Richard Lam/CFL.ca
For all the things that have gone wrong for the BC Lions this season Bryan Burnham is doing something right.
With 44 catches for 699 yards the big slotback is ranked fourth among CFL receivers.
Burnham’s performance has been a flickering light in an otherwise dark campaign. The 1-8 Lions are ranked sixth in the league in passing (2,207 yards), seventh in scoring (195 points) and last in net offensive (2,662) yards.
Managing to stay good when so many things have good bad hasn’t always been easy.
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Bryan Burnham has been a bright spot for the Lions so far in 2019 (The Canadian Press)
“It’s definitely been tough,” said Burnham, water still dripping off him after the Lions practiced in a steady rain this week preparing for Saturday’s game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (7-2).
“I go out there and I try to make the plays. I can’t do anything other than catch the football and try to get into the end zone.”
Burnham has always been a big cog in the Lions’ offensive machinery. He’s made over 100 catches and collected more than 1,000 yards each of the last three seasons.
His workload has increased this year. When Emmanuel Arceneaux left BC to sign with Saskatchewan as a free agent, Burnham moved into the role as No. 1 receiver.
“It’s just football for me,” said the 29-year-old who started his college career at Tulsa as a defensive back. “I’ve always prepared the same way.
“I feel like that’s how I’ve gotten to this point because of the way I prepare and the way I work.”
Lions receivers coach Markus Howell said not all players can make the transition from being one of the guys to being the guy.
“The pressure is there,” said Howell. “You get more targets in the pass game. We scheme you up a little more. The motions in the game, the game plans, (what) the coaches expect out of you. The expectations go up.”
At six-foot-two, and 205 pounds, Burnham has a huge catch radius and is very aggressive. Throw a ball in his direction and he will find a way to grab it.
Burnham uses his size and power to make catches across the middle and has enough speed to stretch the field. He also makes plays away from the ball.
“It’s not only what he does in the pass game, it’s what he does in the run game, blocking defensive ends and linebackers,” said Howell. “He’s accepted the challenge from the coaching staff and is producing week in and week out.”
Burnham has quickly become quarterback Mike Reilly’s go-to guy. Reilly has targeted Burnham 66 times this season, more than any other Lion receiver.
Reilly, who signed with BC as a free agent last winter, compares Burnham to former Edmonton Eskimo receivers like Fred Stamps, Adarius Bowman and Brandon Zylstra.
“The way they play is very similar,” said Reilly. “They are fast enough to be able to get open against anybody.
“He’s the kind of prototypical guy I’ve had a lot of success building chemistry with. He’s played enough football where he understands he can use the DB’s leverage to his own advantage.”
Burnham, a native of Moorestown, N.J., spent last winter living in Vancouver. Reilly made regular trips from his off-season home in Seattle so the two could spent time together studying film and practicing routes.
“We got into training camp and it was like we already knew each other,” said Burnham. “That was huge, going into camp already kind of having that chemistry.”
Strengthening the bond between receiver and quarterback, Reilly and Burnham are roommates on the road.
Being the team’s top receiver means attracting more attention from opposing defences. Howell said Burnham is willing to put in the extra time in the film room.
“That’s part of the challenge,” said Howell. “They know we are trying to get him the ball. He has to move around a lot. With that comes the study.
“You have to know what coverages are going to come your way. He does a great job studying.”
Having Burnham on the field also opens up space for receivers like Lemar Durant who has 38 catches for 519 yards and a team high four receiving touchdowns.
“He takes a lot of attention, and rightfully so,” said Durant, who joined the Lions this year after four seasons with Calgary. “He’s been one of the most consistent receivers in the league for years now.
“When I came here, I was hoping I could help him out, take some attention off him. He opened up things me up. For the most part it’s been working. We’re both having good seasons. He’s just doing his thing.”
Burnham’s best game this year was two weeks ago in a loss to Hamilton when he had seven catches for 149 yards. He also had his only two touchdown catches of year.
Reilly hopes to see that number improve over the last half of the season.
“I think production wise as an entire offence we haven’t got into the end zone as much as we expect or wanted to,” he said. “He is a guy you want to utilize in the red zone.”
Burnham points out it took six games last year before he caught his first touchdown pass. He finished the year with nine.
“It’s easy to go on a streak in the CFL,” he said. “I’m not worried about it. I just do what I can do to help the team win.”
