Close X
Thursday, December 5, 2024
ADVT 
Sports

B.C. Lions Linebacker Solomon Elimimian Looking To Build On Standout Season

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 02 Jun, 2015 12:01 PM
  • B.C. Lions Linebacker Solomon Elimimian Looking To Build On Standout Season
KAMLOOPS, B.C. — Solomon Elimimian isn't close to being satisfied.
 
Sure he was named the CFL's outstanding player in 2014 — a first for a full-time defender — but the B.C. Lions had an otherwise disappointing campaign, stumbling to a 9-9 regular-season before an embarrassing playoff loss.
 
Coming off a record-breaking 143-tackle performance, the hard-hitting linebacker is eager to put in even more work to get both his team and himself back on top.
 
"I've got a lot left," the 28-year-old said at training camp this week. "I have high goals, personal goals, for myself and the team. We want to win the Grey Cup first, No. 1, but I also want to be the best player again.
 
"That's just something that's in my mindset and I'm going to work hard every day to accomplish that goal."
 
Lions head coach Jeff Tedford, who was hired in December, is getting his first look at Elimimian in person and sees what the rest of the league has known for a while.
 
"He's a great player," said Tedford. "He's very gifted, a great leader, runs to the ball, very smart guy, has great instincts to play the game."
 
Those instincts helped keep B.C.'s head above water for long stretches last year after a number of key injuries crippled the team's attack. That put a lot of pressure on a defence that was simply on the field too much and eventually crumbled, with the low point coming in that 50-17 playoff defeat to the Montreal Alouettes.
 
"The biggest thing for us is just to be great every game," said Elimimian. "We have a lot of goals for our defence and one is to be the best."
 
Along with fellow linebacker Adam Bighill, the Lions rewarded Elimimian with a contract extension through 2017 in the off-season. But that doesn't mean he feels comfortable.
 
"You always have to take this job very seriously because there's guys that always want your job," said Elimimian, who was also voted the CFL's top defensive player last season. "It takes hard work, it takes never being complacent and always striving for more."
 
Teammates feed off the six-foot, 225-pound Elimimian's passion and will look for him to assume an even larger leadership role as he enters his sixth season.
 
"He's not content with winning the most outstanding player," said veteran defensive back Ryan Phillips. "It would have been an ideal year if we had been able to win the Grey Cup as well, but since we didn't he wants to make sure we go out there and finish on the right note. That's not enough for him and I admire that.
 
"He wants to be the best player possible, but he also wants to be the best player for the team."
 
Elimimian admitted he was a bit naive after the Lions won a championship on home soil in 2011, believing they'd make a quick return. The opposite has been the case.
 
"I want more Grey Cups," he said. "I thought it would be easy. I thought we could win one every year and I haven't been back since. The more you play this game the more precious you realize those rewards are."

MORE Sports ARTICLES

2014 World Cup most polluted in history

2014 World Cup most polluted in history
FIFA statistics have showed that the 2014 World Cup in Brazil was the most polluted in history with the emission of 2.72 million tonnes of carbon dioxide.

2014 World Cup most polluted in history

Romero's wife ready to loan him to Rihanna if Argentina win World Cup

Romero's wife ready to loan him to Rihanna if Argentina win World Cup
Model Eliana Guercio, wife of Argentine goalkeeper Sergio Romero, said that she is ready to loan her husband for one week to American pop star Rihanna if Argentina lift the World Cup trophy Sunday.

Romero's wife ready to loan him to Rihanna if Argentina win World Cup

Neymar's agent calls Scolari 'old jerk'

Neymar's agent calls Scolari 'old jerk'
Neymar’s agent Wagner Ribeiro described Brazil’s coach Luiz Felipe Scolari as an “old jerk” after the Selecao lost 1-7 at the hands of Germany in the World Cup semi-final Tuesday.

Neymar's agent calls Scolari 'old jerk'

Argentina overcome Netherlands in penalties, to face Germany in World Cup final

Argentina overcome Netherlands in penalties, to face Germany in World Cup final
Argentina set up a FIFA World Cup final clash against Germany after overcoming the Netherlands 4-2 in a penalty shootout. Both teams failed to score at the end of regular and extra time at the Arena Corinthians here Wednesday.

Argentina overcome Netherlands in penalties, to face Germany in World Cup final

Argentina-Netherlands World Cup Semifinal goes into extra time

Argentina-Netherlands World Cup Semifinal goes into extra time
The FIFA World Cup semifinal match between Argentina and the Netherlands went into extra time after both teams were tied 0-0 at the end of regular time at the Arena Corinthians here Wednesday.

Argentina-Netherlands World Cup Semifinal goes into extra time

FIFA World Cup Semifinal: Germany hands humiliating 7-1 defeat to Brazil

FIFA World Cup Semifinal: Germany hands humiliating 7-1 defeat to Brazil
A ruthless Germany Tuesday dumped hosts Brazil out of the FIFA World Cup in a humiliating fashion, beating them 7-1 at the Minerao Stadium to march in the finals.

FIFA World Cup Semifinal: Germany hands humiliating 7-1 defeat to Brazil