Mike Benevides on B.C.'s defence

[B.C.FAN]

Matt Baker of bclions.com has given us some insight on the Lions' new defensive philosophy under new coordinator Mike Benevides, with "new" being the key word. Benevides says half of the team's defensive starters will be new this year.

“The offseason brings a sense of newness and a re-birth. You’re always excited about how you’re going to build something and how those athletes are going to show themselves,” said the long-time coach in between virtual defensive meetings this past week.

“There’s going to be changes. Half our starters (on defence) are going to be new. And that’s okay. Fast and physical. When we’ve had great defences in this building that I was a part of, it was those elements plus FBI- football intelligence.”

Benevides said he's looking forward to working with the Lions' new recruits and free agents.

“Guys I’ve coached like Cam Wake, Solomon Elimimian and in the current days, a guy like Mathieu Betts, you didn’t know who these guys were at one point,” explained Benevides.

“That’s the great thing about our league. I’m excited to get the know these new guys. At the end of the day, it’s about the players, about the people. We’ll figure out what they want to do and set one brick at a time. I’m thrilled about it.

"Betts and Sione Teuhuma on the other side, you know what that brings to the table. Josh Woods coming off rehab, you know what he’ll bring to the table. Garry Peters, same thing. I know Micah Awe and Adam Auclair well. Philosophically, Ryan Rigmaiden and Buck want to build from the front to the back. The line of scrimmage is where they want to put the emphasis. We’re going to be fast and physical and wreck shop on the field.”

Benevides and head coach Buck Pierce also expressed thanks at being able to retain DBs coach Ryan Phillips, despite the loss of Phillips' role as defensive coordinator.

“Bene’s a proven coach in this league. He’s been a defensive coordinator and coached multiple things. He’s been around the organization, To be able to get Bene in that position was a no-brainer for us. I think the icing on the cake was to keep Ryan in the building,” explained Pierce.

“Ryan’s an excellent coach; I know he’s got tremendous respect from offensive coaches across the league. I see it as a great opportunity to have those two guys working together. One thing that’s really great about those guys is that they’re all about the BC Lions. They want nothing more than to see the team have success. I know it’s going to be a good fit.”

Added Benevides: “I’ve known RP through the entire phase of his career since he came in as a rookie in 2005. There’s a sense of comfort in knowing who he is and what he brings to the table. At the end of the day, you’re looking for good coaches. He has experience in what he brings to the table. You always want to lean on that. It’s a privilege to be with a future Hall of Famer, a guy who I’ve known his entire career. He also knows all of our players. It might be different, but it’s still a great position for him to be in.”

Benevides Preaching ‘FBI’ In Return To DC Role

[B.C.FAN]

As for the six new starters that Benevides suggests he'll deploy, you can probably count Josh Woods, who missed most of last year, plus free agent LB Micah Awe from Calgary, free agent DL DeWayne Hendrix from Hamilton, free agent DB Deontai Williams from Saskatchewan, possibly former Minnesota Viking DB Jaylin Williams and whoever starts at SAM in place of unsigned vet T.J. Lee, unless it's one of the above-named DBs.

[DanoT]

Phillips loses his DC job to Benevides but then stays on as what? A DB coach? It seems very weird to me.

[OV:54-40]

As for the six new starters that Benevides suggests he'll deploy, you can probably count Josh Woods, who missed most of last year, plus free agent LB Micah Awe from Calgary, free agent DL DeWayne Hendrix from Hamilton, free agent DB Deontai Williams from Saskatchewan, possibly former Minnesota Viking DB Jaylin Williams and whoever starts at SAM in place of unsigned vet T.J. Lee, unless it's one of the above-named DBs.

So - Awe at MLB, Woods (hopefully recovered from injury) at W-OLB; and then is Eley still in the picture? And then - Hladik - who in 2023 was 5th in the CFL in D tackles with 101. plus had 5 sacks, is going to be the depth/rotation guy there ? - you'd think Auclair & Konar could handle that duty?

Wonder if Hladik could become decent trade bait around draft time? - Bombers move on from Bighill; Stamps lose Awe; Ticats rolled with a rookie draft pick Baker at MLB last season (held up pretty well there IMO); Ottawa have average at best journeyman Santos-Knox at MLB.


