Courtesy Vancouver Province:

The closed-practices hoopla before the game almost made it feel as if the Calgary Stampeders were going to be ushered onto the field for the opener with CSIS agents in dark suits lined on either side of them and a battalion of military helicopters hovering overhead.

Turns out it would have been pretty darn appropriate. Led by quarterback Henry Burris, the Stamps steamrolled to a 28-18 CFL win with precision Thursday over the Lions, who offered little resistance offensively most of the way.

But no, there’s no quarterback controversy. There just isn’t an effective one playing yet for the Lions.

Or anyone else for that matter.

“There was no intensity and very poor execution in all facets of the team. That’s my responsibility,” coach Wally Buono said.

After convincing himself during training camp that his recurring shoulder problems were a thing of the past, starter Buck Pierce had to give way in the first half, but not until he threw a touchdown pass to Cory Rodgers.

The optics were odd, when in fact Pierce had injured his shoulder earlier in the second quarter. The remainder of the contest became a virtual tag-team event with Jarious Jackson, who was in and out as Pierce met with varying degrees of success convincing Buono of his health.

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