Notes and quotes from the Vancouver Canucks training camp on Sunday …
Nolan undergoes role reversal at Canucks camp
How times have changed for Owen Nolan.
In 1990, he was selected first overall in the NHL draft and received the red-carpet treatment the way Edmonton No. 1 picks Taylor Hall and Ryan Nugent-Hopkins have the past two years. But at the age of 39, Nolan now finds himself without a contract as he tries out for the Canucks.
He used to be able to count on big minutes in a top-line role. But after spending a season in Switzerland, his role, along with his contract status is uncertain.
“My goal right now is just to make the team, and once I do, we’ll discuss what role the coach wants me to have,” says Nolan. “I have a lot of experience under my belt and can handle a lot of different situations, whether it’s kill penalties, play power plays. Whatever they need me to do, I’m more than willing to do.”
If Nolan can play the way he has in the past, before injuries and age took their toll, he will likely make an impact with the Canucks. As the Stanley Cup finals showed, Vancouver needs more grit, especially on the third and fourth lines, where Nolan is most likely to play.
“Especially not playing (in the NHL) last year, I have no excuses for bumps and bruises,” says Nolan. “I feel fit. I feel ready to get at it.”
Nolan, who last played in the NHL two seasons ago with Minnesota, says he has to rely more on his intelligence now than his physical skills.
“Everyone knows you lose a step the older you get, but I think at some point you learn to read the game a lot better,” says Nolan. “You see those situations a lot more and you know how to react to them.”
Canucks captain Henrik Sedin says Nolan has reacted well to the rigors of training camp. Now, it’s just a question of seeing what he can do in exhibition play, which begins Tuesday in a pair of split-squad games against Calgary at home and away.
Nolan is among a handful of veterans who are trying out. Goaltender Manny Legace, enforcer Todd Fedoruk and journeyman Steve Begin are the others.
“It’s a tough spot to be in, but they’re coming in, they’re working hard,” says Sedin. “They’ve been around so they know what it takes. I’m sure they want to prove, when the game starts, what they can do.”
“I think different guys can bring different things, but the one thing they can all bring is experience. “They’ve been around and they’ve played this game for a long time, so I think that’s their nature.”
It’s often said that when you try out for one team, you’re actually trying out for 29 other teams that scout you in the preseason. But Nolan does not pay heed to such comments.
“I just want to be part of a winner,” says Nolan. “I’m not expecting to come in here and play 20 minutes. I know that my job is to come in here and chip in any way I can when I’m on the ice.”
Undrafted Archibald fills into pro frame
Add Darren Archibald to the list of players that Vancouver general manager Mike Gillis has granted a second chance to make a first impression.
In Archibald’s case, it’s a third chance. Unlike the aforementioned Nolan, the 21-year-old rookie was never drafted and had unsuccessful tryouts with Columbus and Detroit in the past two training camps. But Gillis saw something in Archibald and signed him last December while he was completing his last season of junior eligibility with Niagara and Barrie of the OHL.
“I think it has a lot to do with what team you go to and how much availability there is for a contract,” says Archibald, who was one of Vancouver’s better players at the recently concluded Young Stars tournament in Penticton, B.C. “It’s such a numbers game and sometimes it just doesn’t work with certain teams. Certain teams already have their style of player and, fortunately, for me, Vancouver was looking for their big guys to get in the hard-nosed areas.”
So why wasn’t Archibald drafted? At six-foot-three and 209 pounds bears the classic build of a power forward.
“Everybody’s kind of labelled me as a late bloomer,” says Archibald. “Within the last couple of years, I guess, I’ve just really started to fill out into my frame. I was always tall, but I was never really thick. In the last couple of years, I’ve started to put on a balance and started to feel more comfortable with my body.”
Soon, he will try to get comfortable in the Chicago Wolves lineup. But he will be one to watch as the Canucks look for more grit and toughness to avoid being bounced around in the playoffs.
Tanev sporting new Chinese-friendly number
Don’t be surprised if second-year Vancouver defenceman Chris Tanev becomes a favourite of the club’s large Chinese fan base.
Tanev will sport No. 8 on his jersey this season instead of his former No. 18. According to Chinese numerology and folklore, the No. 8 is considered the number that brings the most good fortune.
“Really?” says Tanev.
He was unaware of the benefit of his new number. But perhaps Gillis knew something he didn’t.
“I didn’t ask for it to be changed,” says Tanev. “That’s the number I wore in college. Mr. Gillis told the trainers to change it from 18 to eight, and I’m happy with that. That’s what I wore growing up. I prefer that.”
