Sep
Pierce gets nod for Lions
Courtesy Globe and Mail:
The B.C. Lions quarterback saga took another twist yesterday when newly anointed starter Jarious Jackson was pronounced out of action for the next three to five weeks.
Jackson, who had started the past three games, suffered a torn rotator cuff to his right (throwing) shoulder in a loss to the Montreal Alouettes on the weekend, and missed practice this week to undergo medical tests.
Buck Pierce, who has suffered two concussions this season, and five in the past 11 months, returns to No.?1 on the CFL team’s depth chart for a home game against the Toronto Argonauts tomorrow.
“The main thing is: don’t take anything unnecessary,” Pierce said yesterday when asked about the risk of more concussions.
“You’re going to take hits, especially as a quarterback in this league. I’m not worried about it, and I’m not thinking about it.”
The game has playoff implications because the Lions (4-6) hold an edge over the Argonauts and Winnipeg Blue Bombers (both 3-7) for the final postseason berth. It also has record-breaking potential as B.C. general manager and head coach Wally Buono shoots for his 232nd career victory, which would eclipse Don Matthews and set a mark for CFL bosses.
Matthews, who coached both the Argonauts and Lions before retiring last year, lives in nearby Oregon and will be at B.C. Place Stadium to pass the torch. Matthews has called Buono his favourite CFL coach, and last year predicted that his friend’s record will stand forever.
Yesterday, the only torch passing happened under centre, with Buono admitting that the brittle Pierce is once again central to the team’s fortunes in 2009. The five-year veteran was the starter earlier this season, and several times over the past three campaigns, in a seemingly never-ending battle with Jackson.
Pierce has completed 105 of 166 passes for 1,167 yards in seven games this season.
He has thrown nine interceptions to only six touchdown passes.
Pierce, 27, has not played since suffering his most recent concussion on Aug. 14 at Toronto’s Rogers Centre. He has been more injury-prone than Jackson, but Buono has often expressed more confidence in Pierce.
“We’re at that critical stage in the season, but Buck has been chomping to go,” Buono said.
“I believe that emotionally, physically [and] psychologically, he’s probably in a very good state.”
Since 2005, the Lions are 17-11-1 when Pierce starts, and 14-7 when Jackson takes the first snap.
Pierce has been the quarterback of record for one win and four losses this year, while Jackson has gone 3-2.
Pierce said he has been working at releasing the ball more quickly, which should theoretically reduce the number of times he gets hit. He also said that he has adapted to a new helmet, which provides more protection to the head and jaw than his previous model.
But the New Mexico State product was quick to add that he cannot play scared.
“If these guys thought I was thinking about my head, or that I was timid and was holding onto the ball, and I wasn’t taking off when I was supposed to, than we would be a little bit worried,” Pierce said. “But I honestly feel okay.”?
