Positional Breakdown | Defensive Backs
Between now and the start of training camp, bclions.com rolls out positional previews for each group that will hit the field at Hillside Stadium in Kamloops on May 20th. We continue the series with a look at the group of defensive backs.
Big, strong and fast. Those three adjectives describe the rebuilt Lions secondary perfectly.
The average height of the 16 defensive backs in Kamloops is 6’ 0” and the average weight is 192 pounds. The average age of the Lions secondary is 26 and the average BC defensive back has played in the CFL for three seasons.
Adding long, experienced corners was high on Ed Hervey’s list of offseason goals. The Leos were aggressive this winter, landing Garry Peters, Dominique Termansen, A.J. Jefferson, Otha Foster III, Cauchy Muamba and Mike Dubuisson all in the first week of free agency. Winston Rose and Marcell Young were signed shortly thereafter.
“It’s exciting to not have to teach from the ground up,” says assistant defensive backs coach Stanley Franks. “I think the size and length difference from last year will be impactful on the field.”
T.J. Lee (6) celebrates during a game against the Toronto Argonauts in 2017.
However, as much as infusing the roster with talent was a top priority, re-signing T.J. Lee was equally important to the Lions top brass. The Eastern Washington product had another solid season for the Leos in 2017, recording 49 defensive tackles, 10 pass knockdowns and a special teams stop. T.J. is entering his fifth season with BC and is looked at as a leader in the defensive backfield.
Another key member of the Lions’ secondary returning in 2018 is defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach, Mark Washington. The charismatic leader is back for his 11th season coaching in BC.
“The time has gone by very quickly,” says Washington on entering his 11th season as a coach with the Lions.
“When I stopped playing, this was exactly what I wanted to do. I’ve been blessed to be able to do it for such a long time and to do it in the same organization is even more of a rarity.
“I’m glad to be a British Columbian and I am glad to be here.”
Of the 16 defensive backs on the Lions’ roster, only five of them ended the 2017 season in Vancouver. With so many fresh faces and so many positions up for grabs, there will be plenty of competition this year at training camp.
“The DB’s are going to come in here and compete,” says Franks. “A lot of them have extra motivation as well, whether it be because they are coming off injuries or last season not going the way they wanted it to. Those little things are going to add extra fuel to camp.”
THE DEFENSIVE BACKS
*Newcomers in bold
 Deion Carter – The Robert Morris alum signed as a free agent in May of 2018.
Mike Dubuisson – The lanky Canadian signed as a free agent with the Lions in February. Dubuisson played three seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos before joining Saskatchewan in 2017.
 Otha Foster III – BC signed Otha as a free agent on February 14th. The Angie, LA native played for Saskatchewan in 2017 after returning from his stint with the Baltimore Ravens.
 Isaiah Guzylak-Messam – The Lions selected the ex-Wilfrid Laurier star in the fourth round (34th overall) of the CFL Draft.
A.J. Jefferson – The former Arizona Cardinal and Minnesota Viking signed with BC as a free agent after spending 2017 with Ottawa.
 T.J. Lee
Tevin McDonald
Solomon Means – The Lions signed Solomon as a free agent this offseason. He most recently played for Edmonton in 2016.
Cauchy Muamba – The Lions reunited with their former first-round pick after Cauchy spent the past five seasons with Winnipeg and Edmonton.
 Winston Rose – The New Mexico State product joins the Lions after spending last season with Ottawa.
 Garry Peters – The Lions signed the former Eskimo as a free agent on February 13.
 Dominique Termansen – The UBC alum spent the past two years playing for Montreal before signing with BC this offseason.
Marcell Young – The 30-year-old signed as a free agent with the Lions after spending 2017 with the Eskimos.
INTRIGUING NEWCOMERS
Otha Foster III – The West Alabama product is a quality cover man and he also isn’t afraid to lower his shoulder to deliver a hit down in the box. The 29-year-old has tallied 193 total tackles, six sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles through 54 career games.
Otha Foster spent the past two seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Garry Peters – The former Eskimo represents another high upside signing by Hervey. Garry appeared in 19 games across two seasons in Edmonton, registering 67 total tackles and showing the ability to shut down opposing wide receivers.
KEY NUMBER
10 – Of the 16 defensive backs on the roster, 10 of them are six feet or taller.
QUOTABLE
“Mark is just a good man,” says Stanley Franks on the Leos’ defensive coordinator. “He’s a great father and husband. He has solid core values, and he makes you want to do better personally and professionally. He is a role model.”
Check out the remainder of our positional breakdowns, and schedule for the remainder between now and the weekend:
READ: Breaking Down The Special Teams
READ: Breaking Down the Offensive Line
READ: Breaking Down the Running Backs
READ: Breaking Down the Defensive Line
READ: Breaking Down the LinebackersÂ
READ: Breaking Down the ReceiversÂ
Saturday, May 19th– Quarterbacks
Brian Helberg – bhelberg@bclions.com