[TheRob]

Dickenson racks up the yards on Stamps

Canadian Press
6/17/2005 12:50:03 AM

VANCOUVER (CP) - It was a new experience for Dave Dickenson.

The wily veteran threw for over 300 yards in just less than three quarters and showed some slippery moves when being chased as the B.C. Lions defeated the Calgary Stampeders 32-16 in a CFL exhibition game Thursday night.

"This is the most I've ever played in a pre-season, ever," said Dickenson, who has loudly answered any questions about who will be the Lions starting quarterback when the regular season opens.

"I needed it though. I feel like I got better in the pre-season. I needed to get to know our receivers and I think that helped a lot."

Dickenson played about 2.5 quarters in the Lions 37-23 win over Saskatchewan on Sunday.

With just five days rest the 32-year-old still looked like a spry rookie Thursday as he completed 22 of 27 passes for 311 yards. He threw a 43-yard touchdown pass to Geroy Simon on the Lions third play of the game and was intercepted once near the end of the first half.

"I didn't feel as fresh as I did against Saskatchewan but I saw the field better much today," he said.

Maybe more importantly, Dickenson looked nimble on his feet after missing eight games last year due to knee surgery.

In the second quarter Dickenson twice scramble out of the pocket, avoiding tacklers and gaining yards. He also got up and walked away from a brutal hit when two Stampeders tried to break him in half.

"I am going to have to run some," he chuckled.

"I'd like to make a few plays with my legs. That can break down defences like no other position."

Running back Antonio Warren scored twice for the Lions on short runs before a crowd of 23,753.

"Our O-line opened up a few holes and Dave threw me a few good passes," said Warren, had 53 rushing yards on eight carries.

"I felt real good out there today."

The Lions showed they have even more depth at quarterback when Buck Pierce completed 11 of 17 passes for 101 yards in just over a quarter of play.

"Every day I'm getting more and more comfortable with the offence," said Pierce.

"I'm still making a lot of mistakes out there. I have to keep working."

Duncan O'Mahony kicked field goals of 44, 35, and 30. He also boomed singles of 61 and 48 yards off punts.

Calgary's Henry Burris threw a 50-yard strike to Jermaine Copeland. He finished the night competing 14 of 24 passes for 218 yards before being replaced by Jason Gesser in the fourth quarter.

Rookie kicker Sandro DeAngelis hit on field goals of 26, 48 and 41 yards.

Calgary coach Tom Higgins was frustrated the Stamps didn't score a point in the second half.

"We're pleased that we played them well in the first half and in the second half we got a little bit spotty," he said.

When Dickenson was injured last season sophomore quarterback Casey Printers took over the Lions reigns.

Printers threw a league-high 35 touchdowns, led B.C. to first place in the West and was named the CFL MVP.

Training camp was supposed to be a battle royal between Dickenson and Printers for the number one spot.

But Printers has been hobbled all camp recovering from off-season toe surgery and a sore shoulder. His only action during the exhibition games was holding on converts and field goal attempts.

Lions coach Wally Buono said Printers could be ready to play by B.C.'s season opener June 25 in Toronto.

The Stampeders opened the exhibition season with a 18-14 win over Saskatchewan on June 7.

Notes: It was the first game on the new FieldTurf at B.C. Place Stadium, the same artificial surface the Expos used during their last season in Montreal. ... It was also the home debut for the Lions new orange and white uniforms. ... Linebackers Kelly Lockbaum (shoulder) and Carl Kidd (knee), quarterback Jarious Jackson (thumb) and cornerback Jason Crumb (knee) were all on the sidelines for B.C.

Almost 24,000 at a pre season game. Looks like it is going to be a big year attendence wise for the Lions.

I see a future TTP Event on the horizon.