Who will be moving on?

[B.C.FAN]

Lucky is the most recognizable ambassador for the team and had the most popular replica jersey last year after Nathan Rourke. His stadium entrances were social media sensations, and he loves interacting with fans in person. When he sat out a few games near the end of last season, he spent time at the stadium throwing a ball back and forth with young fans in the stands, including my 16-year-old granddaughter. He is her favourite player, and she has a new No. 7 Whitehead jersey to show it. Lucky’s fan friendliness gives the Lions the type of exposure money can’t buy.

Not this season but in 2021 I remember him getting a souvenir football into the hands of a young 8ish year old girl low in the aisle of my section 213. I saw his truck outside Hillside Stadium in Kamloops during camp last year. It mirrors his outgoing personality. F150 short box stepside 4X4 with some big boots and sporting a metallic grape purple paint job.

Lions' players and staff park underground at the casino beside B.C. Place on game days. Lucky's truck is always the biggest and boldest vehicle in the parkade. He's a small man but he lives large.

[Toppy Vann]

Agreed. That is something about him I hadn't known.

I do agree though that we need more of that interaction to create fans.

[DanoT]

I think Lucky's off field quirkyness is a big attraction to fans, especially to those who are not purists or traditionalists. Lucky gets people's attention and does it in a fun, attractive way. Good for him....and it is good for the team.

[Toppy Vann]

I think Lucky's off field quirkyness is a big attraction to fans, especially to those who are not purists or traditionalists. Lucky gets people's attention and does it in a fun, attractive way. Good for him....and it is good for the team.

Yes, I see that in the positive posts. Unfortunately his injury last year messed up a roster that needed him at full health come playoffs.

I'm more of a purist from playing and coaching days - especially as a coach. I want players to keep their heads in the game and not entertaining fans other than on scoring plays which I have no issue with.

I also totally concede that having players who attract fans is crucial.

I like the MBTs' now gone, Bo Levi Mitchell's etc who talk and promote, yet none of that speaks to a potential new fan.

When we had Rob Murphy and Jason Jimenez their play was inspiring for fans.

I thought the Lions should have used Bobby Singh more prominently to bring fans in as he had both his football story and a brother lost IIRC to gang warfare or something.

[Toppy Vann]

I think Lucky's off field quirkyness is a big attraction to fans, especially to those who are not purists or traditionalists. Lucky gets people's attention and does it in a fun, attractive way. Good for him....and it is good for the team.

Yes, I see that in the positive posts. Unfortunately his injury last year messed up a roster that needed him at full health come playoffs.

His purple truck really stands out. Saw that at their practice site. Hope it's not a racist cop magnet down home.

I'm more of a purist from playing and coaching days - especially as a coach. I want players to keep their heads in the game and not entertaining fans other than on scoring plays which I have no issue with.

I also totally concede that having players who attract fans is crucial.

I like the MBTs' now gone, Bo Levi Mitchell's etc who talk and promote, yet none of that speaks to a potential new fan.

When we had Rob Murphy and Jason Jimenez their play was inspiring for fans as their legend was bigger than football.

JasonJimenez is doing well as a Principal and now a bit of investor as he posts things like that plus his work with kids on Linkedin.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonjimenezz/

I thought the Lions should have used Bobby Singh more prominently to bring fans in as he had both his football story and a brother lost IIRC to gang warfare or something.

[Toppy Vann]

While this is not a BC Lion moving on, it's a Bomber.

A long interview with 3 Down Nation and lots of kudos for Winnipeg and the CFL but Dakota Prokup is leaving for money and playing experience - and not much more but it comes earlier in the shorter USFL season. It sure soundes like he wants to coach later on.

The CFL has to get itself into a situation where these small-dollar moves aren't on the table for CFL oriented players.
I hope the CFL grasp this as a priority.

https://3downnation.com/2023/03/17/qb-d ... fl-return/

QB Dakota Prukop explains why he chose to sign with USFL, foresees likely CFL return
By John Hodge -March 17, 2023

He spoke glowingly about this past year in Winnipeg, praising Pierce, Collaros, and head coach Mike O’Shea.

