Training camp 2023

[Toppy Vann]

It's good to be tough making tough decisions given the talent level in front of you.
At times one teams castoffs become other teams treasures.

I'd be interested to hear the highly astute football insider BC Fan explain his "chuckle" comment.

Is the chuckle that short of injury to Vernon Adams if Dane Evans sticks with BC he'll not be playing unless he was short yardage backup?
Or, chuckling that it just might happen irrespective of injury.

I'm guessing it's the former.

I believe that the Lions are as committed to VA as their no. #1 as they were to Michael Reilly even though they had 1000% confidence that when Reilly retired the rookie Nathan Rourke sitting on the sidelines was a keeper who could shoot the lights out.

Also, given how Adams got handled with his prior team they're not risking damaging his psyche.
All players are built differently. The story on Maas and Ricky Ray recently was Maas telling Coach Danny Macioca to go back to Ricky Ray for the sake of the team. All QBs can't be productive in that climate.

I'm a fan of bringing in able backups in to games to run different packages and give defences different looks versus the QB who needs to play every down.

- Dane Evans looked sharp and probably took the lead in a close battle with Dom Davis for second-string QB. Davis threw a bad interception. I got a chuckle when Rider broadcasters on the CFL live steam predicted that Evans would eventually become the B.C. starting quarterback in the regular season. The audio on the CFL simulcast went strangely silent afterwards.

While Dane Evans has been consistently inconsistent


The issue across the CFL isn't Canadian depth as there's lots of Canadian talent.

The challenge in this league is always slotting in talent to get the ratios right.
I'm not complaining about the ratios as without that there'd be no continuity and stability in the CFL.

[B.C.FAN]

I'd be interested to hear the highly astute football insider BC Fan explain his "chuckle" comment.

Is the chuckle that short of injury to Vernon Adams if Dane Evans sticks with BC he'll not be playing unless he was short yardage backup?
Or, chuckling that it just might happen irrespective of injury.

I'm guessing it's the former.

I believe that the Lions are as committed to VA as their no. #1 as they were to Michael Reilly even though they had 1000% confidence that when Reilly retired the rookie Nathan Rourke sitting on the sidelines was a keeper who could shoot the lights out.

Also, given how Adams got handled with his prior team they're not risking damaging his psyche.
All players are built differently. The story on Maas and Ricky Ray recently was Maas telling Coach Danny Macioca to go back to Ricky Ray for the sake of the team. All QBs can't be productive in that climate.

I'm a fan of bringing in able backups in to games to run different packages and give defences different looks versus the QB who needs to play every down.

- Dane Evans looked sharp and probably took the lead in a close battle with Dom Davis for second-string QB. Davis threw a bad interception. I got a chuckle when Rider broadcasters on the CFL live steam predicted that Evans would eventually become the B.C. starting quarterback in the regular season. The audio on the CFL simulcast went strangely silent afterwards.

The inference I drew from the Rider broadcasters was that they believe Evans is a better quarterback than Adams and that B.C. coaches will eventually realize that and hand the ball to Evans regardless of Adams' injury status. I don't see that happening.

[B.C.FAN]

Surviving members of the Lions' training camp roster returned to the practice field in Kamloops Monday after an extended preseason road trip in which rookies and bubble players spent two nights soaking up Canadian football culture in Regina while veterans golfed and soaked up the sun in Kamloops.

With only one training camp practice remaining after Monday, the pace and intensity level was high as veterans prepared to take the field Thursday in the team's final preseason game, which is also the final chance for bubble players to stake a claim to a roster spot.

There were few changes to the first-team offence and defence on Monday. Keon Hatcher, who has been limited by plantar fasciitis throughout camp, sat out completely. American Bryson Daughtry and Canadian free agent Justin McInnis shared first-team reps at Hatcher's boundary slotback position. McInnis caught a deep 50-50 ball against Marcus Sayles for the biggest gain in team play but he also dropped a catchable ball on an over route. Ayden Eberhardt, who has had an impressive camp and led the Lions with 6 catches for 104 yards in Regina Saturday, dropped the first ball I thrown to him today. I didn't see him get another chance.

Andrew Peirson took some late reps at left guard in place of David Knevel in team play. There were no other changes in the first-team offence. Antonio Williams took first reps at running back. David Mackie took a lot of reps at running back and had several nice carries and catches, an indication that he will again be next man up this year in the event of an injury to the starter.

On defence, Jalon Edwards-Cooper was again a limited participant and was replaced at cornerback by free agent Mike Jones. Quincy Mauger remained at safety. Mathieu Betts and David Menard remained as first-team defensive ends, with Josh Banks and Woody Baron inside. Jonathan Kongbo took second-team reps at defensive end with Sione Teuhema, with the usual tandem of Tibo Dabaillie and Nathan Cherry inside. Baron generated pressure on the quarterback in team play, as did rookie defensive end Amir Siddiq. Josh Woods came in as usual as the extra linebacker alongside Ben Hladik and Bo Lokombo when the Lions went to a 3-4 formation.

