Sherko Haji-Rasouli aims to make season debut against Alouettes

VANCOUVER — Quarterback Casey Printers’ precarious state — he can hardly walk for a while after he gets out of bed in the morning due to a bum knee — might be only half as bad as Sherko Haji-Rasouli.

The presumptive starting right tackle has yet to play a game for the B.C. Lions this season.

“Casey’s got one knee problem. I’ve got two,” Haji-Rasouli says. “But he’s the quarterback. All I can tell you is, he’s in the medical room for treatment just as much as I am, and even more. We’re trying to get ourselves as healthy as possible — for him to stay on the field and for me to get back on it.”

Searching for any sign of stability and veteran leadership on the offensive line, the Lions are hoping to have Haji-Rasouli in the starting lineup Friday against the Montreal Alouettes. But Haji-Rasouli, who turns 30 on Wednesday, has a pair of knees that must make him feel 60.

He ended Monday’s practice on the exercise bike, with Joe McGrath playing his position, and later tried to tell everyone he’s never felt better, at least this month.

“I felt really good today and, hopefully, I’ll feel better (Tuesday),” said Haji-Rasouli, who realizes the Lions will be a better team with him than without him. “If you look at the starting O-line last week (against Calgary), there was only one guy (centre Dean Valli) who’d started a game prior to this year. The more reps they get, the better they’re going to get. Hopefully, with me in there, I can help them make better decisions and play better.”

Justin Sorensen started at right tackle against the Stampeders, but Buono’s less-than-ringing endorsement of the sophomore pro’s play leaves little doubt McGrath will be the first option if Haji-Rasouli can’t go.

“Justin was . . . (long pause) he was just OK,” Buono said.

Despite having an offensive line laden with doubt, inexperience and injury, Buono said he hasn’t spent a single moment wondering if the release of last year’s starting right tackle, Jason Jimenez, was justified. The Lions won a Grey Cup in 2006 with Jimenez and Rob Murphy as the starting tackles, and Murphy’s departure to the Toronto Argonauts through free agency set the Lions’ O-line on a course toward its inexorable slide.

“Honestly, he (Jimenez) was in the quarterback’s lap the whole year (2009),” Buono said. “And we just didn’t feel he was reachable (buying into the scheme).”

The plan for 2010 therefore was to have Haji-Rasouli move from right guard to right tackle to become the “rock” that Jimenez was supposed to be. But it hasn’t worked out that way.

Haji-Rasouli’s knee injury, suffered in pre-season, and a season-ending knee injury to presumptive starting left guard Andrew Jones began the discordant game of musical chairs along the line. Only right guard Jovan Olafioye, the youngest player on the team at 22, has played the same position through all eight games.

“He’s probably been our best lineman,” Buono admits.

“Jovan’s knees are more sore than mine — which is funny, because he’s only 22 years old,” Haji-Rasouli claims. “I finished (practice) on the exercise bike because I was just trying to get a little cardio work in. You saw me running, too. I’ve just got to get my wind up. It’s going to be warm in Montreal, and I’ve got to able to chase ’em.”

While Haji-Rasouli’s words are attempting to embellish his situation, Buono is a big believer in what he sees, not in what he hears. The fact that his veteran right tackle was walking like a man on hot coals is a good indication that Haji-Rasouli isn’t as far along as he might suggest.

“I think the reason we’re in this predicament is that three of the five guys (on the offensive line) we were counting on got hurt, and two of them (Haji-Rasouli and Jones) were critical,” Buono says. “Sherko’s still vulnerable. Do I start him, he plays one snap, and he gets hurt again? I’m going to be more comfortable after I have a look at him (Tuesday) when we’re in pads. That’s why I can’t declare him in for Montreal yet. I hope he’ll be a stabilizing influence, but I don’t know.”

(vancouversun.com)