Official Kamloops Training Camp Thread 2018

[B.C.FAN]

Thanks, Joe. The starting lineup has become even more clear since I first posted it last week. After watching seven practices at training camp in Kamloops, I've put together some thoughts on each of the position groups. I wouldn't call them positional battles because the first-team unit seems set in stone and didn't change at all in those seven practices except in the case of injuries, despite the team's bizarre attempt to hide its starting lineup by distributing an alphabetical position chart.

With more than 50 new players in camp and many returning Lions wearing new numbers, you will need a program to watch this team but you will recognize many names. This is a veteran lineup stocked with players who had previously played for Ed Hervey in Edmonton. Most of them are upgrades on players who were on last year's B.C roster.

QUARTERBACK

Starter:
Jonathon Jennings

Always the most important position in the CFL, it's particularly important this year with Jennings coming off a bad year when he was the CFL's lowest rated starting quarterback. This is clearly his job to lose but expect him to have a short leash if he struggles to read defences, distribute the ball to all his receivers, use his feet, get rid of the ball in a timely manner and protect the ball by not forcing it into coverage. Those are all his weaknesses from last year, and he has the added challenge of learning a new offence with several new receivers. The good news for Jennings is that after some early struggles he seems to be getting a grasp on the offence, getting rid of the ball quicker, and checking down when his primary receiver is covered.

Other notables:

Travis Lulay is taking No. 2 reps in positional drills but the veteran who took twice over the starting job from Jennings last year is still not being allowed to take part in scrimmages, even non-contact ones. He seems close, though, and should be ready soon, perhaps in time for the start of the regular season. And he'll be first to step in if Jennings struggles. Former Argo Cody Fajardo is a veteran presence who looks comfortable taking second-team reps in scrimmages, while serving as the regular holder. He will likely also be the short-yardage quarterback. Ricky Lloyd, the rookie from NCAA Division II Minnesota State, has taken third-team reps behind Fajardo. He appears to have as much arm strength as the other three QBs but is more erratic and lacks pro experience. He'll be on the roster until Lulay is cleared to play.

RUNNING BACK

Starters:
Jeremiah Johnson
Chris Rainey
Rolly Lumbala

I read somewhere that there's a competition for running back in camp. There isn't. Johnson and Rainey are Nos. 1 and 1A, and they'll split the reps, with Rainey being used a lot more as a receiver (he has some of the best hands on the team) and a rusher who hits the hole quickly and can get to the edge and turn upfield. Expect him to get more touches and have a big year.

Lumbala is the CFL's best blocking fullback and special-teams leader. He doesn't get many touches and isn't used often on passing downs but he can line up at tight end on first down or in short yardage and take on any defender in front of him. That's more valuable to the team than getting touches as a running back or receiver.

Other notables:
Former Alouette Brandon Rutley has taken third-team reps. He is a veteran all-round back with good hands and is most comparable to Johnson but without the speed and shiftiness. Former Eskimo Travon Van, a late acquisition of Ed Hervey, is a slasher and kick returner most like Chris Rainey. Either he or Rutley will likely be kept around as insurance in case anything happens to Johnson or Rainey.

RECEIVERS

Starters:

WR: Ricky Collins
SB: Manny Arceneaux
SB: Cory Watson
SB: Bryan Burnham
WR: Shaq Johnson

Jarious Jackson's new offence puts lots of emphasis on the short passing game, and that means lots of targets for running backs Johnson and Rainey and slotbacks Arceneaux and Watson, who are both used on short semi-screens and checkdowns. WRs Shaq and Collins (who missed several days of camp with an injury and was replaced by Tyler Davis) are the deep threats and outside checkdown receivers. I'm not sure what role Burnham will have in the offence. He didn't have many targets when I was there. I've read several references to Shaq being the breakout offensive star of camp. They must have been written by people who missed last year's camp, when Shaq came off an injury and dazzled everyone with his deep threat abilities, jumping ahead of Stephen Adekolu and Brett Blaszko to earn the starting job and then racked up the second highest average yards per catch among CFL receivers with at least 30 catches. Yes, he's been the most prominent receiver in camp but it shouldn't come as a surprise. He still needs to work on his hands but he gets open and will have a lot more catches this year.