Perhaps the No. 8 will help Tanev, who was also undrafted before being spotted while playing for little-known Rochester Institute of Technology two seasons ago, put more bulk on his slim frame. Unlike Archibald, Tanev does not fit the hockey prototype. Sporting shorts and a tee-shirt, he looks like he would fit in well with the Vancouver Whitecaps soccer club.
He has bulked up a bit, gaining about 10 pounds.
“I’m still working on my strength,” says Tanev. “I’m still working on my shot. Things are coming. They’re a lot better than last year.”
Veteran Keith Ballard figures the extra weight will help Tanev, who is extremely strong when it comes to getting the puck out of his zone, but not strength-wise. Ballard believes the added pounds will help him win some one-on-one battles in the corner and elsewhere.
“He’s not an overly physical player, so he’s not going to use that strength to be running guys every night,” says Ballard.
Eddie doesn’t lack foresight
Eddie Lack, who appears destined to be Vancouver’s top goaltender on the farm this season, is watching and learning from incumbents Roberto Luongo and Cory Schneider in training camp.
“I watched them in practice and I learned a lot,” says Lack. “I just know, if I continue to develop, my time will come.”
He recognizes that Luongo still has a decade to go on his long-term contract and Schneider is here until his inevitable trade. Possibly this season. Why else would the Canucks bring in Legace for a look-see? So Lack, a native of Norrtalje, Sweden, is staying patient and following the example of the goaltender who did in the Canucks in the Stanley Cup finals – Tim Thomas – en route to being selected as the Conn Smythe Trophy winner.
“I’m just 23 years old and I’m a goalie,” says Lack. “Just look at Tim Thomas. I think he played four or five games in the NHL before he turned 30. So (I’m go to) just be patient and play my game and have fun out there.”
“I’m just trying to take care of my business,” says Lack. “It’s not something that I can control or anything. I have to play good to eventually get a shot up here, and that’s what my plan is.”
“I’m just 23 years old and I’m a goalie,” says Lack. “Just look at Tim Thomas. I think he played four or five games in the NHL before he turned 30. So (I’m go to) just be patient and play my game and have fun out there.”
Sedins like short off-season
The Sedin twins aren’t getting older, they’re getting fitter.
Despite a longer season in 2010-11, the Sedins scored better in some aspects of physical testing at camp. Henrik won’t say exactly which ones, but he admitted the gruelling VO2 exam, which measure oxygen intake during a high-intensity stationary bike ride, was one of them.
“I feel better this year,” says Sedin. “You play longer and you stay in shape and ou don’t really get those weeks where you’re not doing anything. Nowadays, if you get three or four weeks off, it’s a long time to recover from.”
He endorses tennis star Roger Federer’s claim that 40 is the new 30. Obviously, 30, which is the twins’ age until Sept. 26, ain’t what it used to be, either.
“Guys would start to tail off before, but now I think you’re going to see more guys playing longer, because you work out differently in the summer time,” says Henrik. “You get back, you’re never really out of shape, you’re always trying to stay in shape, and that makes things easy.”
But the Sedins, who led the league in scoring the past two seasons, with Henrik prevailing in 2009-10 and Daniel earning top honours last season, made sure they didn’t take it easy in the gym between June and August.
“We had a really good summer,” says Henrik Sedin. “We really tried to push ourselves. Maybe, when you get up to this age, you try to be just where you are and you don’t really try to push yourself. In the summer, we pushed ourselves to try to get in better shape. We’re happy with the results.”
If the past two seasons are any indication, Canucks fans likely will be, too.
Ballard anxious to start season
Still on the feeling-comfortable theme, defenceman Ballard is feeling much better than he did a year ago, when he was recovering from hip surgery and getting to know his teammates following a trade from Florida.
Now, Ballard, who was a frequent healthy scratch in the playoffs and at other times last season, is anxious to start the preseason. He is glad that training camps not the drawn-out affairs that they used to be. Vancouver’s camp will comprise just three days on ice – and Ballard likes it that way.
“You don’t need to be beating up on your own teammates,” says Ballard. “So you want to get out there and compete against some of the other guys.”
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Sturm looks for redemption with Canucks
It’s redemption time for the Vancouver Canucks – in more ways than one.
While the Canucks look to make up for a loss to the Boston Bruins in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals and claim the crown, several players – newcomers and returnees alike – are looking to redeem themselves after an injury riddled season.
Marco Sturm is a prime example. The Canucks’ top free agent acquisition, he is looking to revive his career after two knee operations in the past three years.
“I just want to be the player I was before my injury,” says Sturm. “That’s gonna be my goal. Right now, the knees feel great. I’m just trying to get in a rhythm again.”
