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Times have changed and so has Buono, who made football fun again for the Lions, according to star linebacker Solomon Elimimian.

“He also made it simple,” said the CFL’s top defender last season. “It’s clearcut, it’s black and white. You know what to expect from him. He holds everybody accountable.

“With Wally you get more than just football. You get somebody who’s going to teach you about the game of life. That’s one thing a lot of guys appreciate.

“To have someone who cares about you in a business like this, it’s rare.”

On the field, Jennings looks poised to build on a breakout 2016 where he threw for more than 5,200 yards to go along with 27 touchdowns.

The Lions added former Ottawa Redblacks deep threat Chris Williams in free agency to an already fearsome offensive attack, but the biggest change will come on defence.

Linebacker Adam Bighill, the CFL’s most outstanding defensive player in 2015, signed with the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, while veteran defensive back Ryan Phillips was released before inking a deal with the Montreal Alouettes.

A number of other players from the unit also moved on, but Buono is convinced B.C. has the right pieces on both sides of the ball to hang with the Stampeders in the West.

“Part of what this team has to do is mature (and) understand when you play big games you have to rise up to that level,” said Buono. “Not that we didn’t do that last year, but I think there was a little bit of inconsistency.

“That’s sometimes just part of growth.”

Buono, who also won two Grey Cups as a player, doesn’t like to talk about the future, but he’s OK reflecting on the past and his place in the sport.

“I hope I’ve helped the CFL be better than it was before I came into it,” he said. “I’ve helped a lot of people and I’ve probably hurt a lot of people. When you cut players, you hurt them.

“As good as the league has been for me, hopefully I’ve done the same because I do hold it in such high regard.”