All-Canadian (National) B.C. Lions Dream Team

[Hambone]

Were is Mervin Fernandez Best Receiver ever to play for the Lions

Read the thread title and Blitz' list. ALL-CANADIAN (NATIONAL) Dream Team. This a list of those who were designated as non-imports and/or Nationals under today's system. Merv doesn't qualify for this one.

[TheLionKing]

Were is Mervin Fernandez Best Receiver ever to play for the Lions

He's an import. This thread is about Canadian players.

[footballtom]

OKOKOK

[Blitz]

Newest revision.

Players on this team are Nationals (rather than Canadian born). One of them was born in England (can't remember which one now) They are also not presently Leo players. By Bailey, Tom Hinton were not Canadian born but were naturalized Canadians, while playing for our Leos.

Here is a revised list, based mostly on Lionbackers input. No active players on our Lions roster are eligible.

Center: Al Wilson (Hon. Mention: Angus Reid, Jamie Taras, Gary Schwertgeger)
Guard: Jamie Taras (Hon. Mention Gerald Roper, Glenn Leonhard,
Guard: Tom Hinton (Hon. Mention: Kelly Bates, Steve Cotter, Trevor Ekdahl)
Tackle: Jim Mills (Hon. Mention: Rob Smith, Vic Stevenson)
Tackle: John Blain (Hon. Mention: Dan Payne, Cory Mantyka)
Fullback: Sean Millington (Hon. Mention: Lyle Green, Bob Swift, By Bailey, Terry Bailey)
Tailback: Andrew Harris (Hon. Mention Mark Norha, Barrie Houlihan)
Receiver: Jim Young
Receiver: Jason Clermont (Hon. Mention Matt Clark)
Receiver: Paris Jackson (Hon. Mention: John Pankratz
Receiver: Ryan Thelwell
Fifth Receiver: Sonny Homer
Tight End: Pat Claridge (Hon. Mention: Jim Carphin)
Quarterbacks: Peter Ohler, Julio Carravata, Eric Guthrie,

DEFENCE:
Defensive End: Brent Johnson (Hon. Mention: Gary Robinson, Ricky Foley)
Defensive End: Nick Hebeler (Hon. Mention: Bill Baker)
Defensive Tackle: Mike Cacic (Hon. Mention: Cameron Legault)
Defensive Tackle: Rick Klassen (Hon. Mention: Glenn Scrivener
Linebacker: Norm Fieldgate
Linebacker: Glenn Jackson (Hon. Mention Greg Findlay)
Linebacker: Kevin Konar (Hon. Mention: Javy Glatt)
Defensive Back: Neil Beaumont
Defensive Back: By Bailey
Defensive Back: Nelson Martin
Defensive Back: Dave Easley
Defensive Back: Tom Europe (Hon. Mention: David Sanchez)
Nickel Back: Bill Lassetter (Hon. Mention: Bernie Glier)


SPECIAL TEAMS

Punter: Lui Passaglia (Hon. Mention: Neil Beaumont)
Kicker: Paul McCallum (Hon. Mention: Lui Passaglia,Ted Gerela)
Downfield Tackler: Jason Aragki, Kelly Lochbaum
Kickoffs: Brett Anderson (Hon. Mention Ted Gerela)

Head Coach: Wally Buono
Assistant Coaches: Annus Stukus, Cal Murphy, Jim Young, Frank Smith, Jaques Chapdelaine, Mike Benevedes.
President: Bobby Ackles
Owner: David Braley

Football Reporter: Jim Taylor, Lowell Ullrich (Hon. Mention: Kent Spencer)

[B.C.FAN]

Great list, Blitz. I was going to suggest Davis Sanchez as DB, at least as an honourable mention, but I see you have included him in your latest revision. He played only one full season with the Lions at the end of his career but he was one of the greatest Canadians ever to play DB in the CFL.

Other than QB, the defensive backfield is probably the weakest on the all-time list. There was a time, I believe in the 1990s, when the Lions started as many as four Canadian defensive backs n a game but that secondary wasn't particularly strong as I recall.

