Courtesy Vancouver Province:

Geroy Simon said the pain lasted all the way through the Grey Cup game.

Angus Reid said his hurt took months to heal.

Rob Murphy? He’s still sore.

The offseason has given the three veterans and their Lions teammates time to recover from the physical damage inflicted by the 2007 CFL season.

The mental anguish is an entirely different matter. Despite the fact the Lions begin anew with the start of two-a-day practice sessions Sunday at Abbotsford’s Rotary Stadium, there remains a residual effect from the 26-17 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West Division final.

How they process the effects of the setback will determine how far they progress in the season ahead — and possibly for years to come.

Losing not only reduced a 14-3-1 season to ashes, it eliminated any future sense of invincibility derived from playing at home. When it counts, visiting teams now know, the Lions are beatable.

“Looking back, there was a bit of arrogance,” Reid said. “I hate saying it, but there might easily have been overconfidence.”

And though most in the organization say they have moved past the disappointment, the acknowledgment of a lost opportunity is also a recognition that the core group of the Lions is slowly running out of time in which to put together a dominant run.

The primary vital signs, represented by a 27-8-1 regular-season record the last two seasons and the fact coach that Wally Buono routinely will remove a veteran or two from the roster each season, are still promising.

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