Training camp 2022

[squishy35]

Lions have signed veteran QB and recent Argo cut Antonio Pipkin to fill the void left by the injury to Kevin Thomson. I'm OK with it. As a CFL vet he should be able to pick up the BC offense much quicker than any other newcomer would. Given we are 3/4 of the way thru camp landing someone who can ramp up quickly is important even if he's only destined for the practice roster. We're only one bad hit away from him being on the 46.

https://3downnation.com/2022/05/31/b-c- ... io-pipkin/

Agree 100% Hambone. I think that Pipkin is a very good signing at this point in TC.

[Qman]

Lions have signed veteran QB and recent Argo cut Antonio Pipkin to fill the void left by the injury to Kevin Thomson. I'm OK with it. As a CFL vet he should be able to pick up the BC offense much quicker than any other newcomer would. Given we are 3/4 of the way thru camp landing someone who can ramp up quickly is important even if he's only destined for the practice roster. We're only one bad hit away from him being on the 46.

https://3downnation.com/2022/05/31/b-c- ... io-pipkin/

You dress 3 QBs this year. You pay 3 QBs full salary. If you put a qb on pr, he is likely going to opt for usfl or xfl, given the lack of QBs. If you watch the usfl the Qb play has been awful. Two recent lion cuts/pr QBs have been starting down there Bryan Scott and shea patterson

[Qman]

JJ Adams reporting that Hardin just got released

[B.C.FAN]

In addition to signing Antonio Pipkin, the Lions today released DB KiAnte Hardin. Hardin was one of three rookie starters in the secondary last year, with Jalon Edwards-Cooper and Austin Joyner. Only Edwards-Cooper remains.

[Hambone]

Lions have signed veteran QB and recent Argo cut Antonio Pipkin to fill the void left by the injury to Kevin Thomson. I'm OK with it. As a CFL vet he should be able to pick up the BC offense much quicker than any other newcomer would. Given we are 3/4 of the way thru camp landing someone who can ramp up quickly is important even if he's only destined for the practice roster. We're only one bad hit away from him being on the 46.

https://3downnation.com/2022/05/31/b-c- ... io-pipkin/

You dress 3 QBs this year. You pay 3 QBs full salary. If you put a qb on pr, he is likely going to opt for usfl or xfl, given the lack of QBs. If you watch the usfl the Qb play has been awful. Two recent lion cuts/pr QBs have been starting down there Bryan Scott and shea patterson

The USFL and XFL are no threat until the upcoming winter. The USFL season is almost over with only 3 more weeks of regular season action remaining with the championship going July 2nd or 3rd. If the XFL actually gets off the ground for 2023 their training camps won't start until sometime in January. There's really no reason for a CFL player to give up a PR spot and chance to wind up on the active roster for a USFL or XFL gig that won't pay him a dime until next February at earliest.

I had to go to Wiki to be reminded of Bryan Scott's stay with BC. It's easy to see why I'd forgotten the name. He lasted all of 2 weeks being signed in mid April five years ago. He was released 2 weeks later and 3 weeks before training camp opened. I guess that made him like the George Plimpton book "Paper Lion". He was with the Lions only on paper for a couple weeks. Scott started the first 3 games for the Philadelphia Stars. I don't know if he got hurt but CJ Cookus took over part way through his 3rd start and has taken every snap since.

As for Shea Patterson I'm not sure how much he's playing now. Looks like he's at best #2 but more likely #3 in Orlando. Michigan (1-6) cut him a week ago. Orlando (5-2) claimed him off waivers I'd imagine for depth. Kyle Sloter has started all 7 games for the Breakers and leads the USFL in passing yards. Going by the game log he may have been hurt in the 2nd quarter of their last game and missed 2 series before returning to finish the half and rest of the game including OT. Given they are all but a lock for the playoffs a bit of experienced depth wouldn't be a bad thing. Their backup Zach Smith has only been called on to attempt 10 passes this year.

[Hambone]

In addition to signing Antonio Pipkin, the Lions today released DB KiAnte Hardin. Hardin was one of three rookie starters in the secondary last year, with Jalon Edwards-Cooper and Austin Joyner. Only Edwards-Cooper remains.

Could see that one coming. There just didn't look like there'd be a chair for him when the music stopped. He was promising enough last year I'd think someone will scoop him up very soon.

[Qman]

Lions have signed veteran QB and recent Argo cut Antonio Pipkin to fill the void left by the injury to Kevin Thomson. I'm OK with it. As a CFL vet he should be able to pick up the BC offense much quicker than any other newcomer would. Given we are 3/4 of the way thru camp landing someone who can ramp up quickly is important even if he's only destined for the practice roster. We're only one bad hit away from him being on the 46.

https://3downnation.com/2022/05/31/b-c- ... io-pipkin/

You dress 3 QBs this year. You pay 3 QBs full salary. If you put a qb on pr, he is likely going to opt for usfl or xfl, given the lack of QBs. If you watch the usfl the Qb play has been awful. Two recent lion cuts/pr QBs have been starting down there Bryan Scott and shea patterson

The USFL and XFL are no threat until the upcoming winter. The USFL season is almost over with only 3 more weeks of regular season action remaining with the championship going July 2nd or 3rd. If the XFL actually gets off the ground for 2023 their training camps won't start until sometime in January. There's really no reason for a CFL player to give up a PR spot and chance to wind up on the active roster for a USFL or XFL gig that won't pay him a dime until next February at earliest.

