Is it time for colourful offensive lineman Angus Reid to be
pushed toward his other natural calling — the broadcast booth — instead of
trying at age 36 to keep seething defenders away from his quarterback? And,
will the curtain fall on Arland Bruce Almighty to make way for younger
receivers on the B.C. Lions’ roster?
Even if the Lions won Sunday’s Grey Cup there would have
been roster changes, but losing to the Calgary Stampeders, at home, in the West
Division Final, may speed up the evacuation plans for several on-the-bubble
veterans, including some who have become household names and fan favourites.
Buono decided to keep the core of his 2011 Grey Cup
champions together to take a shot at becoming the franchise’s first
back-to-back champions. Despite finishing first in the West Division with a
13-5 record, beating a younger Calgary squad in the playoffs proved to be more
difficult than Burton Cummings remembering the lyrics to Canada’s national
anthem.
It was pointed out several times by local reporters this
season how the veteran Lions were starting to suffer “old-man injuries” and
“losing a step.” Kicker McCallum, who despite going five-for-five in the West
Final, showed signs of being human and 42 following his record-setting 2011
season. The Lions imposed a limit on how far out he’d be allowed to attempt
three-pointers after he hit a rare slump.
Simon and Bruce, both who battled injuries, didn’t have
great campaigns by their lofty standards. In fact, most of the offensive
excitement this season was generated by the younger receivers, who had a 5-0
record going before the veterans returned to the lineup.
Reid, who as co-host of the Lions Den on Team 1040, should
be a shoo-in for a CFL broadcasting job with his knowledge and personality. If
the team has some young studs raring to roll, Reid might be convinced to retire
after being told 2½ years ago by Buono he was being “phased out” before winning
a Grey Cup and following that up with an all-star season.
It should be noted that none of these players wants to
leave, or retire. But in discussions about changes, their names have repeatedly
surfaced because of their birth certificates. Which leaves the future in the
hands of Buono, who has a history of cutting ties with all-stars, hall of
famers and fan favourites when the time seems right for him, not the athletes.
So, while Buono contemplates who stays and who goes, we ask
you to play manager and send us your thoughts. Was the Lions’ loss to Calgary
just a bad day or a warning sign? Should this team stick together, or has it
become long in the tooth? Who would you keep and who would you let go? Should
Simon be allowed to leave on his timetable after all of his years of all-star
service to the club? What are the Lions’ weaknesses and strengths going
forward?
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