There were a number of conclusions drawn Tuesday when the B.C. Lions continued their off-season retooling by releasing veteran linebacker Anthony Reddick, one of which was that their coaching staff collectively has a good memory.

A mid-season road game last season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers created the type of scenario not easily forgotten. Reddick suffered a hip pointer in practice during the week but didn't disclose the problem until just before kickoff, according to the club. It was too late to bring in a replacement and the Lions played a man short.

With more time to evaluate their defence during the winter, the CFL team also decided not to delay the retooling of their defensive secondary, which can be aided by the release of the 27-year-old Reddick and replacing him Korey Banks.

"There's a lot of good and there's a lot of bad," Lions coach Mike Benevides said of Reddick. "But what you look for is growth and people you're going to ultimately trust. It's the fair thing to do with Anthony when you conclude someone else is going to play the position. He's known about this for quite a while."

Banks, who played the nickel position four years ago, had seen the move coming, too. Though plenty could still change prior to training camp June 2 in Kamloops, the idea to split up the pairing of Banks, 33, and short-side cornerback Dante Marsh will give the Lions a chance to look at 28-year-old Josh Bell, who played two games last year, and fellow sophomore Gerard Lawson.

Even then the Lions might not be done in the secondary. B.C. is in search of a non-import backup to J.R. LaRose, who'll replace Cauchy Muam-ba at safety. Muamba left in free agency for Winnipeg, and the odds he'll be replaced by a released Bombers veteran grew when Canadian Ian Logan was cut Monday.

Lions general manager Wally Buono talked with the agent for Logan but has also discussed signing Winnipeg free agent Brady Browne, a 2009 Lions draft pick from Burnaby.

Benevides, however, just back from the league's evaluation camp on the weekend, said there's just as good a chance the club will select a non-import for the spot from the May 6 Canadian college draft.


(theprovince.com)

B.C. Lions' 44 Adam Bighill and B.C. Lions' 26 Anthony Reddick bring down Saskatchewan Roughriders' 87 Aaron Hargreaves in the first half of the Lions final game of the 2012 CFL regular season at BC Place Stadium, Vancouver, November 03 2012.


(theprovince.com)

Anthony Reddick, 26, and Khreem Smith, 94, of the BC Lions sack quarterback Kerry Joseph, 5, of the Edmonton Eskimos as they played in CFL action at BC Place in Vancouver, October 19, 2012.


(edmontonjournal.com)

B.C. Lions' Anthony Reddick, right, tackles Toronto Argonauts' Maurice Mann, centre as Lions' Cauchy Muamba, left, looks on during the second half of a CFL football action in Vancouver, B.C., Saturday, Sept. 15, 2012.


(vancouversun.com)

Anthony Reddick had a great seat for a football game, but an uneasy feeling during the last outing for the Lions.

The feeling might be the same this week, but the view will be a lot different.

The hidden gem of a blitzing line-backer did not participate in practice again Tuesday, and as that was the second session in a row his hip pointer has given him an issue, Reddick was essentially told he will not be with the Lions when they travel to meet the Montreal Alouettes.

The injury became a huge problem for the Lions last week when it flared up during the warm-up for their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Reddick tried to play but was scratched just before game time, and the Lions played a man short.

Coach Mike Benevides said the situation was unavoidable, but there were others in the organization not quite so tolerant, as an earlier diagnosis of the situation could have resulted in a fully-stocked 42-man roster.

"First time that's ever happened," Reddick said Tuesday.

"Somehow my leg started hurting. My mind wanted to play, but physically I couldn't go."

The Lions will take import Joshua Bell and leave Reddick at home, hoping to be ready for the Montreal rematch Sept. 8.


(theprovince.com)

VANCOUVER - The popularity of high-definition or 3D TV is becoming a concern not only for the CFL but the NFL to tackle, with some fans choosing to stay home rather than follow the marketing mantra that “there’s nothing like the thrill of being there.”

The worry for players is that the coverage and clarity is so vivid that every transgression is seen in detail, then debated by a panel of TSN experts in the studio or anyone with an opinion on the Twitterverse.

