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You are here: Home / Archives for Uncategorized

Sports & Stuff Football Day

August 19, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

As a CFL fan, sometimes you feel a little miffed at the lack of CFL merchandise available to you. Well be frustrated no more CFL fans, because Rick and Wendy, owners of Sports & Stuff in the Chilliwack Mall have what you’re looking for, and if they don’t there is a good chance they will order it for you.

This Saturday, Sports & Stuff will be hosting it’s annual Football Day. Martell Mallett, Jarious Jackson and Brent Johnson of the BC Lions will be on hand to sign autographs and pose for pictures, and there will be great deals on merchandise. Everything from jerseys, to key chains will be available at great prices for CFL fans. Mention you’re a BCLionsDen member and get a further discount!

There are also a ton of prizes to be won, including:

  • Trip for 2 to Calgary to see the Lions and Stampeders. Includes airfare/hotel/tickets/taxis to and from airport.
  • Autographed pro-stitched Jarious Jackson jersey.
  • Autographed Brent Johnson football.
  • Autographed/Framed Brent Johnson photo.
  • Autographed/Framed Jarious Jackson photo.
  • Autographed Jarious Jackson football.
  • Autographed Martell Mallett football.
  • BC Lion tickets.
  • 2 tickets in a suite to a Chilliwack Bruins game.
  • $50 gift cert. for the Chilliwack Mall

Sports & Stuff is clearly the best place to find Lions and CFL merchandise I’ve come across in the lower mainland. They’ve been great supporters of my two web sites and of CFL Fans Fight Cancer over the last few years, so do yourself a favour and check them out this Saturday at Football Day!

Sports & Stuff is located at:

Chilliwack Mall
45610 Luckakuck Way
Chilliwack BC V2R 1A2

 If you have any questions for Rick about merchandise or would like more information, you can also ask him a question in our forums.


Filed Under: News, Uncategorized Tagged With: Chilliwack, Football Day, Sports & Stuff

The Lion King – Remembering Bob Ackles

July 6, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

This article was originally written On July 8th, 2008 and on the anniversary of Bob Ackles passing I wanted to share it again.

The Lion King

When the phone rang and I got the news, I was stunned. Bob Ackles had passed away at the age of 69, dying suddenly of a heart attack after docking his yacht. I hung up the phone and just sat there, not knowing what to do. I quickly fumbled through my cell phone, looking for someone to call. I called my friend Brian Edwards in Edmonton, and I lost it.

I wanted to write this article Sunday night, but I couldn’t. I couldn’t believe the news never mind force myself to write about it that evening. More and more details started trickling in. I saw the usually firm and all business Wally Buono break into tears. He wasn’t the only one.

Tribute after tribute, story after story, made you truly realize what a great man Bob Ackles was. From his humble beginnings to his lofty achievements, Ackles touched the lives of many. I had the privilege of meeting Bob on a number of occasions since his return in 2002.

It’s hard to think of things to write when so much has already been said in the last 48 hours. I didn’t know the man well enough to tell you old stories. But yet I felt I knew him well. I think it was easy to feel that way with Bob. You may have noticed I am referring to him as Bob, but that’s because he wouldn’t be addressed any other way. He never wanted anyone to feel beneath him. Angus Reid relayed the story that so many of us experienced with Bob when he told of the first time he met “Mr. Ackles” and Bob replied “Call me Bobby. If you call me Mr. Ackles again you’ll find yourself on waivers so fast it will make your head spin”

At Grey Cup in 2007 he came to our table at the Lions Den and had a beer with us and posed for pictures, proudly sharing with us his Grey Cup ring from the year before. At training camp that same year he took it off and put it in my hand. He was one of the guys.

I e-mailed Bob a few times over the past few years as well. I always got a reply. He didn’t always address the issue himself, but he made damn sure he directed you to someone who did.

Ackles’ small stature portrayed him as a kind and gentle man, and he was. But he also had a fiery side, and was capable of making tough decisions in the best interest of his organizations. There was no one who didn’t respect Bob, and what he had contributed to the game of football at all levels, and in two countries.

His contribution to grassroots football was, and will continue to be immense. He created the Orange Helmet Awards Dinner to support minor football, and the event has grown into a huge success, with such guest speakers as Warren Moon, Joe Theismann, Rocky Blier, Brian Williams, Pinball Clemons and Chris Berman.

“It started after I was here for the first year, and I felt there should be something in the off-season or the non-football season where there should be some football,” Ackles once told the Georgia Straight in a telephone interview. “So I…discussed the possibility of a fundraiser for amateur football in the province which would also celebrate football in B.C. It was something I felt was needed, because most sports have a celebration of what their teams and coaches and the people who support it have done over the year.”

Recently Ackles had been laying the foundation for a new BC Football Hall of Fame. One that if there is any justice in the world will eventually bear his name, and he should be the first person inducted.

But his real contributions were a product of his love for the CFL. He was leading the fight to keep the NFL out of Canada. He had connections in the National Football League that no one could match and he had their ear. Edmonton Eskimo icon Hugh Campbell recently summed it up nicely in his comments following Ackles passing.

