There's not a lot of room for improvement after a 14-3-1 season, but B.C. Lions head coach Wally Buono has one change in mind for his football team this season.
He'd like to see it throw the ball more than it did a year ago.
Though the Lions were the CFL's top-scoring team in 2007, they actually ranked in the back half of the pack in most passing categories, as quarterbacks Dave Dickenson, Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson rotated duty – mostly because of injuries.
Dickenson, the previous incumbent No. 1, is gone, having moved on to a backup role with the Calgary Stampeders. That means the stage is set for a training camp battle between Pierce and Jackson, with whoever wins the job expected to ramp up the Lions' passing game from what it was year ago.
“The thing on everyone's mind is who our starting quarterback is going to be,” B.C. head coach and general manager Wally Buono said. “I have confidence that Buck and Jarious have been winners for us when Dave Dickenson was here as No. 1 and now we need to have one of them step up. I'm hoping one of them will establish themselves and that both will lead us to a lot of victories.”
A new No. 1 quarterback is one of the few changes on a Lions roster full of holders from a year ago, but with new blood on the coaching staff in special teams co-ordinator Chuck McMann, receivers coach Jacques Chapdelaine and defensive backs coach Mark Washington.
Two other members of last year's staff have new roles, with Dan Dorazio taking over the offensive co-ordinator duties and Mike Benevides filling the defensive co-ordinator role, vacated by the retirement of Dave Ritchie.
“From that perspective, training camp is going to be exciting because the players, even though they are veterans, aren't going to be hearing the same old thing, are not hopefully going to be doing the same old thing.
“At the end of the day, you have to challenge them somewhat and stimulate them somewhat.”
The Lions may be in even better shape off the field than on it as the season approaches. President Bob Ackles said the club is approaching 25,000 in season-ticket sales, the most since the mid-1980s.
In other CFL news, the Toronto Argonauts continued their pattern of signing players who once had prominent roles in the NFL, inking former New England Patriots receiver and kick returner Bethel Johnson. A former second-round draft pick, Johnson collected two Super Bowl rings during his three seasons in New England before being traded to the New Orleans Saints before the start of the 2006 season.
“Bethel Johnson is a speedy and athletic deep-threat receiver who is also an accomplished return man,” Greg Mohns, the Argos' assistant general manager, said in a statement. “He should give us great depth and we expect him to come in and challenge for a starting position.”
Johnson will join former all-star David Boston in competition for receiver spots when Toronto's rookie camp opens later this week.
The Edmonton Eskimos made a trade yesterday, acquiring punter Duncan O'Mahoney from the Calgary Stampeders in exchange for a conditional draft pick in 2009. O'Mahoney, who sat out the 2006 season but punted in seven games last season with Calgary, will be trying to replace former Eskimo Sean Fleming, who retired at the end of last season.
