Courtesy Globe and Mail:

There’s not a lot of room for improvement after a 14-3-1 season, but B.C. Lions head coach Wally Buono has one change in mind for his football team this season.

He’d like to see it throw the ball more than it did a year ago.

Though the Lions were the CFL’s top-scoring team in 2007, they actually ranked in the back half of the pack in most passing categories, as quarterbacks Dave Dickenson, Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson rotated duty – mostly because of injuries.

Dickenson, the previous incumbent No. 1, is gone, having moved on to a backup role with the Calgary Stampeders. That means the stage is set for a training camp battle between Pierce and Jackson, with whoever wins the job expected to ramp up the Lions’ passing game from what it was year ago.

“The thing on everyone’s mind is who our starting quarterback is going to be,” B.C. head coach and general manager Wally Buono said. “I have confidence that Buck and Jarious have been winners for us when Dave Dickenson was here as No. 1 and now we need to have one of them step up. I’m hoping one of them will establish themselves and that both will lead us to a lot of victories.”

A new No. 1 quarterback is one of the few changes on a Lions roster full of holders from a year ago, but with new blood on the coaching staff in special teams co-ordinator Chuck McMann, receivers coach Jacques Chapdelaine and defensive backs coach Mark Washington.

Two other members of last year’s staff have new roles, with Dan Dorazio taking over the offensive co-ordinator duties and Mike Benevides filling the defensive co-ordinator role, vacated by the retirement of Dave Ritchie.

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