BC LIONS TRAINING CAMP REPORT – DAY 6

(Vancouver) The Leos took to the artificial surface of W.P. Mouat for day six of training camp and it was anything but a casual Friday with head coach Wally Buono and his staff putting players through their paces for almost four hours. The long morning come in lieu of an afternoon practice and it was well-received by players.

Semi-dry conditions made for very competitive periods Friday with two skelly and team situations as well as one-on-one drills.

Guest coach Pat Sheahan got an up-close look at the pass rushing skills of Brent Johnson as the perennial all-star drove his offensive counterpart into the Queen’s University head coach sending him to the turf. “Don’t worry about him, we have lots of guest coaches,” said a ‘concerned’ Wally Buono.

Running back Andre Sadeghian flattened linebacker Tim Goodwell as linebackers took their shots at running backs on pass protection drills. Veteran Kelly Bates and newcomer DL Jeremy Gibbs are having some interesting battles and former NFL’er Clint Stickdorn is fitting in nicely on the offensive line.

One of the main reasons for the competitive teams the Lions field year after year is the tempo at which the club’s best players practice against each other. One-on-one drills between defensive backs and receivers Friday included Geroy Simon versus Ryan Phillips, Paris Jackson versus Dante Marsh, Jason Clermont versus Korey Banks with numerous highlight reel catches followed by spectacular defensive plays.

Newcomers of note: DB’s John Guice and Donald Brown are showing the swagger of established players despite their inexperience with the Canadian game and receiving pointers from Geroy Simon isn’t hurting.

Watching: Justin Shaw (LB - hamstring), DL Tyrone Williams (knee) and LB Jason Pottinger (calf).

Food Fare: On the lunch menu Friday: salads, fiesta beef bake and BLT subs.

Harsh Reality Quote: “If you don’t know it by now, don’t worry you won’t be here much longer anyway…” – Lions receivers coach Jacques Chapdelaine to some mixed-up rookies.

Quotable Too: “Kato get me the sunscreen” – Wally Buono to equipment manager Ken Kasuya as the rain paused momentarily making way for high overcast skies.

Next Up: Saturday, June 7 – two sessions – 8:30 am – 11:00 am and 3:45 pm to 6:00 pm at W.J. Mouat Secondary School.