Courtesy Brian Wawryshyn of BCLIONSDEN.ca

Speculation is abound in CFL circles about the future of Joe Smith, last years rushing leader. Fueling the fires Monday was the arrival of RB Terrence Whitehead.

Whitehead took nearly all the scout team reps at practice Monday, while Joe Smith was pretty much an observer.

One has to wonder how Smith has fallen so far out favor with Buono. Yes, his production had dropped off to start the year. Yes, he chose to stay away from the game while rehabbing a shoulder injury. Yes, Stefan Logan has been productive in his starts. Still, to go from the leagues rushing champion to not getting reps in practice is a little bit of a mystery.

The team apparently put Smith on recallable waivers last week, in hopes of gauging what trade possibilities may be out there. Toronto and Edmonton were teams that apparently showed some interest.

It’s tough to gauge Buono’s true intentions regarding Smith. Rumours have most of his $140,000 salary paid up front in the form of a $90,000 signing bonus. That would make him a fairly attractive salary cap hit for the rest of this season, and you get a hell of a back. But Buono isn’t in any hurry to deal Smith, and wants to make sure he has all his bases covered should he choose to do so. Buono would like to address his own teams needs in any deal. Interested teams are likely waiting to see if Buono simply releases Smith, meaning they get him without giving up any assets.

Of course there is still a real possibility that Smith won’t go anywhere. Smith himself really doesn’t seem too concerned or bothered by the situation, and it would appear he’s towing the party line.

“The way I’m looking at it right now is the time I’m not in there I’m not getting any bruises,” Smith told Lowell Ullrich of the Vancouver Province.

“If today or tomorrow is my last day in the CFL I go back to what I was doing before … when I started my [dog-tag] business. I actually don’t even think about it. Why waste my energy?”

“The feeling I have is [the Lions] have got a new guy. We’re winning. As far as me being here next week, who knows? When the time is right [Buono] will let me know. That’s why he’s the boss.”

Smith could not only stick around with the Lions for the rest of the year, he could also play a key role down the stretch, particularly as the weather turns on the prairies in the second half of the season, where Logan is untested. If Logan struggles, Smith could be reinserted and shine, and of course there is the possibility the Lions could find a way to have both in the back field at the same time, something the fans would certainly like to see.

So for now there is no hurry to make a decision. Pending Friday’s result versus the Stamps, that could change in a hurry as Buono told the Province.

“Don’t get too far ahead of yourself,” Buono cautioned. “I’m looking at it one week at a time. This week, his days aren’t numbered. Next week, I might have to look at things differently.

Lions community practice a great success

The Lions held a community practice and minor football instructional camp at David Lam park in Yaletown last Saturday. There were activities for the kids, cheerleaders and a great crowd on hand as the Lions held a one hour practice in the park. Prior to the practice fans were given the chance to get autographs and chat with the players.

Of course the idea of the event came from the late Bobby Ackles, who was missed.

Lions scheming for Dickenson too?

Reports are suggesting the Lions are including Dave Dickenson in their preparation for the Calgary Stampeders Friday, but not in the form of defending him on the field. It seems as though the club may be changing up some of their signals for play calling, since Dickenson is well versed in regards to the BC offensive and defensive schemes.

Brent Johnson downplayed the story on local sports radio, saying the club changes it’s signals constantly throughout the season.