Reilly feels Lions had one of ‘best camps’ he’s experienced

“This is probably one of, if not, the best camps that I’ve been apart of in terms of guys understanding their responsibilities,” said the Lions starting quarterback. “We’ve accomplished setting up an aggressive offense. You’ve just got to see how it plays out.”

Reilly is comfortable with the offense. He’s worked with second-year offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson before. They were together in B.C. when Reilly was the third-string QB and Jackson was the back-up. The duo also hooked up in Edmonton when Jackson was the quarterbacks coach for two years.

It made for a smooth transition in training camp in Kamloops.

“I’ve got a lot of respect for him. He knows the game really well. He played at a high level, coaches at a high level, so there’s no question about what we’re trying to accomplish,” said Reilly. “I think he and him have been on the same page for a long time, and that’s going to continue this season and for years to come.”

The Lions made a lot of changes in the offseason on both sides of the ball. That can lead to chemistry issues early in the season, but the players have embraced the moves made by GM Ed Hervey.

“The additions he’s made all around have been good, from the head coach down. That’s why I’m so excited about what’s in store for this year,” said defensive end Odell Willis. “From head [coach] down, it’s been nothing but great things.”

The new head coach, DeVone Claybrooks, comes over from the defending champion Stampeders and has brought the winning culture. He knows his former team will be good once again, but he also knows his Lions are much-improved.

“We want to be in the mix. We think we have a championship-caliber team on paper,” said Claybrooks. “But we have to put it together. I mean, our goal is to be there at the end of November, as everyone else thinks right now.”

by Chad Klassen

Reilly feels Lions had one of ‘best camps’ he’s experienced

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