I had to go to Wiki to be reminded of Bryan Scott's stay with BC. It's easy to see why I'd forgotten the name. He lasted all of 2 weeks being signed in mid April five years ago. He was released 2 weeks later and 3 weeks before training camp opened. I guess that made him like the George Plimpton book "Paper Lion". He was with the Lions only on paper for a couple weeks. Scott started the first 3 games for the Philadelphia Stars. I don't know if he got hurt but CJ Cookus took over part way through his 3rd start and has taken every snap since.

As for Shea Patterson I'm not sure how much he's playing now. Looks like he's at best #2 but more likely #3 in Orlando. Michigan (1-6) cut him a week ago. Orlando (5-2) claimed him off waivers I'd imagine for depth. Kyle Sloter has started all 7 games for the Breakers and leads the USFL in passing yards. Going by the game log he may have been hurt in the 2nd quarter of their last game and missed 2 series before returning to finish the half and rest of the game including OT. Given they are all but a lock for the playoffs a bit of experienced depth wouldn't be a bad thing. Their backup Zach Smith has only been called on to attempt 10 passes this year.

No new qb is going to sign 2 yr deal and risk 18k on pr, when they spot usfl/xfl next year 45k. My guess qb salaries will go back to 350-400, 150, 85 for top 3 guys. Maybe more over time. You might have to guarantee salary of #3 to get them in camp.

Of course, we have benefit our current starter on cdn draft maximum 80k this year.

Bryan Scott was cut after OTAs in April (which they don’t conduct anymore, kinda morphed into rookie camp). He got hurt after 3 games in USFL. He’s been Bart Andrus qb last few seasons in TSL-USFL.

[Hambone]

No new qb is going to sign 2 yr deal and risk 18k on pr, when they spot usfl/xfl next year 45k. My guess qb salaries will go back to 350-400, 150, 85 for top 3 guys. Maybe more over time. You might have to guarantee salary of #3 to get them in camp.

If that was true why did so many rookie QBs sign 2 CFL year deals this year? If they make the 46 they make a minimum of CDN$65K in 2022 bumped to CDN$70K in 2023. Prove their worth and there is potential to earn a lot more on the next contract. In the meantime USFL salaries seem to be capped at USD$45K regardless of position with potential to add $850 per win. It's looking like the XFL will have a similar pay scale. USFL PR pay is USD$1500/game. CFL PR pay is much less but there is the option for teams to pay all the way up to full salary if they wish and they have the SMS room to do so. To sign in the USFL players also have to sign 2 year deals. They can get out of them if an NFL opportunity arises but otherwise are locked in for the 2 years. They cannot jump to the CFL or XFL.

[Qman]

No new qb is going to sign 2 yr deal and risk 18k on pr, when they spot usfl/xfl next year 45k. My guess qb salaries will go back to 350-400, 150, 85 for top 3 guys. Maybe more over time. You might have to guarantee salary of #3 to get them in camp.

If that was true why did so many rookie QBs sign 2 CFL year deals this year? If they make the 46 they make a minimum of CDN$65K in 2022 bumped to CDN$70K in 2023. Prove their worth and there is potential to earn a lot more on the next contract. In the meantime USFL salaries seem to be capped at USD$45K regardless of position with potential to add $850 per win. It's looking like the XFL will have a similar pay scale. USFL PR pay is USD$1500/game. CFL PR pay is much less but there is the option for teams to pay all the way up to full salary if they wish and they have the SMS room to do so. To sign in the USFL players also have to sign 2 year deals. They can get out of them if an NFL opportunity arises but otherwise are locked in for the 2 years. They cannot jump to the CFL or XFL.

Most of usfl guys were cfl cuts or on PR guys. I guess the attraction of usfl is playing time and snaps. They carry only 40 players.

It’s going to get way more competitive. 3/4 string guys will probably make 80-90k. Like you sad you can 1game the 4th stringer or pay him regular salary above PR rate (riders did this with Paxton lynch last year)

[DanoT]

Didn't the CFL recently mandate only 2 QBs can dress on game day, something the NFL has done for years.

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions practised in the rain for the first time Tuesday on the second last day of camp. It was a crisp two-hour, non-padded session with plenty of team play.

I counted 70 players on the field, 34 on offence, 33 on defence and 3 specialists. OLs Noah Zerr, David Knevel and Jarell Broxton were in uniform but were limited participants, along with WR Jazz Ferguson.