Sturm had trouble finding a rhythm last season. The Bruins traded him to Los Angeles in December while he was still hurt, and then the Kings waived him and he was claimed by the Washington Capitals, who subsequently let him go after the playoffs.
He produced 16 points in 35 regular-season games with the Kings and Caps and furnished three post-season points with Washington – not bad considering his injury ordeals.
“I had to start pretty much at zero, because my strength was not there,” says Sturm. “My fitness wasn’t there all last year, so I started from zero. But the main thing was to get my strength back, so I did a lot of weights and, of course, a lot of outside running to get my conditioning.”
Signed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract, he could play a critical role as the Canucks contend with early-season injuries. The 33-year-old native of Dingolfing, Germany could play a key role as Vancouver looks to atone for the absences of second-liners Ryan Kesler (hip) and Mason Raymond (back).
“I can play on any line and, also, left wing or right wing,” he says. “It doesn’t really matter. Of course, I want to be in the top six, but I’m here to help the team out.”
Chances are he will, to some extent. Sturm has recorded seven straight 20-goal seasons, including a 2004-05 lockout season he spent play in Germany. So why did he decide to sign with the Canucks?
“I’m at that age now – I want to win – and this team’s got everything,” says Sturm. “They showed in the last two years how good they are, and I want to be in that good team, good organization, who knows what it will take to win it all, and it was a big issue.”
Other players attempting to redeem themselves are veteran goaltender Manny Legace; former No. 1 draft pick Owen Nolan, who played in Switzerland last season; enforcer Todd Fedoruk, who has been quite outspoken about his substance-abuse problems; and journeyman forward Steve Begin, who spent most of last season in the minors. All are in camp on professional tryouts with no assurance of a contract.
Meanwhile, returnees to the organization, such as Cody Hodgson, who split the season between the NHL and the minors, and Jordan Schroeder, who spent all of last season in the AHL, also have something to prove. With most of the roster set, the reclamation projects will have a hard time cracking the lineup. But coach Alain Vigneault hopes at least some will help shore up a fourth line that revolved and struggled most of last season. The Vancouver bench boss hopes to close the revolving door and go with more of a set fourth unit.
“I think if we can find an identity there for that fourth line, an identity that would help us win games, we would definitely go in that direction,” says Vigneault. “Last year, it took us quite a long time to figure out which pieces were going to go there, and it was still up in the air going into the playoffs.”
Some of the newcomers – and prospects – might also help the Canucks make up for the departures of defenceman Christian Ehrhoff and gritty winger Raffi Torres, due to free agency. Defenceman Kevin Bieksa, who redeemed himself last season after his future with the Canucks was uncertain at the outset of camp, believes they will find suitable replacements.
“That’s what good teams do, and they adapt and they have guys step up and fill holes” says Bieksa.
Great teams challenge for the Stanley Cup year after year. While many a predicting the Canucks will regress, Bieksa believes the newcomers can help Vancouver back to the finals. There’s no doubt the veterans have the desire to return.
“It’s early in camp, but you can still kind of see the hunger out there,” says Bieksa. “The thing is, with last year and the success, we know it’s attainable now. If we play the same way and we play the right way, we’re going to be back there.”
While the Canucks look to make up for a loss to the Boston Bruins in the seventh game of the Stanley Cup finals and claim the crown, several players – newcomers and returnees alike – are looking to redeem themselves after an injury riddled season.
Marco Sturm is a prime example. The Canucks’ top free agent acquisition, he is looking to revive his career after two knee operations in the past three years.
“I just want to be the player I was before my injury,” says Sturm. “That’s gonna be my goal. Right now, the knees feel great. I’m just trying to get in a rhythm again.”
Sturm had trouble finding a rhythm last season. The Bruins traded him to Los Angeles in December while he was still hurt, and then the Kings waived him and he was claimed by the Washington Capitals, who subsequently let him go after the playoffs.
He produced 16 points in 35 regular-season games with the Kings and Caps and furnished three post-season points with Washington – not bad considering his injury ordeals.
“I had to start pretty much at zero, because my strength was not there,” says Sturm. “My fitness wasn’t there all last year, so I started from zero. But the main thing was to get my strength back, so I did a lot of weights and, of course, a lot of outside running to get my conditioning.”
Signed to a one-year, $2.25 million contract, he could play a critical role as the Canucks contend with early-season injuries. The 33-year-old native of Dingolfing, Germany could play a key role as Vancouver looks to atone for the absences of second-liners Ryan Kesler (hip) and Mason Raymond (back).
“I can play on any line and, also, left wing or right wing,” he says. “It doesn’t really matter. Of course, I want to be in the top six, but I’m here to help the team out.”