Wonder if Rene will get another shot at S-OLB ?

Safety? - Beaulieu was impressive and gained some experience; still think Ringland could emerge as a good one there as well; also a couple of very impressive safety prospects up this draft (Western's Jackson Findlay - reported sub 4.4 forty speed and a big DB; and Dinos' President Trophy winner Beauchemin) - one of them might be available for the Lions to draft ?

[B.C.FAN]

Phillips loses his DC job to Benevides but then stays on as what? A DB coach? It seems very weird to me.

Phillips has the titles of secondary coach and defensive passing game coordinator.

[Hambone]

So - Awe at MLB, Woods (hopefully recovered from injury) at W-OLB; and then is Eley still in the picture? And then - Hladik - who in 2023 was 5th in the CFL in D tackles with 101. plus had 5 sacks, is going to be the depth/rotation guy there ? - you'd think Auclair & Konar could handle that duty?

Wonder if Hladik could become decent trade bait around draft time? - Bombers move on from Bighill; Stamps lose Awe; Ticats rolled with a rookie draft pick Baker at MLB last season (held up pretty well there IMO); Ottawa have average at best journeyman Santos-Knox at MLB.


Wonder if Rene will get another shot at S-OLB ?

Safety? - Beaulieu was impressive and gained some experience; still think Ringland could emerge as a good one there as well; also a couple of very impressive safety prospects up this draft (Western's Jackson Findlay - reported sub 4.4 forty speed and a big DB; and Dinos' President Trophy winner Beauchemin) - one of them might be available for the Lions to draft ?

Hladik's 2023 numbers are noteworthy. It also should be noted that it was Awe he finished 5th to. The only category Hladik bested Awe in was sacks. Both saw their numbers drop off significantly in 2024 which may indicate both just happened to have career years in 2023. Hladik has a longer runway of career ahead of him so may get up towards those numbers again.....or he may never come close.

2023 numbers (both played all 18)
M.Awe - 134 DT, 6 STT, 3 TFL, 2 SK, 3 INT, 1 FF
Hladik - 101 DT, 1 STT, 2 TFL, 5 SK, 1 INT, 0 FF

Nothing Awe has done or might do in the future will change your low opinion of him. You got a bee in your bonnet over him going back to when he was a rookie and it has never left.

I'm of the opinion having the sort of depth and talent BC has assembled with Woods, Hladik, Awe, Eley, Auclair and Konar is a good thing because at varying points of the season all will be needed. I think all bring something slightly different to the table which will hugely valuable towards rotations for different packages and providing different looks. Also LB type bodies and tackling skillsets usually make for the best special team coverage players. BC has lost quite a bit of ST coverage talent over the past 2 years including 5 of their top 12 tacklers in 2024. Of their top 13 ST tacklers in 2023 only Rene, Pickett, Rouyer and Woods remain. It was important to add proven ST guys like Auclair and Konar who can also help in rotation.

Ratio flexibility is important. So too is having depth for injuries and not just guys who can be plugged in for lack of better options. Last year BC lost their starting MLB Woods for 14 games as well as losing Hladik and Lokombo for 4 each. As a result 5 players were heavily relied on to fill in and start in the MAC and WIL spots. Eley started 8 games, Hladik 12, Lokombo 6, Varga 6, and Woods 4. Global Maxime Rouyer was also getting some rotational reps in 4 LB sets. They also started 3 different players at SAM; Rene 7, Rugamba 3 and Lee 6. That's 9 different players who played the 3 different LB positions. Kinda like NHL defensemen I don't think you can have too many capable LBs to cover the needs on defense as well as special teams.

I think Rene will get another shot at SAM. He may already be pencilled in to start camp on the first unit at SAM. He started the first 7 games of 2024 there. However that was likely due to them shifting Rugamba to boundary HB to fill in for Lee. When TJ returned to his familiar spot as Peter's boundary side wingman Rugamba then moved back to his old SAM spot which bumped Rene to backup behind first Rugamba then Lee. Rene spent a few games there before shifting back to start at safety while Beaulieu was out with injury. With Lee and Rugamba both removed from the picture and Rene sitting with a new 2 year deal it appears BC has definite plans for him. I don't know much about Auclair other than he mostly played WIL with SSK but could he also be considered as depth behind Rene at SAM?