Peter Godber took first-team reps at centre and Phil Norman took reps at left guard for Knevel. Andrew Peirson, who has played guard in camp, stepped in as second-team centre.

On defence, Delvin Breaux again took first-team reps at right corner, while Mathieu Betts and David Menard split reps at defensive end. Tyneil Cooper, who has been the breakout rookie of training camp, took first team reps at halfback in place of Jalon Edwards-Cooper, who was not in attendance. Cooper made the most of the opportunity, with two pick-6s in team play, one each off Nathan Rourke and Michael O'Connor.

Both quarterbacks started slowly in the light rain but improved as they got used to the conditions.

Unofficially, Rourke was 14 of 18, with 3 completions to James Butler and Keon Hatcher and 2 each to Bryan Burnham, Jevon Cottoy, Dominique Rhymes and Lucky Whitehead, including a deep go pattern to Whitehead against Breaux. Butler had one good gain on the ground and one in the air. He was also stopped for a loss by Obum Gwacham.

O'Connor's first two passes were intercepted by Manny Rugamba and Cooper on his pick-6. He recovered to go 8 of 16, with knockdowns by Hakeem Johnson and Isaiah Guzylak-Messam.

Darius Clark, who is battling Bruce Anderson for a roster spot as backup RB and kick returner, had a good gain on the ground.

The Lions played mostly a base 4-3 defence with blitzing from the secondary, but played more 3-4 toward the end of the session. Third-round draft pick Joshua Archibald had pass pressure and a tackle for a loss. Obum Gwacham and Betts also had pressure that likely would have resulted in sacks.

Cooper and LB Josh Woods are two American backups who continue to get regular work on special teams. Cooper took reps as both punt returner and kick returner. Other returners were Whitehead, Hatcher, Marcus Sayles, Montay Crockett, Anderson, Clark and Mario Villamizar. Whitehead and Villamizar had long returns.

Sean Whyte was solid as usual on field goals, with his longest on the day from 45 yards.

Camp wraps up Wednesday with an early-morning practice. I have another commitment but I'll try to take in at least part of the session.

[Qman]

Didn't the CFL recently mandate only 2 QBs can dress on game day, something the NFL has done for years.

Pretty sure they are going back to 3 QBs based on Dave naylor tweets.
20 us. 3 QBs. 21 nat. 1 global.
Option to go 20 nat 2 g (don’t know if his went into final deal)

[David]

Thanks again BCFAN for the solid reporting.

It seems that Betts and Menard have been splitting reps throughout camp. Any insight as to who's been more effective or who has the inside track to start? Will it be a true platooning system at DE?

Also, Butler looks like a lock to start again at RB. Who has the inside track to back him up or go on the PR? Anderson? Clark? (likely predicated on who is the most effective returner)

Great news about Tyneil Cooper!


DH

[Hambone]

Pretty sure they are going back to 3 QBs based on Dave naylor tweets.
20 us. 3 QBs. 21 nat. 1 global.
Option to go 20 nat 2 g (don’t know if his went into final deal)

Supposedly the roster changes weren't to kick in until 2023 but I'm not sure if the QB thing isn't an exception that might happen in 2022.

As for the 2G that was something they could do last year. BC dressed Yamasaki and Ford for the first 2 games last year. Dressing a 2nd one costs a NAT spot as you indicated. BC won't do that this year as the 2 globals they currently have are both defensive tackles. No way they dress both Brauns and Debaillie. However by having 2 of the same position they could rotate them game to game or at minimum have a backup ready to go in case of injury without having to juggle other positions.

[B.C.FAN]

Thanks again BCFAN for the solid reporting.

It seems that Betts and Menard have been splitting reps throughout camp. Any insight as to who's been more effective or who has the inside track to start? Will it be a true platooning system at DE?

Also, Butler looks like a lock to start again at RB. Who has the inside track to back him up or go on the PR? Anderson? Clark? (likely predicated on who is the most effective returner)

Great news about Tyneil Cooper!


DH

There are only three starting positions up in the air: centre, defensive end and defensive halfback.

At defensive end, Betts has taken first reps and has asserted himself as a pass rusher in recent days but I expect him to continue to rotate with Menard in the regular season.

I give Godber the inside track on holding the centre position, if only because it’s a close competition with Phil Norman and he is a national so he would give the Lions a chance to start eight Canadians and dress an extra American backup, plus four DIs.

The secondary is tough because there are at least three rookie Americans and three Canadians who have looked good but perhaps not good enough to supplant the six incumbent Americans. I think the Lions are looking desperately for a way to keep Cooper on the roster. He hadn’t been used as a returner before today but he has regularly filled other roles on special teams.

The backup running back position is another close competition where both players have been given equal reps. It may come down to the final preseason game on Friday. Clark has probably looked better in camp as a runner. Anderson impressed me in rookie camp with his hands and has CFL experience as a returner. I can’t call it yet.