This section will feature blog entries from Geroy on a variety of topics.
November 8, 2010 -
Uh oh! The BC Lions have made it into the playoffs. This has been one of the most challenging years in a long time for me. We have worked our butts off and played with great effort. Now it has all come together for us. I'm not guaranteeing anything other than we will play as hard as we possibly can, but beware of the Lions in the playoffs. See you in Saskatchewan!
- GS
August 1, 2010 -
I know, I know it has been a long time and I appologize for not blogging in so long. This has not been the start to the season that we wanted. 1-4 and at the bottom of the standing in the Western Division is not where we envisioned when we started, but this is where we are and we have no one to blame but ourselves. I need to make a point that we have a ton of talent and could be a very good team but until we come together and stop making silly mistakes and beating ourselves we will never turn this thing around. I believe in the guys we have in our locker room and have faith that we will dig ourselves out this hole. Starting Saturday night against the Calgary Stampeders a team we have not beaten in over 2 yrs. Bless!
- GS
April 24, 2010 -
What's up people. It has been a long time since I've blogged and I apologize for the lengthy delay. This off season has been a long one. Coming off the loss to Montreal I was pretty dejected and wanted to get right back to work. I started training in January on my own, then got with Chris Boyko in February. All in all it has been very good. I feel better than I've ever felt going into a season. Stay tuned more to come at a later date.
- GS
January 5, 2010 -
Happy New Year all! I'm so excited for 2010 although '09 was a pretty good year, we are taught to "forget about it" and move on. My unofficial training has begun and going very well, my body feels great. I'm gaining all my strength back that was drained from me throughout the season. Officially I start with my long time trainer Chris Boyko in late January to get me in tip top shape so I can continue to play at a high level setting examples for younger players and leading my teammates to a Great Cup Victory. I feel confident starting the year and it will continue to grow as the offseason progresses. I will talk with you soon. Late!
GS
December 2, 2009 -
The CFL season is officially ended and 2009 was difficult year for the BC Lions. We started the year losing player after play. These weren't just regular guys. They were players that made a huge impact. As the year started we looked like a team that had a number of new parts beginning 1-4. We worked through it and got some wins under our belt and then had to scratch and claw to make it into the playoffs. All in all going through 5 quarterbacks numerous receivers and a plethora of offensive lineman and running backs.
We should have been happy to even get in the playoffs, but we got in and made it to the Eastern Final. You want to talk about crazy. The Big O was nuts! It was so loud I couldn't hear myself think, not to mention we were playing a great team in Montreal. They were 15-3 rested and hungry to win the ever elusive Grey Cup. We gave it our best effort but with all the grinding of the season and travel (over 10,000 miles in a week) I don't know if we had enough physically to get the job done. The final game was a tough one to swallow because we had played well at times against the Alouettes but it was not meant to be. Watching the Grey Cup was a whole different story.
I had tickets and my family was all set to go but we cancelled at the last minute and figured we'd just watch it on tv. What a game! I had a feeling that Saskatchewan was going to play well and they came out smoking. Although the Riders were leading the majority of the game I never though they were going to win because they never put them away. In my mind the first half Calvillo and the Als looked very nervous. There was never that moment when one could say, it's over they don't have a chance. The Als just hung around and in the end, you couldn't make that up and sell it to Hollywood. Thee 13th man put a dagger in the hearts of all Rider fans. The bad thing is that I was almost, I said "almost" rooting for the Riders because they were such big underdogs. Oh well, they say you have to see the positive in every situation. The positive I see is that my little cousin Andrew Hawkins gets his first championship ring.
Merry Christmas all!
GS
November 18, 2009 -
BC in the Eastern Final! What the? That's right we are in the East Final. The goal all along was to make it in the playoff any way possible. Sunday's game in Hamilton was very fun but nerve racking at the same time. It was fun because we dominated them for the majority of the game but frustrating because we let them hang around and stay in the game. We have to eliminate the offensive penalties because it kills our momentum. We cannot continue to play the opposing team and ourselves. If we want to leave Montreal victorious these need to be rectified, which I think will happen. We will show up prepared to win. I guarantee it!
