The story of the BC Lions secondary from 2016 would make a great TSN documentary. It starts with an unknown named Loucheiz Purifoy turning heads in training camp, before running away with the starting nickel position alongside linebackers Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill. Other unknowns named Anthony Gaitor and Chandler Fenner performed well, only to be cut due to numbers. Both would be re-signed as the result of TJ Lee, Steven Clarke and Ronnie Yell being lost to season-ending injuries before Labour Day.
The lesson learned here is this is why you bring so many rookies and relatively unknowns to camp. You never know when they are going to be pressed into duty, even if you have to bring them back off the scrapheap. When it comes to having the three injured guys back and healthy, defensive co-ordinator Mark Washington hasn’t stopped grinning from ear to ear.
“It speaks highly of their commitment to rehab,” said Washington.
“All of those guys said the day they were injured that they would come back strong and better. That’s exactly what they’ve done to a man. We’ll be smart with training camp and how we’re going to control these guys but all those guys are like bulls. You have to slow them down as opposed to speeding them up.”
Having a full slate of bodies will help Washington achieve his biggest goal for 2017: more interceptions. The defence as a whole was dead last in the league with only nine interceptions a year ago. In order to turn that around it starts with the defensive backs.
Ronnie Yell, now the longest serving DB on the roster, says that work has already begun.
“Just a lot of ball drills, the jug after practice and before practice. We catch balls in all our drills and even if it’s just warmup we want to get our hands on it to see what it feels like,” explained Yell.
“We have to get back to top form like the days of Phillips, Banks and Marsh. We’ll get there.”
Speaking of Ryan Phillips: that has been one of the biggest adjustments early on. Who fills the leadership void left by the four-time CFL All-Star? Yell no doubt will be counted on to lead and Washington says it’s all part of the wonderful business of football.
“That is a void but we’re going to fill it with good players,” stated Washington.
“All the men we have are high character men. And they’re going to rise to the occasion when it’s time.”
A lot of magnet juggling took place over the last few months when Washington and the staff were building their potential roster. Clark has slid over to the starting safety spot after Mike Edem’s trade to Montreal. The initial plan will be to go with a Canadian at Field corner. Keynan Parker, Matt Bucknor and rookie Nate Hamlin rotated there for Tuesday practice.
If it helps create more turnovers, no questions will be asked.
Breaking Down The Defensive Backs
Returnees
Steven Clarke, Chandler Fenner, Anthony Gaitor, TJ Lee, Anthony Thompson, Ronnie Yell
Newcomers And Where They Came From
Matt Bucknor– the six-year veteran- and stepbrother of former Lions DB Tom Europe- appeared in four games with Calgary last season. He previously started all 36 games over two seasons with the Blue Bombers, recording 104 tackles. Bucknor played the first two years of his career in Hamilton. Should provide a nice battle with the likes of Parker and Thompson at corner.
Nate Hamlin– selected in the 4th round (33rd overall) in this year’s CFL Draft. The Carleton Ravens product was the club’s highest rated defensive back on the board. He appeared in 30 games over four seasons with the Ravens and racked up 126 total tackles and four interceptions. Although the club is high on Hamlin, he will likely have to earn his stripes on special teams to start.
Buddy Jackson– a Grey Cup champion with the Stampeders in 2014, Jackson spent parts of the last two seasons in Saskatchewan. Recorded 21 tackles in six games last year. Prior to migrating north, he had NFL stints with Indianapolis, Washington, Pittsburgh, Kansas City and the New York Giants. Jackson brings experience to the table and that’s always key early on in camp.
Adrian James– attended Chicago Bears training camp in 2016. Prior to that, the Dallas native spent five years at the University of Texas El Paso and was the Miners’ special teams MVP in 2011.
Tevin McDonald– the son of former San Francisco 49ers Pro Bowler Tim McDonald was one of the big ex-factors at last week’s mini-camp. Should make the starting safety battle interesting with Steven Clarke as Washington shuffles the deck in his defensive backfield. McDonald spent the 2015 season on the Oakland Raiders practice roster.
Justin Thomas– coming off a productive four years at the University of Utah where he accolades included a Pac 12 Defensive Player of the Week nod as a junior. Recorded 104 individual tackles in 50 games for the Utes.
Cleveland Wallace– attended 2016 training camp with the San Francisco 49ers before being cut just prior to the regular season. Recorded 46 solo tackles over two seasons at San Jose State.
Mondo Williams– spent the last four seasons at Appalachian State where he recorded 40 solo tackles and six interceptions.
The Big Question
Does Parker finally enter prime time? This is a homegrown product that has worked his tail off since joining the club as a free agent in 2013. He was tasked with starting in place of Yell when he suffered his injury on August 31st in Toronto and responded by breaking up a couple key passes in a 16-13 victory. The son of Lions legend James “Quick” Parker has been a very good role player and now may be rewarded for his years of hard work.
The Elder StatesmenÂ
Hard to believe but if you’re going by longest serving defensive backs with the club it would be Yell and Parker themselves. Both enter year five with the organization and it should help signal the shift in leadership to that generation. Washington trusts they will learn to be those guys. At 31, Bucknor is the oldest member of the group and will bring some of that leadership with him.
 It Could Happen in 2017
The revolving door at safety may finally come to an end. In Clarke and McDonald, Washington has two players still entering the prime of their career. Even it it’s a one-two punch for a few seasons the club would be greatly satisfied. On the milestone front, Yell is just seven games away from 50 in his career.
Quotable
“Every year is a competition. You never know what’s going to happen like injuries from last year. All you can do is come out here every day and work.”- Parker on the mindset as he competes for a starting spot.
Matt Baker: mbaker@bclions.com