THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER — Buck Pierce says he’s fully recovered from shoulder injuries that interrupted his development as a CFL quarterback last season.
But that throwing shoulder now has the weight of the B.C. Lions offence on it after coach Wally Buono made Pierce his starter as the club enters a season without Dave Dickenson under centre for the first time in six years.
“I just try to prove myself every day and be the leader and the guy that they need me to be for this offence,” Pierce said after nudging ahead of Jarious Jackson on the depth chart. “I think I’ve done OK.
“I’ve answered some questions about my shoulder coming back. I feel pretty confident.”
That’s good news for a team with a solid veteran core that includes nine returning all-stars and is seeking a Grey Cup game appearance for the third time in five years after 11 straight playoff seasons.
Dickenson, once the CFL gold standard for passing accuracy, went down with a concussion in the third game of 2007 and was released after spending most of the season watching through dark glasses.
Pierce got four starts but gave way to Jackson after suffering toe and shoulder injuries. Jackson, who played collegiately at Notre Dame and then four seasons with the NFL’s Denver Broncos, engineered nine wins in 10 starts as the Lions registered a club-record 14 victories.
“It could be either one of us that could be the starter,” the six-foot-one, 240-pound Jackson said of their training camp battle. “Or either one of us could do a great job coming off the bench and helping the team win.”
The six-foot-one, 210-pound Pierce, who played his college football at New Mexico State, was consistently more accurate than Jackson. But Jackson has a stronger arm, manages a game well and will also take plenty of snaps.
“They have different styles but we still run the same plays and we still think the same way,” said slotback Geroy Simon, who was the CFL’s leading receiver last year. “Jarious, he’s a big strong guy and throws a heavy ball and you’ve got to be prepared to catch it.
“Buck, he kind of runs around and makes plays.”
Buono’s decision on the eve of the Lions’ first regular-season game in Calgary ended the quarterback battle — at least for now. But it took three different players under centre to set that franchise wins record.
The Lions want to improve at quarterback after finishing sixth in passing yards and fifth in completion percentage last year.
“You could say it starts with the quarterback but it also starts with the scheme, the athletes, the protection,” said Buono who brought back former offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapedelaine as receivers coach and added veteran wideout Clarence Coleman, a speedster with NFL experience in Buffalo.
On the other side of the ball, the big-play defence is looking to add some brain to the brawn that forced turnovers in key situations.
“Last year we obviously played on our athleticism and played hard,” said defensive end Brent Johnson. “The mental side of the game is something we’re going to have to improve upon.”
The Lions’ all-stars included slotbacks Simon and Jason Clermont on offence along with running back Joe Smith, tackle Rob Murphy and guard Kelly Bates.
Murphy, the CFL’s outstanding lineman for the second straight year, anchored a line that allowed the second-fewest sacks and helped Smith rush for 1,510 yards and 18 touchdowns, both club records. The flaky Smith, who regularly changes his hairstyle and once left a game early — with the club’s permission — to catch a red-eye flight to Texas, added a receiving TD.
The burly Clermont was the outstanding Canadian for the second time in four years. He was third among all receivers with 1,158 yards on 86 catches. Seven went for touchdowns including one of 93 yards.
Defensively, end Cameron Wake led the CFL with 16 sacks to be named the league’s top rookie and defensive player. Defensive back Ryan Phillips also led the league with 12 interceptions. Ian Smart, whose waterbug moves at running back provide lightning to the thunder of Smith, made it on special teams as a kick returner.
Smart was the outstanding special teams player with 2,440 combined yards. His 92 punt returns averaged 9.9 yards and produced one TD. He also contributed to field position with 1,228 yards on 53 kickoff returns.
But something was missing.
“Last year we had the best record in the league, the best stats but there was no Grey Cup in the locker room,” said Wake who had five sacks in the 26-17 West Final loss to Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders. “We’ve looked at a lot of things where we could have been better finishing.
“We have a bad taste from last year which we have to get out of our mouth.”
