Dickenson done until late August!

It’s Casey Printers ball to carry at least until late August, as veteran BC Lions quarterback Dave Dickenson is off to rehab after going under the knife on Tuesday to repair a tear in his knee, one which had been hobbling him through the first three games of the season.

Early published reports have been rather optimistic about his return stating that he would only be gone for two weeks, which would have been a good turn of events as the Lions have the bye week after this Friday’s game.

However, later reports out of Vancouver turned out to be far more pessimistic! As Lion medical officials said that Dickenson will need the six weeks to recuperate and build up the strength on his knee. The change gives Printers the chance to lead the team from the opening kick off through to the final gun. So far this season Printers has been coming off the bench in the second half, to build upon leads provided by Dickenson who gamely played 30 minutes in most of the games to get his team out in front.

With the surgery to Dickenson taking place, Wally Buono is finding his coaching and General Manager’s decisions under question. Why did he risk further injury to Dickenson by playing him in the first three games of the year? If he knew that Dickenson might be damaged for the start of the season how come the Lions didn’t go out and find another veteran QB to help out Printers? The always inquisitive Vancouver media are grilling Buono on these and other issues as the news spread that Dickenson is out until close to Labour Day.

The timing of the Dickenson injury is something that Buono could have done without; his main concern has been his defensive squad with the DB’s a particular problem area. Far too many leads have been squandered by poor play in the Defensive backfield and too many big plays sneaking through at the wrong time.

The Lions have at least responded well to Printers when he’s been in the game. In fact with each successive appearance Printers has seemed to acquire more confidence, though with increased playing time has come increased interceptions and fumbles. Printers now has six weeks to become very comfortable and put points on the board without surrendering them through miscue.

Heading into the fourth week of the season, things are not quite the way that Bobby Ackles and Wally Buono might have thought they would be. It will be a test of the Lions resilience to see how they bounce back from this major setback.