Thus, when B.C. Lions defensive back Anthony Reddick clobbered Stampeders quarterback Kevin Glenn last Saturday in Calgary, or defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell confused the arm of Edmonton Eskimos’ offensive lineman Simeon Rottier with a Stretch Armstrong toy, everybody knows about it, even if the officials missed it.

In both recent instances, neither player was flagged, but the fallout, highlighted by slo-mo, instant replay, high-def, all the bells and whistles of the advanced TV age, plus provocative commentary, necessitated that the CFL office to do something.

Mitchell was slapped with a two-game suspension, which is under appeal, and Reddick was fined $750, a sum which he is going to petition for redress, as soon as he finds out what he did.

“There was no penalty on the play,” Reddick said Thursday. “So, what part of the rule book did I break? Somebody from the league contacted one of the CFLPA guys on our team [Korey Banks and Rolly Lumbala are the Lions’ player reps] and told them. I actually haven’t been told yet myself. I’ve heard it through the grapevine.”

The CFL put out a media statement Wednesday notifying the media that Montreal linebacker Shea Emry (illegal block) and Reddick (late hit) had been fined. “As per league policy, player fine amounts are not disclosed,” read the statement.

“From what I hear, the fine is $750,” Reddick said. “I thought it was kind of weird. How do I get fined? I don’t know anything about it still. They’ve never told me anything. I never got penalized. How can that happen?”

A league spokesman said Reddick was being fined for hitting Glenn late, after a handoff, when he no longer had the football.

Evidently, it was not the first-quarter play where Reddick got right into Glenn’s grill, just as the quarterback released a pass, a play that a resulted in an interception by linebacker Adam Bighill, which the Lions later turned into a Paul McCallum field goal. The Lions went on to win 34-8.

“We got a notice that he had been fined,” Lumbala explained. “There is an appeal process, just like for Mr. Mitchell. It gives a chance for the player to defend himself, to explain himself. I’ll get his explanation for hitting Mr. Glenn, then we’ll go through the appeal process. It’s like getting a traffic ticket. They might lower it. He might have to pay the full thing.”

“I’m going to appeal it,” Reddick vowed. “But four days later, they haven’t told me I’m getting fined or anything. Where’s the rule that I broke? I guess we just make ‘em up as we go. You have a better idea what it is than I do.”

Well, that’s giving us more credit than rightfully due. The star chamber that is CFL justice proceeds with its business secretively, like a private business, operating independently and heedless of public scrutiny.

In the case of Mitchell, we know that his appeal will be heard by an arbitrator, via conference call, sometime after the Lions’ game Monday against the Argos in Toronto. It has been reported that the hearing will take place on Thursday, Aug. 9, but that is information coming from a Lions source, not the CFL.

“We will communicate the decision of the arbitrator once it's available,” said a league spokesman.

When will the arbitrator hear the case?

“We aren’t communicating that right now,” the spokesman added.

The Lions head into a bye week following the Toronto game and won’t be on the practice field again until Monday, Aug. 13.

“By the time we get back to work, the hearing [for Mitchell] will have taken place,” said Lions head coach Mike Benevides. “When will they come down with a decision? I have no idea.”

That’s pretty much where Anthony Reddick stands now. He has no idea either.

In the collective sense of we -- the CFL public and media -- that makes three of us.


(vancouversun.com)

TORONTO -- The Canadian Football League says it has assessed fines against two players for incidents during for Week 5 of the 2012 regular season.

Montreal Alouettes linebacker Shea Emry was fined for an illegal block below the waist on a special-teams play during last Friday's game against the Toronto Argonauts.

And BC Lions linebacker Anthony Reddick was penalized for a late hit on Calgary Stampeders quarterback Kevin Glenn during last Saturday's game.

The league does not disclose player fine amounts.


(tsn.ca)

VANCOUVER -- Defensive back Anthony Reddick signed a contract extension with Grey Cup-champion B.C. Lions on Thursday.

