A coordinated first effort

It probably was the longest two minutes Rich Stubler will face in his new role with the Lions, even if it was only his first as the new defensive coordinator.

But for exactly 2:06 by our digital recorder, Stubler spoke for the first time Thursday about the return he actually agreed to make to the Lions at the start of the month, and when he finished the first official act of the Lions under Mike Benevides had concluded.

The new coach had chilly B.C. Place Stadium as a backdrop for the unveiling of Stubler, whose penchant from staying away from a microphone is well-known, and Jacques Chapdelaine, who also hadn’t been heard from since it became clear he too was returning as offensive coordinator. Wally Buono couldn’t disagree, or complain for that matter, as he is still on Maui.

To no surprise, neither coach went into detail why they either turned down a CIS offer at Bishop’s, as was the case with Chapdelaine, or left the Edmonton Eskimos after being given a verbal offer to return, which was what Stubler faced.

But seeing as though Benevides faced the prospect of having neither coach a month ago, there was ample reason to hold a news conference. There’s still a few days left in the annual process which goes on to form a coaching staff, but if Barron Miles is indeed the only loss from a group which helped win the Grey Cup last year, the Lions are in better shape than a first-year coach has a right to expect.

The tough part, of course, is only starting. Buono has to find a way to keep eight free agents, most of whom deserve a pay raise, and fit them in a salary cap which only went up marginally.

Wiggle room is coming, in the form of likely departures by Jovan Olafioye and Khalif Mitchell, who still hasn’t officially signed with the Miami Dolphins by the way but still is not expected back.

But for the first Lions newser in a very long while without Buono, it was a solid opening.