(Vancouver) A little more than 12 hours after leaving the field following a successful BC Lions FanFest players found themselves right back on it for the first of two practices. Just two practices separate first-year hopefuls from their first taste of game action as a date with the Calgary Stampeders comes Wednesday night.Despite numerous aches and pains head coach Wally Buono was very pleased with the morning practice session as numerous players, both new and established, continue to make big plays in team and individual practice sessions. On offence, receivers Emmanuel Arceneaux, Terence Scott and Otis Amey will make things difficult on the Lions coaching staff when roster cut-down time comes on June 27th. Each had dazzling catches in one-on-one drills as well as 'skelly' and team situations in both practices from quarterbacks Buck Pierce and Travis Lulay.
On defence, the battle for the interior lineman position is as competitive as any in recent memory with second year Leo, Jeremy Gibbs trying to solidify his spot and newcomers Rodney Allen, Jonathan Williams and Melik Brown each doing their best to catch the eye of Buono and defensive coordinator Mike Benevides. Gibbs turned his ankle late in Monday's first practice but was back on the field in the afternoon.
Strung up: A reminder for rookies not to leave their personal belongings out as draft selection Jonathan Pierre-Etienne discovered his jersey strung up about 25 feet off the ground on a light standard courtesy of Barron Miles. The lift used for videotaping practice had to be summoned to retrieve the missing laundry.
Watching: Geroy Simon (thigh bruise), Korey Banks (arm), Dante Marsh (hamstring), Javier Glatt (groin), Justin Shaw (hamstring).
Food Fare: Lunch at Columbia Bible College today consisted of salad, hamburgers, chicken burgers and burritos. Dinner was an outstanding combination of chicken parmesan and a turkey with all the trimmings.
Next Up: Tuesday, June 16 - one practice (9:45 am - 10:30 am)
The Lions travel to Calgary to take on the defending Grey Cup champion Stampeders in preseason action on Wednesday, June 17th and will host the Edmonton Eskimos at BC Place on Tuesday, June 23rd at 7:00 pm. Catch all the action live on the home of the Lions, TEAM 1040 or online at team1040.ca
Following the Lions daily on Twitter as they prepare for the 2009 season! For more information on the BC Lions Football Club, please visit our website at bclions.com.
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