Training camp 2022

[CrazyCanuck89]

The boys are back to surprisingly cool Kamloops weather. Sunny with broken clouds but only about +13 with a cool wind.

Not surprisingly most of the units for the first team sessions lean heavy to returnees. No surprise IMO as I think you'd want to start as crisply as possible with the guys most familiar with the systems before mixing things up a bit.

OL l-r Figs, Knevel, Godber, Chungh, Perkins
WR 5 pack Lucky, Burnham, Cottoy, Rhymes and Hatcher with 7&16 on the short side.
Butler and Rourke in the backfield.

DL Gwachum, Bonner, Banks, Bettshttp://www.lionbackers.com/bc_lions/posting.ph ... 80fe9066f9#
LB Bo, Williams, Purifoy
SECONDARY: Peters, BCB, Sayles BHB, Lee S, Edwards-Cooper FHB, Breaux FCB

Zerr isn't here quite yet. Still enroute per Matt Baker.

Lee at safety? - interesting - he could maybe be a real impact guy there, but he was so good elsewhere in the D-backfield; if Delvin Breaux is anywhere near his previous best CFL days = what an addition to the secondary.

Wonder if there is still the possibility of rolling with 3 imports on the O-Line? A full season of Rhymes at his best in the receiving corps could be nice.

8 Canadians, so probably Norman at centre, but he has to win the job

Or they can stick with 8 Canadians.

[Hambone]

8 Canadians, so probably Norman at centre, but he has to win the job

Norman getting 1st unit C reps today with Godber getting.2nd unit and Kohl Leveo getting 3rd unit. Same 3 shared reps yesterday with Godber getting 1sts and Norman 2nds. Similarly Betts and Menard seem to have flipped units today.

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions are down to three QBs in main camp with UBC intern QB Garrett Rooker no longer around. Nathan Rourke took first team reps Friday as usual, with Kevin Thomson on the second unit and Michael O'Connor with the third team.

As Hambone mentioned, the first- team offence was unchanged from Thursday other than Phil Norman at centre ahead of Peter Godber. That seems to be the most interesting positional battle on that side of the ball.

On defence, field CB Delvin Breaux was a limited particiipant. Hakeem Johnson took first-team reps in his place.

All three QBs played well and showed good command of the offence. Rourke threw a deep TD pass to Lucky Whitehead behind Johnson, and also hit Dominique Rhymes on a deep ball in skelly when safety T.J. Lee misjudged the ball.

Shaun Whyte *poop* his first field goal but was solid afterwards. Mark Millan also looked good. Stefan Flintoft remains the holder and punter and can also kick.

Newly signed second-round draft pick Noah Zerr was on the field for the first time, wearing No. 63.

[SammyGreene]

Great reporting guys. Is Woody Baron at camp? There was a pre-strike release saying he would be late arriving. As the Lions' highest priced defensive player ($190,000) he better be starting.

Josh Pearson hopefully will push Hatcher for the other American receiver spot. Hardin currently on the outside looking in of what should be a very good secondary and by all accounts he was among the best DBs at least year's camp.

[B.C.FAN]

Great reporting guys. Is Woody Baron at camp? There was a pre-strike release saying he would be late arriving. As the Lions' highest priced defensive player ($190,000) he better be starting.

Josh Pearson hopefully will push Hatcher for the other American receiver spot. Hardin currently on the outside looking in of what should be a very good secondary and by all accounts he was among the best DBs at least year's camp.

I haven’t seen Baron and didn’t get a chance to ask for an update. Right now the D-line is the same as last year’s except for Menard and Betts rotating at one end.

Ardarius Stewart, Montay Crockett and Dallas Dixon are a few receiving prospects to watch. None has stood out to me but they’re all taking reps as punt returners, which could give one of them a shot at a roster spot.

Another second-year DB who’s on the outside looking in is Austin Joyner, who has been taking backup reps at safety and halfback. Joyner looked good at SAM linebacker last year but that spot now belongs to Loucheiz Purifoy.

[Qman]

Lee at safety? - interesting - he could maybe be a real impact guy there, but he was so good elsewhere in the D-backfield; if Delvin Breaux is anywhere near his previous best CFL days = what an addition to the secondary.

Wonder if there is still the possibility of rolling with 3 imports on the O-Line? A full season of Rhymes at his best in the receiving corps could be nice.

8 Canadians, so probably Norman at centre, but he has to win the job

Or they can stick with 8 Canadians.

And go 5-13 again

[SammyGreene]

Great reporting guys. Is Woody Baron at camp? There was a pre-strike release saying he would be late arriving. As the Lions' highest priced defensive player ($190,000) he better be starting.

Josh Pearson hopefully will push Hatcher for the other American receiver spot. Hardin currently on the outside looking in of what should be a very good secondary and by all accounts he was among the best DBs at least year's camp.

I haven’t seen Baron and didn’t get a chance to ask for an update. Right now the D-line is the same as last year’s except for Menard and Betts rotating at one end.