Similarly with Greene's departure I believe safety is Beaulieu's job to lose with Ringland providing depth there.

[B.C.FAN]

I'm of the opinion having the sort of depth and talent BC has assembled with Woods, Hladik, Awe, Eley, Auclair and Konar is a good thing because at varying points of the season all will be needed. I think all bring something slightly different to the table which will hugely valuable towards rotations for different packages and providing different looks. Also LB type bodies and tackling skillsets usually make for the best special team coverage players. BC has lost quite a bit of ST coverage talent over the past 2 years including 5 of their top 12 tacklers in 2024. Of their top 13 ST tacklers in 2023 only Rene, Pickett, Rouyer and Woods remain. It was important to add proven ST guys like Auclair and Konar who can also help in rotation.

Ratio flexibility is important. So too is having depth for injuries and not just guys who can be plugged in for lack of better options. Last year BC lost their starting MLB Woods for 14 games as well as losing Hladik and Lokombo for 4 each. As a result 5 players were heavily relied on to fill in and start in the MAC and WIL spots. Eley started 8 games, Hladik 12, Lokombo 6, Varga 6, and Woods 4. Global Maxime Rouyer was also getting some rotational reps in 4 LB sets. They also started 3 different players at SAM; Rene 7, Rugamba 3 and Lee 6. That's 9 different players who played the 3 different LB positions. Kinda like NHL defensemen I don't think you can have too many capable LBs to cover the needs on defense as well as special teams.

I think Rene will get another shot at SAM. He may already be pencilled in to start camp on the first unit at SAM. He started the first 7 games of 2024 there. However that was likely due to them shifting Rugamba to boundary HB to fill in for Lee. When TJ returned to his familiar spot as Peter's boundary side wingman Rugamba then moved back to his old SAM spot which bumped Rene to backup behind first Rugamba then Lee. Rene spent a few games there before shifting back to start at safety while Beaulieu was out with injury. With Lee and Rugamba both removed from the picture and Rene sitting with a new 2 year deal it appears BC has definite plans for him. I don't know much about Auclair other than he mostly played WIL with SSK but could he also be considered as depth behind Rene at SAM?

The Lions have been stockpiling linebackers this offseason in the way they were stockpiling defensive linemen under Rick Campbell. With Mike Benevides singing the praises of Woods and Auclair and stressing his goal of playing "fast and physical," all signs point to greater use of 4-linebacker sets to attack the line of scrimmage from all directions and strengthen underneath pass coverage, which was the Lions' biggest defensive weakness last year. Hladik, Auclair and Rene are all quality nationals. I expect at least one of them to be on the field at all times.

[Hambone]

The Lions have been stockpiling linebackers this offseason in the way they were stockpiling defensive linemen under Rick Campbell. With Mike Benevides singing the praises of Woods and Auclair and stressing his goal of playing "fast and physical," all signs point to greater use of 4-linebacker sets to attack the line of scrimmage from all directions and strengthen underneath pass coverage, which was the Lions' biggest defensive weakness last year. Hladik, Auclair and Rene are all quality nationals. I expect at least one of them to be on the field at all times.

The days of 12 defensive starters with some backups who didn't see a ton of action in a game unless injuries occured during the game are over. Defences are now an 18, 19, or maybe more, piece jigsaw puzzle with the pieces seeming to change every second play depending on down, distance and situation. There were many times last year when I watched the Lions swap out half of the defence one play to the next. I was constantly counting players at the end of the shuffle because I thought one more or one fewer went onto the field than came off.

In 2025 it is important to have a lot of proven depth behind the starters on defense. These days these guys are more like 1a and 1b starters than traditional starter and backup. Things are different on the other side of the ball where the OL, QB and at least 3 receivers usually play every down. Rotations or changes on offense usually impact only 3 or 4 positions. Maybe a 6th OL comes in as a TE or a receiver or the TB comes out in favour of a FB or something like that.

