I don't think there are issues with how he interacts with the players from the players perspective - but that is just a guess. Casey is Casey - a lot of that is his personality and to be fair he is still young and learning how to handle the pressures of his job in front of hundreds of thousands of viewers at the stadium and on tv. Some of how he likely feels right now comes from being the star last year to being on the sidelines this year. That is tough for any QB and it must be a whole lot worse knowing you have the MOP from last year on your trophy shelf and how exciting your play is and how much it sparked the interest in the BC Lions last year.
There are probably times when he feels he is being screwed by the Lions based on last year, his ability to inspire fans, etc. If he didn't feel that way inside I'd say he has taken too many hits on the head without his football helmet to use a line coined by Lyndon Johnson line about Gerald Ford. But each day he has a choice to make. Does he come to practice and games and do his best no matter how much he disagrees with the coaches decisions and make the best out of a tough situation or does he get pissed and decide to wait out his contract or the Lions get mad and trade him. This has been done by others in sports. Get them so pissed at you for attitude that they trade you for a carton of tape or field whitener. My sense is that Casey inside has to fight off those feelings of negativity and he has a done a good job of not making his situation an issue for the club, the GM, the coaches, his teammates and their fans. It is mostly fans who speculate on his situation. I suspect that no one in that locker room is concerned with anything more about Casey than his health. They love this situation with great QBs including both Buck Pierce and Jarius Jackson. This is not a team issue or concern as they see these QBs as being a major part of reaching the Grey Cup in Vancouver this year.
Yes, Casey was rusty which is to be expected. I thought his first series was awesome and he led them to a td including a great run for 26 yards. After that when he struggled I felt he tried to force passes to spots the rust wouldn't allow him to succeed. That is something he should have backed off from nd just took what was there like Dickenson did so effectively in the first half and how Buck Pierce played on that one series.
This is a QB who is a good person from what I hear of him in the media. He won't screw this up as he is also a good team guy despite how much he has been tested for this including not playing in the Grey Cup in the same week the CFL named him League MOP.
We have to ask ourselves how we'd feel and how we'd react if we were in Casey's shoes. Would we handle it with the dignity and grace he seems to be employing with the fans and media? I know from my own experience I'd have been challenged hugely not to react badly even if it was behind closed doors with the GM/coach. To his credit, Casey says all the right things and I think he knows he has the fans behind him along with the team and club.
I read in the paper that Dickenson said Pierce was getting "antsy" to get some game time. I suspect that is normal when you have shown what he has in the two exhibition games and practices. But Buck Pierce too, has a choice, not unlike Casey and Jarius Jackson. Do you show patience or let frustration during the game ruin your judgment when you do get to play? Or, or do you show interest in learning and keep your head in every game so that when you are called like Buck Pierce was last night, your head is clear, your emotions are in check and you take your team 40 yards downfield for a super TD on an excellently executed play on your FIRST series as a professional football player?
From where I sit in the stands and as a coach myself in sport, I do not want a player going in who is more focused on the ME than the WE. If it is about him and not the team then I 'd let the guy sit and I'd be honest with him as to why.
I think both Casey and Buck show their true character and their professionalism during games and practices. Their personalities, backgrounds and experiences in life may differ but they the same share common goals in team sports - to do well personally and contribute to something bigger than just yourself - a team. Both these guys are successes and have more opportunities in football ahead of them than behind. What a great future for both and they are handling their situations well - at least what we see in public.
I think we are watching one or more of the future CFL greats in the making in both Casey Printers and Buck Pierce. We already know Dave Dickenson is. The issue for these guys is less the football if given playing time but how they manage their careers and here I am thinking NFL tryouts, etc.Those don't always work out well - ok so far Ricky Ray is an exception as is Dave Dickenson but has it set back others like say Henry Burris?
These special players don't come by every year and we are fortunate as Lions supporters, to be fans of a team with a bunch of them not only at QB but at a lot of different positions.
Pierce-I learned a lot about perseverance. Things aren’t always going to go your way. I’ve become so much more aware of the realities of the game and life…Things can be taken away from you. You can either sit back…or overcome it and fight through it....