Ardarius Stewart, Montay Crockett and Dallas Dixon are a few receiving prospects to watch. None has stood out to me but they’re all taking reps as punt returners, which could give one of them a shot at a roster spot.

Another second-year DB who’s on the outside looking in is Austin Joyner, who has been taking backup reps at safety and halfback. Joyner looked good at SAM linebacker last year but that spot now belongs to Loucheiz Purifoy.

Thanks BC FAN. Looks like Baron is among 6 or 7 players on the suspended list. Thomas and former Rider d-lineman Tim Williams as well.

Vaccine status? passport? Retired? Who knows but Baron is much needed to bolster the d-line even though we over paid him. Especially with no Stove Richardson.

And the Micah Awe signing is an odd addition given we start 2 national linebackers. New CBA “naturalized” Canadian doesn’t kick in until 2023 right?

[OV:54-40]

8 Canadians, so probably Norman at centre, but he has to win the job

Or they can stick with 8 Canadians.

And go 5-13 again

When Campbell won his GC as RedBlacks HC - down the stretch, in the play-offs and GC - , they didn't have 7 Canadian starters, or try to roll with 8; but rather had 11 to 12. Not sure he paid much attention to that little detail though.

[Hambone]

And the Micah Awe signing is an odd addition given we start 2 national linebackers. New CBA “naturalized” Canadian doesn’t kick in until 2023 right?

I also thought it a bit odd and I really like Awe. However I think it's all about adding options and not just final roster flexibility but in game depth in case of injuries. No matter how the final 16 American starters shake out there will still be 3 DI spots other than Flintoft to fill. If any of the rookie NAT DL talent proves in camp to be ready for a semi-regular role in rotation then maybe instead of using a DI spot on a rotational DL they use it on an LB who also can play special teams. Much of Dyshawn Davis' time in BC was in that role. Awe was outstanding on teams as a rookie.

I don't see Hoover as a threat to push any of Lee or other American options available. However none of the Lions NAT DBs have any experience at S. Hoover brings that meaning in case if an in-game injury at S they can slide him in. Or assuming Lee is the S if one of the other DBs geta hurt Hoover can slide in at S and Lee can backfill in what should be a mimimal shuffle. The vets like Lee, Peters, Sayles and Breaux have all played every CB or DHB position at one time or another. They can readjust the starting lineup aa necessary for the next game. Hoover IMO is no threat to be a starter but very much is a threat to the jobs of Harry and Samuels. I'd be surprised if either of them make final cuts.

[Hambone]

For anyone thinking about attending tomorrow (Sunday) morning's session Matt Baker just advised me that it has been reduced to a walk through starting ariund 10am.

[SammyGreene]

And the Micah Awe signing is an odd addition given we start 2 national linebackers. New CBA “naturalized” Canadian doesn’t kick in until 2023 right?

I also thought it a bit odd and I really like Awe. However I think it's all about adding options and not just final roster flexibility but in game depth in case of injuries. No matter how the final 16 American starters shake out there will still be 3 DI spots other than Flintoft to fill. If any of the rookie NAT DL talent proves in camp to be ready for a semi-regular role in rotation then maybe instead of using a DI spot on a rotational DL they use it on an LB who also can play special teams. Much of Dyshawn Davis' time in BC was in that role. Awe was outstanding on teams as a rookie.

I don't see Hoover as a threat to push any of Lee or other American options available. However none of the Lions NAT DBs have any experience at S. Hoover brings that meaning in case if an in-game injury at S they can slide him in. Or assuming Lee is the S if one of the other DBs geta hurt Hoover can slide in at S and Lee can backfill in what should be a mimimal shuffle. The vets like Lee, Peters, Sayles and Breaux have all played every CB or DHB position at one time or another. They can readjust the starting lineup aa necessary for the next game. Hoover IMO is no threat to be a starter but very much is a threat to the jobs of Harry and Samuels. I'd be surprised if either of them make final cuts.

Good thoughts Hambone. If Cherry can give them any reps then 2 nationals on the d-line in some situations could get Awe on the field never mind Hoover’s ability too.

Reached out to Farhan who said it’s apparently passport issues regarding Baron

[Hambone]

Thanks BC FAN. Looks like Baron is among 6 or 7 players on the suspended list. Thomas and former Rider d-lineman Tim Williams as well.

Vaccine status? passport? Retired? Who knows but Baron is much needed to bolster the d-line even though we over paid him. Especially with no Stove Richardson.

When I was yakking to Matt about the practice schedule change tomorrow I also quizzed him about Baron. It is indeed a passport issue. You'd think he'd know better but I guess it had expired. The good news is he wants to be here. It's not like he's having second thoughts or balking.

Matt said as best he knows most of the guys on the suspended list are passport issues. He says noatter how much McEvoy and crew try to impress upon prospects that they MUST have a valid passport the message still doesn't sink in. Either that or they simply procrastinate until it's too late to get it before it's time to head north.

