Lowell Ullrich, The Province
Published: Monday, October 01, 2007
Contrition is not a quality normally displayed by Wally Buono, but a lesson learned by the coach of the Lions two years ago is about to come into play during the home stretch of the CFL's regular season.
Buono met the test when he stated Jarious Jackson would be his starting quarterback to face the 8-4-1 Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a battle of division leaders Friday.
It is, of course, hardly a bold declaration these days. Jackson has helped his team average 33.8 points in the five games since he took over as starter, and has continued to evolve with his reads every game.
However, Jackson may not have one other healthy starting candidate at practice but two in Buck Pierce and Dave Dickenson.
Buono had barely finished a film review of Saturday's 42-9 battering of Calgary when he mapped out a practice schedule of quarterback reps for the upcoming week in the event either or both are on the field.
Jackson has changed as a quarterback. But Buono has also done some growing of his own, admitting the way he handled the Dickenson-Casey Printers affair is affecting his approach when faced with a potential abundance of options.
It's another reason why, if the Lions continue to pile up wins in a season wrought with injury issues, Buono is making another case for coach of the year more compelling than when his team was clearly the class of the CFL during their march to the Grey Cup.
"What I learned from 2005 is that by trying to protect them I'm hurting them," he said. "By not naming a starter you're trying to protect them from distractions. I was trying to take pressure off the players. Maybe that wasn't healthy."
Pierce's recovery from a shoulder injury progressed to where Buono asked him if he wanted snaps in garbage time Saturday.
Pierce took one look at Jackson as he was posting his first 300-yard passing game and said the starter deserved to continue.
"Tell me any quarterback in the league who is playing better," said slotback Geroy Simon.
No, if there's any issue with Jackson at all for the Lions it's deciding when to offer him a new contract before he can explore offseason free agency.
"Now's not the time," Buono said. "Besides, Jarious knows how I feel about him. I've always been beating his drum."
Buono's biggest issue is too few kickers. Paul McCallum bruised a hip against Calgary and the Lions may not know until Wednesday if he can play at Winnipeg. Buono's hardly of the belief Bret Anderson would be his logical replacement either.
South Fraser junior Sean Whyte has practised with the Lions all year as a territorial protection. However, Buono will proceed as cautiously with Whyte, knowing his amateur status would be lost if he were activated, as he did with receiver Josh Boden under similar circumstances the past two years.
With the wink of an eye, Buono even tossed out the idea of asking NFL veteran Mitch Berger of North Delta if he's interested in a game or two. But as he was under NFL contract last year, his CFL negotiation list rights still reside with the Bombers.
At least the Lions don't have to worry about quarterbacks.
I think JJ's earned the starting spot for this week. It would be nice to see Dave at least dress for a game soon, but I don't see him being ready to play yet. I think it was a bit surprising that Buck didn't get any game time on Saturday, but possibly he's not 100% yet either.
Kudos to you Buck, glad you've recovered and also glad to see your team spirit!
