BCLions.com
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — A few days before the BC Lions take on the Calgary Stampeders in the team’s first pre-season action, head coach Wally Buono isn’t ready to say exactly who will be playing in that contest. However, he did hint that it will likely be the younger players on the roster.
“We’re not going to get too far ahead of ourselves,” Buono told BCLions.com. “I think it’s more you’re looking at which veterans you’re going to sit. If that’s the case, if everybody is healthy, then most of the young guys will be going.”
The Lions have, as all CFL teams do during training camp, an abundance of players trying to fight for roster spots. The team also has rookies and second-year players competing to crack the roster and it’s those players that will likely see most of the action on Friday night.
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Jordan Herdman (53) has impressed head coach Wally Buono so far at training camp (BCLions.com)
Linebacker Jordan Herdman played on mostly special teams in his rookie season, collecting 17 special teams tackles and two tackles on defence in 18 regular season games. But so far this year at training camp the 2017 draft pick has impressed BC’s bench boss and will get an opportunity to showcase his skills on defence on Friday night in Calgary.
“Very impressed with Jordan,” said Buono. “Last year I thought he surpassed anybody’s expectations. We knew he was a good football player but his size wasn’t necessarily a great asset for him being a special teams player. You know, this year you can see him. (He’s a) way better athlete, way smarter athlete and I think you’re starting to see it.
“He’s going to play a lot in the pre-season. He’s going to play a lot in the Calgary game and I think he’s going to show everybody that he’s a very good football player.”
Peter Godber, drafted third overall by the Lions this year, is competing for a spot on the team’s offensive line and also could see action on Friday night. Throughout the first week of camp, the Rice product has been learning as much as he can from the veterans in the trenches as he, too, looks to crack the roster when the regular season gets underway.
“David (Foucoult)’s obviously a great player,” said Godber. “He played in the NFL for two years, he was on the Panthers. Hunter Steward is a great player and Cody Husband (is too). The guys inside, I’m an interior lineman so I look up to those guys. They set a great example. They come and work hard everyday.”
Even though he may not get as much playing time on Friday as some of his teammates, fifth-year receiver Bryan Burnham is excited to get into game action.
“You go through the whole off-season just thinking, counting down,” said Burnham. “‘Okay, there’s five months left til training camp. Four months, three months, two months.’ Now that it’s actually here, and we’re talking about playing a game here in a week, man it’s really exciting and I can’t wait to strap it up and actually compete.”
– With files from BCLions.com
