last season when Buono released quarterback Casey Printers, who never demonstrated the talent or leadership the Lions expected.
During training camp, Buono first suspended, then traded Canadian running back Jerome Messam. It was alleged Messam violated team rules.
B.C. staggered out of the gate in 2010 with a horrible 1-7 start. The team finally found its feet and sprinted to a 7-3 finish to grab a playoff spot. The Lions lost in overtime to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West semifinal.
Buono hopes the Lions pick up this summer where they left off last fall.
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“We ended off with a good football team,” said Buono. “If we can start as a good football team then I think we have a better opportunity to be a better football team.”
One big difference for the Lions will be having Travis Lulay begin the season as the starting quarterback. The skill the 27-year-old from Salem, Ore., demonstrated down the stretch last season, combined with the dedication he showed over the winter, has impressed both coaches and teammates.
“Last year, we thought we were getting one thing (with Printers) but we got something different,” said Simon. “We had to scramble for the rest of the year tying to get on the same page.
“With Travis, he’s been with this team this whole off-season. I think this is the first time that I have worked out with a quarterback the majority of the off-season. It was good for us to have a guy here . . . helping us get better, helping get himself better. It just instills confidence that this thing is going in the right direction.”
Lulay completed 205 of 318 passes last year for 2,602 yards, nine touchdowns and 11 interceptions in just his second season with the Lions. He also rushed for 396 yards.
The big redhead said there’s a different attitude around the team after the Lions won both their exhibition games.
“We are way ahead of where we were a year ago at this time,” said Lulay.
“The team is playing more confident. The offensive line is more experienced than where we were a year ago. We just need to go out and prove it.”
Veteran Jarious Jackson will be Lulay’s backup and can offer advice to the young quarterback.
A good Lions defence has been improved with the signing of free-agent tackle Eric Taylor, who played for the Toronto Argonauts last season, and the addition of Rajon Henley from Texas Tech.
They will join a cast that already includes linebacker Solomon Elimimian, the CFL’s outstanding rookie in 2010, defensive end Keron Williams, cornerback Davis Sanchez, and tackle Aaron Hunt.
“The defence (people) should be fairly familiar with the names,” said Buono. “I’m expecting the football players who own those names will be a lot better than they were last year.”
Buono spent the winter improving an offensive line that gave up a league-high 65 sacks last season.
B.C. signed former Calgary Stampeder Ben Archibald, the CFL’s outstanding lineman last season, to play left tackle. Veteran Jon Hameister-Ries will be the left guard while Jovan Olafiove will be right tackle and Angus Reid the centre.
“I think the offensive line is light years ahead of where we were last year,” said Buono.
Scoring points may be a problem.
The Lions’ receiving corps was depleted when wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux signed with the NFL Minnesota Vikings. Exciting kick returner Yonus Davis was released after being charged with possession of 27 kilograms of ecstasy pills in California.
Veteran slotback Paris Jackson is still recovering from knee surgery.
Age is also creeping up on the team.
Simon turns 36 in September. Running back Jamal Robertson is 34. Sanchez will turn 37 during the season while defensive end Brent Johnson is 34.
The Lions will begin the season at Empire Field. They will play their first game at B.C. Place Stadium Sept. 30 against the Edmonton Eskimos.
B.C. Place is undergoing $565 million in renovations, including a retractable roof.
Buono said having the Grey Cup in Vancouver will add some extra motivation for his team.
“There’s a lot of expectations on this club,” he said. “Hosting the game only reminds people over and over again of the opportunity you have to do something you will remember for the rest of your life.
“I think the thing that has been good is the players have a change of attitude. They are much more professional in their approach to practice and their own preparation.”
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