Lionbackers.com

JohnnyMusso wrote:Here more details on Lions new Running backs. Seems the NFL Lions former RB could be Harris' replacement:

The BC Lions signed two international running backs Friday, bringing in Mikel Leshoure and Sam Ojuri.

Leshoure played two seasons with the NFL’s Detroit Lions from 2012-13, rushing for 807 yards and nine touchdowns in 17 appearances.

Leshoure was a second round NFL draft pick in 2011 and was a University of Illinois product. Ojuri played his collegiate ball at North Dakota State.

Both are 25, Ojuri is 6'00 and 200 lbs, Leshoure is 6'00 and 230 lbs.

Leshoure also ran a 4.56 40 yard dash at the 2011 combine

I wonder where has Leshoure played since 2013. That was 3 years ago. Has he played or been out of football. Though he did a 4.56 40 yard dash 5 years ago, how fast can he run now?

JohnnyMusso wrote:I wonder where has Leshoure played since 2013. That was 3 years ago. Has he played or been out of football. Though he did a 4.56 40 yard dash 5 years ago, how fast can he run now?

Looks like he was with Detroit through their 2014 training camp before being in the final cuts. He played in all 4 exhibition games in 2014 recording 31 carries for 116 yards.

From Wikipedia:

Professional career

Leshoure was taken with the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. On August 8, 2011, Leshoure tore his Achilles tendon in practice after a collision with Cliff Avril, and missed his entire rookie season.

After being suspended for the first two games of the 2012 season and missing his entire rookie season, Leshoure made his NFL debut in week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. Leshoure had 26 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown, but the Lions lost 44-41 in overtime.

On August 30, 2014, Leshoure was released by the Lions as a 53 man roster cut.

One stat I took note of was that in addition to his 215 carries for 798 yards in 14 GP in 2012 he also had 34 receptions for 214 yards. Looks like he may be a capable receiver out of the backfield.

Hambone wrote:

JohnnyMusso wrote:I wonder where has Leshoure played since 2013. That was 3 years ago. Has he played or been out of football. Though he did a 4.56 40 yard dash 5 years ago, how fast can he run now?

Looks like he was with Detroit through their 2014 training camp before being in the final cuts. He played in all 4 exhibition games in 2014 recording 31 carries for 116 yards.

From Wikipedia:

Professional career

Leshoure was taken with the 57th overall pick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. On August 8, 2011, Leshoure tore his Achilles tendon in practice after a collision with Cliff Avril, and missed his entire rookie season.

After being suspended for the first two games of the 2012 season and missing his entire rookie season, Leshoure made his NFL debut in week 3 against the Tennessee Titans. Leshoure had 26 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown, but the Lions lost 44-41 in overtime.

On August 30, 2014, Leshoure was released by the Lions as a 53 man roster cut.

One stat I took note of was that in addition to his 215 carries for 798 yards in 14 GP in 2012 he also had 34 receptions for 214 yards. Looks like he may be a capable receiver out of the backfield.

I wonder what he was suspended for?

Pretty decent NFL numbers, appears to have done the best with the opportunities he got.

Decent size too.

In case Rainey doesn't return as well, I hope Wally has this young man on his radar, Etauj Allen.

He ran a 4.43 at the NFL combine with a 10yd split of 1.48, was Division II Special Teams Player of the Year, ranked second nationally with a 18.2 yard return average in 2014 and by all accounts can evade tacklers in a phone booth. Not a big guy, his size is reminiscent of Brandon Banks.

The Leo's return game has to maintain the levels it achieved with the arrival of Rainey. A sophomore QB like Jennings, while composed and doesn't seem to get flustered easily, can only be better when dealing with as short a field as possible and not consistently playing within the shadows of his own goalposts. If Rainey doesn't come back, a gifted specialist return guy is vital. We saw last year how mediocre the return game was with guys who were converted running backs or defensive backs.

JohnnyMusso wrote:I wonder where has Leshoure played since 2013. That was 3 years ago. Has he played or been out of football. Though he did a 4.56 40 yard dash 5 years ago, how fast can he run now?

Leshoure tore his Archilles with the Lions in 2011 and missed the entire season. He led Detroit in rushing in 2012, but with an average carry of just 3.7 yards and no runs longer than 16 yards. He ran a 4.61 at the NFL veteran combine last year. He wasn't picked up and appears to have been out of football.

Steve Ewen has more on Leshoure, including lots of video highlights.
Province article

Last year, Tedford signed a RB who was supposed to make the team and ended up cut early in Training camp or after first game. Cannot remember his name. This guy has been out of football for awhile and that may hurt him. Some RB could come out of nowhere and make it.

