THE CANADIAN PRESS

It's hard to miss Brent Johnson.

At six foot four and 271 pounds, he certainly stands out in a crowd. And in 2005 and 2006, the B.C. Lions defensive end was named the CFL's top Canadian after leading the league in sacks both years and the outstanding defensive player in '06.

But for the past two years, the native of Kingston, Ont., - as well as many others on B.C.'s defence - were overshadowed by the exploits of end Cameron Wake, who joined the Lions as an unheralded former linebacker from Penn State. But the lightning-quick Wake took the CFL by storm, registering 39 combined sacks and being named the league's top defensive player in '07 and '08.

With Wake and Johnson combining with tackles Aaron Hunt and Tyrone Williams, the Lions sported the CFL's most tenacious pass rush with 66 sacks. The club also led the league in interceptions, too, with 27.

But the Lions' defence will sport a different look in 2009.

Wake signed with the NFL's Miami Dolphins in the off-season while Williams was released. So, too, was veteran linebacker Otis Floyd.

That will again put the onus on Johnson, a nine-year veteran who played collegiately at Ohio State, to lead the Lions' pass rush and attempt to register double-digit sacks for the sixth straight season. And Johnson has proven to be a durable player, having appeared in all 18 regular-season games the past seven years for B.C.

Other players to watch include:

Geroy Simon
Slotback, B.C Lions

The 33-year-old slotback has arguably been the CFL's deadliest receiver the last six years. Over that span, Simon has averaged 91 catches for 1,557 yards and 11 touchdowns. He'll once again be a go-to receiver this year for the Lions, especially with the off-season release of veteran slotback Jason Clermont.

Henry Burris
Quarterback, Calgary Stampeders

The 11-year CFL veteran is coming of his best season in Canada, registering career highs in passing yards (5,093), completion percentage (64.5) and touchdowns (39). After finishing second to Montreal's Anthony Calvillo for the CFL's outstanding player award, Burris capped his stellar season by earning Grey Cup MVP honours in Calgary's 22-18 win over the Alouettes.

Ken-Yon Rambo
Receiver, Calgary Stampeders

The five-year veteran enjoyed a breakout '08 campaign, registering a career-high 100 catches for a league-leading 1,473 yards with eight touchdowns. Having the athletic Burris under centre certainly helps a receiver, but so too does having a corps that includes dangerous downfield threats like Nik Lewis and Jeremaine Copeland as well as dependable Canadian Brett Ralph.

Jesse Lumsden
Tailback, Edmonton Eskimos

An off-season priority for Edmonton was shoring up a rushing attack that average a CFL-worst 85 yards per game. So the Eskimos dipped into free agency to sign Lumsden away from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The former McMaster star ran for 1,797 yards on 285 carries (6.3-yard average) and scored nine touchdowns during his four-year stay in Hamilton. If Lumsden can stay healthy - he has battled an assortment of ailments since turning pro - the Edmonton native will give the Eskimos' run game a much-needed boost.

Jason Clermont
Slotback, Saskatchewan Roughriders

More than a few eyebrows were raised this off-season when the B.C. Lions released Clermont, whom they selected fourth overall in the '02 CFL draft. Over his seven seasons in B.C., Clermont was named the league's outstanding rookie and twice selected the CFL's top Canadian. He appeared in two Grey Cup games, winning in '06. The six-foot-two, 227-pound Regina native, three times a 1,000-yard receiver, should give the Riders passing game an inside presence.

Avon Cobourne
Running back, Montreal Alouettes

Cobourne cracked Montreal's roster as a linebacker but last year in training camp wrested the starting tailback job from Jarrett Payton, who was released. The move paid immediate dividends as at the midway point of the season Cobourne was threatening to become the first player in CFL history to surpass 1,000 yards rushing and receiving in the same year. Injuries derailed that attempt, but Cobourne still finished with 950 yards rushing (6.6-yard average) and 607 yards receiving.

Chris Thompson
Defensive back, Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Thompson enjoyed a banner first season with Hamilton, who acquired the Nicholls State grad from Edmonton. Thompson finished the season tied with Barron Miles, the B.C. Lions' veteran safety, for the CFL lead in interceptions with nine. Heady stuff, considering Hamilton's defence gave up a league-high 440 yards per game and was last in sacks (26) but finished tied with Edmonton for second in interceptions (23).

Stefan LeFors
Quarterback, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The former Louisville star gets his chance to start in the CFL after serving as a backup the last two years in Edmonton. New Bombers coach Mike Kelly, who served as the Eskimos receivers coach last year, acquired LeFors, then promptly released incumbent Kevin Glenn and backup Ryan Dinwiddie, who started for Winnipeg in the '07 Grey Cup. Last year, LeFors had just four pass attempts for Edmonton but was 110-of-181 passing (60.8 per cent) for 1,193 yards with six TDs and eight interceptions in '07 for the Eskimos.

Kerry Joseph
Quarterback, Toronto Argonauts

The 2008 season was one to forget for Joseph. He was expected to be the Argos starter when acquired from Saskatchewan following a banner '07 season that saw him be named the CFL MVP and lead the Riders to a Grey Cup. But Joseph struggled from the outset after first being platooned with Michael Bishop by head coach Rich Stubler, then benched briefly by Stubler's replacement, Don Matthews. Joseph opens the season Toronto's starter under rookie head coach Bart Andrus, who will also serve as the Argos offensive co-ordinator and attempt to utilize Joseph's abilities.