No looking back for Elimimian, Lions

VANCOUVER — While some BC Lions can’t stop thinking about the Calgary Stampeders, Solomon Elimimian seems like he’s heard enough.

Five months after his team’s season ended in a blowout loss at the hands of the Stamps, the Lions’ star linebacker is looking only in one direction.

“The biggest thing is we need to keep growing,” said Elimimian. “We made tremendous strides from the last year, from 7-11 in 2015 – for us to be 12-6, that’s tremendous improvement. We just have to keep getting better.”

The Lions could look at the Stamps and say they’re the model of success in the CFL. But a look in the mirror reveals a pretty good team, too.

Last season, which marked the return of all-time wins leader Wally Buono to the sideline, the Lions finished second in the league with a 12-6 record. Balance was the key to the resurgence, the defence ranking number one in the league (337.7 yards per game) and the offence ranking third, one of three units in the CFL eclipsing 400 yards per game (401.1).

Meanwhile, on a team known for its air attack led by Jonathon Jennings, the ground game led the CFL by far with 115.7 yards per game.

BC LIONS 2016 KEY STATISTICS

Just when the Lions thought they might be on a level with the Stamps, a 42-15 loss in Calgary ended their season. But for Elimimian, all that means is more to look forward to this year.

“The biggest thing we did this off-season is continuity,” said Elimimian. “Obviously the coaching staff is coming back and then you look at the players we re-signed — we signed the majority of our guys back and signed additional players from other teams that will fit nicely into what we’re doing.

“Wally coming back for a second year in his second stint is very important because we know what to expect from Wally — we know he’s going to push us to be the very best player and best team we can be.

“All of those are positive things and I feel like we’re moving in the right direction.”

The Lions’ veteran linebacker has seen it all throughout his seven seasons in the league. After joining the team in 2010, Elimimian won a Grey Cup with the Lions in 2011 on home turf at BC Place. After some time south of the border, he returned to the CFL with the Lions in 2012.

He’s one of a few that have seen the transition from Wally Buono to Mike Benevides in 2012, to Jeff Tedford in 2015, and then back to Buono last season.

RELATED
» Bio: Solomon Elimimian by the numbers
» Ferguson: Breaking down the top 20 prospects
» Landry: 5 takeaways from the off-season so far

Wally Buono’s return to the Lions last season sparked a sudden turnaround in Vancouver (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

2016 saw a resurgence for Elimimian in more ways than one. Not only did the Lions become a contender but Elimimian returned to his dominant self after a torn Achilles injury threatened his career part way through 2015.

“I’m excited not to be rehabbing this off-season,” said Elimimian. “When you’re able to train at a level and kind of pick back up from that level instead of going down and trying to pick back up, it’s always fun. And obviously the new additions we have team-wise it’s exciting.”

Elimimian put his Achilles along with the hours of rehab to the test last season, collecting 129 tackles — the second-most in his career — to go with eight sacks. Since then, he’s kept a close eye on his team’s off-season moves.

“I think we’ve made tremendous strides with re-signing our own guys, which is more important than signing anybody else’s guys because we had the second-best record in the CFL in terms of wins.”

The Lions parted ways with Adam Bighill (NFL), Ryan Phillips (Montreal) and Jovan Olafioye (Montreal via trade).

Bighill’s loss might be the toughest to swallow, not just on the field but off it.

“He’s earned the right to go down there and compete and we’re excited for him just because of how hard he works,” said Elimimian. “It’s going to be a tough loss. Some guys you don’t replace because everybody’s their own individual and guys bring different things to the table.”

Adam Bighill signed with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints after six seasons in BC (CFL.ca)

On the depth chart, however, Tony Burnett might just be the guy. Burnett signed with the Lions as a free agent from Winnipeg but has played in BC before.

“He was actually with us in 2014, we just had so many players then,” said Elimimian. “He did some great things in Winnipeg. He’s a guy that’s versatile. He has a defensive back background but he also has the right mindset to play linebacker – physical player which can play the run.

“I feel like he adds the same dimension that we looked for with Adam, and he gets the opportunity to be a full-time starter now which I’m sure he’s excited about.”

The Lions also made one of the off-season’s biggest splashes with the signing of Chris Williams. He’ll complement an explosive, big-play offence that also retained the services of Bryan Burnham, running back Jeremiah Johnson and Nick Moore, who spent most of last season injured.

On paper it’s all looking pretty good. Next will be about proving it.

“On paper is one thing,” said Elimimian. “I like how we look on paper but I know it’s all about how you play on the football field and it’s all about the action.”

“I don’t want to just single Calgary out because every team is a tough team to play.”

Solomon Elimimian on playing the Stamps

Solomon Elimimian’s 129 tackles were the second-highest total of his career (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)

And while unseating Calgary in the West will be a key part of 2017, the Lions know they’ll have to be ready for anything.

This is, after all, a nine-team league.

“They’re a good team,” said Elimimian. “They play good football and they’re consistent with what they do. Week in week out, you know what you’re going to get from Calgary.

“I don’t want to just single Calgary out because every team is a tough team to play, whether you’re playing the last place team – every team you’ve got to come with it.

“I feel confident that we can beat any team in the CFL.”