Defensive lineman Josh Archibald, who probably solidified his roster spot with three special teams tackles Saturday in Regina and was shaken up in the game, did not participate.

As has been the case throughout camp, Vernon Adams had difficulty throwing to the Lions' veteran receiving corps against the team's veteran first-team defence. Adams overthrew Lucky Whitehead on a potential TD pass behind T.J. Lee. Whitehead and Dominique Rhymes have been making contested catches throughout camp but they're not getting a lot of room. Lokombo had a nice knockdown on a short crosser to Alex Hollins. Lee knocked a short pass out of the hands of Jevon Cottoy.

Riley Pickett, who is making the transition from defensive end to long snapping specialist, double-hopped one punt snap but was otherwise clean. No one else took reps as long snapper.

Non-starters who took regular reps on special teams included DBs Adrian Greene and Patrice Rene, linebackers Woods, Isaiah Messam, Ryder Varga and D.Q. Thomas and fullback Dylan St. Pierre. DB Mike Jones also took reps on special teams as usual in addition to filling in as cornerback. Rookies and non-starters who sat out most special teams drills included DBs Najee Reams, Xavior Williams and Josh Flowers and DLs Marcus Moore and Miles Fox. That's usually a good indication of who has the inside track on a regular roster position.

[Hambone]

I'd be interested to hear the highly astute football insider BC Fan explain his "chuckle" comment.

Is the chuckle that short of injury to Vernon Adams if Dane Evans sticks with BC he'll not be playing unless he was short yardage backup?
Or, chuckling that it just might happen irrespective of injury.

I'm guessing it's the former.

I believe that the Lions are as committed to VA as their no. #1 as they were to Michael Reilly even though they had 1000% confidence that when Reilly retired the rookie Nathan Rourke sitting on the sidelines was a keeper who could shoot the lights out.

Also, given how Adams got handled with his prior team they're not risking damaging his psyche.
All players are built differently. The story on Maas and Ricky Ray recently was Maas telling Coach Danny Macioca to go back to Ricky Ray for the sake of the team. All QBs can't be productive in that climate.

- Dane Evans looked sharp and probably took the lead in a close battle with Dom Davis for second-string QB. Davis threw a bad interception. I got a chuckle when Rider broadcasters on the CFL live steam predicted that Evans would eventually become the B.C. starting quarterback in the regular season. The audio on the CFL simulcast went strangely silent afterwards.

The inference I drew from the Rider broadcasters was that they believe Evans is a better quarterback than Adams and that B.C. coaches will eventually realize that and hand the ball to Evans regardless of Adams' injury status. I don't see that happening.

I think it comes down to the sentiment across RiderNation that Adams is no good to begin with and failure to hold the starting job won't be a matter of if, but how quickly. While Lions fans feel confident in the BC QB depth despite the loss of Rourke most Rider fans think BC will be battling it out with Calgary for 3rd in the division because Adams will fail with Evans failing when he inevitably takes over.

[Qman]

The Lions have trimmed their roster by 13 players after their first preseason game on the weekend. The only mild surprise is Adam Wallace, who had been getting regular reps in a very deep national talent pool on the defensive line, albeit as an undersized 250-lb. defensive tackle.

The release of Buddy Howell leaves Antonio Williams and Taquan Mizzell as the only remaining running backs. Both will likely stick around in some capacity.

The BC Lions this morning announced the following players have been released from the training camp roster:

American quarterback Judd Erickson
American offensive lineman J.R. Hensley
American running back Buddy Howell
American wide receiver Ron Hunt
American defensive back Jaylon McClain-Sapp
American wide receiver Jaquarii Roberson
American offensive lineman Kenny Thomas
American defensive back Colby Williams
National linebacker Markcus Jean-Loescher
National offensive lineman Troy Kowal
National offensive lineman Will St. Hubert
National defensive back Jassin States-McClean
National defensive lineman Adam Wallace

Hambone basically nailed all the national cuts

[Hambone]

Hambone basically nailed all the national cuts

It was fairly easy pickings. Nothing to do with the potential capabilities of the ones I listed but rather acknowledgement of the depth ahead of them. All were in very tough. I should have split my selections into likely or sure to stick, extremely slim chances and on the bubble.

Likely to stick would have been:
Archibald, Bagayogo, Packer, Zerr and Petermann with Bagayogo being an absolute lock. I think they will still make spots for the other 3 on the 1G or PR.

