Jennings on Lions’ season: ‘We just lost control’
Embarrassed. Disappointed.
Two emotions no football player ever wants to admit to, especially heading into the off-season.
Quarterback Jonathon Jennings put into words what many of the BC Lions were feeling as they packed their belongings Monday. Many were still searching for answers over why a Lions team with so much potential missed the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
“I’m going to take away a feeling of being embarrassed and just disappointed in what we accomplished,” said Jennings.
“We knew we had the talent. We had more talent than we displayed on the field. We just lost grip of it. We just lost control.”
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Travis Lulay’s season-ending injury came just as the Lions were starting to find their footing (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
Even Wally Buono, the Lions’ coach and general manager, couldn’t answer if he will be back coaching next year.
“That’s something I have to come to grips with myself,” said Buono, who has won more games than any other coach in CFL history. “As of today, I can say to myself I might never coach again, and I would be OK with that.
“I have to come to a decision after talking with (Lions owner David Braley) on what we both feel is best for this football club.”
A season that began with high expectations deflated like a balloon after a child’s birthday party. At one point BC had a 5-2 record, but then went into a tailspin to finish 7-11.
The Lions lost six of their final seven games and suffered a couple of late meltdowns to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. A bad year ended with BC being hammered 40-13 by Toronto at BC Place Stadium in the final game of the season.
“The season that could have been, that should have been, that wasn’t,” said receiver Bryan Burnham, who led the Lions with 1,202 yards and seven touchdowns.
Six of BC’s losses were by seven points or less. The Lions also lost to Edmonton in overtime in a game BC led by 16 points with six minutes remaining.
“You could see the outcome could have been different if we executed better, if we were more disciplined,” said Buono. “Some of those games could have went the other way.
“You win a handful of those close games you lose, it turns your season around.”
“We knew we had the talent. We had more talent than we displayed on the field. We just lost grip of it. We just lost control.”
Quarterback Jonathon Jennings on the 2017 season
Jennings had a breakout season in 2016, throwing for over 5,200 yards and 27 touchdowns. This year he struggled. His confidence seemed to twist like a weather vane in the wind.
Jennings was intercepted a league-high 19 times and tossed just 16 touchdown passes. He threw for over 3,600 yards and his 65.7 completion ratio was one of the lowest in the league.
“It’s been extremely difficult,” said the 25-year-old who missed four games with injury. “It’s been one of the most trying things I have been through in my life.
“I’ve never played to a standard like that. I was disappointed in myself. It’s pure motivation. I know it’s part of my growth. It’s something that is going to encourage me and motivate me to be even better going forward.”
When the Lions turned to Travis Lulay in September to steady the ship the former league Most Valuable Player suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Lulay, 34, is a pending free agent and his playing future remains in limbo.
“I’m preparing like I’m going to play next year,” he said. “That gives me the intensity of rehab I want.
“I will make decisions from there. My contract is up. I’ve been injured a few times. There is a lot of things to think about.”
Quarterback was only one position where the Lions struggled.
The Lions scored the least points in the West (469) and allowed the most (501). The offensive line gave up a league high 49 sacks.
The defence had just 28 sacks (third worst in the league). BC’s 95 quarterback pressures and the 42 turnovers created were second worst in the league. The secondary was burned for 32 passes of 30 yards or more.
“For what ever reason we weren’t able to make critical plays at critical times,” said middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian, who finished 144 tackles to break his own single-season record.
Besides Lulay, the list of pending free agents includes receiver Manny Arceneaux, offensive linemen Cody Husband, Kirby Fabien and Antonio Johnson and defensive backs Ronnie Yell, Loucheiz Purifoy and T. J. Lee.
Veteran Canadian receiver Marco Iannuzzi has already said he’s retiring.
Solomon Elimimian was a bright spot for the Lions on the defensive side of the ball this season (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
A season of underachieving could result in a shakeup in the coaching staff, although Burnham said he hopes both offensive coordinator Khari Jones and receivers coach Marcel Bellefeulle return.
There has been speculation Braley would sell the team over the winter. A potential buyer is a local group with ties to The Waterboys, a collection of business leaders who support and promote the team.
Buono suggested any sale is at least a year away.
“I talked to David today,” said Buono. “David is very candid he will be the owner in 2018.”
Even if Braley remains owner, Buono’s future must be determined quickly.
For his part, Buono sounded like a man content to walk away from the game.
He retired as head coach after BC won the 2011 Grey Cup but returned last year and guided the Lions to a 12-6 record and second place in the West.
“When I came back I told everybody my commitment was for two years,” said Buono. “I believe I have fulfilled that commitment.
“Now it’s time for me to sit down with David, get David’s vision for the club at least in 2018, and see how and what the next best step is.”
