BCLions.com
CFL.ca Staff
With files from BCLions.com
SURREY, B.C. — Among many new faces on the first day of the Lions’ offensive mini-camp, Travis Lulay and Andrew Harris’ may have stood out the most.
Both were back in the huddle during Monday’s drills and walkthroughs in Surrey, B.C., a scene Lions fans surely hope they’ll see early in June and all throughout 2015.
It’s hard to imagine a factor more essential to the Lions’ success this season than the health of their two best players.
For Lulay, sidelined for all but two games last season, this year’s mini-camp was even more welcome than usual.
“It was good,” said Lulay. “It was great for me to just be out there and be back in the huddle and doing some of the procedural stuff with the guys. Having been hurt, you don’t take a minute of that for granted anymore.”
| Busy off-season for Lions |
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2015 has seen an off-season of change for the Lions, as first-year CFL head coach Jeff Tedford takes control in BC.
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“I was out early and just ready to go,” he continued. “It was fun – a few mistakes out there, even with the procedural stuff.”
Monday’s session answered lingering off-season questions about the health of Lulay’s throwing arm, such as whether he’d be able to participate in the team’s annual off-season passing camp. General Manager and Vice President of Football Operations Wally Buono said last month that Lulay’s participation wasn’t essential.
As late April rolled around, though, Lulay participated in full, for now silencing any doubts about his health as training camp closes in on the horizon.
It may not have been an essential first step for the 2012 MOP winner, but with newly-hired head coach Jeff Tedford installing a new offence in BC, Lulay’s presence marks a good start to the Lions’ 2015 campaign.
“It was exciting. You could feel the excitement when it was a 50 per cent tempo walkthrough and guys were flying around,” said Lulay. “It was a really, really good first day, and obviously this time of year we’re kind of itching to get back into football mode and done with the off-season training and run the field.”
“To get in and out of the huddle, we’re talking about a lot of new stuff,” he continued. “But just to be out here and get through some of the procedure and to start to learn how to win football games this year is really exciting.”
Also taking some important first steps to getting back on the field was Harris, a perennial top CFL dual-threat running back.
The 28-year-old played in 12 games last season before suffering a season-ending ankle injury in September. With Stefan Logan departed to Montreal, Harris expects to be at full health by the start of the regular season, when he’ll likely shoulder the load out of the Lions’ backfield.
“I’m not 100 per cent right now, but I’m just feeling it out,” said Harris after Monday’s session. “Running around, there are a lot of things I can do and there are some things where I’m not quite there yet.”
“I’m on the right path right now and I have no doubt that I’ll be 100 per cent before the start of the season.”
Harris said his rehab was long and hard, and that he’s balancing his hope of getting back on the field with the need to avoid re-injuring himself.
“We still have a long time before we play our first game,” said Harris. “I have confidence in my ability, and obviously we have a new coaching staff so you have to prove yourself, but I don’t want to push myself too hard where I’m hurting myself.”
“I’m going to be patient with it, but I’m feeling really good,” said Harris. “It was a good test to see how I felt.”
With Harris and Lulay back in the huddle complemented by an elite receiver in Emmanuel Arceneaux and a new-look up-tempo offence, the Lions hope to reclaim their status as a perennial Grey Cup contender this season.
Having both Lulay and Harris participate on Monday was a small step, but a positive one nonetheless.
This week’s camp also gives the Lions a chance to look at many of the recently added rookies on the roster at running back, quarterback and receiver. Of particular interest could be the quarterback position, where the team looks to develop a long-term option behind the veteran Lulay.
Six quarterbacks are currently listed on the Lions’ roster, including John Beck, Travis Partridge, Greg McGhee, recently-signed Jonathon Jennings and the brother of top NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Jordan Rodgers.
The Lions resume camp on Tuesday in Surrey and will wrap things up on Wednesday, about a month ahead of the official start of training camp.
