Rebecca Rempel
Mike Benevides spoke with the excitement of a kid who couldn’t wait to rip open the presents Santa Claus had brought him.
For the B.C. head coach, Sunday’s opening of the CFL team’s main training camp ranks as one of the best days of the year.
“This is the most exciting time of the year for a football coach,” said Benevides, taking a short break from a hectic day at the Lions’ training facility.
“It’s a new season. This is like Christmas.”
Quarterback Travis Lulay was a little more restrained in his emotions but equally as anxious to start the season.
“The first few days are always filled with the expectations of what’s coming,” said Lulay. “We are excited about that.
“We will start watching some film and get back into the football mode and see if we can still do it when we get back on the field.”
The Lions rolled to a 13-5 record last season before being upset 34-29 by the Calgary Stampeders in the West Final at BC Place Stadium.
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As much as the Lions remained the same over the winter by re-signing more than 20 players, including Lulay, the team goes to camp in Kamloops, B.C., with some holes to fill.
Veteran Slotback Geroy Simon, the CFL’s all-time leader in receiving yards, was traded to Saskatchewan while eccentric defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell was dealt to Toronto. Veterans like slotback Arland Bruce, defensive back Byron Parker and linebacker Anthony Reddick were released.
The trade that sent backup quarterback Mike Reilly to Edmonton has set up one of the most visible battles at camp. The Lions will have five quarterbacks vying for the No. 2 job.
Thomas DeMarco, who was on the Lions’ roster last year, and Joey Elliott, who spend three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bomber before being released, look to have the inside track because of their CFL experience.
Jarrett Brown, who joined B.C.’s expanded practice roster in October, or Chris Hart, a free-agent signing who attended a Seattle Seahawks mini-camp, are probably looking at the No. 3 job. Jordan Yantz, a 22-year-old from Regina, is attending camp but is expected to quarterback the University of Manitoba Bisons this season.
Jacques Chapdelaine, the Lions’ offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach, said Lulay will receive the bulk of reps during camp. The remaining quarterbacks will receive an equal opportunity to earn the backup spot.
“There is going to be an equal amount of reps and there is going to be an equal amount of exposure to different reads and situations,” said Chapdelaine. “So at the end of the day we can make a justified evaluation of what we are seeing.”
The return of wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux who played with the Lions in 2009-10 before trying his luck in the NFL, adds more experience to a receiving corps that already includes Nick Moore, Paris Jackson, Shawn Gore, Akeem Foster, Courtney Taylor, Marco Iannuzzi and Ernest Jackson.
The Lions also selected wide receiver Seydou Junior Haidara of the Laval Rouge et Or 12 overall in the Canadian college draft.
The plan heading into camp is for Taylor to replace Bruce while Moore will play in Simon’s spot.
“We have to look at how these receivers take ownership of what we are doing here,” said Benevides. “There is a lot of chemistry trying to build there.”
Benevides plans to keep an eye on the offensive line. Centre Angus Reid will be returning for his 13th season, along with Jovan Olafioye, the CFL’s most outstanding lineman last season, and veteran Ben Archibald.
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Also attending camp will be offensive lineman Kirby Fabien, the former University of Calgary Dinosaur who the Lions drafted seventh overall last year; Matthew Norman, who played with B.C. for part of last season before returning to the University of Western Ontario to attend teachers college; and Matthew Albright and Cameron Thorn, both taken in this year’s draft.
The departure of Reddick along with safety Cauchy Muamba’s decision to join the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent will mean some changes on the Lions defence.
J.R. LaRose is expected to take over the job at safety while Korey Banks will shift to linebacker. Dante Marsh and Ryan Phillips give B.C. plenty of experience in the secondary while Josh Bell and Gerard Lawson saw some action last year.
The Lions selected safety Matt McGarva of Windsor 33rd overall in the draft.
“There is no doubt there is opportunity in that position with some of the changes I want to make,” said Benevides. “I feel really good about the experience (the team has) but there is no doubt we need training camp to come show some candidates.
“We need to add some guys to that group.”
Benevides will also use training camp to do some tinkering with his kicking game. Veteran Paul McCallum will remain the placekicker but the plan is to experiment with Hugh O’Neill doing kickoffs and some punting.
“We know how great Paul is,” said Benevides. “I’ve also opened up an opportunity to possibly go with two kickers on game day.
“It gives us flexibility if we think there is someone that gives us a slight advantage on kickoffs or punting.”
The Lions play their first exhibition game June 14 in Calgary.
