While receiver Manny Arceneaux was saying little about a potential jump to NFL, kicker Sean Whyte was saying plenty about spending another year behind Paul McCallum.
The B.C. Lions packed garbage bags of personal belongings on Tuesday, cleared out of the CFL team's suburban practice facility and headed into the off-season. The enormous question this winter surrounds Wally Buono's coaching future, but not Buono's hand in the organization.
Whether he returns as the general manager and head coach, or just the GM, Buono will exert influence on player personnel matters. He is staring at several uncertain scenarios:
Receiver
Arceneaux, the Hail Mary hero from the West Division semi-final last weekend, is entering his contract option and has a window to sign with NFL teams. If he doesn't by Feb. 15, his rights remain with the Lions. At 6 foot 2 and 215 pounds, the 23-year-old oozes ability, although he could still use some polish. In 2010, he caught 67 balls for 1,114 yards and five touchdowns - numbers that would have been better if not for some big drops. That said, the two-year CFLer was outstanding in the past two weeks, and is an every-down playmaker that B.C.'s offence couldn't afford to lose. Buono is already trying to re-sign Arceneaux, and advising him to delay NFL aspirations until there is labour certainty to the south, and until he can command a big signing bonus. The NFL is staring at a lockout in 2011. "The chances [of returning]could be high, but right now, football and signing and where I'm going is not even a concern," Arceneaux said.
Kicker
McCallum, B.C.'s most outstanding player nominee, had perhaps his best season at age 40, and is under contract for 2011. Still waiting in the wings is 25-year-old Whyte, who may have hit a breaking point after four years as the would-be successor. "I don't really want to wait another year. It'd be really disappointing," Whyte said. "It doesn't matter where I play, I just want to play now." Whyte has kicked in 17 games over the past two years, handling placements, kick-offs and punts. He made a 48-yard field goal on the final play of regulation to force overtime in a playoff-stakes game against the Edmonton Eskimos last month. "I think I've paid my dues enough, but the best kicker in the league is ahead of me," he said. All Whyte can do is ask to be traded or released, or hold out. Buono seems unsympathetic, but must also determine how many more years he can squeeze out of the CFL's oldest player. McCallum is the safe option for 2011, but Whyte could be the organization's kicker for the next 15 years.
Quarterback
Buono is cooing over sophomore quarterback Travis Lulay, who passed for 781 yards in his final two games. There could still be backward steps, but Lulay is B.C.'s firmly entrenched starter. Uncertainty revolves around backup Jarious Jackson, a dependable relief pitcher and mentor to Lulay. At 33, the free agent wants a chance compete for a No. 1 job next year. "That's something I have to think about because I am getting down to the tail end of my career," he said. Buono has historically stockpiled the position, and has often needed multiple quarterbacks to get through seasons. He said he wants to re-sign Jackson, who has been earning starter's money to serve as a backup. Buono went so far as to say Jackson is a better quarterback after major shoulder surgery in 2009. "I don't think he overthrows any more. He has better accuracy and better anticipation." If Jackson goes unsigned, there is little depth or experience in reserve.
Free agents, retirements, veterans
Defensive end Brent Johnson may retire after a sublime 10-year career. It would be a major Canadian loss for a team that is no longer chock full of homegrown stars. "I'd be crazy to walk away from my career with a team that's going to be this good," Johnson said. "But you have to at least do a little bit of thinking, and get some time away from the game." Veteran centre Angus Reid wants to remain a starter, but that's not likely to happen in B.C. Guard Jesse Newman, who cost the Lions a second-round draft pick in a September trade with the Calgary Stampeders, is a free agent. He was a starter on Calgary's 2008 Grey Cup team, and at 28, could still be a long-term solution. Safety Tad Crawford, also a free agent, wasn't able to nail down a starting job in 2010 after a three-year apprenticeship. Davis Sanchez, a 36-year-old cornerback, suffered a serious arm injury in October.