Other notables:
Tyler Davis took Ricky Collins' reps at WR in five of the seven practices I watched, and looks to have greatly honed his game after a year on the practice roster. He has lots of speed and deep-threat ability but like Shaq Johnson drops more passes than he should. He may have to go back on the practice roster but he will have a chance to stick around. Danny Vandervoort, as mentioned in an earlier post, catches everything vin sight but is deeply buried behind former Eskimo Watson on the depth chart. He will make the team as a key special teamer and sixth receiver but he'll have to wait for a chance to start. Rookie nationals Archelus Jack, Kyler Mosley and Will Watson have been prominent on the second and third teams. They've all made good progress in camp, and one or more will likely make the practice roster, but they will all need to show better hands to crack the regular roster. Former Argo Kevin Elliott, former Ticat Junior Collins and rookie international slotbacks Kenny Lawler and Ronnie Holley have had their moments. They may be fighting for spots on the practice roster or injured list, depending on whether the team wants to keep one or two veterans around.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters:
LT: Joel Figueroa
LG: Hunter Steward
C: Cody Husband
RG: David Foucault
RT: Jovan Olafioye

This position group has gone from one of the team's biggest weaknesses to one of its biggest strengths. Figueroa, Steward, Husband and Olafioye are simply some of the best in the league at their positions when healthy, and Foucault is vastly improved from the player who whiffed on too many blocks last year (Davon Coleman, meet Jonathon Jennings). I haven't seen a lot of push from this unit against the first-team D-line in the running game but pass protection has been solid. These guys are big and tough, all being listed at 6-foot-6 to 6-foot-8.

Other notables:
Peter Godber and David Knevel face a steep learning curve and are not ready to compete for starting jobs but should be given time to develop. Knevel deserves respect based on his size alone. He's an intimidating presence at 6-foot-8 and 325 pounds, even standing on the sideline with the other non-starters. Antonio Johnson looks like a capable option to again be activated if one of the starting tackles is hurt. Jac'que Polite got reps at LT when Figueroa missed some practices last week.

DEFENSIVE LINE

Starters:
DE: Gabe Knapton
NT: Junior Luke
DT: Davon Coleman
DE: Odell Willis

This is another position group that appears to have gone from a major weakness to a strength, thanks to Ed Hervey's handiwork. Knapton, Coleman and Willis are veterans who have earned respect around the league. The big question is how much they have in the tank. Willis is 33 and was used as a rotational player last year in Edmonton. Knapton is coming off a subpar year in Montreal. Coleman quickly became one of the most feared interior linemen in the league last year in Hamilton before being surprisingly dealt to the Lions in training camp. Luke is a second-year player who has earned his way onto the starting lineup.

Other notables:
David Menard is prominent as second team defensive end and will probably rotate with Knapton and be used as a pass-rush specialist as he was last year. International DE Ivan McLennan turned heads while filling in for Odell Willes last week and is a regular on special teams. Expect to see him in a rotational role to help keep Willis fresh. Rookie draft pick Julien Laurent and now-injured Maxx Forde provide depth inside. Rookie international DT Claudell Louis has taken most first-team reps in camp and is a regular on special teams but I don't know if there's room for both him and Coleman on the active roster.


LINEBACKER

OLB: Dyshawn Davis
MLB: Solomon Elimimian
NKL: Otha Foster

There were question marks about this unit, with two new starters in the lineup, but they seem to be answered. Elimimian, of course, is one of the best defensive players in the league and makes tackles all over the field. Second-year Lion Davis and former Eskimo and Rider Foster have both been prominent on the pass rush in camp as Mark Washington has unleashed a lot more blitzes than we're accustomed to seeing. Foster is solid and savvy in coverage, and should fill in nicely for departed free agent Chandler Fenner.


Other notables:
This is a deep position group. Linebackers make great special teamers so expect to see as many as six backup linebackers on special teams. Jordan Herdman has earned praise as one of the standouts of camp. He got a chance to fill in briefly for Elimimian last week, and didn't look out of place. Fellow second-year national Frederic Chagnon has shown improvement and is another key special teamer. Bo Lokombo has been noticeable blitzing off the edge and stopping the run on the second team, while second-year international Tevin McDonald has had a strong camp as second-team nickelback after being moved to his natural position from safety. Former Redblack Keelan Johnson, the CFL's leading special-teams tackler last year, will look to duplicate that feat while backing up Davis.


