BCLions.com Staff
Speed, speed and speed.
If there was an overriding theme to the Lions’ free agent camps in Atlanta and Washington D.C. it was speed, according to player personnel director Neil McEvoy. “We definitely saw some blazers there for sure and with the up-tempo offence Jeff is installing this year speed is going to be the defining trait of the new faces we bring to camp.”
With a passing camp less than a week away, the Lions have leaned towards the offensive side of the ball with their previous free 
agent signings and both camps confirmed what they liked in new quarterbacks Greg McGhee and Jonathon Jennings.
“Both guys have great arms, great feet and can make all the throws you need,” notes head coach Jeff Tedford. “It’s definitely going to be a very interesting passing camp next week and a competitive journey to training camp in a month.”
The defence too will now see some additions after past visits to Dallas and Phoenix combined with this past weekend’s camp. Perhaps most impressive was the performances of various defensive backs.
“With the change in rules this year, we’re going to be bringing guys to camp who play with that kind of technique,” admits McEvoy. “The ability to cover receivers in the CFL is a significant challenge and this year that challenge has become more significant, but I’m confident we’ll adjust and continue to be a very strong team defensively.”
Another key spot for the club is along the defensive line and players in those spots are becoming a little more clear.
“It’s important to note that these camps provide benchmarks in some positions and confirmations of players we like in others. We may see a player we really like in Dallas or Phoenix but we’re not going to make a final decision or announce a signing until we allow ourselves to consider every possibility.”
The club will hold its final free agent camp on Sunday, May 17 in Seattle and 10 days after that be on the field in Kamloops with first-year Lions. The journey is just half the battle as the club’s coaching staff and player personnel staff get ready for an ultra-competitive season in the CFL.
“Some very good players will not make our club, but the ones who do are going to make us better,” says a confident McEvoy.