Bubble would have been:
Rene, Hinsperger, Jean-Loescher, States-McClean and Burnham. I firmly believe they will keep Burnham on the 1G and thought one, but not both, of Hinsperger and Jean-Loescher would stay for sure. How they showed on special teams reps would be the tie-breaker. Same situation would come for Rene and States-McClean. Odds were only one would stick.

[B.C.FAN]

I think the final national roster spot will come
down to Rene and Messam. I’d give the edge to Rene based on special teams play and value on defence.The Lions are stacked at linebacker.

[MacNews]

Surviving members of the Lions' training camp roster returned to the practice field in Kamloops Monday after an extended preseason road trip in which rookies and bubble players spent two nights soaking up Canadian football culture in Regina while veterans golfed and soaked up the sun in Kamloops.

With only one training camp practice remaining after Monday, the pace and intensity level was high as veterans prepared to take the field Thursday in the team's final preseason game, which is also the final chance for bubble players to stake a claim to a roster spot.

There were few changes to the first-team offence and defence on Monday. Keon Hatcher, who has been limited by plantar fasciitis throughout camp, sat out completely. American Bryson Daughtry and Canadian free agent Justin McInnis shared first-team reps at Hatcher's boundary slotback position. McInnis caught a deep 50-50 ball against Marcus Sayles for the biggest gain in team play but he also dropped a catchable ball on an over route. Ayden Eberhardt, who has had an impressive camp and led the Lions with 6 catches for 104 yards in Regina Saturday, dropped the first ball I thrown to him today. I didn't see him get another chance.

Andrew Peirson took some late reps at left guard in place of David Knevel in team play. There were no other changes in the first-team offence. Antonio Williams took first reps at running back. David Mackie took a lot of reps at running back and had several nice carries and catches, an indication that he will again be next man up this year in the event of an injury to the starter.

On defence, Jalon Edwards-Cooper was again a limited participant and was replaced at cornerback by free agent Mike Jones. Quincy Mauger remained at safety. Mathieu Betts and David Menard remained as first-team defensive ends, with Josh Banks and Woody Baron inside. Jonathan Kongbo took second-team reps at defensive end with Sione Teuhema, with the usual tandem of Tibo Dabaillie and Nathan Cherry inside. Baron generated pressure on the quarterback in team play, as did rookie defensive end Amir Siddiq. Josh Woods came in as usual as the extra linebacker alongside Ben Hladik and Bo Lokombo when the Lions went to a 3-4 formation.

Defensive lineman Josh Archibald, who probably solidified his roster spot with three special teams tackles Saturday in Regina and was shaken up in the game, did not participate.

As has been the case throughout camp, Vernon Adams had difficulty throwing to the Lions' veteran receiving corps against the team's veteran first-team defence. Adams overthrew Lucky Whitehead on a potential TD pass behind T.J. Lee. Whitehead and Dominique Rhymes have been making contested catches throughout camp but they're not getting a lot of room. Lokombo had a nice knockdown on a short crosser to Alex Hollins. Lee knocked a short pass out of the hands of Jevon Cottoy.

Riley Pickett, who is making the transition from defensive end to long snapping specialist, double-hopped one punt snap but was otherwise clean. No one else took reps as long snapper.

Non-starters who took regular reps on special teams included DBs Adrian Greene and Patrice Rene, linebackers Woods, Isaiah Messam, Ryder Varga and D.Q. Thomas and fullback Dylan St. Pierre. DB Mike Jones also took reps on special teams as usual in addition to filling in as cornerback. Rookies and non-starters who sat out most special teams drills included DBs Najee Reams, Xavior Williams and Josh Flowers and DLs Marcus Moore and Miles Fox. That's usually a good indication of who has the inside track on a regular roster position.

Thanks for the update BC Fan.

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions' 2023 training camp wrapped up Tuesday with a spirited two-hour practice featuring a couple of fast-paced team sessions and a lot of kickoff practice, as usual for the final practice before a game.

Everything becomes real in the final preseason game against Calgary on Thursday. It's customary for both teams to play their projected starters for most of the first half of the last game, so that will be the first good opportunity to evaluate the B.C. starters in game action, and the last chance for rookies and backups to play their way onto the roster. I count 71 players still on the roster, which means at least 10 players are likely to be cut and 10 or 12 others will be offered spots on the practice roster this weekend before the Lions head to Calgary for the first regular-season game next Thursday.

It's always difficult to evaluate teams in practice when the same units are going head to head with each other every day. In particular, the B.C. receivers and defensive secondary are veteran units that are considered among the best in the league. In camp, Vernon Adams has consistently struggled to throw the ball against the first-team secondary, and Tuesday's final practice was no exception. Dominique Rhymes had a big day with four catches in team play, including a 30-yarder down the sideline, but Adams also missed him twice on longer throws. Garry Peters also dropped a likely Pick-6 when Adams missed Alex Hollins, who has taken every first-team rep at the field WR position in camp.