"Anthony has contributed in many ways to making our team into a champion,'' Wally Buono, the Lion's vice-president of football operations and general manager, said in a statement.

"His signing brings depth and stability to a very good group in the secondary.''

Reddick enters his third year with the CFL club. He has registered 73 defensive tackles in 31 appearances with the Lions, adding four interceptions and eight sacks.


(cfl.ca)

proCane starting safety for the CFL BC Lions helped the Lions defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 34-23. B.C. became the first team in CFL history to win the Grey Cup after losing its first five regular-season games. B.C. also became the first squad since the 1994 Lions to capture the league title at home. Reddick finished the game with tackles but was a standout all season for the Lions in his first year in the CFL. Congrats to Anthony!

Thanks to James Bryant for the photo at @BigHit_Bryant24

Blitzes, pressure and a secondary that wouldn't give in.

It was too much for Edmonton quarterback Ricky Ray on Sunday as the B.C. Lions beat the Eskimos 40-23 in the CFL West final.

Ray was sacked at key times by nose tackle Khalif Mitchell and defensive back Anthony Reddick and also had to hurry throws or dump the ball out of bounds.

Edmonton had a first down on the B.C. 11-yard line when Reddick sacked Ray and forced a fumble that Solomon Elimimian recovered on the B.C. 29-yard line.

That possession ended in a 13-yard TD for the Lions.

B.C. LIONS
Overall record: 9-6
Streak: Eight wins

DB Anthony Reddick was terrific with 10 tackles and a sack. To win out, the Lions will have to beat Hamilton on the road, Edmonton and Montreal at home.

B.C. Lions defensive back Anthony Reddick left picks off a pass intended for Saskatchewan Roughriders slotback Weston Dressler during the second half CFL football action at Mosaic Satdium on Saturday September 24, 2011. The Lions defeated the Roughriders 42-5. Canadian Press/Liam Richards

No teammate would dare admit as much, but Anthony Reddick recently was the envy of everyone in uniform on the B.C. Lions, or any other working stiff for that matter. He got to hit his boss. In fact, Wally Buono told Reddick to hit him hard, too.

A hairline arm fracture has been bothering the sophomore defender. But in an attempt to convince him he could play with the injury supported by a cast, Buono told Reddick to give him a shot so the player could determine whether it hurt enough to play.

Reddick returned to the defensive unit briefly in Winnipeg last week, and judging by the amount of package work he is receiving this week, he'll play a greater role Friday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

"[Buono] was just trying to get into my mind and it's true, your mind controls your entire body," said Reddick.

If Reddick didn't make an appearance soon Buono would eventually have to find someone who could take the field. He was needed Tuesday. When Davis Sanchez was absent a second straight day because of his elbow and J.R. LaRose was dealing with a family tragedy, Reddick had a few reps at safety, which he played effectively in college at Miami.

Buono also has had to be parental in order to get another sophomore, linebacker Joe Henderson, on the field. He tore his hamstring injury the first day of training camp, and has only played two games since September.

"If I come back too early, I'm done for the season. Wally knew that," Henderson said. "He helped me to get my mental trust back in my leg."
It took awhile, but Henderson will replace Adam Bighill Friday and make his season debut. The only difference is he didn't get to hit his coach.


(theprovince.com)

Anthony Reddick can't say much about the Stanley Cup riot that saw louts, low-lifes and middle-class kids from the suburbs find common ground to trash downtown Vancouver last week. But the B.C. Lions defensive back can speak about mob mentality and how rash, unconscionable behaviour can damage and fracture a reputation just as easily as a plateglass window.

Reddick, in the midst of the CFL team's training camp, said he was aware that scores of young men, emboldened by alcohol and egged on by their peers and seemingly solid citizens, went nuts in Vancouver a few nights ago, although he admits his glimpse of the coverage was only fleeting.

Yet, as one of the players at the centre of a vicious and widespread brawl in Miami's Orange Bowl five years ago, Reddick can speak to the subject of embarrassing behaviour, how its implications follow you and how difficult it is to expunge the taint left behind.