[OV:54-40]

So - Awe at MLB, Woods (hopefully recovered from injury) at W-OLB; and then is Eley still in the picture? And then - Hladik - who in 2023 was 5th in the CFL in D tackles with 101. plus had 5 sacks, is going to be the depth/rotation guy there ? - you'd think Auclair & Konar could handle that duty?

Wonder if Hladik could become decent trade bait around draft time? - Bombers move on from Bighill; Stamps lose Awe; Ticats rolled with a rookie draft pick Baker at MLB last season (held up pretty well there IMO); Ottawa have average at best journeyman Santos-Knox at MLB.


Wonder if Rene will get another shot at S-OLB ?

Safety? - Beaulieu was impressive and gained some experience; still think Ringland could emerge as a good one there as well; also a couple of very impressive safety prospects up this draft (Western's Jackson Findlay - reported sub 4.4 forty speed and a big DB; and Dinos' President Trophy winner Beauchemin) - one of them might be available for the Lions to draft ?

Hladik's 2023 numbers are noteworthy. It also should be noted that it was Awe he finished 5th to. The only category Hladik bested Awe in was sacks. Both saw their numbers drop off significantly in 2024 which may indicate both just happened to have career years in 2023. Hladik has a longer runway of career ahead of him so may get up towards those numbers again.....or he may never come close.

2023 numbers (both played all 18)
M.Awe - 134 DT, 6 STT, 3 TFL, 2 SK, 3 INT, 1 FF
Hladik - 101 DT, 1 STT, 2 TFL, 5 SK, 1 INT, 0 FF

Nothing Awe has done or might do in the future will change your low opinion of him. You got a bee in your bonnet over him going back to when he was a rookie and it has never left.

I'm of the opinion having the sort of depth and talent BC has assembled with Woods, Hladik, Awe, Eley, Auclair and Konar is a good thing because at varying points of the season all will be needed. I think all bring something slightly different to the table which will hugely valuable towards rotations for different packages and providing different looks. Also LB type bodies and tackling skillsets usually make for the best special team coverage players. BC has lost quite a bit of ST coverage talent over the past 2 years including 5 of their top 12 tacklers in 2024. Of their top 13 ST tacklers in 2023 only Rene, Pickett, Rouyer and Woods remain. It was important to add proven ST guys like Auclair and Konar who can also help in rotation.

Ratio flexibility is important. So too is having depth for injuries and not just guys who can be plugged in for lack of better options. Last year BC lost their starting MLB Woods for 14 games as well as losing Hladik and Lokombo for 4 each. As a result 5 players were heavily relied on to fill in and start in the MAC and WIL spots. Eley started 8 games, Hladik 12, Lokombo 6, Varga 6, and Woods 4. Global Maxime Rouyer was also getting some rotational reps in 4 LB sets. They also started 3 different players at SAM; Rene 7, Rugamba 3 and Lee 6. That's 9 different players who played the 3 different LB positions. Kinda like NHL defensemen I don't think you can have too many capable LBs to cover the needs on defense as well as special teams.

I think Rene will get another shot at SAM. He may already be pencilled in to start camp on the first unit at SAM. He started the first 7 games of 2024 there. However that was likely due to them shifting Rugamba to boundary HB to fill in for Lee. When TJ returned to his familiar spot as Peter's boundary side wingman Rugamba then moved back to his old SAM spot which bumped Rene to backup behind first Rugamba then Lee. Rene spent a few games there before shifting back to start at safety while Beaulieu was out with injury. With Lee and Rugamba both removed from the picture and Rene sitting with a new 2 year deal it appears BC has definite plans for him. I don't know much about Auclair other than he mostly played WIL with SSK but could he also be considered as depth behind Rene at SAM?

Similarly with Greene's departure I believe safety is Beaulieu's job to lose with Ringland providing depth there.

If you think I'm the only CFL observer who is not much of a fan of Awe, you must have been very selective with your reading over at another forum; or maybe you're afraid to call them out there and sing the praises of your guy ? As far as last year's stats - Awe was on the field pretty well all the time, all season, for the Stamps; Hladik was not for the Lions.

