British Columbia Lions (14-3-1 in 2007 --- 1st in West Division)
Last updated May 30
Notable Signings and Acquisitions
Coaching: Mike Benevides (DC), Jacques Chapdelaine (REC)
Offence: None
Defence: None
Special Teams: None
Notable Releases and Deletions
Coaching: Dave Ritchie (DC)
Offence: Dave Dickenson (QB), Josh Boden (WR)
Defence: Mark Washington (DB), Markeith Knowlton (DB)
Special Teams: None
| General Manager |
|---|
| Wally Buono |
| Head Coach |
|---|
| Wally Buono |
| 2008 Draft Picks |
|---|
| Justin Sorensen - OL |
| Rolly Lumbala - RB |
| Justin Shaw - DL |
| Jason Arakgi - LB |
| Mike McEachern - LB |
| Brady Browne - DB |
| Hubert Buydens - OL |
| Key Addition | Key Loss |
|---|
| The return of Jacques Chapdelaine as receivers coach has the potential to add fuel to an already explosive offence. |
For a team that makes few changes in the offseason, the loss of defensive coordinator Dave Ritchie may have an impact. |
Matt Dunigan's QB Analysis:
Jarious Jackson is in a position where he has the job and it is up to him to keep it. I say that because when people say, "It's his job to lose," it has a tendency to conjure up negative thoughts. Jarious has the size, arm, mobility and all the sought-after intangibles. His competition comes in the form of a wonderfully talented and exciting QB by the name of Buck Pierce. Don't you just love those Hollywood names? Gino Guidugli is a virtual unknown at number three right now and will be pushed by another QB with a made for Hollywood name, Zac Champion. That's right, Zac frickin' Champion! Here is a tidbit of info for ya'll; Zac is a Bulldog, from Louisiana Tech. Same goes for B.C RB Joe Smith and yours truly! The competition between Jackson and Pierce should prove to be a favorable scenario for the Lions. Both are capable and ready to take it to the next level as bona fide stars in the CFL.
Duane Forde's Rookie To Watch:
A little over five years ago, the Lions went mining for talent at Florida A&M University and struck gold in the form of a young quarterback named Casey Printers. Now, the Leos are hoping that the Rattlers have furnished them with another weapon in receiver Roosevelt Kiser (Florida A&M). Kiser is a small, quick receiver whose talents should be well suited to the Canadian game. He will get every chance to succeed, with the Lions auditioning imports for the fifth receiver slot occupied last year by Canadian Josh Boden, who was recently released.
Chris Schultz's Overview:
The B.C. Lions were the CFL's best team during the regular season last year, accumulating 14 wins and only three losses with one tie. But being the best team is not enough because there are two seasons, regular season and post-season, and the best team in the playoffs was the Saskatchewan Roughriders, not the Lions. Having made that point of specific differentiation, this is a pretty amazing football organization. More...
| Area of Strength | Needs Improvement |
|---|
| The key to success for the Lions is their stability in personnel from top to bottom and as they say, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it." Well, it ain't broke. |
The defensive secondary tends to give up more yards than average. Some will say that happens when you have leads in the second half but things could be tighter. |
| Playoff-Bound? | Or Homeward Bound |
|---|
| Making the playoffs is not the issue on the left coast. The Lions will likely be the class of the West and anything short of a Grey Cup will be a disappointment. |
For the Lions to miss the playoffs, everything would have to go wrong in Vancouver and right everywhere else. Stranger things have not happened. |
| 2007 Offence | PTS | TDS | YDS/GM | PASS/GM | RUSH/GM |
|---|
| Total | 490 | 52 | 347 | 247 | 121 |
| Rank | 1 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 3 |
| 2007 Defence | PTS | TDS | YDS/GM | PASS/GM | RUSH/GM |
|---|
| Total | 356 | 37 | 340 | 261 | 107 |
| Rank | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 4 |