Lions QB Pierce awaits fate

Lions QB Pierce awaits fate

Lowell Ullrich The Province February 08, 2010

VANCOUVER -- The enduring qualities of Buck Pierce that attracted the Lions were evident long before the most tumultuous season of his CFL career last year.

A signature game came during his fifth pro season when he rallied his team last fall to a win over Saskatchewan despite being bruised everywhere, standing up in the locker room at halftime to rally his mates.

He apprenticed under Dave Dickenson quietly. He didn't flinch when injuries forced him to give up his job as starting quarterback to Jarious Jackson. He suffered through injuries in silence when Casey Printers joined the Lions late last year.

It would seem he is prepared to do what it takes in order to try again.

"My journey has still yet to be written," he said.

Pierce and the Lions are about to head into a pivotal portion of the offseason, with their offensive direction likely about to be determined for the next several years.

Preliminary talks on a contract extension have begun with Printers that would put him on a salary level with other CFL pivots with his experience. Pierce already makes a starting stipend, reported at $330,000 annually, and there is no room in town for two high-priced gunslingers.

Coach/GM Wally Buono has already laid out some of the groundwork as to how the Lions will operate. Buono has stated the five quarterbacks who ended last year will not all be back to start the regular season. He indicated there was no reason to think Jackson wouldn't be back, and he is open to trade options.

Pierce has a roster bonus due March 1, and it is likely his future will be determined within that time frame, as the club has not yet debated whether to seek a pay cut or grant the 29-year-old his release.

Speaking for the first time since last season went off the rails due to multiple concussions, along with shoulder and rib problems, Pierce said he hopes the Lions will give him better offensive-line protection, but inferred he understands the need for compromise on the key question of compensation.

"Obviously we have a guy who is making a substantial amount of money and a guy who did some good things," Pierce said from his offseason home in Las Cruces, N.M.

"I'm not scared of any kind of competition. It's the other things that get in the way.

"I am realistic. Casey's abilities have always been present. But is Casey ready to be a starting quarterback right now, and has he been around our system long enough to do that? It's a decision Wally's faced many times before."

Pierce said he spent a short period wondering why he continually has been injured but never second-guessed a decision two years ago not to surgically repair his throwing shoulder.

He is throwing three times a week under a regular rehab program and feels he will be healthy for the start of training camp in June.

But it is the Lions who must assess the health risks, and in a departure from recent winters it is not Pierce who is scheduled to be flown in for a precautionary medical assessment but Printers.

Pierce has had no talks this winter with the Lions, and understands there is a segment of the fan base which believes a time for change at quarterback may be in the offing. No big deal.

"I've had my bad breaks but you play long enough you ride the wave of success and failure. Change is a part of that," he said.

"Nobody can understand what you're going through, not a wife, a friend or your mom and dad. It's how you bounce back from situations."

He'll test that theory with the Lions if given the chance.

[lyin' guy]

With the addition of Printers, a seasoned back-up in Jackson and an up and comer in Lulay poor injury riddled Buck will draw the short straw I'm afraid.

Good guy; good story, but bad luck.

Originally Posted by lyin' guy

With the addition of Printers, a seasoned back-up in Jackson and an up and comer in Lulay poor injury riddled Buck will draw the short straw I'm afraid.

Good guy; good story, but bad luck.

Whichever that game was where we were pounding on him and in a couple other games like that... I was feeling for the guy... he kept getting up and taking shots. He's got some leadership qualities there.

[T_DAWG]

Whether it's Pierce, Jackson, or Lulay that get released, guaranteed they won't be out of a job very long; Toronto or Winnipeg will scoop them up quick.

[Steve W]

We should .........

[Blackroc]

Originally Posted by Steve W

We should .........

pick......

[Bigsexydawg]

Originally Posted by T_DAWG

Whether it's Pierce, Jackson, or Lulay that get released, guaranteed they won't be out of a job very long; Toronto or Winnipeg will scoop them up quick.

Why does Lulay get pegged as a future star and good young prospect and yet Harrell and Bell get thrown under a bus.

Not aiming this at you fellow Dawg but it's funny on here sometimes that everybody elses third stringers and young guys must be better thatn the Riders.

[nearsight]

Originally Posted by Bigsexydawg

Why does Lulay get pegged as a future star and good young prospect and yet Harrell and Bell get thrown under a bus.

Not aiming this at you fellow Dawg but it's funny on here sometimes that everybody elses third stringers and young guys must be better thatn the Riders.

That's interesting. I think we definitely see some people, on this forum at least, who seem to think the Rider back-ups are all Hall of Famers in waiting....
I know when I suggested one time that is someone offered the Riders a 1st round draft pick for Harrell, we should take it, I was labled as a lunatic for even considering such a thing.
I don't know if Harrell will be a star, or if Lulay will be a star. What I do know is, Lulay progressed rather nicely last year for the Lions, and given an opportunity to play, looked decent. As guys like Harrell or Bergquist haven't had that chance yet, we simply do not know if they can play. Lulay surpassed the 3rd stringer from 2008, Zac Champion, at least in the estimation of Wally Buono. When Harrell or Bergquist surpass somebody on the Rider depth chart, we can start to talk about their future stardom.

[squish]

Originally Posted by Bigsexydawg

Why does Lulay get pegged as a future star and good young prospect and yet Harrell and Bell get thrown under a bus.

Not aiming this at you fellow Dawg but it's funny on here sometimes that everybody elses third stringers and young guys must be better thatn the Riders.

Lululemon has thrown a pass or two in the league hasen't he? Not so much for our prospects.

[T_DAWG]

Originally Posted by Bigsexydawg

Why does Lulay get pegged as a future star and good young prospect and yet Harrell and Bell get thrown under a bus.

Not aiming this at you fellow Dawg but it's funny on here sometimes that everybody elses third stringers and young guys must be better thatn the Riders.

I certainly understand what you mean and agree with it. However, it has a lot to do with the fact that Lulay has actually seen the field and has had a decent performance. Teams would be more likely to grab an available prospect like Lulay than Harrell or Bell who have seen no game time. Although, IMO, I do think Harrell has way more potential than Lulay does.

[wist]

Originally Posted by Bigsexydawg

Why does Lulay get pegged as a future star and good young prospect and yet Harrell and Bell get thrown under a bus.

Not aiming this at you fellow Dawg but it's funny on here sometimes that everybody elses third stringers and young guys must be better thatn the Riders.

I feel you.

[Melonhead41]

Originally Posted by ShuriKen

Whichever that game was where we were pounding on him and in a couple other games like that... I was feeling for the guy... he kept getting up and taking shots. He's got some leadership qualities there.

Ha, yeah I remember that, my favorite line from Suitor ever was his comment about Buck Pierce's health being play-to-play.

[nearsight]

Originally Posted by lyin' guy

With the addition of Printers, a seasoned back-up in Jackson and an up and comer in Lulay poor injury riddled Buck will draw the short straw I'm afraid.

Good guy; good story, but bad luck.

Add in 300k + per season, and you are likely correct. If he could stay healthy, he is likely your best qB though.....

[Darius]

Honestly, Winnipeg could do a lot worse than picking up FA Jyles and then Pierce when he's released. Two decent QBs with lots to prove veying for the #1. But Toronto will probably scoop up one of those guys.

Does this spell the end of Michael Bishop in WPG? I'm pretty sure it does.