‘We\u2019re going to look at everything. We’re not married to any philosophy right now.’ \u2014 General manager Ryan Rigmaiden:<\/p>\n
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Published May 14, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 5 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n The B.C. Lions are toying with a ratio revamp and altering the contingent responsible for protecting quarterback Nathan Rourke.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. 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Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events.Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account.The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an Account<\/p>\n or<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n It\u2019s early days at training camp in Kamloops, and general manager Ryan Rigmaiden was quick to say that lineup construction remains fluid. But he also maintains that going with four American offensive linemen is something the team is considering.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Right now, that plan has Kory Woodruff and Brandon Yates on the left side, and Chris Schleuger and Dejon Allen on the right, with Coquitlam product Michael Couture at centre.<\/p>\n CFL teams have to start eight nationals<\/a>. The Lions regularly went with two on the offensive line last year, with it most often being Couture and right guard Anu (George) Una. Una\u2019s prepping for his third season with the Lions, and the Toronto native started both playoff games last year after getting the call in 10 of his 15 regular-season appearances.\u00a0<\/p>\n He was the No. 6 overall pick of the 2024 CFL Draft out of the University of Windsor.<\/p>\n We\u2019ll get a better idea of what B.C.\u2019s scheme will be with their preseason game May 23 in Langford versus the Edmonton Elks<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cSaskatchewan won a Grey Cup doing it,\u201d Rigmaiden said of the four American offensive linemen setup and last year\u2019s CFL champions. \u201cWe feel like we have some skill guys that can come in here and play right away, and that allows us to dress the extra American offensive lineman. I certainly think Saskatchewan thought that as well.<\/p>\n Canucks Report<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cYou have to do what you think is right and what your philosophy is. Our philosophy has always been to be big, strong and physical up front. That\u2019s on both sides of the ball, but specifically with the offensive line it\u2019s about protecting Nathan and giving James Butler every inch of room.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to look at everything. We\u2019re not married to any philosophy right now. We always want to have a flexible philosophy, just in case of injury. But we feel like we\u2019ll do whatever we can to put the best 24 (players) on the field.\u201d<\/p>\n The Lions gave up the fewest sacks (20) in the league last season and set a CFL record by averaging 8.04 yards per play. But they knew in February that changes were coming on the offensive line, with left tackle Jarell Broxton jumping ship to sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a free agent<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Olney, Maryland native made the All-CFL team last season and was B.C.\u2019s nominee for the CFL\u2019s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for a third straight campaign.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rigmaiden says the Lions made Broxton an offer prior to free agency that would have made him the highest-paid tackle in the league. He didn\u2019t offer up specifics, but said that \u201cwhen he turned it down you obviously start coming up with another alternative of how to build a successful offensive line.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n That included telling Woodruff, 26, a third-year Lion who started last season at left guard, to prepare for a shift to the tackle spot.\u00a0<\/p>\n The Lions announced Jan. 19 that they had signed Woodruff to a two-year contract extension that would keep him with the club through 2027, and mentioned in the press release that he had the \u201cpotential to play tackle.\u201d<\/p>\n On Feb. 1, there were various reports that the Bombers were going to sign Broxton when free agency officially opened on Feb. 10, and the two-year deal would pay him $250,000 annually, making him the highest-paid American offensive lineman in the league.\u00a0<\/p>\n To deal with speed rushers on the outside, the Lions wanted Woodruff to change up his body over the off-season and become quicker. Rigmaiden says Woodruff has dropped 25 pounds. The Sioux City, Iowa native was listed at 6-foot-3 and 340 pounds last season.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s about how he\u2019s carrying the weight. It\u2019s never strictly about losing weight. You don\u2019t want to lose the good weight, because you\u2019re not getting stronger,\u201d Rigmaiden said. \u201cYou need to be a little bit more athletic at tackle. We asked him to change up his body and he\u2019s done everything we\u2019ve asked. He looks fantastic.<\/p>\n Advertisement 5<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cThe coaches really believed and still do that Kory can be the guy. But it was on Kory to go in and change his body and change his mindset because \u2018I\u2019m playing tackle now. I can\u2019t just come to camp and expect the same stuff.\u2019 They\u2019re similar positions but they\u2019re very different.\u201d<\/p>\n Woodruff, like Broxton, has spent time in the past playing arena football, where they only use three offensive linemen so there are guard and tackle skills both at play. And Broxton was a left guard with the Lions before shifting to tackle in 2023 when veteran Joel Figueroa signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as a free agent.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cHis career arc in comparison to Jarell\u2019s is almost identical,\u201d Rigmaiden said.<\/p>\n If B.C. does utilize the four American offensive linemen scheme, they\u2019d have to find a spot for another Canadian. Receiver could be an option, where B.C. needs to fill a void created by Ayden Eberhardt moving to the Ottawa Redblacks as a free agent. The Loveland, Colo., native had 45 catches for 863 yards last season.<\/p>\n In the mix in that regard is Kieran Poissant, 25, an alum of the B.C. Football Conference\u2019s Westshore Rebels originally from Regina. He\u2019s in his third year as a Lion, played 16 games last season and had six catches for 55 yards. He had one catch for 26 yards in the playoff loss to Saskatchewan.<\/p>\n Advertisement 6<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s waited his turn and is a good football player,\u201d Rigmaiden said.<\/p>\n B.C. also took University of North Dakota receiver Nate DeMontagnac, 23, who\u2019s from Mississauga, with its first-round selection (No. 7 overall) in the CFL Draft, and University of Hawaii receiver Nick Cenacle, 24, in the fifth round.<\/p>\n \u201cBoth of those guys are very good players,\u201d Rigmaiden said. \u201cIt\u2019s going to be a challenge to learn this offence in only three weeks. I\u2019ll say this \u2014 they\u2019ve shown every inkling that they can do it and I\u2019m very excited for both of them.\u201d<\/p>\n @SteveEwen<\/p>\n SEwen@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n Five questions to ponder going into the B.C. Lions season<\/p>\n![\"rigmaiden\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/nov-20-2024-press-conference-duane-vienneau-neil-mcevoy-ry_289973560-1.jpg\")
B.C. Lions GM Ryan Rigmaiden Photo by Steven Chang Steven Chang\/BC LArticle content<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/21.2.1\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-vp.svg\"){kind=logo}
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B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke with Keon Hatcher Sr. during the opening day of the CFL football team\u2019s training camp, in Kamloops May 10, 2026. The B.C. Lions are toying with a ratio revamp and altering the contingent responsible for protecting Rourke. Photo by Darryl Dyck \/THE CANADIAN PRESS<\/p>\n![\"B.C.](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/1778859678_675_20251024-cfl-06_299511218.jpg\")
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