“It was the most fun I’ve had, it was the best organization I’ve been a part of. I’m really grateful for that year and that experience to be under coach O’Shea and Buck Pierce,” said Prukop.

“I didn’t want to leave Winnipeg and go play for a different team. I had such a fun time there and my wife was extremely happy. I really enjoyed playing for Buck Pierce, he was a guy that really I felt stuck his neck out for me and put me in a position to be successful. I had a really fun time in that offence.”

Ironically, his number financially could have been matched in the CFL but the 10-game earlier USFL season brings the money forward faster.

AND,

It sure sounds like he didn't want to play for any other CFL team for now but the Bombers so going south leaves the door back to Winnipeg more possible.

Yes, he says it's all about getting more time on the field but...you hate to see someone who loves the CFL leave.

Different for McLeod Bethel-Thompson as his wife has a major job and career so money wasn't his biggest issue - just that she couldn't live in Canada.

[Hambone]

It almost sounded like Prukop is coveting a chance to play and run an offense as an important development tool towards a career goal of being a coach. Winnipeg has developed a culture where players want to play there and stay there. Even though he admits there are no promises or guarantees with New Jersey it's probably worth a shot even if it doesn't lead to being any more than a #2 or #3. Even in Winnipeg he's somewhat locked into being at best #2. He was getting the short yardage reps and some extra plays as like with Streveler O'Shea like to keep his short yardage guy in for an extra play or two after getting the 1st down. However everything else in their QB deployment pointed to Dru Brown being next man up in the event Collaros suffered an injury.

[Toppy Vann]

It almost sounded like Prukop is coveting a chance to play and run an offense as an important development tool towards a career goal of being a coach. Winnipeg has developed a culture where players want to play there and stay there. Even though he admits there are no promises or guarantees with New Jersey it's probably worth a shot even if it doesn't lead to being any more than a #2 or #3. Even in Winnipeg he's somewhat locked into being at best #2. He was getting the short yardage reps and some extra plays as like with Streveler O'Shea like to keep his short yardage guy in for an extra play or two after getting the 1st down. However everything else in their QB deployment pointed to Dru Brown being next man up in the event Collaros suffered an injury.

Yes! Agreed.

It looks like exactly as you say.

However, if the Bomber dollars could be higher, I wonder if he'd have stayed there. His wife and he like WPG. In other words, the Bombers want the guy, they pay more so he stays.

[Dusty]

However everything else in their QB deployment pointed to Dru Brown being next man up in the event Collaros suffered an injury.

Dru Brown looked pretty good when he played against the Lions late last year. I suspect Prukop accurately read the writing on the wall.

[David]

I just saw on Twitter someone saying Stove Richardson retired. Not Fahan or Abbot so hoping just a fan's opinion. Has anyone heard this?

Farhan indeed tweeted “I don’t expect him to play again.”
Damn. Extremely disappointing. He is only 25 or 26.
He must have fully ruptured his Achilles for a 2nd time or close enough for doctors to say it’s a risk for it to keep happening even after being surgically repaired.

Neil McEvoy was interviewed by JC Abbott at the combine. When asked about Richardson coming back, Neil said, "I don't think so," adding that he's still on the roster and they talk, acknowledging the severity of re-injuring the same Achilles but that they will "honour whatever he wants to do."

Also, of note when Abbott interviewed Rick Campbell, he said the club will "for sure" have one developmental QB on the roster, possibly two. Depth chart for camp will be Adams, Evans, and Davis. I'm interested to see how the other arms at camp progress.