This Tuesday likely will be the most exciting free agent frenzy in years. I sure hope the Lions sign someone of significance on Day one and don't get shut out again. Most likely a guy to replace Smith who I expect will retire. No one will sign him; he is too old and was a non factor last year.

All the best to Andrew Harris. He should definitely thank Wally Buono for claiming him as a territorial exemption in 2008 and allow him to jumpstart his CFL with the Lions.

In the years to come, what will be your best memory of Andrew Harris?

Naturally, good memories for an individual come with memorable games as well. In the last time the Lions won a home playoff game in the 2011 WDF Harris scored two touchdowns - one receiving and one rushing the Lions blowout win.
[video][/video]

And of course in the 2011 Grey Cup Harris opened the scoring with a 19-yard rushing touchdown and was named Most Valuable Canadian.
[video][/video]

Will Harris replace Sean Millington as the most famous Lions Canadian running back? Likely not as Harris never won Most Outstanding Canadian.

Great memories, Robbie. Thank you.

http://3downnation.com/2016/02/05/15263/

Excerpts from the article by Lowell Ullrich ...

Harris’ time with the Lions had run its course

It’s always been fairly certain that when Wally Buono decides it is time to shake up the roster of his B.C. Lions he’ll revert to an aggravating, well-worn formula, and it was no different this week when it became apparent Andrew Harris is no longer in his plans.

As he did when Korey Banks, Otis Floyd, Aaron Hunt, Jason Clermont and a host of other fan and locker room favourites had to go, the man under the microscope had no compassion when it comes to his belief as to what requires change. As a result the Lions have a huge hole in their offence, prepared to move forward without a player who at times represented 30 per-cent of his team’s offensive output.

It remains to be seen whether the idea of ditching Harris will prove to be a good move mind you, and of course Harris will attempt to be at his persuasive best when he signs, as Chris Walby and countless other experts have suggested, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as soon as next week.

B.C. will make tailback an import spot again because Buono believes it is more cost efficient, arguing he can get two Americans to carry the rock for the $200,000 it would take to keep Harris, also thus enabling him to tweak the ratio back in favour of playing three Canadians on the offensive line.

Harris got a place to mature, learning how to speak honestly without being disruptive and stand up to defend just about everything that didn’t work under George Cortez, who had no idea how to best use his talents, and Jacques Chapdelaine.

I can't remember which game it was for sure, I think it may have been the Als where he tiptoed down the sideline by the barest of millimetres to end up scoring a TD

WestCoastJoe wrote:http://3downnation.com/2016/02/05/15263/

Excerpts from the article by Lowell Ullrich ...

Harris’ time with the Lions had run its course

It’s always been fairly certain that when Wally Buono decides it is time to shake up the roster of his B.C. Lions he’ll revert to an aggravating, well-worn formula, and it was no different this week when it became apparent Andrew Harris is no longer in his plans.

As he did when Korey Banks, Otis Floyd, Aaron Hunt, Jason Clermont and a host of other fan and locker room favourites had to go, the man under the microscope had no compassion when it comes to his belief as to what requires change. As a result the Lions have a huge hole in their offence, prepared to move forward without a player who at times represented 30 per-cent of his team’s offensive output.

It remains to be seen whether the idea of ditching Harris will prove to be a good move mind you, and of course Harris will attempt to be at his persuasive best when he signs, as Chris Walby and countless other experts have suggested, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as soon as next week.

B.C. will make tailback an import spot again because Buono believes it is more cost efficient, arguing he can get two Americans to carry the rock for the $200,000 it would take to keep Harris, also thus enabling him to tweak the ratio back in favour of playing three Canadians on the offensive line.

Harris got a place to mature, learning how to speak honestly without being disruptive and stand up to defend just about everything that didn’t work under George Cortez, who had no idea how to best use his talents, and Jacques Chapdelaine.

I will need to read the LU post in full but I already find myself identifying with a few of his points.

"Aggravating..." I can't put my finger on it but I do find how Wally jettisons vets and prominent players as aggravating. I am not equating aggravating with wrong as I believe he has a good track record of moving vets out like Banks who couldn't stick with the Bombers ( could have done better with what he got in return ) but with a couple of blips like Brown and Logan. And yes, all the other clubs do likewise but I can't put my finger on why his manner of disposal bothers me. I am probably hoping a player who has worked hard in Leo's colours could get a better send off. Nature of the game I guess....

I appreciate LU highlighting the extent to which the Leo's relied on Harris for offensive output. 30% is huge! Jones is going to have to work extra long hours to come up with how to fill that huge hole.

I particularly appreciated his statement that Cortez had no clue how to use Harris. There were times last year when I thought Cortez was either a mental defective, suffering early onset Alzheimers or just didn't give a crap. Thank god he left when he did and not blight us with his presence any longer.

Buono has no qualms releasing players but not coaches.