Courtesy Vancouver Province:

It may be the biggest single temptation to face the Lions all season, and is definitely the most irresistible during training camp.

It is not the thought of a day in the hot tub, nor the lure of the bright lights of Abbotsford during their brief moments of free time each night.

“It’s those cookies,” defensive tackle Aaron Hunt said.

Those cookies are served during their camp meals at the Columbia Bible College and it’s the pasta, fruits and salads, too. No single male on the CFL team, it can be said without fear of contradiction, will eat better all season than they will during camp.

Yet by virtue of the reduced weight carried around compared to last season, it’s clear many players are dipping into the buffet line more judiciously than ever. It may be the most tangible evidence of one of the biggest changes since many of them began to play in the three-down league.

“The CFL has become a skinny man’s game,” linebacker Jay Pottinger said.

Not every player has received the message, in part because the weight requirements at various positions are different.

Hunt, for one, reported to camp at 285 pounds, which isn’t exactly in keeping with his pledge upon signing a contract extension two months ago to keep the weight off. That has earned Hunt a letter of reprimand from coach Wally Buono this week, which also carried notice of a fine.

“It’s only about five pounds,” Hunt said. “I’ve been eating too well, I guess.”

Yet a handful of Hunt’s teammates turned up for camp this year lighter, prepared to deal with the delicate balance between gaining added speed against the potential setback of being bowled over by a bigger opponent.

Brent Johnson and Ryan Phillips each dropped 10 pounds. Otis Floyd is lighter. Pottinger is down to 215 pounds.

And it’s not just the Lions, either. B.C. players were stunned to learn Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive tackle Scott Schultz, whom the Lions will likely face in their first preseason game Friday, has dropped 40 pounds, jokingly telling reporters he can see his toes for the first time in six years.

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