2002 - Bob Ackles returns to Lions
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:36 pm
2002
After a subpar 2001 season, the B.C. Lions hopes for a turnaround season got off to a rocky start in 2002. After stumbling out of the gate with a 1-5 record, Head Coach Steve Burrato is relieved of his duties in favour of GM Adam Rita. The return of Adam Rita toi the coaching ranks seemed to rejuvenate the team as they would win eight of their following nine games after the change, including a huge 48-37 win over the previously unbeaten (and eventual Grey Cup Champion) Montreal Alouettes. However, instead of entering the playoffs riding on a hot streak, the team would cool off in their final three games dropping a pair of close games on the road in Saskatchewan and Calgary before returning home for the final game of the regular season and easily disposing of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Jamie Taras night. Sitting third in the West with a 10-8 record, the Lions faced off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Western Semi-Finals but were embarrassed by a final score of 30-3, the last game for both Jamie Taras and Sean Millington. The end of the season also saw the departure of Adam Rita, who was released by the team after six years and one Grey Cup. Rookie Jason Clermont capped off an impressive first season by capturing the Rookie of the Year Award, the first player from a Canadian University to do so in 11 years and the second consecutive Lion (Barrin Simpson won the award in 2001). Defense was clearly the name of the Game for the Lions in 2002. Linebackers Brendon Ayanbadejo and Barrin Simpson were named CFL All-Stars and fellow linebacker Carl Kidd was a Western Division All-Star. Together, the three were all ranked in the top eight in defensive tackles. Cornerback Eric Carter was also a CFL All-Star for the second consecutive year. But perhaps the biggest best news in 2002 came off the field with the return of Bob Ackles to the Lions. After spending time in the NFL and XFL, Ackles would return as President and CEO with the goal of rejuvenating the football market in B.C.
West Division Team GP W L T OTL PF PA Pts
Edmonton Eskimos 18 13 5 0 0 516 450 26
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 12 6 0 0 566 421 24
British Columbia Lions 18 10 8 0 0 480 399 20
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 8 10 0 2 435 393 18
Calgary Stampeders 18 6 12 0 2 438 509 14
East Division Team GP W L T OTL PF PA Pts
Montreal Alouettes 18 13 5 0 1 587 407 27
Toronto Argonauts 18 8 10 0 0 344 482 16
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 7 11 0 1 427 524 15
Ottawa Renegades 18 4 14 0 2 356 550 10
Semifinals - British Columbia Lions 3 Winnipeg Blue Bombers 30
Semifinals - Saskatchewan Roughriders 14 Toronto Argonauts 24
Finals - Winnipeg Blue Bombers 30 Edmonton Eskimos 33
Finals - Toronto Argonauts 18 Montreal Alouettes 35
Grey Cup Edmonton Eskimos 16 Montreal Alouettes 25
After a subpar 2001 season, the B.C. Lions hopes for a turnaround season got off to a rocky start in 2002. After stumbling out of the gate with a 1-5 record, Head Coach Steve Burrato is relieved of his duties in favour of GM Adam Rita. The return of Adam Rita toi the coaching ranks seemed to rejuvenate the team as they would win eight of their following nine games after the change, including a huge 48-37 win over the previously unbeaten (and eventual Grey Cup Champion) Montreal Alouettes. However, instead of entering the playoffs riding on a hot streak, the team would cool off in their final three games dropping a pair of close games on the road in Saskatchewan and Calgary before returning home for the final game of the regular season and easily disposing of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Jamie Taras night. Sitting third in the West with a 10-8 record, the Lions faced off against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the Western Semi-Finals but were embarrassed by a final score of 30-3, the last game for both Jamie Taras and Sean Millington. The end of the season also saw the departure of Adam Rita, who was released by the team after six years and one Grey Cup. Rookie Jason Clermont capped off an impressive first season by capturing the Rookie of the Year Award, the first player from a Canadian University to do so in 11 years and the second consecutive Lion (Barrin Simpson won the award in 2001). Defense was clearly the name of the Game for the Lions in 2002. Linebackers Brendon Ayanbadejo and Barrin Simpson were named CFL All-Stars and fellow linebacker Carl Kidd was a Western Division All-Star. Together, the three were all ranked in the top eight in defensive tackles. Cornerback Eric Carter was also a CFL All-Star for the second consecutive year. But perhaps the biggest best news in 2002 came off the field with the return of Bob Ackles to the Lions. After spending time in the NFL and XFL, Ackles would return as President and CEO with the goal of rejuvenating the football market in B.C.
West Division Team GP W L T OTL PF PA Pts
Edmonton Eskimos 18 13 5 0 0 516 450 26
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 12 6 0 0 566 421 24
British Columbia Lions 18 10 8 0 0 480 399 20
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 8 10 0 2 435 393 18
Calgary Stampeders 18 6 12 0 2 438 509 14
East Division Team GP W L T OTL PF PA Pts
Montreal Alouettes 18 13 5 0 1 587 407 27
Toronto Argonauts 18 8 10 0 0 344 482 16
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 7 11 0 1 427 524 15
Ottawa Renegades 18 4 14 0 2 356 550 10
Semifinals - British Columbia Lions 3 Winnipeg Blue Bombers 30
Semifinals - Saskatchewan Roughriders 14 Toronto Argonauts 24
Finals - Winnipeg Blue Bombers 30 Edmonton Eskimos 33
Finals - Toronto Argonauts 18 Montreal Alouettes 35
Grey Cup Edmonton Eskimos 16 Montreal Alouettes 25