- GS
November 9, 2009 -
We got in! Some may say we backed in or that we were let in the back door. The fact remains "We are in the playoffs". I also think it's good we are playing on the road. If you remember the less than stellar games we have played, they have come at home. We will be focused and determined to win it all. Hamilton is a very good team that plays very hard. They are led by a trio of linebackers (former Lions) that make huge plays and give them lots of energy. Keep them quiet and our chances of winning are increased. I can't wait, this will be fun!
- GS
October 27, 2009 -
As I've been saying all year. We cannot let games get away from us. We have to finish teams off when we have them down. Momentum swings come and go, when its swinging in your favor we must capitalize on it.
The return of Casey was good for our offense. He brought tons of enthusiasm and energy. He has a unique ability to turn disasters into big plays, something we have not seen in a numbers of years. By no means was he perfect but who is. He will be better this week, we will be better this week. I can almost guarantee it!
- GS
October 14, 2009 -
Wow what a game on Friday night in Edmonton! We are making things so hard on ourselves. We have a really good team and when we play the game the way its supposed to be played there's no question who the best team in the leagues is. In the first half, complete domination. Edmonton had no answer for what we were doing.
In the second half I do not know if its complacency or lack of focus but it crept up and almost bit us in the butt. There's no reason I had to make desperation catch in the final minutes of the game to seal it. That game should have been over after the third quarter. We have to finish teams off and not give them life by letting them get their confidence up!
- GS
October 7, 2009 -
The way we played on Friday is the way we were coached to play al year. By no means was it perfect but we played hard, we played smart and we finished! The great thing about football is the most frustrating thing about football. If you play hard,smart and finish more time than not you win.
I also have to mention the play of Buc Pierce. His play was a classic example of being a warrior. He was battered bruised bloody and he didn't say a peep. Every time he got knocked around he got up brushed himself off and kept playing. That was arguably the best I've seen him play.
- GS
September 30, 2009 -
We are running out of opportunities! I'm not in Panic Mode but every game for the rest of the year is like a playoff game. Last weeks game in Calgary was another one we let get away. I really felt that going in there was never a doubt that we would win and at times in the past I was not as sure. We came out executing in all facets and then I'm not sure if we got to confident or what, but the ugly head of inconsistency pops up and everything goes haywire. If we want to be a championship team we must fix this problem immediately.
- GS
September 21, 2009 -
Big win on the weekend! I know that's what is on your mind. Yeah right! I know what you really want to hear about, Casey Printers! The "Media" wants to blow up his re signing. Saying that he was such a distraction and there was some kind of conflict when he left the Lions for the KC Chiefs but to tell you the truth, there was none of that. I can't speak for his time in KC or Hamilton but in my mind Casey is a good guy and a great football player. There had never been any controversy that I have seen. I want to note that I have the utmost confidence in Buck and Jarious, I feel either one of them can lead us to a Grey Cup victory but I am happy so see him get an opportunity to continue his career. There's no way he should have been waiting around this long. I won't mention any names but he's better than a number of qb's on CFL rosters throughout the league.
- GS
September 14, 2009 -
Life is all about opportunities. Yesterday's game in Montreal was a great opportunity for our team to continue digging out of the cellar that we got ourselves into at the beginning of the season. As I've been saying all year, "we have to find ways to win". We have all of the talent in the world on all facets but until we go out and play together for one another we will stay the way we are, inconsistent!
I also want to comment on last week's fine that I received from the CFL. When I first heard that I was being fined as well as what for I was furious. I posted comment on my twitter taking a shot at Reebok which was wrong. I know one might say that I'm back peddling from those comment like a defensive back trying to cover yours truly. That's not it! I was wrong. Even though I do not wear Reebok I do think they have excellent gear and they are great for our league because when I was in my first few years I would have saved tons of cash if there was a Reebok there to provide me with gloves and shoes.
