When Robin Ross speaks, the BC Lions listen. The Leos’ defensive line coach has been everywhere and seen just about everything in his four decades on the sidelines. Ross joined the Lions staff in 2015, but he began coaching in 1977 and also served as the head coach at Western Washington from 2006-2008.
“It’s going well,” said Ross of the d-line’s performance in training camp. “I think we’re getting better everyday. We’ve got a good group back and a good group of new players mixed in, so I think we have a great nucleus and we’ve had some good practices so far.” Ross has an impressive resume and Lions’ fans should be encouraged by the fact that he is so happy with the play of the defensive line.
The Lions are blessed to be sporting one of the most talented defensive lines in the CFL this season. Mi’chael Brooks is back and he figures to anchor the d-line this year. Craig Roh is one of the most versatile defensive ends in the league, as he is eaqually adept at rushing the passer and stuffing the run.
Ross loves the energy Brooks brings to the team, saying “I’ll tell you what, when [Mi’chael] gets off the ball, with his quickness, he can be dominant. At practice today, he probably had two or three tackles for a loss. Brooks is a tough guy to block, a powerful player inside and very disruptive.”
Combine the returning starters with an influx of athletic newcomers and you have a scary combination. Frank Alexander is a former co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, and players like Josh Shirley and Junior Luke have flashed early in training camp.
“They’re all doing a good job,” stated Ross when asked about the play of the young linemen. “Junior Luke is really making a good transition from the college game to the pro game. I’m real happy with what [Kenneth] Boatright has done. All the new guys, they’re all competing. We’ve got some great depth on the defensive line and some good competition.”
You can never have too many talented defensive linemen and the Lions are as deep as any club in the league in that department. If the newcomers can reach their immense potential, the Leos figure to give opposing offensive linemen fits all season.
Returnees
Mic’hael Brooks, Maxx Forde, Andrew Hudson, David Menard, Craig Roh, Bryant Turner Jr.
Newcomers And Where They Came from
Dylan Ainsworth – The Leos signed Ainsworth as a free agent this offseason. The Delta, BC product played the previous three seasons in Saskatchewan with the Roughriders. He was utilized primarily on special teams with Saskatchewan and was nominated for the 2015 CFL Special Teams Player of the Year.
Frank Alexander – The former Oklahoma Sooner joins the Leos after spending three seasons with the Carolina Panthers. Originally a fourth round selection by the Panthers in the 2012 NFL Draft, Alexander recorded 20 tackles and three sacks across 29 career games. A star at Oklahoma, Alexander was named the co-Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year following his senior campaign.
Kenneth Boatright – The Lions inked Boatright to a free agent contract this offseason. The Southern Illinois alum spent parts of three seasons in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks and Dallas Cowboys before taking his talents north of the border.
DeQuin Evans – The University of Kentucky graduate began his professional career as an undrafted free agent signing of the Cinncinatti Bengals. After spending parts of three seasons in the NFL, Evans signed on to play for the Montreal Alouettes in 2014. He spent the 2016 season with the Calgary Stampeders before signing as a free agent with the Lions this offseason.
Marquis Jackson – The Leos signed Jackson as a free agent this offseason. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Minnesota Vikings, the 27-year-old has also spent time with the Oakland Raiders and Chicago Bears. Jackson also spent a pair of seasons rushing the passer in the Arena Football League with the Portland Thunder.
Luther Maddy – The Lions signed the 24-year-old defensive tackle as a free agent this offseason. Maddy spent five years on the campus of Virginia Tech, registering 14 career sacks and earning a first-team All-ACC selection as a senior.
Edward Godin – The Quebec City product was selected by the Leos in the fifth round (42nd overall) of the 2017 CFL Draft. Godin put together a fantastic career with Laval, registering 46 solo tackles, 21 tackles for a loss and 11 quarterback takedowns in 30 games. He also recovered three fumbles and forced two fumbles through four seasons.
Junior Luke – The Lions were very impressed with Luke’s blend of size and speed, selecting him in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2017 CFL Draft. Across 32 career games with the University of Montreal, Luke notched 46 total tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss and 11 quarterback sacks. Luke excelled during his final season in Montreal, posting 18 tackles and 8.5 tackles for a loss through 8 games. Luke also got to the quarterback six times in 2016, good for the seventh highest tally in the nation.
Josh Shirley – The 25-year-old defensive end signed on with the Lions as a free agent this offseason. Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Oakland Raiders in 2015, Shirley made his NFL debut with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers the same season. The UNLV alum split the 2016 season between the Raiders and the Chicago Bears, making one regular season appearance with Chicago.
The Elder Statesman
Remarkably, 26-year-old David Menard is the longest serving Leo on the defensive line. Menard is entering his fourth season with the Club. DeQuin Evans represents the oldest player on the d-line at 30 years of age. In terms of most CFL experience, Bryant Turner Jr. takes home the prize as he is entering his seventh season in the league.
The Big Question
Who takes over for Alex Bazzie at right end and who will become the pass rush specialist? Craig Roh is getting the bulk of first team reps at right end, but the best bet to lead the Leos in sacks this season could be Josh Shirley. Although undersized, Shirley possesses exceptional first step quickness and has a knack for getting to the quarterback.
It Could Happen In 2017
Bryant Turner Jr. is exactly 18 games away from reaching the 100 game plateau. The 29-year-old has been a fixture on the Leos’ defensive line since signing as a free agent in 2016. He got to the quarterback on three occasions last season and tallied another 15 defensive stops.
Quotable
“It’s a battle, it’s a lot of competition on the defensive line. We’ve got, from the end positions to the inside guys at the tackle position, we’ve built a lot of depth there and a lot of competition.” – Mark Washington on the depth of the Lions’ defensive line.
bhelberg@bclions.com