Chances are he will, to some extent. Sturm has recorded seven straight 20-goal seasons, including a 2004-05 lockout season he spent play in Germany. So why did he decide to sign with the Canucks?
“I’m at that age now – I want to win – and this team’s got everything,” says Sturm. “They showed in the last two years how good they are, and I want to be in that good team, good organization, who knows what it will take to win it all, and it was a big issue.”
Other players attempting to redeem themselves are veteran goaltender Manny Legace; former No. 1 draft pick Owen Nolan, who played in Switzerland last season; enforcer Todd Fedoruk, who has been quite outspoken about his substance-abuse problems; and journeyman forward Steve Begin, who spent most of last season in the minors. All are in camp on professional tryouts with no assurance of a contract.
Meanwhile, returnees to the organization, such as Cody Hodgson, who split the season between the NHL and the minors, and Jordan Schroeder, who spent all of last season in the AHL, also have something to prove. With most of the roster set, the reclamation projects will have a hard time cracking the lineup. But coach Alain Vigneault hopes at least some will help shore up a fourth line that revolved and struggled most of last season. The Vancouver bench boss hopes to close the revolving door and go with more of a set fourth unit.
“I think if we can find an identity there for that fourth line, an identity that would help us win games, we would definitely go in that direction,” says Vigneault. “Last year, it took us quite a long time to figure out which pieces were going to go there, and it was still up in the air going into the playoffs.”
Some of the newcomers – and prospects – might also help the Canucks make up for the departures of defenceman Christian Ehrhoff and gritty winger Raffi Torres, due to free agency. Defenceman Kevin Bieksa, who redeemed himself last season after his future with the Canucks was uncertain at the outset of camp, believes they will find suitable replacements.
“That’s what good teams do, and they adapt and they have guys step up and fill holes” says Bieksa.
Great teams challenge for the Stanley Cup year after year. While many a predicting the Canucks will regress, Bieksa believes the newcomers can help Vancouver back to the finals. There’s no doubt the veterans have the desire to return.
“It’s early in camp, but you can still kind of see the hunger out there,” says Bieksa. “The thing is, with last year and the success, we know it’s attainable now. If we play the same way and we play the right way, we’re going to be back there.”
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Stamps rookie kicks win away from Lions
What a difference a week makes for Rene Paredes.
Around this time last week, the 25-year-old Toronto product was a kicker without a team. But Friday night, the rookie kicked the first two field goals of his Canadian Football League career to give the Calgary Stampeders a 34-32 victory over the B.C. Lions at Empire Field.
Paredes’ first attempt was a 50-yarder. Talk about a rude introduction to the pro ranks. But he made it with a few yards to spare.
“Actually, I didn’t know how far it was,” he said. “I was asking everybody after and found out it was a 50-yarder.”
The field goal, with 4:20 left in the game, was the longest of his career. He kicked a 49-yarder with his Concordia Stingers squad last season.
“You see all the teammates happy, and they were cheering for me, so it was exciting,” he said.
But the second one, from 25 yards with 2:05 remaining, proved to be more important. because it gave the Stamps a 34-26 lead before the Lions rallied for a late touchdown, only to fail on the two-point convert attempt.
Parades, who is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and was a soccer player until his Miami, Fla., football team needed a kicker, also made a touchdown-saving tackle as Tim Brown returned his opening kick-off. Not a bad performance.
Especially when you consider that he was released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after their training camp and only got the call to Calgary after second-year incumbent Rob Maver suffered a quadriceps injury in its season-opening loss to Toronto.
“I was back home in Toronto just hanging out with some guys,” said Paredes, who was also working in a paint shop. “My agent called me and said, ‘Get ready, you’ve gotta go.’ ”
The Stamps signed him after a tryout Sunday in which he made a 55-yarder – after he had taken a week off from kicking.
“The whole week, I just relaxed,” he said. “I had a month in Winnipeg, so I was just relaxing.”
And what would he be doing if he had not received the call from Calgary?
“I was planning to go back to school and finish my fifth year, but I got the call so I’m here,” said Paredes.
But now he has a new team and a new nickname – the Matador – courtesy of long snapper Randy Chevrier, who had never heard of him before.
“When Maver went down, it was very upsetting,” said Chevrier. “I mean, Maver’s a great guy. But it’s pro sports and you’ve gotta find a replacement pretty quick. Luckily, the Matator from Venezuela came to town and he did the job. That’s what you need in pro sports. Someone’s gotta step up when someone goes down. Thankfully, he showed up for us tonight and made some huge kicks at the end.”
