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The season that makes next season has been tough on the B.C. Lions.

Paying the price for Canadian Football League excellence, B.C. has taken a body blow from the National Football League.

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Five free agents from last year’s team — Adam Bighill (New Orleans), Richie Leone (Arizona), Alex Bazzie (Indianapolis), Anthony Gaitor (New Orleans) and Bo Lokombo (Baltimore) — were locked up by the NFL in “futures” contracts in the month of January.

On the bright side, head coach and general manager Wally Buono knows he must have a crack team of bird dogs. The NFL signings are validation that director of U.S. scouting Ryan Rigmaiden, player personnel director Neil McEvoy, personnel assistant Geroy Simon and their aides are scoring high in recruitment points.

“It’s a positive that they’ve been able to bring in guys who are good enough to get looks from the NFL,” Buono said.

“There’s a negative to it, because now they’ve got to go out and replace them. There’s not much you can do when the NFL is interested in your players and wants to sign them. But I have confidence in Ryan, Neil and Geroy. They’ve done a good job. Now they need to bring in more good guys.”