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But right now he’s not a very productive competitor.

With quarterback Jonathon Jennings stuck in an early-season funk, Arceneaux and Burnham have been missing in action from the Lions’ offence. Arceneaux currently sits 26th in the CFL with 118 yards on nine receptions. That’s usually a day’s work for The Manny Show.

Photo by DARRYL DYCK / THE CANADIAN PRESS

Burnham, meanwhile, is even further down the list with 10 catches for 102 yards. Over the past two seasons, he’s averaged just under 1,300 yards per year while Arceneaux has gone over 1,000 yards in each of the last three seasons.

“We’re still getting used to the new offensive system but this is Week 4 and it’s got to start coming together,” said Burnham. “There are no rookies out there. We’re all vets. We know how to win. Let’s go out there and do it.”

Jackson said the new offence isn’t designed to minimize the touches for the two receivers. But it almost looks that way. As troubling as their production has been over the three games, the real story is the amount of times they’ve been targeted: 13 times for Arceneaux and 17 for Burnham.

To put that in perspective, Hamilton’s Brandon Banks leads the CFL with 43 targets while Edmonton’s Duke Williams, who leads the CFL in receiving yards, has been targeted 37 times.

Jackson said he expects that to change on Saturday.

“To me, you game plan those things,” he said. “We’re going to take so many shots each quarter. You best believe we’re trying to get those guys the ball and put them in a position to succeed.”