If anyone is unhappy, it’s probably Maver’s old coach at Concordia, because his university career is over. By playing Friday, he is no longer eligible for the Canadian university ranks.
But new CFL adventures are just beginning.
Around this time last week, the 25-year-old Toronto product was a kicker without a team. But Friday night, the rookie kicked the first two field goals of his Canadian Football League career to give the Calgary Stampeders a 34-32 victory over the B.C. Lions at Empire Field.
Paredes’ first attempt was a 50-yarder. Talk about a rude introduction to the pro ranks. But he made it with a few yards to spare.
“Actually, I didn’t know how far it was,” he said. “I was asking everybody after and found out it was a 50-yarder.”
The field goal, with 4:20 left in the game, was the longest of his career. He kicked a 49-yarder with his Concordia Stingers squad last season.
“You see all the teammates happy, and they were cheering for me, so it was exciting,” he said.
But the second one, from 25 yards with 2:05 remaining, proved to be more important. because it gave the Stamps a 34-26 lead before the Lions rallied for a late touchdown, only to fail on the two-point convert attempt.
Parades, who is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and was a soccer player until his Miami, Fla., football team needed a kicker, also made a touchdown-saving tackle as Tim Brown returned his opening kick-off. Not a bad performance.
Especially when you consider that he was released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after their training camp and only got the call to Calgary after second-year incumbent Rob Maver suffered a quadriceps injury in its season-opening loss to Toronto.
“I was back home in Toronto just hanging out with some guys,” said Paredes, who was also working in a paint shop. “My agent called me and said, ‘Get ready, you’ve gotta go.’ ”
The Stamps signed him after a tryout Sunday in which he made a 55-yarder – after he had taken a week off from kicking.
“The whole week, I just relaxed,” he said. “I had a month in Winnipeg, so I was just relaxing.”
And what would he be doing if he had not received the call from Calgary?
“I was planning to go back to school and finish my fifth year, but I got the call so I’m here,” said Paredes.
But now he has a new team and a new nickname – the Matador – courtesy of long snapper Randy Chevrier, who had never heard of him before.
“When Maver went down, it was very upsetting,” said Chevrier. “I mean, Maver’s a great guy. But it’s pro sports and you’ve gotta find a replacement pretty quick. Luckily, the Matator from Venezuela came to town and he did the job. That’s what you need in pro sports. Someone’s gotta step up when someone goes down. Thankfully, he showed up for us tonight and made some huge kicks at the end.”
If anyone is unhappy, it’s probably Maver’s old coach at Concordia, because his university career is over. By playing Friday, he is no longer eligible for the Canadian university ranks.
But new CFL adventures are just beginning.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
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.
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.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
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.
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.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Darkness lifting on Lions' dismal season
The conclusion to Saturday afternoon’s game between the B.C. Lions and Toronto Argonauts was unlike any other at Empire Field this season.
The fans gave the Lions a rousing send-off after they handily beat the Argos 36-17 before a crowd of 22,703. As the Lions exited the field and walked up a ramp to their makeshift dressing room, fans gave them high-fives and loud ovations.
As he opened the door to the trailer that serves as a temporary dressing room, B.C. coach Wally Buono angrily looked for late arrivals to the post-game meeting. But, after witnessing the throng of fans giving Sanchez and Simon their due, Buono was not complaining.
“(The win) means a lot to the guys, but also it means a lot to our fans,” said Buono. “We’ve disappointed our fans for about four or five weeks now. To win a game like this at home with some excitement and some big plays obviously helps our players but also helps our fans, which is important.”
The Lions (3-7) posted their second straight victory after seven consecutive losses. Unlike during his other post-game scrums at Empire this season, Buono stood and answered questions in daylight following their first home win. All of his other sessions were after losses at night.
The scene was symbolic, because the darkness on B.C.’s dismal season is lifting. But as the overcast sky above Buono also symbolized, clouds still lurk on the Lions’ ability to salvage a playoff spot in either of the Canadian Football League's two divisions.
“It’s an indication that we’re getting better,” said Buono of the upswing. “I don’t want to downplay anything, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. There’s still a lot of room for correction. The thing is, we’re going in the right direction.”
Quarterback Casey Printers and rookie running backs Jerome Messam and Yonus Davis kept the Lions going the right way in the air and along the ground. Printers threw for two touchdowns as he completed 25 of 39 passes for 302 yards.
“We’re trying to make the playoffs, and this is a great win for us,” said Printers.
Messam ran for two short-yardage touchdowns on eight carries and also caught a pair of passes in what he called his best game as a pro.
