From Lowell Ullrich ...
Ullrich: Buono will be back — and the Lions GM is ready to ‘burn the ship’ again
A few days after the 2013 season ended for the B.C. Lions came a stark appraisal by general manager Wally Buono that unwittingly became reality when he summed up what he was about to do to fix the CFL team in one short sentence.
“Burn the ship,” he said. It was his way of saying personnel and coaching changes were needed. As the 2014 season ended, Buono figuratively stood in the middle of an inferno after the East Division semifinal loss Sunday.
The damage is substantial, and when he discussed the year Monday even Buono thought his job was not safe. That thought didn’t last long. President Dennis Skulsky said Tuesday that Buono will remain, but it is also clear some of his top lieutenants may not be so fortunate.
Skulsky said owner David Braley has agreed the contracts of any coach with a 2015 agreement will be bought out if Buono recommends the move. That is not a potentially promising development for offensive coordinator Khari Jones, who has one year left on his contract, or coach Mike Benevides, who was given a two-year extension through the 2016 season by Buono earlier this season.
“David has never put money in the way of making the right decision,” Skulsky said. “If that’s what is in the best interest of us moving forward, then he’ll support it.”
And while he stopped well short of suggesting that Benevides would not return, it was also clear from Skulsky’s sideline perch at games that his team was undisciplined on the field, and will result in changes.
“We’ve come to that realization,” he said. “I thought we were going to win the semifinal and win in Hamilton but … it was wishful thinking. Any logical person would look and say you can’t turn it on and off.
“The whole penalty issue, and the type of penalties, that tells you something When there’s signs like that and you’re not up for every game and we were very inconsistent, that should tell you something about the players as individuals and as a team.” B.C. finished in the middle of the pack in penalties but in Montreal the Lions more yardage from flags (105) as they gained from passing (102).
One could take those words as criticism of Mike Benevides. Does that mean Benny will not return? Absolutely not. Some coaches will be gone, however. Top candidate: Khari Jones.
As they packed their belongings following a 12-minute meeting, some players admitted there was not a universal belief that the roster decisions were always made by Benevides this year but by Buono.
“Some of the older guys were kind of getting burned out by some of the things that were taking place,” veteran Ryan Phillips said. “You can get a sense which moves are being made by whom.”
That is not good. It is a bit shocking. The Head Coach has to run the team.
Others said the Lions were nowhere near the cohesiveness as the four teams still in position to get to the Grey Cup game at B.C. Place Stadium.
“We were missing a lot of things this season,” one player said, choosing his words carefully. “That was one of them.” Another said Benevides had lost the confidence of the locker-room at one point.
Well there it is. Someone talking about Benny losing the room.
Buono defended his position, pointing out instances where he internally opposed player decisions by Benevides that he supported for public consumption, making it clear he isn’t about to change his approach.
“I can’t vanish,” said Buono.
I disagree. As GM, Wally does have to disappear from practices, from player decisions, from many, many things that are the province of the Head Coach.
It’s not certain yet whether the Lions will want to elevate running backs coach Kelly Bates over longtime offensive line assistant Dan Dorazio, for example. It’s also unclear whether special teams coach Chuck McMann, part of the coaching group who came with Buono in 2003 from Calgary, would like to continue.
Twelve years of the O Line regime. Good, young coach waiting in the wings. I will believe it when I see it.
“That’s when you find out what people are made of from the management and ownership.” And the Lions are prepared again to continue with the general manager who was in charge of burning the ship.
Burning the ship? Hmmmm ... Last year, two very, very capable coaches were thrown overboard at the end of the year. It took the spotlight off Mike Benevides.
I actually expect a similar scenario this off season. Sacrifice some underlings.
Slogan for 2015: More of the Same
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.
Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.
Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
Hindsight foul. That's two in two days from you.
