Courtesy Brian Wawryshyn of BCLIONSDEN.ca

In The Den

Back to business for Smith and the Lions

After two emotionally filled weeks the BC Lions will get back to business on Friday when they host the Montreal Alouettes under the dome.

Joe Smith will be getting back to business as well. Last year’s rushing leader returns after nursing a rotator cuff injury for the last two weeks. Stefan Logan, who filled in admirably with over 200 yards rushing in his two appearances will not dress. The Lions didn’t really have any choice in the matter when they lost import wide receiver Cory Rodgers to a season ending Achilles tendon injury, and Bret Anderson still nursing a tender hamstring, leaving them thin at receiving depth.

There is a mild debate amongst fans about whether Logan should step aside for Smith, but Wally Buono is correct in his decision. Veteran starters simply should not lose their jobs to injury, period. Buono’s philosophy with his players is simple. You earn the right to play; you earn the right to keep that job. However, when you get that chance, you had better perform, or it’s his job to find someone that will.

For his part Logan has been the perfect teammate. Buono sat down with the rookie tailback and told him not to get discouraged, that he had performed well, and proven to everyone he can get the job done. He’ll get other chances. Logan has indicated he’ll do whatever he needs to do be ready for that next chance.

In Smith the Lions bring in a rested and you would think motivated player. Smith may be laid back and easy going, but his living is playing football and he’ll want to prove to Buono, that he’s not ready to hand over the job to Logan.

At some point the Lions may try and get both backs on the field at the same time, a situation that could be brutal on opposing defenses. But for now, Mr. Smith is going back to work…with something to prove.

Lions getting confident again

Both wins may have come against the 0-4 Bombers, but hey, it could have been the Lions on the other end of that home and home series, so Lions fans will take it, but the recent success has also given this veteran club some of its swagger back. Something they seemed to have lost somewhat since last season’s western final loss to Saskatchewan.
More importantly, the offense was able to have some success, which was a concern heading into the series.

Jarious Jackson has taken charge, and while struggling at times, has also shown the ability to rally the troops. Jackson finished the first half of last week’s game with less than 100 yards passing…he finished the game with over 390 yards.

Geroy Simon has elevated his game. He needs just four yards Friday to pass Jim Young as the Lions all-time leading receiver. The club will honour Simon when he breaks the record, and Dirty 30 himself will be on hand to witness his record fall.

Banks Robbed?

When Alouettes MLB Reggie Hunt was named defensive player of the week Wednesday, there were many Lions fans scratching their heads. Hunt had eight tackles, a sack and two interceptions that resulted in Montreal TDs against the Riders. His team allowed 41 points and lost to Saskatchewan.

DB Korey Banks of the Lions had six tackles, two sacks and two interceptions, one for a touchdown, and a somewhat controversial one that saved one. Buono reviewed the call and not surprisingly felt the right call was made claiming that Banks played the ball the whole time, and that the Winnipeg receiver had initiated the contact. Maybe Bank’s snub was the league saying…”we blew that one.”

37,000 plus honour Ackles

Count me as one of those people who were initially disappointed with the crowd for the Ackles tribute game. But after some thought, and where the club was attendance wise when Ackles returned, 37,000 plus was a great indication of the job he did.