“I definitely feel like it’s my breakout game,” said Messam, who helped B.C. overcome an early 8-0 deficit. “(Jamal Robertson) went down with his rib injury (suffered in a game against Montreal) and I got an opportunity and came in and tried to do my best to help the team win.”
Davis scampered for 52 yards on 13 carries and also caught a four-yard touchdown pass. He left the Argos lunging in vain at his slippery moves as he repeatedly helped the Lions get into the red zone and then the end zone.
Messam praised the patch-work offensive line for opening holes.
You never would have known B.C. surrendered eight sacks, because Printers had much more time than in previous games to do his work. One of his finest plays came as he turned around and threw to Davis as he stood all alone just over the goal line.
Printers picked up his first regular-season win since re-joining the Lions late last season while they were dealing with injuries to three quarterbacks.
“I thought, overall, he made some great plays,” said Buono. “He made some great throws. The game is going to get better and slower, because you have to, maybe, at times slow down.
“This is Casey. He’s an excitable guy … With time, with more games under his belt, with more comfort with the protection … That’s a very good team out there. They got into it. They got after us pretty good and yet we scored … 37 points.”
Meanwhile, B.C.’s defence racked up six sacks and defensive back Korey Banks continued his fine play with a fumble recovery. But the Lions’ best fumble recovery came early in the fourth quarter after Toronto defensive end Ron Flemon took a loose ball away from Pinters, romped untouched toward the end zone and then dropped it just before crossing the goal line.
Rookie B.C. receiver Steve Black pounced on it and the Lions preserved a 34-15 lead.
"It just slipped out of my hands," Flemons said dejectedly. "I was just trying to reposition it because it was in my left hand.
"I felt awful because it could have been a big momentum-changing play. It happens. You just move on."
Buono and Simon said the Lions would not have caught such a break earlier in the season.
“They made some mistakes and we capitalized on those,” said Simon, who caught seven passes for 133 yards. “That’s the sign of a good team, when you capitalize on the other team’s mistakes.”
The veteran receiver, who moved into fifth place among all-time B.C. receivers, was full of praise for his club after often accusing it of causing its own demise earlier in the campaign.
“We’re starting to come together as a team and you’re seeing that the talent is starting to show,” said Simon. “We feel good about the direction we’re going in.”
NOTES: Black caught B.C.’s other touchdown pass while Paul McCallum booted three field goals … The Argos (5-5) lost top running back Corey Boyd to a concussion as they suffered their third straight loss … B.C.’s Rolly Lumbala, playing his first game back with the Lions after being cut by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, was dominant on special teams as he made a number of tackles ... B.C. lost recently-signed defensive end Jeremy Geathers to a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for an extended period ... The Lions are still trying to woo defensive lineman Ricky Foley back to the fold after he was cut by the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.
The fans gave the Lions a rousing send-off after they handily beat the Argos 36-17 before a crowd of 22,703. As the Lions exited the field and walked up a ramp to their makeshift dressing room, fans gave them high-fives and loud ovations.
As he opened the door to the trailer that serves as a temporary dressing room, B.C. coach Wally Buono angrily looked for late arrivals to the post-game meeting. But, after witnessing the throng of fans giving Sanchez and Simon their due, Buono was not complaining.
“(The win) means a lot to the guys, but also it means a lot to our fans,” said Buono. “We’ve disappointed our fans for about four or five weeks now. To win a game like this at home with some excitement and some big plays obviously helps our players but also helps our fans, which is important.”
The Lions (3-7) posted their second straight victory after seven consecutive losses. Unlike during his other post-game scrums at Empire this season, Buono stood and answered questions in daylight following their first home win. All of his other sessions were after losses at night.
The scene was symbolic, because the darkness on B.C.’s dismal season is lifting. But as the overcast sky above Buono also symbolized, clouds still lurk on the Lions’ ability to salvage a playoff spot in either of the Canadian Football League's two divisions.
“It’s an indication that we’re getting better,” said Buono of the upswing. “I don’t want to downplay anything, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. There’s still a lot of room for correction. The thing is, we’re going in the right direction.”
Quarterback Casey Printers and rookie running backs Jerome Messam and Yonus Davis kept the Lions going the right way in the air and along the ground. Printers threw for two touchdowns as he completed 25 of 39 passes for 302 yards.
“We’re trying to make the playoffs, and this is a great win for us,” said Printers.
Messam ran for two short-yardage touchdowns on eight carries and also caught a pair of passes in what he called his best game as a pro.
“I definitely feel like it’s my breakout game,” said Messam, who helped B.C. overcome an early 8-0 deficit. “(Jamal Robertson) went down with his rib injury (suffered in a game against Montreal) and I got an opportunity and came in and tried to do my best to help the team win.”
