Football: York's Ricky Foley looked to be ratio-buster for B.C.

"I looked at the last two years," he said. "One play I look like I'm an all-pro in the NFL and the next four or five I shouldn't even be starting in (Canadian Interuniversity Sport)." — Ricky Foley

Former York standout Ricky Foley trying to establish himself at Cam Wake's defensive-end spot for the B.C. Lions is a good training story. The Lions already start one Canadian at d-end.

"Foley again began his quest for a spot as a second non-import starter on the front four alongside Brent Johnson, a feat that could well set a precedent in the three-down league."

The subtext, of course, is that even at age 26, Foley is still relatively raw. He was a Southern Ontario farmboy, "as country as an ear of unshucked corn," (Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun) who never put on the pads before enrolling at York U. However, just on his potential, Foley got a look from the NFL despite his dearth of experience and football pedigree.

The question has become whether that he can be turned into a more complete football player, not just someone who's exceptionally big and fast. The Lions have 1980s sackmaster James 'Quick' Parker tutoring him, so here's hoping it works out (except when B.C. plays Saskatchewan). Like Parker says:

"You can't just speed-rush people. "He has some speed but if they take away your speed rush what are you going to do? I think I can teach him some stuff for sure."

Related:
Foley brings new attitude this time around; Defensive end expected to have larger role with team this season (Lowell Ulrich, Vancouver Province)