Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
VANCOUVER – When BC Lions receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux hits the gridiron in 2017, he’s going to be a little more reserved than he was last season – but only just a little.
Arceneaux, otherwise known around the league as ‘The Manny Show’, is notorious for his wild and creative celebrations after making countless highlight reel catches or after each of his major scores.
But this season, he’s looking to reel things in just a bit.
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“Right now, my little thing is called, ‘just trust the process,’” Arceneaux said of his more mellow approach to the 2017 campaign. “That’s just going out there and doing the plays I know I’m supposed to do but more celebrating with my teammates. My smack talk won’t stop, that’s going to keep going, and when I make a big catch the fans will know (with celebrations) but when I get in the end zone it’s strictly business because to be honest with you I need to get in that thing about 20 times this year.”
And those high expectations really aren’t that unrealistic for the 29-year-old.
He led the Lions’ receiving corps in 2016 with 13 majors, seven shy of his touchdown goal, 105 receptions – he became the first Lion to surpass the century-mark in catches since Geroy Simon did so in 2006 – and 1566 receiving yards.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder was third in the league in total yards last year – just behind the dynamic Edmonton Eskimos’ receiving duo of Adarius Bowman and Derel Walker – and just ahead of his teammate Bryan Burnham.
The tandem of Burnham and Arceneaux will be reunited when the CFL season kicks off in June and even though Arceneaux wants to tone things down a bit, the two will likely still create fireworks on the field.
Burnham signed a contract extension with the Lions just before he was set to become a free agent in February. The 2016 CFL All-Star had a breakout season in his third year with the Lions, collecting 79 catches for 1392 yards and three touchdowns.
Arceneaux and Burnham helped take the Lions to the Western Final last season after the team had one of their most successful campaigns in recent memory ending with a 12-6 record. Their offence, led by stellar youngster Jonathon Jennings, was balanced through the air and on the ground – the backfield was shared by Anthony Allen and Jeremiah Johnson, both helping to propel the Lions to the top of the league in rushing yards (2,082) and rushing touchdowns (23).
The Lions front office worked hard to bring back most of the free agents who helped make last year so successful, like Burnham, Johnson, and 2016’s Defensive Player of the Year Solomon Elimimian, as the club hopes to pick up right where they left off in 2016.
“One thing you want to build up is the locker room and get that culture going,” Arceneaux said when asked about the importance of the majority of his teammates returning. “It’s hard to establish that culture if it’s like a revolving door and playing musical chairs with athletes.
“With Burnham, he’s coming into his own having to redefine himself and make a name or himself in the CFL. It’s exciting. He made some awesome catches and you’re like, ‘wow, how did he do that?’ It (his production) was something that came every week, it wasn’t a mistake.”
The Lions did make a splash on the free agent market in addition to their re-signings, inking explosive receiver and kick returner Chris Williams – one of four pass-catchers to surpass the 1000-yard mark last year on the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
The 5-foot-9, 155-pound wideout will add speed and versatility to the Lions roster, as he doubles on special teams, when he makes his return from having knee surgery for a torn ACL obtained in a contest in October.
“Now we have somebody that’s a little game changer that we signed due to free agency so I’m kind of excited to actually see him make the plays he made but being on the same sideline as him,” Arceneaux smiled, not hiding his excitement about playing with Williams. “When he’s on the other sideline you’re like, ‘oh Lord, he has the ball, please do not let him score,” because you never know what he might do but now I can actually root for him and cheer instead of talking smack.”
The newest addition to the BC Lions roster, Chris Williams, will make his debut sometime in the 2017 season (BCLions.com)
Along with Arceneaux, Burnham and Williams, BC has arguably one of the most dangerous receiving corps at their disposal. Shawn Gore, Marco Iannuzzi (a free agent who re-signed with Lions) and Nick Moore (who re-signed before he hit the free agent market) will all be targets for Jennings to play with next season.
Stephen Adekolu is another option for the Lions, after he suited up in all 18 regular season games and made two starts at receiver. He was also a key component in the Lions Western Semi-Final victory over the Blue Bombers, catching five passes for 48 yards.
Shaq Johnson, who spent most of the 2016 season on the practice squad, slotted in for a few games while Gore was sidelined with an injury, will add Canadian depth to BC’s team.
Despite having all of those menacing weapons, Arceneaux still thinks the receiving corps in BC is one of the more underrated ones in the CFL. But as any true competitor would do, he’s going to use that as motivation to make 2017 the Lions’ best season yet.
“They’re not going to give us that kind of credit over here,” Arceneaux said of doubters. “They sleep on the BC Lions receivers and we do it all. They might put us in the CFL as the number eight or number nine (ranked group) but that doesn’t mean anything. It’s all about finishing.
“Calgary proved it last year, it doesn’t matter how hot you are or how your record is. That’s our main focus, finishing games, and when we’re up on our opponents not to let our foot off the gas.”
