Lions release 11 more...

[mrs.joesports]

(Vancouver) BC Lions GM and head coach Wally Buono trimmed his roster by 11 names this morning as the club nears the CFL-mandated roster of 46 active players and a seven-man practice roster. Among the players released were second-year defensive lineman Caesar Rayford and veteran defensive lineman Kyle Mitchell.

“These decisions are never easy, but I am confident that the team we are assembling will be very competitive and give our fans plenty to cheer about this season,” said Buono.

Other players released include:

56 - Josh Bean (LB)
23 - Damian Sims (RB)
40 - David Mills (LS)
85 - Otis Amey (WR)
43 - Trestin George (DB)
66 - Darren Marquez (OL)
20 – Mike McEachern (S)
96 - Melik Brown (DL)
62 - Matt Morencie (OL)

[SammyGreene]

No real surprises here. Rayford and Mitchell had a mountain to climb for Wally to justify not splitting Wake's old spot between a pair of Canadians.
Bean was one guy I was wondering about as I didn't hear his name all pre-season.

More cuts to come with still too many import receivers among other positions.

[PigSkin_53]

It's hard to believe that Buono was so high on this guy Otis Amy, reportedly quoted that he thought he shared some of the same intangible attributes as Terry Vaughn (getting open).

I bit on the that line of garbage too, if only because I have been so desperately starved for an extra-ordinary wide-out with outstanding speed and hands, but as usually we've been disappointed with a guy who has two flippers to catch a ball with and is now toast.

Rayford is another surprise with the supposed condor-like wingspan another casualty of the roster number syndrome.

All in all it only serves to give notice that It doesn't pay to get too excited about anyone these days, especially if they cannot live up to their billing, are traded away after acquiring a huge contract in the off season, or received a one year contract when the coach is reported to never sign anyone to less than two years and an option.

[Canuck_4_Life]

I don't think Amey is that much of a surprise as Arceneaux was impressive during camp and in both games. I don't think a lot of people expected much from Arceneaux and had Amey pencilled in.

[Rammer]

Marquez and Morencie are somewhat surprises, although Morencie will return next season after he had a very good showing this season, it is all about depth. Marquez was said to have shown well last night, and may have the better foot work between himself and Stith. Still Stith is a known commodity and if Marquez didn't separate himself from Stith, he was in tough.

[Tighthead]

Does Morencie not get returned back to his University team? How does that work?

[TheLionKing]

I think Marquez will be hanging around town as backup to Stith.

[OrangeShoes99]

Amey was the odd man out. With Grice-Mullen holding a spot and stronger showings by Scott and Arceneaux, it wasn't an indication of anyone lying or Amey having flipper hands.

[bclions16]

It's hard to believe that Buono was so high on this guy Otis Amy, reportedly quoted that he thought he shared some of the same intangible attributes as Terry Vaughn (getting open).

I bit on the that line of garbage too, if only because I have been so desperately starved for an extra-ordinary wide-out with outstanding speed and hands, but as usually we've been disappointed with a guy who has two flippers to catch a ball with and is now toast.

Well that comment by Wally was also speaking to the depth of receivers he had at the time. He went on to list the guys he had, and hence had no room.

Wally spouts no more garbage than anyone else in the sports biz that's known for it's mean nothing quotes.

[Rids]

It's hard to believe that Buono was so high on this guy Otis Amy, reportedly quoted that he thought he shared some of the same intangible attributes as Terry Vaughn (getting open).

Amey was able to get open, just not catch the ball when it got there.

[Area51]

As for Rayford, I mentioned in several earlier posts, it's difficult to expect a guy to go from the PR one year to being a starter the next. Apparently Wally's very excited by Butler, so there just wasn't enough room for Rayford. It sounds like Butler's had a tough time so far (missing containments on bootlegs, over pursuits) but he does seem to be the type who will go to any length to make a team - - witness his fights during TC.

Looks for certain that Foley & BJ will be the starters since Butler's not even close to being ready and McKay is more of a situational guy/NI backup insurance at this point.

[B.C.FAN]

Mike Beamish offers some interesting roster revelations, with quotes from Wally in discussing the cuts:
Link

Rayford's deletion was a surprise. The second-year player from the University of Washington made enormous strides in the off-season to add muscle mass and quickness and was a legitimate candidate for the rush end spot vacated by Cam Wake.

Buono, however, chose to keep Gary Butler, a rookie who played at Div II California-Pennsylvania, over the 6-7 Rayford. The coach said Butler will rotate with fourth-year player Rick Foley at rush end. Nautyn McKay-Loescher will spell off Brent Johnson at the other defensive end spot.
"I had a nice visit with Caesar and I feel a little bit bad because he worked so hard," Buono said. "But, at the end of the day, you've got to have the skill level that is required of that position. As much as he's worked hard, I don't believe the fast twitch muscles are as much as you want."

Wally chose speed over size and strength. He obviously sees Butler as a pass-rush specialist, which is what Foley was last year.

Buono said Mallet, who had 126 all-purpose yards Tuesday night against Edmonton, will likely rotate with veteran Ian Smart at running back and as a kick returner.

That decision seemed to be made for him by the solid play of Mallett at RB and the unspectacular play of everyone who auditioned as a kick returner. Having Smart and Mallett as No. 1 and 1a at both positions is better than any of the alternatives tried thus far. But if Joe Smith or another quality RB appears on the waiver wire in the next few hours, Wally's plans could change.

[Lion Guy]

Mike Beamish offers some interesting roster revelations, with quotes from Wally in discussing the cuts:
Link

Rayford's deletion was a surprise. The second-year player from the University of Washington made enormous strides in the off-season to add muscle mass and quickness and was a legitimate candidate for the rush end spot vacated by Cam Wake.

Buono, however, chose to keep Gary Butler, a rookie who played at Div II California-Pennsylvania, over the 6-7 Rayford. The coach said Butler will rotate with fourth-year player Rick Foley at rush end. Nautyn McKay-Loescher will spell off Brent Johnson at the other defensive end spot.
"I had a nice visit with Caesar and I feel a little bit bad because he worked so hard," Buono said. "But, at the end of the day, you've got to have the skill level that is required of that position. As much as he's worked hard, I don't believe the fast twitch muscles are as much as you want."

Wally chose speed over size and strength. He obviously sees Butler as a pass-rush specialist, which is what Foley was last year.

Buono said Mallet, who had 126 all-purpose yards Tuesday night against Edmonton, will likely rotate with veteran Ian Smart at running back and as a kick returner.

That decision seemed to be made for him by the solid play of Mallett at RB and the unspectacular play of everyone who auditioned as a kick returner. Having Smart and Mallett as No. 1 and 1a at both positions is better than any of the alternatives tried thus far. But if Joe Smith or another quality RB appears on the waiver wire in the next few hours, Wally's plans could change.

Joe Smith. Yes please.

[Hambone]

It's hard to believe that Buono was so high on this guy Otis Amy, reportedly quoted that he thought he shared some of the same intangible attributes as Terry Vaughn (getting open).

Amey was able to get open, just not catch the ball when it got there.

And of course Vaughn was probably best know for his ability to put up big YAC. It's tough to put up big YAC if you don't catch the ball in the first place. Some fans eat up those comparisons but I don't get too caught up them. When a coach is asked what type of player a prospect might be the easiest way for him to explain is to compare him to a known commodity in terms of style. In comparing Amey to Vaughn I think Wally was talking in terms of his physical style, that he can catch the ball in traffic and looks like he can do somethings after catching the ball. He doesn't mean that Amey is the next coming of Terry Vaughn.