I was upset or the simple fact that I cover up my Under Armour logos and got fined because the white out I used peeled off during the course of the game and unfortunately TSN zoomed in on myself and Manny Arceneaux celebrating his td. This is what it's coming too. Oh well chalk it up! Not only do I have to worry about opposing defences double and triple teaming me I have to make sure my white out doesn't come off my shoes in between series.
- GS
September 6, 2009 -
It really feels good to shut up the doubters. No one gave us a chance last night against Montreal. What people don't realize is that we always match up well against the Alouettes. I can't guarantee that we will go and win next week but I can say that it will be a good game and we will play hard. I truly feel last night was the turning point in the 2009 season for the BC Lions. Stay tuned the second half of the season will be fun.
- GS
August 31, 2009 - Montreal
We are back at it and I am happy! It's time to get the nasty taste out of my mouth. We've used all of our mulligans, we are all out. We need to go on a streak of wins and what a better way to do it, than with a win against the top team in the league Montreal. We are confident in ourselves so now we must get that swagger back.
- GS
July 14, 2009 - Inconsistent
Thus far the evidence has shown that the BC Lions are an inconsistent team. We show signs of a good team then we revert to bonehead plays. Thursday will be an opportunity to come out and show we can play 60 minutes of good football. It will not be perfect, but if we can stay focused we should come out of Edmonton with a win. Getting back to good solid BC Lions football is what we are looking for.
- GS
July 2, 2009 - Another season
Finally! We are back. Another season, another chance to run around like a kid again. The offseason was a good one, all the rain the training the vacations the school visits were all good but this is what its all about. I feel fresh and ready! Excuse me. I mean prepared to have a great season where we bring the Cup back to its rightful home.
We start this season in Regina. We have had a lot of success there and plan to keep the trend alive. We will have a few new faces wearing the Orange and White, but when you look closely there are plenty of the same high quality football players carried over from previous years. Let's have a BIG Year! WIN!
- GS
May 19, 2009 - Geroy Simon MVP Skills Camp
The off season is quickly coming to an end and there had been a lot of wheeling and dealing going on throughout the league. It seems that this year more than others key players have changed addresses and team colors. We have lost more guys to trades releases and the NFL this past year than we have since I've been a part of the Lions organization. The positives that we will be younger and faster, making it more difficult foe others to deal with us. I'm looking forward to training camp in a few weeks to see how this experiment works out.
Join me on May 23 and 24 in Victoria at Copley Park for the Geroy Simon MVP Skills Camp. Come enhance your skills to be a better player. You will learn from some of the top players and coaches in BC. We look forward to your attendance and bring a friend.
- GS
April 23, 2009 - Off-season
This off season has been a great one! There have been many things going on in my life personally and professionally. First personally there is a new addition to the Simon family, Genevie! Very unexpected but we are very excited. On a professional note, I am pleased to announce that I will be the Ambassador for Adoptive Families Association of BC. This is a great opportunity to get the word out about adoption. There are over 1300 kids in BC alone without families. We need to help get that number to zero.
The BC lions will have a new look this year. There will be some new faces emerging as stars this season, some of the guys who were leaders were made to move on fit the team to get younger, faster and more explosive. I believe in our people who make these decisions in the organization they always do a great job of finding young talent (as long as they don't find a replacement for #81 for a few more years).
I am looking forward to the upcoming season. I am anxious to see the result of all of the off season moves. I am challenging all of my teammates to come into training camp on the best shape of their life, to leave it all on the line this year so we can bring the Cup back where it belongs. In BC!
- GS
January 1, 2009 - Happy Holidays
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season. I had a great 2008 and many wonderful things happened in my life but lets make 2009 and even better year. What's your New Years resolution? Make this year the one where you do something big in you life workout, eat right, help someone in need. Whatever you do in 2009 make it BIG and do it with a smile on your face. I look forward to coming to your school, attending a function that you may have, going to your football/basketball camp or saying "hi" while walking on Robson st. Thanks for checking out my site. See you soon. Late!
- GS
