Sherko Haji-Rasouli has survived Buono's hard-line stance

Heerspink today, gone tomorrow. There but for the grace of Wally Buono goes Sherko Haji-Rasouli.

Right guard Daren Heerspink was the first projected starter to be cut by the B.C. Lions when the Canadian Football League club cleaved seven players Tuesday from its training camp roster.

Heerspink is the 26-year-old from Bellingham, Wash., who was airlifted into the starting lineup last July after a lousy couple of weeks by import left tackle Walter Stith.

Heerspink started the Lions' final 18 games, and was expected to help anchor a rebuilt offensive line this season. He was first on the depth chart at right guard, then was first to go.

It makes the survival of Haji-Rasouli even more impressive.

Only two years ago, the offensive line was considered part of the Lions' backbone. Then, elite left tackle Rob Murphy left to play in Toronto, and all- star guard Kelly Bates signed as a free agent in Saskatchewan. Right tackle Jason Jiminez, another former all-star, was cut after last season. And forever- starter Angus Reid found himself demoted to backup at centre when he arrived for training camp. The last guy standing is Haji-Rasouli, the 29-year-old Iranian-Canadian from Toronto who was ready to quit football when his CFL career began seven years ago.

``Yeah, I'm surprised he didn't get another week to show himself,'' Haji- Rasouli said when asked about the sudden departure of Heerspink before Tuesday's practices. ``But it's the nature of the business. They're showing us how specific and how strict they are as far as what they expect out of the offensive line this year. The difference between one guy playing on game day and one guy sitting at home is minute.''

``As I said before, I'm not going to be as patient with the veterans,'' added Buono, the club's head coach and general manager. ``You can't win in this league unless you're good up front. It's not possible. You can't have a physical team if you're not physical up front. You can't have a hard-working team unless you're hard-working up front. You can't have a team that competes if you don't compete up front. It affects the whole team - the fans, the media - and can get the coach fired.''

Well, not so far. But if Buono has a 6-12 season, who knows?

The Lions were not good enough last year on either side of the line of scrimmage. The offensive line was inconsistent, allowing 40 quarterback sacks and protecting the passer so well that injuries forced the Lions to use five quarterbacks.

Buono has made the line of scrimmage his top priority at training camp, and that is reflected by the offensive line's makeup. Dean Valli has replaced Reid at centre. Haji-Rasouli was shifted to right tackle from right guard, and Jon Hameister-Ries promoted to left guard. Imports are now auditioning for jobs at left tackle and right guard.

``With the first group that's practising right now, we have a collective five starts at their respective positions,'' offensive line coach Dan Dorazio said. ``I will say this about this group: It's a group that's aggressive in nature, and that's the culture we're building. We want to be more aggressive in how we play. We want to put out there the five best athletes, five toughest players, the five guys who give us the best chance to be physical. It's a game of toughness, a game of physicality, and that's the culture you have to play with. That's part of what is in construction right now.''

Dorazio said Haji-Rasouli's athleticism and ``football IQ'' have allowed him to keep his job when others have been losing theirs, but noted the veteran still must prove he can play on the outside of the line.

Haji-Rasouli did not dress for last weekend's pre-season win in Regina, but will play against the Edmonton Eskimos when the Lions inaugurate Empire Field on Sunday.

``Whether in college or in the pros, I've always just been able to play multiple positions,'' Haji-Rasouli said. ``I guess I'm a tweener. Everywhere I've been, I've played both tackle and guard.

``Offensive line is not the most gratifying position to play, so it's tough to maintain you're focus and maintain your motivation throughout your career. That's why I'm excited about the challenge of playing tackle, because it gives me added motivation to continue to play well. It's refreshing for me.''

Haji-Rasouli started on the great University of Miami teams that won 34 consecutive games at the beginning of the last decade, but contemplated quitting football when everyone but him from the Hurricanes' offensive line soon made it to the National Football League.

He returned to the Canada and after two seasons in Montreal was signed as a free-agent by Buono in 2005.

He has become one of the longest-serving Lions.

And he knows that counts for almost nothing.

``You're always prepared for it in the back of your mind,'' Haji-Rasouli said.

What's it?

Ask Heerspink.



(canada.com)