Tag Archives: British Columbia Lions

Cracks in the Foundation – Chliboyko on the Bombers

One day before the Blue Bombers blew a 10-point 4th quarter lead in their season opener against the Montreal Alouettes, Jim Chliboyko wrote up his thoughts on the 2013 CFL season in Winnipeg.

Bombers start 2013 with cracks in the foundation. Literally.
And Investors Group Field has no apostrophes
by Jim Chliboyko

A fish eye view of the brand spanking new Investors Field in Winnipeg. Photo by Jim Chliboyko.
A fish eye view of the brand spanking new Investors Field in Winnipeg. Photo by Jim Chliboyko.

It’s become part of a classy tradition in modern-day Rupert’s Land; the Blue Bombers let go of a seemingly loyal soldier mere weeks before training camp, thus ensuring that said cut player won’t be able to get any work elsewhere in the approaching season.

This is the second time in three years that this has happened in Bomberland. In 2011, utility fullback and versatile Canadian Jon Oosterhuis was released in June by Bombers GM Joe Mack, a move which was whispered to have been particularly malicious at worst, unfeeling at best. He evidently failed his physical, but there was chatter that the release was a classless move, coming after an earlier re-signing, with the failed physical (old knee injury, which had been cleared many times before) used as an excuse to cut the player.

This year, back-up quarterback Alex Brink was released in April. Evidently, this is a late point in the off-season to release a quarterback, and it followed the earlier cutting of Joey Elliott (who was then scooped up by the BC Lions), a pivot who alternately posts award-winning weeks (getting Player of the Week honours twice in a couple years), followed by an interception-laden furball the next week.

Brink did get a look from Toronto, for a quick try-out that lasted only a few weeks. So, stay classy, Winnipeg.

More after the jump.

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Football’s Back! by Sam Anderson

We at Pucked in the Head would like to introduce our new BC Lions correspondent, Sam Anderson. Located on the mighty Twitter at @SamelaAnderson, this football gal represents everything that is right about football fandom. Beer, check. Permasmile, check. Large collection of BC Lions paraphernalia, check. So much enthusiasm you can’t even imagine watching a game without her, check.

Football’s Back!
by Sam Anderson

Ahhh I’m getting so excited! The return of preseason football is the equivalent of Christmas for CFL fans. While I’m bummed that TSN opted not to televise the preseason games this season (BOOOOOOOOOO!), and happy that our boys eked it out vs the Stamps last Friday night, it’s being back in my seat at BC Place that I’m really looking forward to. This Friday night can’t come soon enough.

More, including Grey Cup and Fan Fest reminiscin’, after the jump.

Sam Anderson (@SamelaAnderson on the mighty Twitter) cavorts with Leo the Lion at the 2013 BC Lions Fan Fest in Kamloops. Photo courtesy of Sam's Facebook page.
Sam Anderson (@SamelaAnderson on the mighty Twitter) cavorts with Leo the Lion at the 2013 BC Lions Fan Fest in Kamloops. Photo courtesy of Sam’s Facebook page.

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The BC Lions War Room is a Man Cave Wet Dream

The BC Lions conference room features a table painted like a CFL football field, life-sized photos of Grey Cup winners and assorted team legends, and — wait for it — actual Astroturf flooring painted like centre field. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.
The BC Lions conference room features a table painted like a CFL football field, life-sized photos of Grey Cup winners and assorted team legends, and — wait for it — actual AstroTurf flooring painted like centre field. Photo by Jason Kurylo for Pucked in the Head.

Pucked in the Head had the pleasure of chatting with folks over at the BC Lions about an upcoming fundraiser today. No, I’m not letting the cat out of the bag about the event just yet, so hold your horses — but I thought I’d share with y’all just how freakin’ awesome the BC Lions War Room is. The offices moved from BC Place to the location of the Surrey Practice Facility a few years ago, and I’ve got to say I love what they’ve done with the place.

This is where Wally Buono & Co. hold their strategic meetings for football operations. The mural of the 2011 Grey Cup celebration could have been expected, I suppose, as could have the myriad photos of Lions legends. Note the head shots of guys like Lou Passaglia and Jim Young — he’s the one with the shaggy hair and bushy mustache, and just happened to be the first player I admired as a wee lad.

More after the break.

Continue reading The BC Lions War Room is a Man Cave Wet Dream