DEFENSIVE BACK

CB: Anthony Orange
HB: T.J. Lee
S: Anthony Thompson
HB: Garry Peters
CB: Marcell Young


The offensive and defensive lines were the stated priorities of Ed Hervey in rebuilding the Lions this offseason, but the secondary may be the most improved position group overall. Lee and Thompson are the only returning starters. Orange is an ex-Argo, Redblack and Arizona Cardinal who is a shutdown corner. Challenge him at your peril. Ex-Eskimo and Ticat Young is another savvy vet who can play inside or on the corner. Peters is another ex-Eskimo who looks comfortable alongside Young. This group is bigger than last year's Lion secondary and more capable of playing man-to-man, which allows Washington to blitz a lot more. That in turn should lead to more sacks and turnovers.

Other notables:

Kendall James, who looked good in two starts for the Lions at field corner late last year, is contending for a dime back spot. Former Lion, Bomber and Eskimo safety Cauchy Muamba has picked up a lot of experience since his last stint here and should be a capable backup for Thompson. Second-year Lion Nate Hamlin is the only other national holdover after more experienced cornerbacks Matt Bucknor and Keynan Parker were purged in the offseason.

KICKER/PUNTER

This might be the best positional battle of the preseason. Last year Ty Long came from nowhere to beat out highly touted free agent Swayze Waters. This year Jose Maltos came from beyond nowhere (Monterrey, Mexico, to be exact) and has a good chance to beat out Long. Both kickers have strong legs and have shown an ability to hit 75-yard kickoffs, 55-yard punts and 60-yard field goals, but Maltos has shown an excellent touch as a directional punter. Long seems to have given up trying directional punting and was instead pooch-kicking in camp. How well they each perform under pressure may determine who gets the job.

[TheLionKing]

Excellent analysis B.C. Fan. I was particularly interested in your comments about the secondary.

[Qman]

i think they will keep rutley around and he will start 6ish games.
The same way JJ and AA split the duties 2 seasons ago.

Johnson took alot of punishment last season.

Also belive rainey will go back to primarily a returner and far less snaps on O, so he stays fresh all season.

[DanoT]

^^^Fantastic report, BC Fan. It is Blitz worthy.

[WestCoastJoe]

Excellent report, BCFAN.

Worthy of the kind of NFL preview magaziine I used to buy decades ago, circa 1970.

I would say Hervey has rekindled a lot of interest and even hope amongst fans. The players seem pumped.

Of course Hervey will not be every fan's cup of tea. And all the ex-Eskimos might offend some. This fan does not really care where they have been. Can they play? And I am forming the impression that Hervey can judge talent.

Deefence! That is my concern at this time. Will we fall back into a shell, when the bullets fly for real? Will Wally and Mark really crank it up? Change their spots? We will see ...

[D]

Epic Post .. thanks BC Fan for the breakdown

[TheLionKing]

Lions crash Aqua Fit class

https://www.bclions.com/2018/05/29/long ... un-day-10/

[smartie123]

Has Brandon Rutley been getting any reps? How has he looked?

Edit: sorry, I just saw the post from earlier this evening. Thanks!

[David]

I would say Hervey has rekindled a lot of interest and even hope amongst fans. The players seem pumped.

Of course Hervey will not be every fan's cup of tea. And all the ex-Eskimos might offend some. This fan does not really care where they have been. Can they play? And I am forming the impression that Hervey can judge talent.

Quick note about Ed Hervey. He is misunderstood, but a really good guy IMO. Made a point of saying "hey, how you doin'?'" as he walked past me at the OTA in April. What some may perceive as arrogance is actually shyness. He's a private guy and operates his team that way (coincidence that the so-called "depth chart" is but an alphabetized positional roster in his first year here? I don't think so).

He didn't get fired in Edmonton for being a dumb guy. He got fired for not towing the company line of a community-owned team and catching the ire of an influential Eskimo reporter. The scrutiny will not be as intense here, and has hopefully learned from his mistakes (and make players/practices accesible to the media). Getting Ed was a fantastic football move for the Lions.


DH

[David]

Watch this. If Ty Long can nail a 53-yard field goal, no second practice for the team.

