The planned formula for success for the B.C. Lions this year is addition by subtraction.

B.C. begins its attempt to return to CFL playoffs with a date against the Montreal Alouettes in the regular season opener for both clubs Saturday. ItB次元官网网址檚 the first meaningful opportunity to assess the rebuilding effort of new Lions general manager Ed Hervey, which includes a controversial cost-cutting plan.

Hervey has brought in 33 new faces since the Lions missed the playoffs last season, ending a 20-year run. The majority of B.C.B次元官网网址檚 holdovers, meantime, were all asked by Hervey during the off-season to take pay cuts.

Contract restructuring is hardly new in the CFL, but a general manager asking for money mere weeks on the job could have been a recipe for training camp discord in HerveyB次元官网网址檚 first season in charge of the Lions.

However, some players say the request had an opposite effect. If the Lions defy the odds and pull off their seventh Grey Cup win in franchise history this year, veteran players say they will look at their decision as an investment in their own success.

Solomon Elimimian wasnB次元官网网址檛 in line for a reduction after setting a league record with 144 defensive tackles last year. The B.C. linebacker, also a vice-president of the CFL Players Association, was initially skeptical about the cut request and met for several days during the off-season with Hervey.

B次元官网网址淚 needed to know what we were going to do with the money,B次元官网网址� Elimimian said. B次元官网网址滱 year ago I probably wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have done it, but losing teaches you some bitter lessons. The way we lost, I kind of understood things had to be done.

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B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one thing when a team wants a pay cut but itB次元官网网址檚 another when they explain what they want to do with the money. ItB次元官网网址檚 a choice. Ed laid out his vision. Ed said B次元官网网址業 respect you too much to force you to do anything.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

ElimimianB次元官网网址檚 move had a snowball effect. Quarterback Jonathon Jennings, who led the CFL throwing 19 interceptions, took a restructured deal. So did Bryan Burnham, whose receiving yardage went down in 2017 though had more catches in fewer games.

B次元官网网址�(The request) caught me off-guard at first but the more I thought about it IB次元官网网址檝e always prided myself on being an unselfish player,B次元官网网址� Burnham said.

B次元官网网址淵ou got guys like Solly taking a pay cut. Who would I be to say no? What EdB次元官网网址檚 trying to create here is something bigger than me. Right now I think itB次元官网网址檚 worth it. I think were going to have a pretty good football team.B次元官网网址�

Hervey naturally thinks the same way, pointing to the LionsB次元官网网址� depth at the disposal of coach Wally Buono, who is heading into his final season.

B次元官网网址淚 (presented) the fact weB次元官网网址檙e going to put veterans on our team that are versatile and will help expand the number of players we could keep. I could get $100,000 from one guy by removing him from the team or I could get $100,000 from 10 players,B次元官网网址� said Hervey.

B次元官网网址淭he reality is that without everyone taking a big hit to the pocketbook it allows them to invest a little bit in the teamB次元官网网址檚 future and the season. With Wally returning I wanted to put ourselves in position to where we had an experienced team that could compete. If we were going to blow everything up, Wally doesnB次元官网网址檛 need to have that in his final year.B次元官网网址�

WATCH: Lions Pride flag-football tourney in Surrey

MONTREAL AT B.C.

Saturday, B.C. Place Stadium

HOSTS WITH THE MOST

B.C. couldnB次元官网网址檛 ask for a more favourable opponent to start the season. Since 2000, the Lions are 14-3 in Vancouver against the Alouettes.

CAN ONLY GO UP

Of 20 major offensive statistical categories last year, the Alouettes finished last in 14 of them, including plays from scrimmage, time of possession and points.

HAVENB次元官网网址橳 WE MET BEFORE?

Both teams have used each otherB次元官网网址檚 rosters liberally to produce their respective opening-night lineup. Seven Alouettes once played for the Lions. Als offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones directed the Lions offence last season, while defensive co-ordinator Rich Stubler also has B.C. ties. Five B.C. players formerly played in Montreal. Lions OLs Jovan Olafioye and David Foucault were involved in a trade for each other with Montreal prior to last season and will be B.C. starters.

EARLY GROUNDING

The AlouettesB次元官网网址� travel season did not start well Friday. The teamB次元官网网址檚 charter aircraft had mechanical problems in Montreal and a replacement aircraft had to make a refuelling stop in Winnipeg.

Lowell Ullrich, The Canadian Press

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