Buono faces tough cutdown decisions

It's never wise to make predictions after the pre-season.
But you can probably bet on this one: The B.C. Lions will not start the Canadian Football League season 1-7 like they did a year ago.
For proof, see the Lions' 34-6 victory over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the final exhibition game for both teams Wednesday night.
The Lions were in control from start to finish, and the final score might have been more lopsided if second-year quarterback Mike Reilly had been allowed to play for more than the final five minutes. Reilly threw two touchdown passes and had a perfect eight-for-eight passing night and also ran once for 17 yards.
The 26-year-old Kennewick, Wash., native followed up on a strong showing a week earlier as the Lions went undefeated in two pre-season contests.
"I always feel good after a win, especially one that you know you helped contribute to," said Reilly. "Two good performances in a row. I was happy that I was able to get out. I wasn't sure how much playing time I was going to get."
Reilly signed with the Lions last July after four unsuccessful tryouts in the NFL with Pittsburgh, Green Bay, St. Louis and Seattle. He opted to sign with B.C. rather than accept another tryout with the New York Jets, because he was tired of riding the NFL "roller-coaster and wanted to stay with a team on a long-term basis.
"I felt like this was a really important game," said Reilly. "We had talked with coaches earlier this week. We have a lot of good quarterbacks on the team. Myself and Corey (Leonard) they hadn't seen too much of, because we're both fairly new here. So I knew it was going to be a big night to go out and take a real turn to show why I should be part of the team and how I can be an asset."
Reilly saw mostly scout-team duty last season while the Lions dealt with injuries and the Casey Printers sideshow that eventually saw the former No. 1 released. Although he is No. 3 on the depth chart behind starter Travis Lulay and Jarious Jackson, Reilly feels the experience gained last season has helped him immensely.
Which brings us back to our prediction. Many other Leos, notably the offensive line, also gained invaluable experience as B.C. started 1-7 and finished 7-3 before losing to Saskatchewan in the Western Conference semi-final.
"The team's playing more confident from the get-go," said Lulay, anticipating good things early in the campaign.
Lions general manager Wally Buono almost went out on a limb by suggesting his club will have a better start this time round. But he declined to offer insight on just how ready his team is. But he noted his players understand the system better and almost all facets -- offence, defence and special teams -- have been playing well.
"When you look it, we should be a better football team," said Buono.
And you can take that to the bank.
But don't bet on the Lions' final roster just yet. You can count on rookie running back and returner Tim Brown staying after he caught a four-yard Reilly touchdown pass and also romped for 88 yards on punt and kick returns. But other newcomers won't make Buono's final roster cutdowns easy.
"I think (Wednesday's game) actually confused me a little bit more than I originally thought," he said. "I said it two weeks ago and I say it again: We're going to let some good football players go whether we like it or not."
You can bet on that, too.

Now writing for Huffington Post

Here's a story I wrote for the Huffington Post on the NHL's return to Winnipeg.

www.huffingtonpost.ca/tag/atlanta-thrashers-winnipeg

Next in the Huff, I'll be writing on Canada's other national sports. Check out more of more stories coming up in the Huffington Post in the next week or so.