Simon has eye on Stegall’s record in game against Winnipeg

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 2:41 PM CDT Thursday, Jun. 28, 2012 Last Modified: 6:04 PM CDT Thursday, Jun. 28, 2012 | Updates

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VANCOUVER — B.C. Lions slotback Geroy Simon says he's fully expecting to break Milt Stegall’s all-time league receiving yards record when the Lions play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the regular season opener for both teams at BC Place Friday night.Simon is just 67 yards short of breaking the record Stegall set as a longtime Bombers receiver and Stegall — as well as CFL commissioner Mark Cohon — will be in attendance Friday night in anticipation of an on-field presentation should Simon break the record of 15,153 yards.“I'm expecting to have a good game and first off to get a win,” Simon said Thursday morning following a light Lions practice. “Yeah, I'm expecting to get it done, but I'm not going to force anything.“We’ll just let the game come to us.”Lions head coach Mike Benevides was jokingly asked at his pre-game news conference Thursday if his team has drawn up a 67-yard play for Simon tomorrow.“We’ve got a 68 (yard play),” Benevides joked. “We’re going to try to get it right over.”Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice sounded decidedly disinterested when he was asked here about Simon's pursuit of Stegall's record. "Every organization has their things," said LaPolice. "We're worried about us more than the B.C. Lions."Simon got his CFL start in Winnipeg with the Bombers in 1999 and noted the city has played a role in big moments of his career, whether it was winning a Grey Cup and getting named most outstanding player at the 2006 Grey Cup in Winnipeg, winning another Grey Cup against Winnipeg last year or now potentially breaking one of the league’s most coveted records against Winnipeg.“It seems like every significant thing that happens in my career has been against Winnipeg or has something to do with Winnipeg,” said Simon.Meanwhile, the Bombers — who held their own light practice at BC Place Thursday afternoon — will be without the services of defensive end Jason Vega on Friday night.Vega had been nursing a leg injury in practice all week, but LaPolice was optimistic he would be able to play. That won't happen now and backup lineman Rodney Fritz is expected to start in his place.Also expected to sit Friday night are injured running back Chad Simpson and injured defensive back Deon Beasley, both of whom also didn't make the trip. Offensive tackle Glenn January, who's also been dogged by a nagging injury, did make the trip to Vancouver and said he expects to start Friday night, which LaPolice confirmed.With January expected to start, backup offensive lineman Justin Sorenson — who is here just in case — would be expected to be the club's fourth scratch on Friday night.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/06/2012 (4843 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

VANCOUVER — B.C. Lions slotback Geroy Simon says he’s fully expecting to break Milt Stegall’s all-time league receiving yards record when the Lions play the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the regular season opener for both teams at BC Place Friday night.
Simon is just 67 yards short of breaking the record Stegall set as a longtime Bombers receiver and Stegall — as well as CFL commissioner Mark Cohon — will be in attendance Friday night in anticipation of an on-field presentation should Simon break the record of 15,153 yards.
“I’m expecting to have a good game and first off to get a win,” Simon said Thursday morning following a light Lions practice. “Yeah, I’m expecting to get it done, but I’m not going to force anything.
“We’ll just let the game come to us.”
Lions head coach Mike Benevides was jokingly asked at his pre-game news conference Thursday if his team has drawn up a 67-yard play for Simon tomorrow.
“We’ve got a 68 (yard play),” Benevides joked. “We’re going to try to get it right over.”
Bombers head coach Paul LaPolice sounded decidedly disinterested when he was asked here about Simon’s pursuit of Stegall’s record. “Every organization has their things,” said LaPolice. “We’re worried about us more than the B.C. Lions.”
Simon got his CFL start in Winnipeg with the Bombers in 1999 and noted the city has played a role in big moments of his career, whether it was winning a Grey Cup and getting named most outstanding player at the 2006 Grey Cup in Winnipeg, winning another Grey Cup against Winnipeg last year or now potentially breaking one of the league’s most coveted records against Winnipeg.
“It seems like every significant thing that happens in my career has been against Winnipeg or has something to do with Winnipeg,” said Simon.
Meanwhile, the Bombers — who held their own light practice at BC Place Thursday afternoon — will be without the services of defensive end Jason Vega on Friday night.
Vega had been nursing a leg injury in practice all week, but LaPolice was optimistic he would be able to play. That won’t happen now and backup lineman Rodney Fritz is expected to start in his place.
Also expected to sit Friday night are injured running back Chad Simpson and injured defensive back Deon Beasley, both of whom also didn’t make the trip. Offensive tackle Glenn January, who’s also been dogged by a nagging injury, did make the trip to Vancouver and said he expects to start Friday night, which LaPolice confirmed.
With January expected to start, backup offensive lineman Justin Sorenson — who is here just in case — would be expected to be the club’s fourth scratch on Friday night.

paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca