http://www.yardbarker.com/cfl/players/korey_banks/88802 Recent articles about Korey Banks en-us Lions retain top end talent, make one acquisition Like a bouncer at an exclusive nightclub, GM Wally Buono essentially limited his moves to one in and one out. This doesn’t mean he wasn’t busy though.   The BC Lions head of personnel re-inked some major players that currently wore Lions Orange. Buono started the day by announcing new deals to veteran leaders WR Paris Jackson and DB Korey Banks. While the pair weren’t free-agents, the signings set the tone that Wally was perfectly happy in retaining his known assets. Now on to the Lions Free Agents Later in the day the Lions made two major announcements by re-signing CFL All-Stars and major trophy winners OT Jovan Olafioye and LB Solomon Elimimian. Olafioye is the current CFL Outstanding Lineman while Elimimian was the 2010 recipient of the CFL Outstanding Rookie award. Both of these top talents had sourced out opportunities in the NFL but have both opted to remain focal points of the CFL going forward. And the newly signed DE Julius Williams Newly s Sun, 17 Feb 2013 01:19:03 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/cfl/article_external/free_agent_frenzy_kicks_off_for_the_bc_lions_in_the_cfl/12933136 http://network.yardbarker.com/cfl/article_external/free_agent_frenzy_kicks_off_for_the_bc_lions_in_the_cfl/12933136 Free agent frenzy kicks off for the BC Lions in the CFL http://www.yardbarker.com/cfl/articles/free_agent_frenzy_kicks_off_for_the_bc_lions_in_the_cfl/12933136 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png The Orange-clad warriors Even when the regular season seemed so easy, it was the BC Lions record breaking defence that stumbled late in the season. But not bringing home a Grey Cup is no reason to cast aside a notable season. I’m just excited for what this group can do next year after a full off-season of pent-up aggression. This will be the only column where no “D” is a good thing for these guys. Defensive Line B+ This unit should have garnered an A grade but unfortunately transgressions and poor social media skills led to Khalif Mitchell missing a handful of starts. This group was equally effective rushing the passer as it was shutting down the run, making it one of the more balanced forces in the CFL. I would have liked to have seen a bit more production from Defensive End Khreem Smith as he saw less double teams than his line-mates, Eric Taylor, Keron Williams, and Mitchell. That being said, Smith was a solid defender in comparison to league standards. Williams finished the 2012 campaign leading t Tue, 18 Dec 2012 02:18:58 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/cfl_report_card_time_bc_lions_defence/12460837 http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/cfl_report_card_time_bc_lions_defence/12460837 CFL: Report card time: BC Lions defence http://www.yardbarker.com/college_football/articles/cfl_report_card_time_bc_lions_defence/12460837 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tough pill to swallow I’m pretty certain we could all agree the B.C. Lions would have represented the West Division a million times better than Calgary did in the 100th Grey Cup. It was quite frustrating to watch the Stamps completely sputter against a good Argos D, but a unit not nearly as talented as the Lions’. Kevin Glenn and his teammates just never seemed to get into that rhythm on Sunday, the same rhythm that had propelled them past the Leos and into the 100th championship game. Not to take anything away from the Argos and their talented squad, but the Stampeders surely didn’t belong in that football game. It was hyped up as the biggest game in the league’s history, and rightfully so. How many other leagues have a 100 year old title? But the on-field product was not very entertaining under the bright lights of the Rogers Centre. Toronto started slow, but Calgary never capitalized, and Ricky Ray and the Boatmen cruised to victory without much worry. As frustrating as it was for Lions fans to w Tue, 27 Nov 2012 12:03:32 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/cfl/article_external/three_big_reasons_the_lions_didnt_repeat_as_cfl_champs/12305059 http://network.yardbarker.com/cfl/article_external/three_big_reasons_the_lions_didnt_repeat_as_cfl_champs/12305059 Three big reasons the Lions didn’t repeat as CFL champs http://www.yardbarker.com/cfl/articles/three_big_reasons_the_lions_didnt_repeat_as_cfl_champs/12305059 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Tough Loss…Real Tough The Headline Reads: You Never Get A Second Chance To Make A First Impression It has been nearly a week since the B.C. Lions were knocked out of contention for the 100th Grey Cup.  It has been long enough for fans to calm and reflect on the season.  Enough time has passed in order to fairly grade the effort of the Lions and their first year coach Mike Benevides. Maybe a phone call to Miami Heat head coach Erik Spolstra would help sooth the pain. After a disastrous start to the Western Conference Championship, which saw the Stampeders capture the first seven points of the night on the third play of the game, the energy under BC Place quickly declined. Even after Korey Banks returned a pick six and the Lions tied the game, it did not seem that the orange and white clad Leos were playing with their usual swagger. While the Stamps were playing the more aggressive attacking game, the Lions appeared to be content with a more passive approach, one that left fans bewildered.  Why wasn’t C Sat, 24 Nov 2012 11:59:19 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/bc_lions_coach_mike_benevides_a_season_in_reflection/12284329 http://network.yardbarker.com/nba/article_external/bc_lions_coach_mike_benevides_a_season_in_reflection/12284329 BC Lions Coach Mike Benevides – A season in reflection http://www.yardbarker.com/nba/articles/bc_lions_coach_mike_benevides_a_season_in_reflection/12284329 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Kevin Glenn threw three touchdown passes and the Calgary Stampeders beat the B.C. Lions 34-29 on Sunday in the CFL West final. The Stampeders, who finished second in the West Division behind B.C. during the regular season, will play the Toronto Argonauts in the Grey Cup next Sunday at Rogers Centre. Marquay McDaniel, Maurice Price and Romby Bryant caught Glenn's touchdown passes. Backup quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell ran for another TD. Lions defensive back Korey Banks, on an interception, and Nick Moore on a last-minute reception, scored touchdowns for B.C. Paul McCallum kicked five field goals. Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:51:43 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/calgary_beats_bc_in_cfl_west_final/12245944 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/calgary_beats_bc_in_cfl_west_final/12245944 Calgary beats B.C. in CFL West final http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/calgary_beats_bc_in_cfl_west_final/12245944 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png  Snowed Over Headline: Stampeders romp over the Lions 41-21 in freezing Calgary Like hurricane Sandy pummelling the eastern seaboard, the BC Lions were up against a perfect storm of their own Friday night in Calgary.  Cold temperatures, sidelined stars and nothing to gain or lose with the outcome, the Lions started bad and quickly proceeded to get worse. Only catching a glimpse of reprieve deep in the second quarter. With backup quarterback Mike Reilly under center for the ailing Travis Lulay, Calgary used the home stadium to their advantage and roughed up BC’s pivot early and often.  With their eyes so focused on the CFL West Final, Coach Mike Benevides’ squad clearly didn’t see the Red and Black obstacles in their way. Time to run-down the beat down in Cow Town in this week’s Love ‘Em and Hate ‘Em. Love ‘Em Moral Victories With stars like Lulay and Arland Bruce III out of the line-up, the Lions brightest star, slot back Geroy Simon, not only found his way back on the field, he found the en Tue, 30 Oct 2012 17:32:19 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/bc_lions_vs_calgary_stampeders_cfl_blog_love_em_hate_em_style/12093073 http://network.yardbarker.com/nhl/article_external/bc_lions_vs_calgary_stampeders_cfl_blog_love_em_hate_em_style/12093073 B.C. Lions vs. Calgary Stampeders CFL blog: love ‘em & hate ‘em style http://www.yardbarker.com/nhl/articles/bc_lions_vs_calgary_stampeders_cfl_blog_love_em_hate_em_style/12093073 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png It’s the second half of a back to back September 8, 2012 1:00 Kickoff BC Place Eight days is simply not enough time to temper emotions.  In the second half of the home-and home series between the BC Lions and Montreal, the Alouettes find themselves in Vancouver with bragging rights having won on their own turf last week. The BC Lions are still smarting after that last second loss, no doubt replaying the final down over and over in their minds. This should be another tilt in what has become a fantastic rivalry between the CFL’s elite teams, and with both squads equally matched this game is all about will over skill. Expect emotions to run high and the football to be excellent. Top Shelf Keys to the Game Prime Suspect Clearly the Alouettes were targeting Lions HB Lin-J Shell last week by trying to get the ball to their SB SJ Green.  With Jamel Richardson, a late scratch last week, returning, look for them to attack Korey Banks. Will Lions Super-hero SB Geroy Simon be active? Richardson will be Anthony Sat, 08 Sep 2012 11:58:23 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/week_11_cfl_keys_montreal_alouettes_vs_bc_lions_preview/11659165 http://network.yardbarker.com/all_sports/article_external/week_11_cfl_keys_montreal_alouettes_vs_bc_lions_preview/11659165 Week 11 / CFL Keys: Montreal Alouettes vs. BC Lions Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/all_sports/articles/week_11_cfl_keys_montreal_alouettes_vs_bc_lions_preview/11659165 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Leo’s fall to 6-3 East powerhouse Montreal Alouettes took part one of the home and home against the B.C. Lions, 30-25 and decreasing the Lions lead to just one game over the Edmonton Eskimos. Offensive Game Ball Consider it a passing of the torch. Anthony Calvillo had one of his best games of the season, but Travis Lulay one upped him.  Your week 10 offensive game ball winner threw for 275 yards and two touchdowns, and not turning the ball over once. The best quarterback in the CFL against the CFL’s best quarterback, ever.  Kudos to Lulay for winning that match up! Andrew Harris paced the ground game with 56 yards on eight carries, but didn’t get in for a touchdown.  The 56 yards were enough to overtake Saskatchewan’s Korey Sheets for number two in the league by one yard, behind the ‘Stamps Jon Cornish. Sheets and the ‘Riders still have a game to play this week though. Former Leo Emmanuel Arceneaux was waived by the Minnesota Vikings this week, but has signed with the Washington Redskins and Sun, 02 Sep 2012 00:44:20 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/lions_vs_alouettes_week_10_offensive_defensive_game_balls/11608747 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/lions_vs_alouettes_week_10_offensive_defensive_game_balls/11608747 Lions vs. Alouettes Week 10 offensive & defensive game balls http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/lions_vs_alouettes_week_10_offensive_defensive_game_balls/11608747 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png Labour Day Classic version 2012 A trip to La Belle Province for the BC Lions generally includes indulging in smoked meat, lavishing in poutine and squaring off against the flagship team of the CFL East. BC Lions (6-2) at Montreal (5-3) August 31, 2012 7:30PM PT Percival Molson Stadium Matchup This year’s trip to Montreal will be no different then.  The Alouettes, once again, sit atop the East division with a 5-3 record and are riding a 3 game winning streak. Last week both squads finished with victories where last second field goals were de riguer. This week both clubs hope that their supercharged Offensive machines can fire on all cylinders.  But if the Lions look to extend their winning streak to 5 games, they must again rely on the strength of their Defence. Let’s examine this tete-a-tete with the Top Shelf Keys to the Game Marginal Advantage The Lions Offence has the potential to be most destructive force in the league, unfortunately they haven’t found the right rhythm to be in sync. One bright Thu, 30 Aug 2012 19:07:05 -0400 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/week_10_cfl_keys_bc_lions_vs_montreal_alouettes_preview/11601205 http://network.yardbarker.com/nfl/article_external/week_10_cfl_keys_bc_lions_vs_montreal_alouettes_preview/11601205 Week 10 / CFL Keys: BC Lions vs. Montreal Alouettes Preview http://www.yardbarker.com/nfl/articles/week_10_cfl_keys_bc_lions_vs_montreal_alouettes_preview/11601205 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png NWSB insider Carolyn Smith brings us good news for BC Lions fans. 9 Lions have been named to the CFL all-star team. Travis Lulay, Geroy Simon, Angus Reid, Jovan Olafiove, Aaron hunt, Khalif Mitchell, Solomon Eilimiann, Korey Banks, and Paul McCallum all made the list. Sat, 19 Nov 2011 02:09:28 -0500 http://network.yardbarker.com/cfl/article_external/nine_bc_lions_named_to_the_cfl_all_star_team/8194105 http://network.yardbarker.com/cfl/article_external/nine_bc_lions_named_to_the_cfl_all_star_team/8194105 Nine B.C. Lions named to the CFL All-Star team http://www.yardbarker.com/cfl/articles/nine_bc_lions_named_to_the_cfl_all_star_team/8194105 http://www.yardbarker.com/images/yb_logo_square_grey.png