Jul
CFL DIGEST EXCLUSIVE: In the Den (July 3)
Courtesy Brian Wawryshyn of BCLIONSDEN.ca:
Random thoughts after Week One
Jackson’s back
Last week’s column touched on the need for teams to have two solid quarterbacks. Wally Buono has named Jarious Jackson his starter for the home opener versus Saskatchewan, and he’s made it clear that it’s now Jarious’ job to lose.
Jackson will now get his shot, and he needs to make the most of it, not only for himself, but more importantly for the Lions. The team needs some continuity right now, some sense of leadership. There is no doubt that to a man, the Lions were not happy with the way they played last week. However, going back to last season it’s been awhile since the Lions played a good football game, and Jackson was at the controls for those games as well.
One has to feel for Buck Pierce, who just can’t catch a break with his health. The simple fact is Wally had no choice. You cannot have Buck take most of the first team reps all week, start, and then have to come out because of his shoulder. Hopefully the reduced role will allow Buck to get the shoulder manageable.
A few odds and ends:
Rob Murphy leaves the team indefinitely to tend to his new family after his wife gave birth to triplets this week. Congratulations go out to the Murphy family.
6’9 300lb Import Walter Stith gets the call as Murphy’s replacement, while Dean Valli will once again play for the injured Sherko Haji-Rasouli. Stith impressed at camp and don’t let that size fool you…he’s tall and lean for his size and can move well. He should be interesting to watch, hopefully for the right reasons. The situation could get even crazier should Jason Jimenez’s wife go into labor, and she’s expecting any day.
Wally Buono was none too pleased with last week’s effort, and sent one shot over the players bow when he signed former Rider LB TJ Stancil and cut Tim Goodwell. Other players were on record saying that Buono has made it clear there could be more players looking for work if he sees another effort like he saw in Calgary.
It seems the tailgate party is a dying art. Reported fun police sightings in Vancouver, Calgary, Saskatchewan and Winnipeg have diehard fans wondering what they’ve done to deserve all the special attention. Police and security guards recently awaited Lions fans at their normal parking lot, along with new signs declaring no tailgating. Problem is it isn’t the police, it’s the owners of the lot who despite charging $30.00 to park next to the stadium (more than a ticket to the game) seem to feel like tailgaters are a detriment. Yeah there are some issues, but use some of that $30.00 bucks you charge and provide some toilets, some garbage cans and a few security guards/police and you have no problem, you have an event…but wait a minute, that would mean people are having fun, and who wants that?
Nice read Brian … and a kewl site too
‘Gatin in 4 hours …. Go riders …. but Roar Lions!!!