The head coach of the B.C. Lions says heB次元官网网址檚 making tweaks to his lineup in a bid to turn the season around.
Wally Buono said Thursday that heB次元官网网址檚 trying to find the right ingredients B次元官网网址渢o build a winning combinationB次元官网网址� after his team went 3-6 in the first half of the year.
That means bringing in some fresh faces for FridayB次元官网网址檚 home game against the Ottawa Redblacks (6-4).
Travon Van will replace Chris Rainey as returner, while linebacker Micah Awe makes his season debut. Wide receiver Anthony Parker will also dress and be ready to sub in for Cory Watson at slotback.
B次元官网网址淥bviously, weB次元官网网址檝e added some good players B次元官网网址� I believe B次元官网网址� that are going to help out team,B次元官网网址� Buono said. B次元官网网址淧art of (Friday) night is weB次元官网网址檝e got to do a better job and, at times, youB次元官网网址檝e got to make changes to do that.B次元官网网址�
Awe re-signed with the Lions late last month after the club released him in January so he could try out for the New York Jets.
The 24-year-old said heB次元官网网址檚 happy to be back on the field, especially given the jobs he held during his months away from football.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a lot better than doing Uber or (delivery service) Amazon Flex,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址漈his is what I love to do right now. I can always become something else later on in life.B次元官网网址�
The Texas Tech alumnus had 54 defensive tackles for B.C. last season and made another 16 on special teams, earning a reputation as a hard-hitting, physical player.
By the end of the year, Awe said other teams were starting to put him in their cross-hairs. HeB次元官网网址檚 expecting the same this season.
B次元官网网址淚 know thereB次元官网网址檚 going to be a target on me,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址滲ut LeBron James, everyone knows heB次元官网网址檚 the best player. But can they stop him? Maybe, maybe not.B次元官网网址�
Parker also inked a deal with the Lions late last month. The 28-year-old was released by the Calgary Stampeders in June, following seven seasons with the team.
He spent months selling newly built homes in Calgary and training to stay in shape before getting the call from the Leos.
FridayB次元官网网址檚 match with the Redblacks brought familiar feelings of anticipation, Parker said.
B次元官网网址淭he day before, I feel like itB次元官网网址檚 my rookie year again,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址滻B次元官网网址檓 just excited for the opportunity to get out on the field and play some football.B次元官网网址�
He spent the week training with his new teammates, trying to catch up as quickly as possible.
B次元官网网址淚 was getting whipped into shape pretty fast here this week, then cramming the playbook, obviously trying to learn as much as I can as fast as I can,B次元官网网址� he said.
The practices also offered a first-hand glimpse at the squadB次元官网网址檚 athleticism, Parker said.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 one thing to see it on TV and one thing to read the scouting report, but to be here and practice with the guys, you see thereB次元官网网址檚 no shortage of talent,B次元官网网址� he said, adding that they need to take care of details and make plays in order to turn the season around.
Friday nightB次元官网网址檚 game will be crucial for both the Leos and the Redblacks.
Ottawa has won its last three bouts with B.C., including the July 20 match that saw the Redblacks score a late touchdown to secure a 29-25 victory.
But the team is coming off a disappointing 21-17 loss to Montreal last week and needs a win to protect their spot atop the leagueB次元官网网址檚 East Division.
For B.C., FridayB次元官网网址檚 match is an opportunity to hit refresh after a disappointing start to the season, Buono said.
B次元官网网址淲e have to win the games that we have in hand and we have to win the next game because, right now, the nine games in front of us are all going to be critical,B次元官网网址� he said.
Details:
Ottawa Redblacks (6-4) at B.C. Lions (3-6)
Saturday, B.C. Place
INJURED ROSE: Defensive back Jonathan Rose wonB次元官网网址檛 be in the Redblacks lineup after the team placed him on the one-game injured list. The 25-year-old has 29 tackles and three interceptions in 10 games for the Redblacks this year. Randall Evans will take RoseB次元官网网址檚 place at the inside half.
LOSING LEADERS: B.C. may have a 3-6 record through the first half of the season, but the Lions have actually been up by at least 10 points at in every game theyB次元官网网址檝e played so far. In four games, the Leos were leading going into the final quarter, but split those matches 2-2.
RECEIVING REPEAT?: Ottawa wide receiver Brad Sinopoli will be looking for a encore Friday. The 30-year-old put up the best game of his CFL career when the Redblacks beat the Lions back in July. Sinopoli caught 11 passes in that game for 171 yards and a touchdown.
Gemma Karstens-Smith, The Canadian Press
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