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“Kicking is kicking,” he said. “Whether you’re at a big school or a small school, the objective is the same.

“I’ve been chasing this for years now. For me, it’s just another step. Each day is progress and that’s all I can ask for.”

Photo by RICHARD LAM / PNG

• Lions head coach DeVone Claybrooks, a self-confessed foodie, is asked about his favourite cuisine.

“Everything,” he said. “You don’t get to be this size by being a picky eater.”

Claybrooks, in fact, is part owner in a couple of barbecue joints in North Carolina, a holy place in the religion of barbecue.

He says the key to good barbecue is patience.

“It’s the smoke and the slow, steady temperature. Most people want to rush the process and you should never rush the process. They also over-season the meat. You want to taste the meat.”

Claybrooks’ restaurants feature all the barbecue standards: brisket, pulled pork, ribs, smoked turkey and, of course, grilled gizzard. He says the go-to in North Carolina is pulled pork on a bun with a squirt of barbecue sauce, topped by coleslaw.

“I’m a foodie,” he said. “All I do is watch the Food Network and cooking shows. I’ve made a list of restaurants in Vancouver. I want to knock a few off every week. Let me know if you want me to write a food column.”

• The Lions, predictably, figure to be taking a skeleton crew to Edmonton for Sunday’s preseason game. While Claybrooks wouldn’t divulge any details Thursday, it appears quarterback Mike Reilly and most of the first-team offence won’t be flying to Edmonton, which leaves ample playing time for quarterbacks Ricky Lloyd, Cole Sears and Austin Apodaca.

Elsewhere, receiver Shaq Hill went down with an undisclosed injury to his left leg Thursday and had to be carted off the field. Hill had been taking most of the first-team reps. There was no immediate word on the severity of his injury.

“It’s tough when you see a kid go down like that,” said Claybrooks. “The kid’s out here busting his butt trying to make the team.”

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