Davis scampered for 52 yards on 13 carries and also caught a four-yard touchdown pass. He left the Argos lunging in vain at his slippery moves as he repeatedly helped the Lions get into the red zone and then the end zone.
Messam praised the patch-work offensive line for opening holes.
You never would have known B.C. surrendered eight sacks, because Printers had much more time than in previous games to do his work. One of his finest plays came as he turned around and threw to Davis as he stood all alone just over the goal line.
Printers picked up his first regular-season win since re-joining the Lions late last season while they were dealing with injuries to three quarterbacks.
“I thought, overall, he made some great plays,” said Buono. “He made some great throws. The game is going to get better and slower, because you have to, maybe, at times slow down.
“This is Casey. He’s an excitable guy … With time, with more games under his belt, with more comfort with the protection … That’s a very good team out there. They got into it. They got after us pretty good and yet we scored … 37 points.”
Meanwhile, B.C.’s defence racked up six sacks and defensive back Korey Banks continued his fine play with a fumble recovery. But the Lions’ best fumble recovery came early in the fourth quarter after Toronto defensive end Ron Flemon took a loose ball away from Pinters, romped untouched toward the end zone and then dropped it just before crossing the goal line.
Rookie B.C. receiver Steve Black pounced on it and the Lions preserved a 34-15 lead.
"It just slipped out of my hands," Flemons said dejectedly. "I was just trying to reposition it because it was in my left hand.
"I felt awful because it could have been a big momentum-changing play. It happens. You just move on."
Buono and Simon said the Lions would not have caught such a break earlier in the season.
“They made some mistakes and we capitalized on those,” said Simon, who caught seven passes for 133 yards. “That’s the sign of a good team, when you capitalize on the other team’s mistakes.”
The veteran receiver, who moved into fifth place among all-time B.C. receivers, was full of praise for his club after often accusing it of causing its own demise earlier in the campaign.
“We’re starting to come together as a team and you’re seeing that the talent is starting to show,” said Simon. “We feel good about the direction we’re going in.”
NOTES: Black caught B.C.’s other touchdown pass while Paul McCallum booted three field goals … The Argos (5-5) lost top running back Corey Boyd to a concussion as they suffered their third straight loss … B.C.’s Rolly Lumbala, playing his first game back with the Lions after being cut by the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, was dominant on special teams as he made a number of tackles ... B.C. lost recently-signed defensive end Jeremy Geathers to a knee injury that is expected to keep him out for an extended period ... The Lions are still trying to woo defensive lineman Ricky Foley back to the fold after he was cut by the NFL's Seattle Seahawks and New York Jets.
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Stamps prevail as B.C. offence fizzles until late in second half
For 2 1/2 quarters, the B.C. Lions had a quarterback and a defensive secondary that they could almost count on. But then Calgary running back Jon Cornish, a native of the Vancouver suburb of New Westminster, bolted for a 51-yard gain to set up the decisive touchdown as the Stampeders handily beat the B.C. Lions 48-35. The Lions suffered their seventh straight CFL loss as they dropped to 1-7 while the Stampeders improved to 7-1. Calgary coach John Hufnagel claimed his ninth straight win over B.C. boss Wally Buono, who mentored him while he was in Calgary. “I think we played well in all three phases (offence, defence and special teams),” said Hufnagel.
Despite some rust and inconsistency after missing four games, quarterback Casey Printers kept the score close and the defensive backs provided three interceptions in the first half, two by rookie Stanley Franks and one by veteran Dante Marsh. Franks' picks did not produce any points, but Marsh set up a one-yard touchdown run by Jamal Robertson late in the first half to draw the Lions within four points at 24-20. But receiver Arjei Franklin's three-yard touchdown on a reverse running play after Cornish's big gain early in the third quarter, which put the Stamps ahead 34-20, erased any doubt. The quick turning point spoiled an improved offensive effort, strong defensive play and excellent punt and kick-off returns by rookie Yonus Davis, who repeatedly gave the Lions good field position, although he fumbled a missed field goal that led to Calgary’s first touchdown.
"We were able to overcome some adversity,” said Calgary quarterback Henry Burris, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. “Some things happened, it's nothing to worry about. We will get those things right. We will get better."
Burris has now thrown a league-leading 12 interceptions. Hufnagel praised Marsh for making a great play, but the coach was not willing to give Burris the benefit of the doubt on Franks’ picks until he had seen the video.
“I think Henry Burris is a professional,” said Hufnagel. “He won the game. That’s all I ask him to do.”