Looking at this and the aquafit video that has gone viral, looks like some great spirit on this year's roster.


DH

[WestCoastJoe]

I would say Hervey has rekindled a lot of interest and even hope amongst fans. The players seem pumped.

Of course Hervey will not be every fan's cup of tea. And all the ex-Eskimos might offend some. This fan does not really care where they have been. Can they play? And I am forming the impression that Hervey can judge talent.

Quick note about Ed Hervey. He is misunderstood, but a really good guy IMO. Made a point of saying "hey, how you doin'?'" as he walked past me at the OTA in April. What some may perceive as arrogance is actually shyness. He's a private guy and operates his team that way (coincidence that the so-called "depth chart" is but an alphabetized positional roster in his first year here? I don't think so).

He didn't get fired in Edmonton for being a dumb guy. He got fired for not towing the company line of a community-owned team and catching the ire of an influential Eskimo reporter. The scrutiny will not be as intense here, and has hopefully learned from his mistakes (and make players/practices accesible to the media). Getting Ed was a fantastic football move for the Lions.


DH

He has done a nice job of signing experienced free agents.

Foster (nickel), Orange, Peters and Young to rebuild the secondary.

OLs Figeroa and Olafioye.

For the DL: Willis. Trades for Knapton and Coleman. [Misfiring on Cummings, a seemingly very talented DT, with an unknown legal issue, did not throw us for a loop. With Coleman and Louis, etc., we have probably filled the need for that disruptive force in the middle.]

Experienced QB backup Fajardo. Mobile. Short yardage. Holder.

A remarkable job of transformation. Would I prefer veterans for a fast rebuild or rookies/newbies? Go with the vets. I don't recall seeing such a fast rebuild with veterans who look very capable.

And that ain't all. Signing Jarious Jackson as OC. Signing Jeff Reinebold for STs. DC? Mark W better bring it this year. Or where would his next gig be?

In view of the massive changes, having old hand, steady Wally at the helm, looks solid too. And this is especially so with him loosening up, letting go in his final year of coaching.

And yet, the West is tough. No gimmes there.

[Blitz]

Its a huge makeover for our Leos while still retaining key players with talent.

I wonder what this season would have looked like without Ed Hervey coming in as GM. What would our free agent signings have looked like? What trades would we have pulled off?

I shudder contemplating that outcome. Not one of Wally's free agent signings worked out last season and he also didn't bring in a lot of talent. Our offensive and defensive lines were an issue all season.

I believe Wally will have a good season this year. He has usually performed best when he has had some football leadership above him to guide him and also someone very strong in personnel to bring in talent. In Calgary it was Kwong and Shivers and in B.C. it was Ackles and O'Billovich.

In B.C. without Ackles and O'Billovich, it was Wally's show from 2008 forward and the results speak for themselves. For example, I highly doubt an Ed Hervey would have hired a Mike Benevedes and without a process.

Hervey's new direction of beefing up our offensive and defensive lines and going long and bigger in the secondary makes a lot of sense. In the CFL last season there were a lot of 50/50 footballs thrown and the tendency in the CFL is to go with taller, lankier receivers who can use their size to ward off smaller defensive backs or leap above them to bring down footballs.

I also think Hervey has had an impact in Wally's decision to move away from his ultra conservative style and to make changes to his philosophy. Just the fact that we have Jarious implementing a new offence is a major change. This is the first new offensive system we will have seen since the days of Steve Burratto coaching the offence. We did make some adjustments to the 'Calgary spread' in 2007 and 2011/12 but those adjustments were made within the familiar offensive system.

Its not going to be an easy season but there were many good reasons why many analysts predicted our Leos would win the Grey Cup last year. We had a lot of talent at our skill positions and still do. But we needed to make serious changes to our offensive and defensive lines and defensive backfield, as well as our special teams. Hervey has made changes to all of those units. Hopefully those changes will pan out.

Certainly, having Figueroa and Olifioye at tackle should be a huge upgrade and Hervey also did not sign Kirby Fabian, who started at right guard throughout 2017 despite poor play.

But its Hervey's changes to our special teams that may be our biggest difference maker in 2018. Our special teams play was miserable last year and we have made upgraded our talent for our special teams units as well as sign Rinebold. Our coaching staff changes, from Jarious Jackson to Howell to Rinebold to Randy Melvin should pay dividends.

