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KAMLOOPS — Like most everyone connected to the project, Mike Reilly had his reservations about the CFL’s first steps into this strange new world.

How could he not? The players in question had essentially played in a semi-pro league in Mexico and were now being asked to jump straight into the B.C. Lions’ camp. There was a language barrier. There was a cultural barrier. There was a Grand Canyon between their experience and the experience of every other player at this Lions camp.

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So, yes, Reilly hoped for the best but prepared for the worst when Gerardo Alvarez and Fernando Richarte first took reps with the Leos’ offence.

Now? Well, Alvarez and Richarte won a lot of people over at this camp, including the club’s quarterback. There remains a host of questions about the CFL 2.0 initiative and the presence of global players all over the league but, for the Lions, one has been answered already.

Alvarez and Richarte haven’t embarrassed themselves. All thing considered, that’s as much as the league could have hoped for.