“47 football seasons ago, I met Bobby Ackles at my first CFL game when BC played Ottawa at Empire Stadium. His enthusiasm for the game and knowledge of the League were huge factors in me eventually joining the CFL. His influence on football in Vancouver has been monumental and he’s been a CFL standard bearer throughout the last half century. All CFL fans should know that our League would not be here today were it not for the work of Bob and the foundation he helped build.”

On Friday July 18th, 2008 the Lions held a halftime tribute to Bob Ackles. It’s something he probably wouldn’t have wanted, but the fans needed it. They needed to say thank you and they needed to say goodbye.

Bob Ackles lived the dream life. He never treated his job as a job, because it wasn’t one to him. It was his passion. It was his hobby. All of us should be so lucky in life. He had a soul mate in his wife Kay, who he had written into his contract that she travelled with him on the road. They were inseparable.

To Kay, his sons Scott and Steve, and on behalf of Lions/CFL fans everywhere, we send our thoughts and prayers, as well as our thanks. We were all better for knowing Bob Ackles, and our league is better because of him.

The Lion King may be gone in body, but make no mistake, his contributions and accomplishments will never be forgotten. So come on and roar you Lion roar, that’s what a Lions roar is for. From the mountains to the sea, you truly were and always will be the pride of all BC.

Filed Under: Uncategorized

2009 BC Lions Season Preview

July 2, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

This week sees the return of BC Lions football, and it also marks the start of a new era for this team. Many veterans have been let go or have moved on and fans are going to have to wait and see if the talent Wally Buono and company have assembled can keep this team competitive in the always tough Western Division of the Canadian Football League.

Let’s take a look at the Lions as they enter the 2009 season, and introduce you to the new names you should be keeping an eye on.

Offense:

Key Deletions: Jason Clermont, Stefan Logan, Bret Anderson, Rob Murphy, Kelly Bates

Key Additions: Emmanuel Arceneaux, Terence Scott, Martell Mallett

Their time is now: Walter Stith, Dean Valli, Alexis Bwenge, Rolly Lumbala, Ian Smart, Paris Jackson, Ryan Grice-Mullen

Quarterback:

Buck Pierce has been given the reigns of the BC Lions
Buck Pierce has been given the reigns of the BC Lions

Early in the off-season Wally Buono chose to name Buck Pierce as his starting quarterback, the thinking being that having a clear number one and number two would provide everyone with the chance to come to camp prepared. Off-season workouts with fitness guru Chris Boyko saw a  stronger and more toned Buck Pierce show up for training camp, knowing that he was the guy. Pierce had decent numbers in the preseason, except in one area; getting the ball in the end zone. This trend carried over from last year’s Western Final, and is starting to become a concerning trend. Field goals aren’t going to get you a lot of wins in this league, and Pierce and the Lions offense have to find ways to finish drives when they get in the red zone.

It will also be interesting to see if Pierce’s newly designed workout regime will be able to keep him healthier this season. Part of the Lions problems the past couple of seasons, has been the inconsistency on offense, and behind centre. One week it’s Pierce, he gets on a roll, then he gets hurt. The next week it’s Jackson…and so on and so on. With a new offense and new personnel, continuity at the quarterback position is going to be essential to getting everyone on the same page, which was obviously the thinking behind Wally’s decision to name a starter going into camp.

Behind Pierce, Jarious Jackson returns for another season. Obviously somewhat disappointed he didn’t get a chance to compete for the starters job, Jackson is the consummate team player and seems to perform better coming off the bench in a relief roll. Zac Champion returns for his second season, and he’s joined by newcomer Travis Lulay, who was perhaps the most impressive performer of the four in the preseason, and has already moved past Champion on the depth chart.

Offensive Line:

The BC Lions were pretty much prepared to lose outstanding CFL tackle Rob Murphy during the 2009 off-season, but that doesn’t mean it will be easy to replace the man that his former teammates credit with instilling attitude into the BC offensive line. Throw in the trade to Winnipeg of guard Kelly Bates to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and the left side of the offensive line is overhauled in 2009.

Last years backup Walter Stith held of Darren Marquez at the left tackle spot, while Dean Valli slips into Bates position. Valli, who banged up his knee a bit in camp and missed sessions, looked to have been passed on the depth chart by Jon Hameister-Reis but a late shoulder injury to him, vaulted Valli back into the spot. Angus Reid holds down the fort once again at centre, while Sherko Haji-Rasouli and Jason Jimenez round out the starters.

The injury to Hameister-Reis, who’s likely gone for the majority of the season, left the Lions with a bit of a depth issue, so in addition to rookie Justin Sorensen and Andrew Jones, the Lions have added veteran free agent Bobby Singh to the practice roster for insurance.

Running backs:

Ian Smart's chance to shine is now
Ian Smart's chance to shine is now

One departure the Lions were not really counting on was Stefan Logan. The club was no doubt salivating at the options of designing a playbook around the shifty scat back that was starting to assert himself as a star in the league by the end of last season. The two sides had even verbally agreed to a contract extension according to reports. But then a late offer came in from the Super Bowl champion Pittsburgh Steelers and Logan took them up on it.