On Oct. 14, 2006, the University of Miami's reputation for lawlessness reached a new low when Reddick, his teammates with the Hurricanes and players with city rival Florida International, poured on the field and began waling on each other, in an attempt to settle scores and festering animosities that had existed since high school. Officers from the FIU police and the Florida Highway Patrol had to step in to sort out the mess, which eventually led to the suspension of 31 players. The cameras made Reddick the symbol of the melee, capturing him swinging his helmet, Braveheart-style, at FIU players. Suspended for four games and the publicized object of scorn and condemnation, he just has to click on YouTube to be reminded of the wild scene, and his part in it.

"I think about it," he said. "If the situation were to happen again, and it's happened numerous times, I would react to it differently. I would stay out of it. My teammates are like my brothers. I'm not helping them, if I get caught up in stuff like that and I get suspended. I would react totally different to the situation if it happened today."

Not thinking, out of control, heedless of the consequences. In a misguided way, Reddick agrees he bought into the mentality that he was only protecting his house, the Hurricanes' turf. But what principles were the rioters in Vancouver standing up for? Mayhem, anarchy, stupidity?

"It can happen to anyone, doing things without thinking," said Reddick, speaking from the perspective of a wiser 25-yearold. "I think it can happen to anyone. You should always think before you react. Trouble is easy to find, if you're looking for it. Sometimes, I think it just had to do with the maturity process. If you start thinking before you react, your life will go a lot better. I'm smarter, more mature, I have a bigger view of life because of what happened [five years ago]. I know more of what I want out of life, what I want to be in a couple of years."

As far as football goals go, Reddick would like to progress from backup to Lions starting nickelback, a hybrid defensive back/linebacker position currently held by Korey Banks, an individual who is arguably the best all-around defender in the CFL.

A three-time CFL all-star, Banks is going into his eighth season and turns 32 in August. But Banks led the Lions in sacks (seven), fumble returns (four), made 55 tackles and two interceptions last season and seems impervious to injury. His current consecutive games streak stands at 66, and he sees no reason why he can't push it to the century mark and beyond.

"When I'm ready to leave, he [Reddick] will replace me," Banks said. "But I'm not ready to leave. Even if they cut me next year, I'll play somewhere. No problem. I have another three years to play, at least. And I don't know if you really could replace me, because somebody like me is hard to find. I just feel this way: You'd need a collective group to do what I do."

Banks grew up in Boynton Beach, Fla.; Reddick in Fort Lauderdale, just a little farther south. But their backgrounds and neighbourhoods are so similar, Banks feels as if he knew Reddick even before he really got to know him.

"He reminds me of the guys I grew up with," Banks said. 'He's a humble guy and hardnosed. He's going to do whatever it takes. See how he flies around and hits people? That's why they brought him in to replace Sean Taylor in Miami."

Reddick was issued jersey No. 26 with the Hurricanes, the same number he wears today with the Lions, out of deference to Taylor, the Hurricane who played free safety before him. Known as "Meast" -short for half-man, half-beast -Taylor was voted the hardest hitting player in the NFL, by Sports Illustrated, after he graduated to the Washington Redskins. Taylor died tragically at age 24, however, when the Miami native was shot in the leg and bled to death, the unintended victim of a home robbery. The four male perpetrators, all between the ages of 18 and 20, were later apprehended, convicted and sentenced to life terms in prison.

"More young men making bad decisions that affect them the rest of their lives," Banks said. "All those four guys are locked up now. They should be locked up forever. So stupid, so senseless. Sean Taylor was the best free safety who ever played the game. They walked away with $2,000-$3,000, and they're spending the rest of their lives in prison. Animals, real animals."

That's also what they're saying in Vancouver about the mob that wantonly destroyed property, taunted police and beat up civic-minded individuals who bravely attempted to stop them.

"Do the right thing," Reddick said.

"That's basically what I learned from my experience [at Miami]."

Out of the Cup chaos, one can only hope other young men will acquire the same hard lesson.


(vancouversun.com)