“We had a few turnovers, but we were able to persevere and put points on the board,” said Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds.
Printers impressed at times in the early going, despite completing just six of 14 passes in the first half, when he also plunged in for a touchdown. But he fizzled in the third and fourth quarters, resulting in a tired B.C. defence that was kept on the field way too long. As a result, backup Calgary quarterback Drew Tate provided two insurance touchdowns that the Stamps wound up needing as he plunged for one major and threw 19 yards to Ken Yon Rambo for another.
"I don't think we played to the highest of our ability," said Rambo, who made two touchdown catches. "We still have to be better yet."
Printers made the score more respectable as connected with Emmanuel Arceneaux for a late 54-yard touchdown that was a gift as a Calgary defensive back missed an easy tackle. Then B.C. backup Travis Lulay connected with Geroy Simon on a 38-yard TD and a successful two-point conversion attempt to make the score closer than it should have been.
“We looked good at times and at times we didn’t execute like we should have,” said Printers.
He felt there were plenty of reasons for optimism. But Simon, one of the better Lions on the night, was less than impressed.
“We still have a long season left but it’s getting shorter and shorter every week,” said Simon. “I don’t know when we as a team are going to say we are tired of losing, we’re tired of mistakes. We played Calgary, but the B.C. Lions beat B.C. again.”NOTE: Darius Passmore was wheeled off the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital after colliding with a sign on Calgary's sideline. Both Stamps and Lions training and medical staff attended to Passmore, who lunged for a pass that went incomplete. Passmore gave cheering fans the thumbs-up sign as he was taken to an ambulance … The Stamps lost receiver Romby Bryant after he was upended by Davis Sanchez in the third quarter.
Despite some rust and inconsistency after missing four games, quarterback Casey Printers kept the score close and the defensive backs provided three interceptions in the first half, two by rookie Stanley Franks and one by veteran Dante Marsh. Franks' picks did not produce any points, but Marsh set up a one-yard touchdown run by Jamal Robertson late in the first half to draw the Lions within four points at 24-20. But receiver Arjei Franklin's three-yard touchdown on a reverse running play after Cornish's big gain early in the third quarter, which put the Stamps ahead 34-20, erased any doubt. The quick turning point spoiled an improved offensive effort, strong defensive play and excellent punt and kick-off returns by rookie Yonus Davis, who repeatedly gave the Lions good field position, although he fumbled a missed field goal that led to Calgary’s first touchdown.
"We were able to overcome some adversity,” said Calgary quarterback Henry Burris, who threw two touchdown passes and ran for another. “Some things happened, it's nothing to worry about. We will get those things right. We will get better."
Burris has now thrown a league-leading 12 interceptions. Hufnagel praised Marsh for making a great play, but the coach was not willing to give Burris the benefit of the doubt on Franks’ picks until he had seen the video.
“I think Henry Burris is a professional,” said Hufnagel. “He won the game. That’s all I ask him to do.”
“We had a few turnovers, but we were able to persevere and put points on the board,” said Calgary running back Joffrey Reynolds.
Printers impressed at times in the early going, despite completing just six of 14 passes in the first half, when he also plunged in for a touchdown. But he fizzled in the third and fourth quarters, resulting in a tired B.C. defence that was kept on the field way too long. As a result, backup Calgary quarterback Drew Tate provided two insurance touchdowns that the Stamps wound up needing as he plunged for one major and threw 19 yards to Ken Yon Rambo for another.
"I don't think we played to the highest of our ability," said Rambo, who made two touchdown catches. "We still have to be better yet."
Printers made the score more respectable as connected with Emmanuel Arceneaux for a late 54-yard touchdown that was a gift as a Calgary defensive back missed an easy tackle. Then B.C. backup Travis Lulay connected with Geroy Simon on a 38-yard TD and a successful two-point conversion attempt to make the score closer than it should have been.
“We looked good at times and at times we didn’t execute like we should have,” said Printers.
He felt there were plenty of reasons for optimism. But Simon, one of the better Lions on the night, was less than impressed.
“We still have a long season left but it’s getting shorter and shorter every week,” said Simon. “I don’t know when we as a team are going to say we are tired of losing, we’re tired of mistakes. We played Calgary, but the B.C. Lions beat B.C. again.”NOTE: Darius Passmore was wheeled off the field on a stretcher and taken to hospital after colliding with a sign on Calgary's sideline. Both Stamps and Lions training and medical staff attended to Passmore, who lunged for a pass that went incomplete. Passmore gave cheering fans the thumbs-up sign as he was taken to an ambulance … The Stamps lost receiver Romby Bryant after he was upended by Davis Sanchez in the third quarter.
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