At the end of the 2013 season Wally Buono, B.C. Lions General Manager, summed up what needed to be done in one simple sentence: “Burn the Ship.” And he did. Unfortunately, it needs to happen again.
The good ship B.C. Lions is on the rocks with a broken back, and there is no good way to save it without a complete refit.
Here are my predictions – or maybe wish list – for next year’s Lions staff:
- GM: Wally Buono
- HC: Dave Dickenson or Scott Milanovich
- OC: Jeff Garcia or George Cortez
- QB Coach: Travis Lulay
- O-line Coach: Kelly Bates
- QB: Troy Smith and/or Terrell Pryor
Here is the reasoning behind each of my picks:
Wally Buono – He’s just a no brainer as GM, and this was confirmed today by Lions President Dennis Skulsky.
Dave Dickenson – Dave still owns his home in B.C.; his wife will not let him sell it. She does not like Calgary and wants to move back to B.C. Happy wife, happy life, as they say… If Dave were offered the HC job in both Calgary and B.C., the wife would probably have some input.
Scott Milanovich – He’s stated he does not want to stay in TO unless there are some drastic changes, including ownership and management. Coming to B.C. solves all of Milanovich’s issues in TO, but then, so does MLSE buying the Argos. Time will tell if Scott can be pried loose.
Jeff Garcia – Wally has already been talking with Jeff, although not a coach under contract but as a consultant. The reunion of Wally, Dave and Jeff would be a dream team.
George Cortez – He’s a brilliant strategist; the Riders are looking for a scapegoat, and George may be it. Wally tried to hire him last year as the OC. He had to have his reasons.
Travis Lulay – Wally has made two mistakes that I am sure he regrets: not getting Dave Dickenson back to B.C. (sooner), and letting Geroy Simon work in Regina. I do not think he will let Lulay do the same thing. He is destined for a coaching position. Buono is not a fool; he will not bet another season on Lulay recovering and staying healthy. Travis Lulay has played his last meaningful game of football.
Kelly Bates – Dan Dorazio is the best O-line coach in the league, but his schemes are very complicated, sometimes too complicated for the younger O-line. Kelly Bates has been there already. He is currently a member of the coaching staff and is working out of position as the running back coach. It is time to elevate him to his rightful place.
Troy Smith – Great mobile QB, fashioned after Dave Dickenson or Travis Lulay. Jeff Garcia is very high on his abilities and stated that he was not successful in Montreal because of their rigid pocket passer offence. He could slide right into the Travis Lulay offence that BC runs.
Terrell Pryor – Currently a free agent, massive ability. Same style of QB as Smith or Lulay, but far more talent than both of them. If he is to play outdoor football ever again it will have to be in Canada. He just needs to learn this. Wally has his eye on him: Terrell is one of the few people who Wally follows on Twitter. Pryor’s negotiation rights were owned by the Riders, but rumour has it that those rights were dealt to Hamilton as part of the Brandon Boudreaux trade. Watch for talks between Buono and Kent Austin.
The other QB that B.C. already has under contract is Jordan Rodgers, the younger brother of Green Bay Packers QB Aaron Rodgers. If he has half his big brother’s talent, we are laughing.
Today B.C. Lions President Dennis Skulsky said owner David Braley has agreed that the contracts of any coach with a 2015 agreement will be bought out if Buono recommends the move.
That paves the way for the removal of Mike Benevides, Khari Jones, Dan Dorazio, and Joe Paopao. The only safe coaches are Mark Washington the Defensive Coordinator, Carl Hairston the D-Line coach, and Johnny Holland the linebacker coach (who should also get a medal).
“David has never put money in the way of making the right decision,” Skulsky said. “If that’s what is in the best interest of us moving forward, then he’ll support it.”
With at least some of these changes, B.C. Lions will come back in 2015 bigger, meaner, and faster.
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