The second-and-third team offences have had more success against their counterparts. Justin McInnis, who spent time with the first and second teams Tuesday, made two TD catches on the second team, including a deep post pattern from Dane Evans behind Najee Reams. Terry Williams, who has looked sharp throughout camp as a returner and second-team wide receiver, also scored on a deep post pattern from Evans.

There were only a few minor tweaks to personnel rotations Tuesday. Bryson Daughtry and McInnis shared first-team reps at boundary slotback while Keon Hatcher spent most of the morning on the sideline, taking a few spins on the exercise bike. If he is not ready for the start of the regular season next week, the Lions will have an opportunity to shuffle the ratio. McInnis has matched everything Daughtry has done in camp, and he's Canadian.

Elsewhere on offence, David Knevel was back at left guard on the first-team offence but Andrew Peirson also took some first-team reps. Taquan Mizzell took first reps at running back. David Mackie, who usually gets more touches in training camp than the regular season, made a nice catch-and-run from the fullback position.

On defence, Sione Teuhema got some reps at defensive end in place of Mathieu Betts. Jalon Edwards-Cooper returned to the field as a full participant at cornerback and appears to be good to start on Thursday.

Special teams play is always a key factor in determining who will get the bottom five or six positions on the regular-season roster. Rookies and backups who got a lot of work on kickoff and kick-return units included linebackers Josh Woods, D.Q. Thomas, Ryder Varga, Jack Hinsperger, Maxime Rouyer and Brooks Parker, defensive backs Mike Jones, Adrian Greene, Xavior Williams and Patrice Rene and defensive linemen Amir Siddiq and Miles Fox. They can't all make the opening-game roster.

Kieran Burnham shared kickoff duties with Stefan Flintoft and field goal kicking with Sean Whyte, and looked strong and accurate in both roles. Whyte was short on a 50-yard FG attempt. Riley Pickett, who appears to have won the long-snapping role by default, slid one field-goal snap along the ground but Flintoft, who holds for both placekickers, scooped it up cleanly.

[SammyGreene]

Thanks again BC Fan for all your outstanding reports.
Just brutal the Stamps and Lions play Thursday and then again in the regular season opener a week later. Vanilla will be the flavour of the day even more so at BC Place.

I’m interested to know if Mike Jones was paid as projected starter in free agency in February or as a depth player.

[cromartie]

Riley Pickett, who appears to have won the long-snapping role by default, slid one field-goal snap along the ground but Flintoft, who holds for both placekickers, scooped it up cleanly.

This is not encouraging and bears watching as we get into the regular season.

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions’ depth chart for Thursday’s final
preseason game against Calgary shows three significant changes from the first-team unit the Lions used in training camp.

- On the offensive line, Andrew Peirson starts ahead of David Knevel at left guard.

- On the defensive line, Jonathan Kongbo starts opposite Mathieu Betts at defensive end. David Menard is listed on the second team behind Betts as he was last year, while Sione Teuhema is listed on the second team behind Kongbo.

- In the secondary, second-year Canadian Adrian Greene starts ahead of second-year American Quincy Mauger at safety.

Not surprisingly, rookie Bryson Daughtry starts at slotback for the injured Keon Hatcher.

These changes may just reflect a desire to give the affected players a long look against first-unit opponents but I wouldn’t be surprised to see any of them repeated next week when the Lions and Stamps play each other for real in the season opener. The depth chart also shows 9 Canadian starters, which would allow the team to dress two extra American backups, likely for defensive and special teams roles.

Lions’ depth chart and roster

[Toppy Vann]

Should fans be concerned that Vernon Adams is struggling to hit passes with the 1st team DEF?
Is this the usual misses for QBs in practice?

It's always a challenge when the DEF knows your formations, plays and routes. It's not like you're running a surprise they haven't seen.

No QB is purrfect 100% of the throws but hopefully VA is up to playing top of his game consistently this year.

[B.C.FAN]

Should fans be concerned that Vernon Adams is struggling to hit passes with the 1st team DEF?
Is this the usual misses for QBs in practice?

It's always a challenge when the DEF knows your formations, plays and routes. It's not like you're running a surprise they haven't seen.

No QB is purrfect 100% of the throws but hopefully VA is up to playing top of his game consistently this year.

I hope it’s just a case of the defence being good and knowing the offensive playbook. Rick Campbell said today that VA will get about 30 minutes or more to establish the offence. He’s been slow to get rid of the ball and inaccurate on his longer throws. A solid performance Thursday would put a lot of minds at ease.

[KnightofCydonia]

Great first drive from the Lions. Highlighted VA's ability to be dangerous on the ground, capped with a beautiful TD pass to McInnis.