An open letter to Wally Buono
Dear Wally Buono,
I write to you suggesting, nay imploring, that you avoid any potential quarterback controversy amongst your B.C. Lions squad this season by releasing either Jarious Jackson or Casey Printers before the season starts.
"You’ve already fought high cholesterol, Wally, and now it's time to fight your apparent urge to create quarterback controversies."
Now, it may not be my place to give you advice. You are, as you so often remind everyone, the CFL’s all-time winningest coach. However, you have not dealt with quarterback controversies perfectly, especially in your time with the Lions.
Quarterback controversies like the one between Printers and Dave Dickenson, or between Jackson and Buck Pierce have been detrimental to your team for the most part.
In 2004, your second season in B.C., the Lions boasted a record of 13-5. This was easily enough to clinch the West division title. Furthermore, you had a solid team led by Printers, the most outstanding player in the league, and slotback Jason Clermont, the most outstanding Canadian. After narrowly defeating the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West final, you advance to the Grey Cup against the Toronto Argonauts.
Going into the game, Buono, you made a surprising decision when you announced Dickenson would be the starting quarterback. Ever since Dickenson had gone down to injury earlier in the season, Printers had been amazing as the starter. While Printers had been forced to leave the West final due to injury, he was ready to go for the game. Your loyalty to Dickenson forced you to make an unwise decision.
In the game, Dickenson made 18 of 27 pass attempts for 201 yards and a touchdown as the Lions fell 27-19. The result could have been much different if Printers had gotten the nod, Wally. This quarterback controversy forced you to make an unwise decision.
Next season, the controversy between Printers and Dickenson continued. This seemed to affect your team negatively because it was never dealt with. Despite their 11-0 start, they ended up being ousted in the West final by the Edmonton Eskimos.
For the next couple of seasons, it was anyone’s guess who would be the starting quarterback in B.C.: Jackson, Pierce or Dickenson? In fairness, injuries didn’t help. Still, you’re Lions never really found continuity at the quarterback position, largely because you never named a permanent starter.
But, enough living in the past. You have a chance to avoid this reoccurring quarterback controversy this season by naming Jackson or Printers the starter and releasing the other.
Personally, I would suggest keeping Printers. You know there is great potential in the former most outstanding player, while your Lions squad has been average at best under Jackson. Now, don’t get me wrong, if Jackson out performs Printers in camp, keep him and give Printers the heave-ho.
Both Printers and Jackson want to start, and even if you name one the starter and keep the other, there will be talks of quarterback controversy the second the starting quarterback falters. This kind of talk can be bad for team morale, as you have seen in the past.
With Travis Lulay, Wally, you already have a promising backup you can turn to if your starting quarterback really struggles. Yet, with Lulay, there will be little talk of controversy unless things get really bad.
You don’t need both Jackson and Printers. It is time to put your confidence into one quarterback heading into the season. Though you have often said you don’t like a quarterback to get too comfortable, which is why you often have a solid quarterback waiting in the wings, perhaps it is time to try a new tactic.
The rest of your offence looks pretty solid. All that is missing is a permanent starting quarterback to lead your team.
Look, Wally, I am not a fan of the Lions and I am certainly not rooting for you this season. However, your team’s constant quarterback controversies that always take up a lot of the media’s time are boring.
You’ve already fought high cholesterol, Wally, and now it’s time to fight your apparent urge to create quarterback controversies.
Yours truly,
Jonathan Hamelin
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About the Author
An aspiring journalist who has a freelance contract with the Regina Leader-Post and is a veteran online CFL columnist. Hamelin currently attends the University of Regina and is enrolled in the pre-journalism program. After this year, he will apply for the school of journalism. Hamelin has had work published in his highschool paper, university paper, Regina's paper and a number of online sites. For a look at all of his work, visit http://jonathansjournalismportfolio.webs.com/View Author Profile
Don't listen to that advice, Wally Buono! I want every team but the Riders to have a QB controversy.
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