Buono, Lions still focused on bringing back free agents in coming days
Last season Wally Buono went on a free agent shopping spree.
So far this year the BC Lions’ general manager and head coach seems satisfied restocking the CFL’s team shelves by resigning his own players.
“Whether it’s in the coaching staff or the scouting department or even among the players, I think continuity is critical,” said the man who has more CFL victories than any other coach. “You can’t build if you are continually overhauling your whole football club.”
On Tuesday’s first official day of free agency, the Lions announced they had re-signed potential free agents defensive back Ronnie Yell, receiver Marco Iannuzzi and defensive tackle Mic’hael Brooks. This comes on the heels of Sunday’s announcement receiver Bryan Burnham had agreed on a two-year deal.
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Bryan Burnham avoided free agency and signed with the Lions for the next two seasons (The Canadian Press)
The Lions did make a couple moves Tuesday, signing defensive back Buddy Jackson from the Saskatchewan Roughriders and linebacker Tony Burnett from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Buono also confirmed the Lions were in talks with wide receiver Chris Williams.
“Have I had conversations with Chris Williams? Yes,” said Buono. “I’ve had other conversations with other receivers too.
“If you can secure a guy like that, the talent he has, I think he would help our team.”
Williams played 14 games with the Ottawa REDBLACKS last year before suffering a torn ACL. He finished the season with 77 catches for 1,246 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Adding Williams would give Lions’ quarterback Jonathon Jennings another target among a receiving corps that already includes Emmanuel Arceneaux, Shawn Gore and Burnham.
“You give your quarterback athletes to throw to, you’re going to win football games,” said Buono. “We’ve got to surround Jonathon with the best athletes, the best receivers you can.
“If you can do that, he’s making plays and we’re going to win a lot of football games.”
Buono cast a wide net in the free agency pool last season.
With the Lions looking to rebound from a dismal 7-11 record in 2015, Buono hooked free agents like receiver Nick Moore; defensive backs Brandon Stewart and Mike Edem; running backs Jeremiah Johnson and Anthony Allen; and offensive lineman Levy Adcock.
The Lions responded with a 12-6 season, finished second in the West and hosted their first playoff game since 2012.
“At this point I felt our nucleus was strong,” said Buono. “Our nucleus grew a lot last year. We need to build on that.
“Being a year older, being a year wiser, I think hopefully will make us all better.”
Burnham, a six-foot-two, 205 pound native of Mooretown, N.J., led all CFL players last year by averaging 17.6 yards a catch. He had 79 grabs for 1,392 yards and three touchdowns. He also gained 464 after-catch yards.
He gained a reputation of being fearless in making catches cross the middle of the field.
“He has got tremendous courage,” said Buono. “Some of the catches he made, I don’t know how he did, there was no regard for his body. Bryan is that kind of guy.
“The thing that probably is even more dynamic is how good he is after the catch.”
Burnham had tryouts with eight NFL teams but decided to say with the Lions.
“It felt right to be here,” he said.
Burnham is also looking to build on the chemistry he’s established with Jennings.
“Going into this year I’m every more excited,” he said. “He’s got a full year under his belt now. I have a full year under my belt. We have all our weapons back.”
Ronnie Yell will return to the Lions to build on the club’s stellar 2016 season (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
Jackson has bounced around the CFL. He spent parts of three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders before signing with the NFL Dallas Cowboy in December 2015. The six-foot-one, 190 pound University of Pittsburgh graduate played six games with Saskatchewan last year, making 21 tackles.
“He’s got some size, he’s got some length, he’s got some experience,” said Buono. “He wants to come to a place where he can compete and win a job.”
Burnett attended the Lions training camp in 2014 but spent the last two years with Winnipeg. In 25 games with the Bombers he had 33 tackles and a pair of forced fumbles.
“We liked Tony a lot a few years ago, and we’re very happy to have an opportunity to bring him back,” said Buono.
Other players the Lions have re-signed include linebacker Solomon Elimimian, 2016’s Most Outstanding Player, defensive back Steven Clarke, offensive lineman Steward Hunter, defensive end Bryant Turner and long snapper Mike Benson.
The Lions have some holes to fill on defence after losing Adam Bighill, Bo Lokombo, Anthony Gaitor and Alex Bazzie to the NFL.
Yell is returning for his fourth year in BC. In 43 starts at cornerback he has 104 tackles and four interceptions, three of which have been returned for touchdowns. He missed part of last year with a foot injury.
Iannuzzi, a Calgary native, is entering his eighth season with the Lions. Last year he had a career high 360 receiving yards and 232 punt return yards.
Brooks, who signed a two-year-deal, has played 28 regular CFL games. He has 62 tackles and four sacks.
“BC is the only place I wanted to be,” he said. “Beyond the contract stuff, players want to play where they have legitimate opportunities.”