DH

[Hambone]

Stove Richardson status has been clarified. Still unlikely to play in 2023 but not totally ruled out. He's also reworked his contract which would have expired after 2023. He's now under contract thru 2024 should he finally get the injury behind him. He'd still only be 28 for the 2024 season.

https://3downnation.com/2023/03/26/stov ... -injuries/

[squishy35]

Lions have quietly signed Raymond Calais. He was drafted a couple of years ago by Tampa Bay and suited up for the Rams most recently. He is intriuing given he's only 22 and has a ton of talent as a RB and KR specialist. I think he may be one to watch closely in TC next month.

[Belize City Lion]

It almost sounded like Prukop is coveting a chance to play and run an offense as an important development tool towards a career goal of being a coach. Winnipeg has developed a culture where players want to play there and stay there. Even though he admits there are no promises or guarantees with New Jersey it's probably worth a shot even if it doesn't lead to being any more than a #2 or #3. Even in Winnipeg he's somewhat locked into being at best #2. He was getting the short yardage reps and some extra plays as like with Streveler O'Shea like to keep his short yardage guy in for an extra play or two after getting the 1st down. However everything else in their QB deployment pointed to Dru Brown being next man up in the event Collaros suffered an injury.

Yes! Agreed.

It looks like exactly as you say.

However, if the Bomber dollars could be higher, I wonder if he'd have stayed there. His wife and he like WPG. In other words, the Bombers want the guy, they pay more so he stays.

In their first game the NJ Generals used a 2 QB system, so Prukop got quite a bit of playing time. Even rushed for a TD. I think for a guy like him it's about getting on the field and giving scouts a chance to see him play. Not sure what he was making in Winnipeg, but I doubt it was much of a pay cut to go to the USFL. Worst case he get's released after the season and he winds up as CFL back-up again. But there is always a chance he does well enough to attract the attention of an NFL team. He was certainly not going to put together a highlight reel handling short yardage for the Bombers.

[TheLionKing]

Lions have quietly signed Raymond Calais. He was drafted a couple of years ago by Tampa Bay and suited up for the Rams most recently. He is intriuing given he's only 22 and has a ton of talent as a RB and KR specialist. I think he may be one to watch closely in TC next month.

[Toppy Vann]

It almost sounded like Prukop is coveting a chance to play and run an offense as an important development tool towards a career goal of being a coach. Winnipeg has developed a culture where players want to play there and stay there. Even though he admits there are no promises or guarantees with New Jersey it's probably worth a shot even if it doesn't lead to being any more than a #2 or #3. Even in Winnipeg he's somewhat locked into being at best #2. He was getting the short yardage reps and some extra plays as like with Streveler O'Shea like to keep his short yardage guy in for an extra play or two after getting the 1st down. However everything else in their QB deployment pointed to Dru Brown being next man up in the event Collaros suffered an injury.

Yes! Agreed.

It looks like exactly as you say.

However, if the Bomber dollars could be higher, I wonder if he'd have stayed there. His wife and he like WPG. In other words, the Bombers want the guy, they pay more so he stays.

In their first game the NJ Generals used a 2 QB system, so Prukop got quite a bit of playing time. Even rushed for a TD. I think for a guy like him it's about getting on the field and giving scouts a chance to see him play. Not sure what he was making in Winnipeg, but I doubt it was much of a pay cut to go to the USFL. Worst case he get's released after the season and he winds up as CFL back-up again. But there is always a chance he does well enough to attract the attention of an NFL team. He was certainly not going to put together a highlight reel handling short yardage for the Bombers.

BCL - you may be right that he could end up back in the CFL even this year which might be part of his thinking if some NFL team doesn't come along and snap him up.

The 3 Down story speaks to the money issue"

There is also a financial aspect to Prukop’s decision. He and his wife, Blaire, are expecting their first child next month, which has increased his desire to maximize his earnings. The USFL has raised player compensation to $5,350 per week for the 2023 season plus housing costs, raising player salaries to just under $60,000 for a 10-week season.

The CFL’s minimum salary is equal to approximately $51,000 USD with the current exchange rate.

https://3downnation.com/2023/03/17/qb-d ... fl-return/