Lowell Ullrich
The Province

VANCOUVER -- The enduring qualities of Buck Pierce that attracted the Lions were evident long before the most tumultuous season of his CFL career last year.

A signature game came during his fifth pro season when he rallied his team last fall to a win over Saskatchewan despite being bruised everywhere, standing up in the locker room at halftime to rally his mates.

He apprenticed under Dave Dickenson quietly. He didn't flinch when injuries forced him to give up his job as starting quarterback to Jarious Jackson. He suffered through injuries in silence when Casey Printers joined the Lions late last year.

It would seem he is prepared to do what it takes in order to try again.

"My journey has still yet to be written," he said.

Pierce and the Lions are about to head into a pivotal portion of the offseason, with their offensive direction likely about to be determined for the next several years.

Preliminary talks on a contract extension have begun with Printers that would put him on a salary level with other CFL pivots with his experience. Pierce already makes a starting stipend, reported at $330,000 annually, and there is no room in town for two high-priced gunslingers.

Coach/GM Wally Buono has already laid out some of the groundwork as to how the Lions will operate. Buono has stated the five quarterbacks who ended last year will not all be back to start the regular season. He indicated there was no reason to think Jackson wouldn't be back, and he is open to trade options.

Pierce has a roster bonus due March 1, and it is likely his future will be determined within that time frame, as the club has not yet debated whether to seek a pay cut or grant the 29-year-old his release.

Speaking for the first time since last season went off the rails due to multiple concussions, along with shoulder and rib problems, Pierce said he hopes the Lions will give him better offensive-line protection, but inferred he understands the need for compromise on the key question of compensation.

"Obviously we have a guy who is making a substantial amount of money and a guy who did some good things," Pierce said from his offseason home in Las Cruces, N.M.

"I'm not scared of any kind of competition. It's the other things that get in the way.

"I am realistic. Casey's abilities have always been present. But is Casey ready to be a starting quarterback right now, and has he been around our system long enough to do that? It's a decision Wally's faced many times before."

Pierce said he spent a short period wondering why he continually has been injured but never second-guessed a decision two years ago not to surgically repair his throwing shoulder.

He is throwing three times a week under a regular rehab program and feels he will be healthy for the start of training camp in June.

But it is the Lions who must assess the health risks, and in a departure from recent winters it is not Pierce who is scheduled to be flown in for a precautionary medical assessment but Printers.

Pierce has had no talks this winter with the Lions, and understands there is a segment of the fan base which believes a time for change at quarterback may be in the offing. No big deal.

"I've had my bad breaks but you play long enough you ride the wave of success and failure. Change is a part of that," he said.

"Nobody can understand what you're going through, not a wife, a friend or your mom and dad. It's how you bounce back from situations."

He'll test that theory with the Lions if given the chance.

Courtesy: www.vancouverprovince.com