They know the storm is coming. And it all starts Friday against a Winnipeg Blue Bombers squad that will be out for some revenge. Your BC Lions are ecstatic about their 3-1 record, and why wouldn’t they be? It’s not often you see a team sweep a three-game tour of the Eastern Division in the fashion they did.
Flipping the page: at the end of the day, they know they now must take care of business against Western Division foes. This tilt marks the first of three meetings with the 2-1 Bombers in 2017, with two visits to the Manitoba Capital set for October.
TJ Lee and company will play their next five games against division rivals and the defensive back is excited for that type of playoff feel.
“Those non-divisional games won’t mean as much for playoff seeding if you don’t basically win out against the other West teams,” said Lee.
“If we win most of these divisional games and solidify our home field advantage, that will be very important for us.”
Lee missed all but three games last year due to an Achilles injury. All that has done is fuel his motivation to play in this re-match of November’s thrilling 32-31 Western Semi-Final win over Matt Nichols and the Bombers. Given the excitement and drama that stemmed from that playoff contest, this rivalry should be even more fun to watch in 2017.
“I can’t control what happened last year and I am saddened that I missed it, but now I have an opportunity to face a fellow Eastern Washington alum like Nichols. I just want to make his day Hell, have a good day and get a win.”
The former Eastern Washington Eagles worked out together in the offseason and now its time for them to officially re- start the on field rivalry.
It is always interesting to track the special bonds that come from guys at certain programs- even if they didn’t actually suit up together at the same time.
“I drove out to Spokane for a weekend or two and I was able to encounter him and also work out with JC Sherritt and Aaron Grymes,” explained Lee.
“It was fun for all of us to get together, work out, joke around and have lunch after. Football starts as a team sport and you meet people along the way. We all met and are still friends from it. As we work out together we want to get better in our specific traits and let each other know that we are bettering each other to compete against one another. Hopefully the best man wins.”
Along with those intense off-season gym sessions. it is never uncommon to see these former college teammates getting together for post-game photos on field. Bo Levi Mitchell of the Stampeders is usually the one spearheading the fun Eagles reunions after the final gun.
Lee contends he learned a lot from the strong-armed Nichols during his first year on the Cheney, Washington campus.
“I was a prop that year, basically a redshirt,” said Lee of the 2009 campaign.
“I saw how he worked, saw his leadership capabilities and what he brings to the team as a quarterback. He’s a mentalist when it comes to being a quarterback. He’s smart, he’s a veteran and he is not going to go out there and take too many risks. Matt will take what the defence gives him and hopefully he’ll throw a couple balls up there that we can grab.”
The Bombers’ faith in Nichols was enough to make the former starter Drew Willy expendable after a 1-4 start to 2016. All they did when Nichols took over was rattle of seven straight victories and ten of thirteen to finish the regular season. With one more win down the stretch they would have been the home team in that playoff clash.
Both of these teams have championship aspirations. The start of this three-game regular season series could go a long way in determining who is the last one standing. At any rate, the post-game Eastern Washington reunions will be worth snapping a photo of.
Tuesday Practice Report
The squad was back at full practice on a sunny and warm Tuesday afternoon in Surrey. Jonathon Jennings did some sideline stretching with Chris Williams and observed the offence from close by during team drills. Travis Lulay looked right at home taking first team reps. with Alex Ross right behind him. It remains to be seen whether or not Jennings will dress as number three on Friday or if the club will bring in another quarterback.
As you might expect, GM/head coach Wally Buono was treating it as business as usual.
“I haven’t given it any thought because football is always about the next man up,” said Buono.
“I think we’re very fortunate to have the calibre of quarterbacks that we have. Travis stepping up doesn’t hurt our offence, and if anything it maybe even helps our offence. He’s a veteran and a lot of stuff Jonathon is going through is all part of growth. Part of this was all part of the plan to not disrupt our team and keep continuity. Travis was going to be a part of what we’re doing because the most critical spot on your team is quarterback.”
Defensive lineman Bryant Turner Jr. missed practice after tweaking his ankle in the victory in Hamilton. He did some light drills on the field and in the gym. Turner Jr. will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com