Auclair has mostly been at W-OLB in the CFL but did move over to fill in at MLB with some starts for Ottawa; he also has safety experience back with Laval. A smart CFL DC could play some games to confuse the offence / QB reads by having the safety move up or over to look like he's in man, and then have a linebacker able to drop deep to play safety; seen it done the odd time, but not often by a CFL DC.

Beaulieu & Ringland - either - might be able to handle safety quite well, but given that neither is proven or much experienced at the position, IMO the Lions might be very smart to draft one of the top safety prospects to have real deep TC competition. A very important position in the middle of the D and a big-time play-maker there can make such a difference.

[B.C.FAN]

Auclair has mostly been at W-OLB in the CFL but did move over to fill in at MLB with some starts for Ottawa; he also has safety experience back with Laval. A smart CFL DC could play some games to confuse the offence / QB reads by having the safety move up or over to look like he's in man, and then have a linebacker able to drop deep to play safety; seen it done the odd time, but not often by a CFL DC.

Beaulieu & Ringland - either - might be able to handle safety quite well, but given that neither is proven or much experienced at the position, IMO the Lions might be very smart to draft one of the top safety prospects to have real deep TC competition. A very important position in the middle of the D and a big-time play-maker there can make such a difference.

Auclair has played almost exclusively at WILL in the CFL but he played safety and SAM (nickel) at Laval, so he could be used in a hybrid role.

Beaulieu turned heads as a ballhawk his rookie training camp last year. We didn't see that in his limited playing time at safety in the latter part of the regular season, but I hope he continues to develop this year. Ringland didn't get a chance to do much last year other than take a few special teams reps.

[Toppy Vann]

The Lions have been stockpiling linebackers this offseason in the way they were stockpiling defensive linemen under Rick Campbell. With Mike Benevides singing the praises of Woods and Auclair and stressing his goal of playing "fast and physical," all signs point to greater use of 4-linebacker sets to attack the line of scrimmage from all directions and strengthen underneath pass coverage, which was the Lions' biggest defensive weakness last year. Hladik, Auclair and Rene are all quality nationals. I expect at least one of them to be on the field at all times.

The days of 12 defensive starters with some backups who didn't see a ton of action in a game unless injuries occured during the game are over. Defences are now an 18, 19, or maybe more, piece jigsaw puzzle with the pieces seeming to change every second play depending on down, distance and situation. There were many times last year when I watched the Lions swap out half of the defence one play to the next. I was constantly counting players at the end of the shuffle because I thought one more or one fewer went onto the field than came off.

In 2025 it is important to have a lot of proven depth behind the starters on defense. These days these guys are more like 1a and 1b starters than traditional starter and backup. Things are different on the other side of the ball where the OL, QB and at least 3 receivers usually play every down. Rotations or changes on offense usually impact only 3 or 4 positions. Maybe a 6th OL comes in as a TE or a receiver or the TB comes out in favour of a FB or something like that.

Your perspective of where defenses are now is the way fans have to see it to mirror how the coaches look at things.

The issue though of swapping out players on every down is one that done poorly can affect the rhythm and cohesion of overall defensive play. I hope that we're not getting a DC who is so focused upon being part of the show that he's fanatical about moving pieces on the board just because he can. I know that Mike B has matured since BC days earlier in his career but in the back of my mind I hope he's not showboating as DC.

From a personnel perspective, this is a sound philosophy if you mean "wreck shop" doesn't come with flags.

Benevides:
Philosophically, Ryan Rigmaiden and Buck want to build from the front to the back. The line of scrimmage is where they want to put the emphasis. We’re going to be fast and physical and wreck shop on the field.”

Being fast and physical can lead to a great defense if it balances aggression with discipline and technique with personnel that understand and can handle differing offensive schemes. I want line play that gets to QBs, stops runs and doesn't get flagged.

Benefield mentions Cam Wake, Sol E type players they had in BC.. Yah these guys were special. Do we have them is what the season shows.

