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By Medicine Hat News on June 6, 2017.

The letter of the day in B.C. is D, for defence.

During the off-season the Lions lost outstanding veteran linemen Alex Bazzie and Jabar Westerman, linebacker Adam Bighill, defensive back Ryan Phillips, cornerback Anthony Gaitor and safety Mike Edem.

“Defence has been a priority,” said Wally Buono, the Lions’ vice president of football operations, general manager and head coach. “We spent a lot of time trying to develop our front seven; I think we’ve done that. The competition at linebacker and defensive line is very, very good. In the secondary, we’re getting injured starters Ronnie Yell, T.J. Lee and Steven Clarke back and we signed Buddy Jackson. Halfback Chandler Fenner and linebacker Loucheiz Purifoy are both second year guys.

“We played very good defence last year but the biggest disappointment was low turnovers (the Lions had the fewest takeaways in the league). I think our defence will be good but different.”

Anchoring the defence will be perennial all-star middle linebacker Solomon Elimimian. Purifoy and either Joe Burnett or Cam Ontko will man the outside. The front four should feature ends Craig Roh, David Menard and newcomer Frank Alexander with Mic’heal Brooks and Bryant Turner at tackle. Kenneth Boatright and DeQuin Evans can provide depth.

Alexander is an intriguing signing. He was an outstanding starter for three years with the NFL’s Carolina Panthers but was suspended three times for using marijuana. He’s the real deal.

Said Buono, “The CFL doesn’t test for the use of cannabis. We’re not under the same restrictions as the NFL. He was a very successful guy. He’s got tremendous tools.”

With Chris Williams, Manny Arceneaux, Bryan Burnham and Marco Iannuzzi, B.C. should have one of the best receiving corps in the country. Buono is under no illusions. “All the receiving corps are good. I don’t underestimate anybody. The firepower in the West is strong. Your quarterback makes you slightly better or slightly worse.”

That would be Jonathon Jennings in his second year as a starter. Although he ranked third overall among quarterbacks last year, Buono sees room for improvement.

“I want him to be more efficient in the red zone, more deadly. I think it’s just experience, exposure. He has to be a fraction of a second faster. It has been a matter of feast or famine with him. He’s looked really good or really bad. Let’s look more really good.”

To prove Buono’s point, last year B.C. had the most red zone opportunities but only ranked fifth in cashing them in for touchdowns. To compound the problem, the Lions’ 70.9 field goal percentage was eighth in the league. Buono solved that problem by signing former Argo star Swayze Waters who will also handle punting and kickoffs.

Behind Jennings on the depth chart is veteran and former CFL most outstanding player Travis Lulay. He makes starter money. In this salary cap age, is Buono looking for someone younger and cheaper to groom for the future?

“I think eventually we’re going to have no choice. I feel very strongly that this year, to upset the quarterbacking carousel would be foolish, especially for a few dollars. We have a great No. 1 and a great No. 1A who has proven he can be a tremendous support and confidante. He is also a confidence builder. Sometimes the No. 1 quarterback feels everything is on his shoulders and by knowing that a guy like Travis is behind him and can take some of the heat off him has tremendous value.”

Salary cap issues led to the trade of perennial All-Canadian lineman Jovan Olafioye to Montreal. Part of the deal was tackle David Foucault, a former Als first draft pick who opted for the NFL. Now he is back and part of an excellent offensive line that includes holdovers Hunter Stewart and Kirby Fabien at guard, Antonio Jackson at tackle and Cody Husband at centre.

Other notables? Jeremiah Johnson is an excellent running back. Chris Rainey led the league in combined yardage last year.

The winningest coach in CFL history is a man on a mission. That mission is to “beat Calgary” and then win the Grey Cup. At his age and in a salary cap era that makes keeping a good team together difficult, Wally Buono is determined to win now. Don’t bet against him.

Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 45 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.