But what has gone under the radar screen is that Hervey got some vets to take salary reductions voluntarily to upgrade the roster. This was a big change from Buono's approach, which was to demand players take a pay cut or be released or traded. That approach created animosity as well as lost us players such as Olifioye. Hervey has managed the cap very well and was even able to sign Olifioye back here just before training camp.

It all been a very positive direction so far for 2018 and I find myself excited about this season. In reading Lionbackers posts, it also seems that many die hard Lionbacker posters are more positive too. Going into last season, many Lionbacker posters were frustrated that Buono had not upgraded our offensive and defensive lines and instead signed cast off free agents along with paying a high price for Swaze Waters and signing Chris Williams while trading Olifioye because he would not take a pay cut after those signings.

Its all been good so far for 2018. It may take time for this team to gel together, as well as to learn a new offence. Lots of new players and a new offensive system will take time. But the building blocks are there and that creates optomisim.

[Toppy Vann]

I was certainly never an Ed Hervey fan when he was first appointed in Edmonton as all he did was trash talk the former GM Eric Tillman and had chips on both shoulders.

His firing was as described by others who knew the job he did in the talent and hiring coaches as "cowardly" and "ridiculous" and those words and sentiments were 100% accurate - especially how close to the start of the new season it came.

When he was appointed in BC as GM, it was evident he was bringing some abilities here and I had hoped that Wally would be his boss and help with the media and rounding him out as GM on that side of the role. Wally is no lay down for the media but he's good in that role and I'd like to see him stay on past this season in that VP role as he can provide something meaningful in that role and mentor his GM.

I know it's not popular but I wanted Hervey to get a new HC other than Wally as he proved in Edmonton he could do this with first Chris Jones and then Jason Maas - and both did/are doing a good job there. I didn't want Wally gone though as he's valuable in this city and the CFL and we need more like him - not less.

What Ed Hervey won't bring to this job is a media, fan friendly, available personality like Wally has always done in his tenure here.

This market needs a media - in their face presence - as much as they can get on the air. 1040's typical Lions segment is just that a short segment where Wally or Guilio or Suitor comes on for a talk and then after it's done it's right back to 'how 'bout them Canucks?' or more suggestions of line combos or who can be brought in to fill the 4th line on the wing and play 4 minutes a night - and this is the NHL off season.

Things like the Lions crashing the aqua fit class get media time - it was on Global's newscast last night - were all I saw on the Lions IIRC yesterday. Good stuff as it gets them out there.

[CardiacKid]

Hey BC Fan,

Many thanks for the in-depth reporting, do you have a press pass? If you don't, you should.

I am very curious as to how camp has gone for AJ Orange and Marcel Young. Do you think Orange will turn out to be a shut-down corner as you say? The guy had a good year with the Argos in 2016 but just atrocious in Ottawa in 2017. Maybe the name change is a reflection of a change in his play?!?!

I got to admit I thought his signing was essentially that of a guy brought in to compete and ultimately be let go in the final round of cuts. I would be very happy to see him have a season of redemption.

I knew very little of Marcel Young and still do, I know some EE fans were not especially sad to see him go but you got take that with a grain of salt.

I am trying to shake that "glass half empty" side of my personality when it comes to the secondary. Not having the easiest time of it so any positive feedback from a Lionbacker in the know is great.

[Toppy Vann]

The facts are that this this will be a tough Western division and league this year and other than Montreal I can't see a lot of weakness in other teams so no matter how good this Lions team is going to be - it's not going to be anyone running the board. Signs are positive that this team and coaching staff are getting their team ready to win but looking across the CFL now - it's impressive what other teams are doing and have done.

Reilly looked on fire in that first pre-season game irrespective of the fact that Riders starters on D were mostly back in Regina and they didn't play their two top QBs - something that I can't fathom in that who knows which Zach Collaros will turn up (not dissimilar to what Jon Jennings will play in BC). Lions will surely have to give Jennings more game time than they'd normally give their starter in pre-season to get their QB back on form.

Jennings will be under immense pressure this season as who knows what's going to happen this year based on his last season and injury situation. If he can settle in and get some success early on chances are better that he'll have a decent season.