When the dust settled, newcomer Martell Mallet and veteran Ian Smart will start the year in the backfield for the Lions. Smart was the most effective of the backs in pre-season, but by using him in that role the fear is your return game suffers and no replacement has emerged out of training camp. Buono had stated he wouldn’t use his featured back in a duel role, but seemed to rethink that when Smart went back for a few returns. Martell Mallet who was hampered with a sprained knee in camp, showed enough in the final game of the pre-season to win the other spot. It remains to be seen how the team will utilize Smart and Mallet, but look for Smart to see a lot of passes coming out of the backfield with the intention of taking advantage of his speed, while Mallett may see the ball when tougher yards are needed. At fullback, Lyle Green has been moved to slotback so up and comers  Rolly Lumbala and Alexis Bwenge have a chance to play a bigger role in the offense.

Young junior star Andrew Harris will bide his time on the practice roster under the safety of territorial protection and will be brought along slowly by the team after a very impressive camp where he at times looked like the best back on the field.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, the earliest your likely to see Stefan Logan if at all this year is late September or early August, as it appears he’s headed to the Steelers main camp.

Receivers:

No doubt the biggest bombshell in the off-season was the release of popular slotback Jason Clermont, but the Lions side of the story was one of philosophy change, and what they felt were the wasted talents of Paris Jackson. The Lions felt they weren’t fast enough at the spot Clermont filled and that problem contributed to the double teaming of Geroy Simon. With Jackson moving into the slot, the Lions will be looking to returnees Ryan Grice-Mullen and Rufus Skillern, while looking for contributions from newcomers Emmanuel Arceneaux and Terence Scott. The always ready and capable Lyle Green moves to the slot and will be interchanged with Cory Rodgers, Greg Hetherington, and O’Neil Wilson.

Geroy Simon will once again be the featured receiver of the bunch, with the hope being that with more speed and some different schemes he can escape some the double teams he’s been seeing because if they double him, Jackson can make them pay.

The Lions will hope they find another deep threat receiver in this group as well and look for Jackson to thrive in his new role.

The Defense:

Key Losses: Tyrone Williams, Otis Floyd, Cam Wake, Jamal Johnson, Jay Pottinger

Key Additions: Anton McKenzie, Jonathon Williams, Gary Butler, Nautyn McKay-Loescher

Their time is now: Ricky Foley, Jeremy Gibbs

Defensive Line:

foley
NI Ricky Foley has big shoes to try and help fill with the departure of Cam Wake.

Let’s get one thing out of the way, no one is going to replace Cam Wake. Now that we’ve said that, how do you replace the production of Cam Wake? You have to try and do it by committee and when the BC Lions line up and pin their ears back on defense Ricky Foley will start in end spot of the departed Wake. He’ll be helped by a combination of Nautyn McKay-Loescher and newcomer Gary Butler, who beat out second year player Caesar Rayford for the job. The rest of the starting line will see Aaron Hunt, Jeremy Gibbs and Brent Johnson line up beside Foley, with free agent signing Jonathon Williams also making the roster.

Linebackers:

The Lions prized free agent signing was linebacker Anton McKenzie formerly of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and he’ll team with Javy Glatt in two linebacker set that will be supported by Korey Banks from the secondary. Terna Nande and rookie James Yurichuk fill out the reserves while late camp arrival Courtney Smith awaits his chance on the practice roster.

The recent release of Jamal Johnson from the Tampa Bay Bucaneers, could see linebacker and special teams demon move back to the Leos, but at the time this was written the clubs were exchanging contracts. The problem is with this formation the Lions have adapted, Johnson likely wouldn’t start, and that may be a key to his decision on whether to return to BC. Failing that it seems as though Reggie Hunt would be plan B and both Calgary and Edmonton seem to have expressed interest in Johnson as well.

The Secondary:

The one area the Lions have remained consistent in is the secondary, where the team will still be lead by the wily leadership of safety Barron Miles. Lavar Glover and Dante Marsh return to defend the corners, while Korey Banks, Jerome Dennis, Ryan Phillips and rookie  Darren Toney fill out the DB’s. Tad Crawford and second year player Jason Arakgi will also see time at safety.

This group went through struggles in the first half of last season, but picked things up in the second. The Lions will need them to be good from the start as this team gels in other areas. As mentioned earlier, Banks looks to have a much more active role in the defense this year, not only defending the pass but supporting the linebackers as a nickle back, and coming on the occasional blitz package.

Special Teams

Wally Buono has chosen to keep two kickers on the active roster, both non-imports in Paul McCallum and Sean Whyte. Whyte has been brought along the last two years on the clubs practice roster, and has made great strides in his game, most noticeably in the punting area. In the pre-season, Whyte did well in his game while McCallum struggled. Look for Whyte to take kickoffs, to start while McCallum handles the punting and field goals, for now.

Watch for more great special teams play from Jason Aragki, as well as newcomer James Yurichuk.

Filed Under: Featured, Uncategorized

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About The Hosts

Brian Wawryshyn is 44 year BC Lions fan who extends his passion for the Leos and the Canadian Football League to the podcast world as host and producer of the BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast.

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