If you were to add a Canadian return specialist, I'd nominate Spencer McLennan. He had two solid seasons as a returner in 1994 and 1995, winning a Grey Cup, before being drafted by Montreal when the team relocated from Baltimore. His 109-yard missed field goal return against Edmonton in 1994 is my favourite Lions' special-teams play of all time.

[Gridiron Ernie]

I'll hereby submit my personal preference for 'football reporter' category -- Mike Beamish. I much appreciate his writing style, and while he does write about other sports (i.e. is not solely a football reporter) he's pretty darn savvy about the game and the team IMO.

[Blitz]

I'll hereby submit my personal preference for 'football reporter' category -- Mike Beamish. I much appreciate his writing style, and while he does write about other sports (i.e. is not solely a football reporter) he's pretty darn savvy about the game and the team IMO.

I agree, but he's still writing for the Sun/Province as a reporter so I didn't include him...but in good time, he will be there. Thanks Gridiron Ernie!

[Blitz]

Great list, Blitz. I was going to suggest Davis Sanchez as DB, at least as an honourable mention, but I see you have included him in your latest revision. He played only one full season with the Lions at the end of his career but he was one of the greatest Canadians ever to play DB in the CFL.

Other than QB, the defensive backfield is probably the weakest on the all-time list. There was a time, I believe in the 1990s, when the Lions started as many as four Canadian defensive backs n a game but that secondary wasn't particularly strong as I recall.

If you were to add a Canadian return specialist, I'd nominate Spencer McLennan. He had two solid seasons as a returner in 1994 and 1995, winning a Grey Cup, before being drafted by Montreal when the team relocated from Baltimore. His 109-yard missed field goal return against Edmonton in 1994 is my favourite Lions' special-teams play of all time.

Good addition B.C. Fan. I will add him to the list but wait until there are more suggestions before doing so. Great to recognize all deserving players who wore the orange and black (will have to add creamsicle one day.. )

[QB Club 63]

Just an addendum to my post of last Sept 23rd regarding Kent Spencer: We lost Kent on May 17 after a brief battle with cancer. I am proud to have been his friend, classmate, and teammate.

http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news ... dead-at-64

[CardiacKid]

No Bill Baker ?

While he was very good "The Undertaker" was a Leo for only 3 of his 11 CFL seasons.

All time best nickname amongst Lion alumni IMO, maybe even better than Willie the Wisp. And did get a CFL Defensive Player of the Year nod in 1976.

[CardiacKid]

This thread got me thinking of Don Taylor, former Lion running back from the 80's and active member of the Lion's Alumni Association (and CFLAA as well if memory serves me right). Don didn't have the stats to make you go "wow" but he did play his entire 7-year career with the Leos. If my memory serves me right, he was a solid, dependable blocking back.

So while he didn't have a Dream Team-level career, I totally recall a "Dream Team-like" effort he put in during a home playoff game in the 80s. However I was much younger then and for the life of me I can't remember the details of the game. All I remember is the Lions had lost their starting running back to injury prior to the playoffs so the job of rushing the ball fell to Taylor. I don't think folks gave him much of a chance to contribute to the offense but my memory is that he got several hard-fought and timely 1st downs along the ground as well as substantial yards. Essentially a career game for the National Running Back.

Can anyone on the forum confirm if my memory is sound or is starting to play tricks on me?

I would have checked my CFL Facts and Figures books if I hadn't gotten rid of them in a fit of pique more than a few years ago...I don't remember which Lions General Manager pissed me off to the point of giving away my swag.

[Blitz]

Don Taylor's best Leos seasons were in his 3rd season with our Leos as he rushed for 306 yds. on 63 attampts for a 4.8 yd. average while also making 13 receptions for 162 yards (a 12.5 yard average boosted by a 67 yard catch and run.

In his final season with our Leos Taylor carried the football 42 times for 196 yards (4.7 yd. average) and also had 11 receptions for 80 yards.

Taylor was a first round draft choice by Ottawa but cut at training camp. He was mostly used as a blocking fullback for our Leos.