VANCOUVER — A willingness to work a little unpaid overtime is among the reasons why the B.C. Lions are a surprise early-season success, according to team veteran Ryan Phillips.
B.C. looks to start a season with three straight wins for the first time since 2007 when it hosts to the Toronto Argonauts Thursday. The Lions (2-0) throttled the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 28-3 on Friday, marking the 256th career victory for returning coach Wally Buono.
Upon landing in back Vancouver at 2:45 a.m. PT on Saturday, Phillips and co-captain Rolly Lumbala told their teammates they were required to attend film study at noon, even though Buono had given them the day off.
All were present hours later, according to the two veterans, a sign the club is serious about ending the trend that has resulted in four straight seasons without a playoff triumph.
"I have to be the bad guy sometimes. We've got to make sacrifices," said Phillips, a 12-year defensive back. "Guys like myself have to lead by example, but the young guys are willing to follow. We're hitting on all cylinders right now but we're not where we want to be and so we have to have short weeks and short sleep."
Phillips said the Lions are benefitting from a restored belief in the team that stems from Buono's leadership, plus a desire to put in extra work.
The Lions defence has been a pillar of their early success. B.C. is second in net offence, pass completions and first downs allowed. Against Hamilton, the Lions only allowed one red zone snap by the Ticats offence, and none past the 3:07 mark of the first quarter. B.C. also hasn't allowed a touchdown in 18 opposition possessions.
On offence, second-year quarterback Jonathon Jennings has a pedestrian 84.0 efficiency rating through two starts but the Lions, who didn't re-sign Andrew Harris in the off-season, have benefitted from a strong ground game paced by veteran tailback Jeremiah Johnson.
Buono isn't so much surprised about the start as he is pleased. B.C. had 25 new faces in camp on opening day.
"When you play two good offensive teams in Calgary and Hamilton and average only 11 points allowed a game, that's great defence," Buono said.
B.C. has been challenged without starting right tackle Levy Adcock, who has been battling pneumonia since training camp and won't play again against Toronto. Johnson also sprained his ankle in the Hamilton game and will be replaced by Anthony Allen in the backfield.
Also joining Johnson on the sideline is defensive tackle Mich'ael Brooks, who also suffered an ankle injury against Hamilton. Brooks will be replaced by another CFL veteran, Bryant Turner, who will make his Lions debut.
Toronto (1-1) rebounded off a dismal home opener to beat Saskatchewan last week and stayed after the game in Regina, obtaining Roughriders defensive end Shawn Lemon in a trade during their down time.
Lemon starred for the Calgary in 2014 when the Stamps defensive co-ordinator was Rich Stubler, who is back with the Argonauts, and will be part of the line rotation with Justin Hickman and Ricky Foley against the Lions.
Argos quarterback Ricky Ray needs 331 passing yards against B.C. to overtake Danny McManus for fourth on the career list. Phillips sees a game against a future Canadian Football Hall of Fame pivot as the perfect test for the Lions at this stage of the season.
"If he gets into a rhythm he's going to go 30-for-35 (passing) and throw for 400 yards. We have to disrupt him early. If anyone we're going to face I think he would be the best one to face right now. He's going to test us in ways other quarterbacks can't," Phillips said.