[Hambone]

The Lions have been stockpiling linebackers this offseason in the way they were stockpiling defensive linemen under Rick Campbell. With Mike Benevides singing the praises of Woods and Auclair and stressing his goal of playing "fast and physical," all signs point to greater use of 4-linebacker sets to attack the line of scrimmage from all directions and strengthen underneath pass coverage, which was the Lions' biggest defensive weakness last year. Hladik, Auclair and Rene are all quality nationals. I expect at least one of them to be on the field at all times.

The days of 12 defensive starters with some backups who didn't see a ton of action in a game unless injuries occured during the game are over. Defences are now an 18, 19, or maybe more, piece jigsaw puzzle with the pieces seeming to change every second play depending on down, distance and situation. There were many times last year when I watched the Lions swap out half of the defence one play to the next. I was constantly counting players at the end of the shuffle because I thought one more or one fewer went onto the field than came off.

In 2025 it is important to have a lot of proven depth behind the starters on defense. These days these guys are more like 1a and 1b starters than traditional starter and backup. Things are different on the other side of the ball where the OL, QB and at least 3 receivers usually play every down. Rotations or changes on offense usually impact only 3 or 4 positions. Maybe a 6th OL comes in as a TE or a receiver or the TB comes out in favour of a FB or something like that.

Your perspective of where defenses are now is the way fans have to see it to mirror how the coaches look at things.

The issue though of swapping out players on every down is one that done poorly can affect the rhythm and cohesion of overall defensive play. I hope that we're not getting a DC who is so focused upon being part of the show that he's fanatical about moving pieces on the board just because he can. I know that Mike B has matured since BC days earlier in his career but in the back of my mind I hope he's not showboating as DC.

From a personnel perspective, this is a sound philosophy if you mean "wreck shop" doesn't come with flags.

Benevides:
Philosophically, Ryan Rigmaiden and Buck want to build from the front to the back. The line of scrimmage is where they want to put the emphasis. We’re going to be fast and physical and wreck shop on the field.”

Being fast and physical can lead to a great defense if it balances aggression with discipline and technique with personnel that understand and can handle differing offensive schemes. I want line play that gets to QBs, stops runs and doesn't get flagged.

Benefield mentions Cam Wake, Sol E type players they had in BC.. Yah these guys were special. Do we have them is what the season shows.

I don't believe DC's make those changes solely for the sake of changing. They study their opponent's offense to identify their tendencies in certain down and yardage situations. Then they make changes as required to defend against the tendencies. Of course there are no guarantees the changes will stuff the play but might minimize any gains.

[David]

I hope that we're not getting a DC who is so focused upon being part of the show that he's fanatical about moving pieces on the board just because he can. I know that Mike B has matured since BC days earlier in his career but in the back of my mind I hope he's not showboating as DC.

I've noticed that Benny's exuberance gets a lot of flak on here. It has never bothered me. The players can spot a fraud and a phony and I don't think they'd want to play for him if he was. I just view his antics as unbridled enthusiasm and raw energy.

Heck, Ryan Phillips was practically stepping onto the playing field after big plays these past couple of years and dancing with his D. I didn't see anyone complain.

Just my . I respect others' opinions.


DH

[Toppy Vann]

I hope that we're not getting a DC who is so focused upon being part of the show that he's fanatical about moving pieces on the board just because he can. I know that Mike B has matured since BC days earlier in his career but in the back of my mind I hope he's not showboating as DC.

I've noticed that Benny's exuberance gets a lot of flak on here. It has never bothered me. The players can spot a fraud and a phony and I don't think they'd want to play for him if he was. I just view his antics as unbridled enthusiasm and raw energy.

Heck, Ryan Phillips was practically stepping onto the playing field after big plays these past couple of years and dancing with his D. I didn't see anyone complain.

Just my . I respect others' opinions.


DH

I don't disagree at all David. I also believe MB has matured as a coach from the days he and Jacque C seemed to compete at being the show.

There are times in the CFL when DCs run DL's ragged with changes on downs. Too much change after 1st down can disrupt the rhythm of a DE if the guys coming on aren't in synch with the group.

There are coaches who over coach in sports with changes. I'm just hoping the new DC isn't one of them.