Ryan Phillips extended through 2016

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B.C.FAN
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Acording to a team email today, the Lions have signed Ryan Phillips to an extension through 2016.
The BC Lions Football Club announced this morning that defensive back Ryan Phillips has signed a contract extension through the 2016 season.

A veteran of nine standout seasons, Phillips was a 2013 West Division and CFL All-Star after notching 36 tackles and two interceptions over 18 regular season games. The league-wide recognition last season marked the fourth time the Eastern Washington grad has earned All-Canadian status (2007, 2010 and 2012).

“Ryan is one of the veteran players that we're counting on to show our defence and our team the kind of commitment, teamwork and selflessness it's going to take to be a champion,” said VP of football operations and GM Wally Buono. “As a four-time CFL All-Star including last season, Ryan continues to play at a very high level and I believe his greatest season is yet to come.”

With 37 career interceptions to his credit, Ryan’s penchant for big plays has only been exceeded by his durability. The Seattle, Washington native has not missed a single regular season game since coming to the CFL in 2005 and has now logged an incredible 162 consecutive games-played, the longest active streak in the CFL.

“I cannot say enough about Ryan’s leadership and accomplishments during his time as a Lion,” said head coach Mike Benevides. “He’s been with us for the better part of a decade and we will be leaning on him not only as a key component of our defence, but also as part of our core leadership group.”

Phillips will enter his 10th CFL season this June and is currently tied with former Lions great Norm Fieldgate with 388 defensive tackles while sitting second behind Larry Crawford with 666 interception return yards. Ryan has appeared in 13 playoff games and enjoyed two successful trips to the Grey Cup in 2006 and 2011.

“Signing this extension is very satisfying for me for a number of reasons,” said Phillips from his home in Seattle. “Having an opportunity to play in front of my friends and family is very important to me and I’m grateful to the Lions for making that happen for years to come. I’m also honoured to play alongside some of the best defensive players in the CFL such as Dante Marsh, Cord Parks, Adam Bighill and Solomon Elimimian. We have a great team here and more specifically we have great defensive players that are not concerned with personal recognition but instead, simply winning championships.”
Phillips is tied for the league lead among active players with 37 career interceptions and ranks seventh with 388 career tackles. I hope Wally is right that his best is yet to come.
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Shi Zi Mi
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David
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I am very happy about this extension - one of my favourite Lions. Ryan is a proven ball-hawk that's going to provide stability and leadership to our defense in 2014.

:thup:


DH :cool:
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Rammer
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David wrote:I am very happy about this extension - one of my favourite Lions. Ryan is a proven ball-hawk that's going to provide stability and leadership to our defense in 2014.

:thup:


DH :cool:
Hope you bought his jersey is all I will say. ;)
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TheLionKing
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Good move by the Lions.
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MexicoLionFan
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I think it makes sense considering that Phillips is a natural for that wide side corner spot in the coming years, and can play there until he's 60, or thereabouts...

As for Ryan never missing a game as a Lion, that's because of his bullfighting background...Ole!
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MexicoLionFan
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Also, its a good thing for Ryan that Wally doesn't follow any of this "technology stuff"...Phillips could have found himself the starting safety in OTT after some of his tweets this offseason...
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cromartie
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Shi Zi Mi wrote:Providing an escort service since 2005 !!
Ole.

I must have more to learn about the Secondary. Because why he's here and Banks isn't......

Oh well. At least Marsh is still top tier and banging away.
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Rammer
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cromartie wrote:
Shi Zi Mi wrote:Providing an escort service since 2005 !!
Ole.

I must have more to learn about the Secondary. Because why he's here and Banks isn't......

Oh well. At least Marsh is still top tier and banging away.
Marsh was beaten more on long balls thrown up for grabs than I can recall last season, I don't see that situation getting any better with age. On the Banks front, he would still be with the Lions if it were my call.
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notahomer
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Surprised he's been extended until 2016. I get the fact if he tails off he can be released. It just seems committing to three years is something that obviously both parties think is a good idea. Not saying either Buono or Phillips is wrong, just a little surprised.

I know I said it before and its really pointless, but if leadership was a factor, why isn't Banks strapping on a gun metal grey jersey this season? Oh well,.......
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B.C.FAN
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Banks was the oldest of the aging veterans in the secondary and the most logical choice to be replaced as part of a gradual transition to a younger core. His dropoff in production has been well documented, for whatever reason. He blamed it on the way he was being used. I thought it might be because of a nagging injury. Wally didn't accept any excuses. He decided the only way to get better was to give the job to someone bigger, and presumably younger and faster, whose signing has not yet been announced. I'm waiting to see who it will be.
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MexicoLionFan
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You guys are missing the point...the secondary is aging and Phillips can't tackle, so why re sign Phillips? The fact is his skill set lends well to wide side corner spot and his price point is less than Banks. I love Korey and wish he were still here, but Phillips is a ball hawk and can slide over to either safety or WS corner if/when his skill set says he no longer can play HB.
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cromartie
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MexicoLionFan wrote:You guys are missing the point...the secondary is aging and Phillips can't tackle, so why re sign Phillips? The fact is his skill set lends well to wide side corner spot and his price point is less than Banks. I love Korey and wish he were still here, but Phillips is a ball hawk and can slide over to either safety or WS corner if/when his skill set says he no longer can play HB.
Fair enough. Sold.
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Shi Zi Mi
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MexicoLionFan wrote:You guys are missing the point...the secondary is aging and Phillips can't tackle, so why re sign Phillips? The fact is his skill set lends well to wide side corner spot and his price point is less than Banks. I love Korey and wish he were still here, but Phillips is a ball hawk and can slide over to either safety or WS corner if/when his skill set says he no longer can play HB.
IMHO, Phillips is NOT AT ALL suited to play Safety......you need someone who can hit as well as cover. I think Saskatchewan has shown the way in this regard.....a fast, hard hitting import like Brackenridge intimidates receivers coming over the middle and provides far better run support......if you must use an NI in the secondary, then wideside corner is the best spot.

Actually, it was Marsh who has indicated that he'd like to finish his career at the Safety position.....is this a possibility in 2014?
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B.C.FAN
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LU has suggested the Lions are looking at Keynan Parker as a wide-side corner this year. That's a good position for a non-import and could give the Lions options in how they deploy Phillips and Parks. The Lions tried Cauchy Muamba and Hamid Mahmoudi at that position in recent years without success.

I loved the aggressiveness that Parks brought to the corner last year. He was strong against the run and pass and ranked second to short-side corner Dante Marsh in tackles among members of the secondary with 64 (and fourth on the team behind Bighill with 92 and Elimimian and Marsh with 73 each). The Lions will lose something by moving Parks inside this year but he is too good to be left on the field corner and needs to be closer to the QB at halfback.
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