[Qman]

Great reporting guys. Is Woody Baron at camp? There was a pre-strike release saying he would be late arriving. As the Lions' highest priced defensive player ($190,000) he better be starting.

Josh Pearson hopefully will push Hatcher for the other American receiver spot. Hardin currently on the outside looking in of what should be a very good secondary and by all accounts he was among the best DBs at least year's camp.

I haven’t seen Baron and didn’t get a chance to ask for an update. Right now the D-line is the same as last year’s except for Menard and Betts rotating at one end.

Ardarius Stewart, Montay Crockett and Dallas Dixon are a few receiving prospects to watch. None has stood out to me but they’re all taking reps as punt returners, which could give one of them a shot at a roster spot.

Another second-year DB who’s on the outside looking in is Austin Joyner, who has been taking backup reps at safety and halfback. Joyner looked good at SAM linebacker last year but that spot now belongs to Loucheiz Purifoy.

Thanks BC FAN. Looks like Baron is among 6 or 7 players on the suspended list. Thomas and former Rider d-lineman Tim Williams as well.

Vaccine status? passport? Retired? Who knows but Baron is much needed to bolster the d-line even though we over paid him. Especially with no Stove Richardson.

And the Micah Awe signing is an odd addition given we start 2 national linebackers. New CBA “naturalized” Canadian doesn’t kick in until 2023 right?

He won’t qualify until next year anyways. This might be a long term play by the club. He plays a DI type role here like Deshauwn Davis had previous years. Then next year benefit from the new rules.

[B.C.FAN]

The Kamloops sun was shining and a fans of all ages were on hand Saturday for the first B.C. Lions Fan Fest in three years.

LB Micah Awe was also on hand, wearing No. 4, for his first practice in his third stint as a Lion. I had a chance to chat briefly with him in the autograph session afterwards and welcomed him back to B.C. I extended the same B.C. welcome to kicker Sean Whyte and a couple of first-time Lions, CB Delvin Breaux and DL coach John Bownman. Players were in great spirits during and after practice and took a full hour signing autographs.

On the field, there were few changes to the first-team offence and defence. On defence, Tyneil Cooper took first team reps at field halfback. He was one of the most noticeable players at rookie camp last week. He had an interception off Nathan Rourke on a ball that was first tipped by Jordan Williams. Mathieu Betts took first-team reps at the defensive end position that he has been sharing with David Menard. Hakeem Johnson took most first-team reps at field corner in place of Breaux, who was again a limited participant.

On offence, Peter Godber took all first-team reps at centre. Nathan Rourke, Michael O'Connor and Kevin Thomson again took reps at QB in that order.

One thing that has become clear in this camp is that there is only one Bryan Burnham. I keep waiting for a rookie receiver to step up and be noticed but every time I see an extraordinary catch it's by No. 16.

Slotback Daniel Petermann, backing up Jevon Cottoy, showed his experience by making a nice double move in one-on-ones but the Lions haven't used Cottoy or Petermann for much other than checkdowns or shallow sideline patterns. I spoke to Cottoy after practice and expressed my hope that he'll get 1,000 yards this year, and he agreed that's his goal.

It has also become clear in this camp that the first-team offensive line has easily handled the first-team defensive line, while the opposite can be said for the second team. First team RB James Butler made several long runs behind strong line blocking. Second team DT Kevin Thurmon made a couple of stops in the backfield while matched against Andrew Peirson, who has been taking second team reps at guard.

A few other notes:
- O'Connor hit rookie WR Romeo McKnight on a deep TD over second-team safety Quincy Mauger.
- O'Connor, who has begun to separate himself from Thomson, also hit Josh Pearson for a deep TD behind Jamie Harry and Mauger.
- O'Connor also hit Ardarius Stewart on a deep sideline pattern that should have been a TD but Stewart fell down.
- Second team RB Jamel Lyles broke a long TD down the sideline on a short crosser from O'Connor in skelly.
- Thomson hit Sean Modster on a deep TD.
- Bo Lokombo had a nice knockdown on a pass from Rourke to Burnham but Burnham was still upset that he didn't make the catch.
- Victor Gamboa had a knockdown on a pass intended for Modster.
- The kickers were purrfect on the day. Mark Milan hit twice from 51 yards. Whyte's longest was 46 yards. Whyte said after practice that it's great to be back in B.C.

Sunday's practice has been rescheduled as a walkthrough at 10:10 a.m.

[Clash Dance]

Hello everyone. 1st time poster, but long-time listener (I guess reader to be exact). Thanks to all of the Insiders on this forum for your updates over the years.

Does anyone know where a Lions training camp depth chart can be found? I don't see one on the Lions training camp section on their website this year. Even though it has been alphabetical the past few years, it was still nice to see what positions the rookies are lining up at, & if any vets have moved (thanks to this forum, it sounds like Lee to safety is one significant move)