BC Lions told don't expect Stefan Logan to return

[mesaSteeler]

Lions told don't expect Logan to return
http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/L...442/story.html
NFL's Steelers like running back who's 'opening some eyes'

By Mike Beamish, Vancouver SunJune 19, 2009Comments (3)

ABBOTSFORD — Considering he didn't score a rushing touchdown last season, erstwhile feature back Stefan Logan is causing a great deal of consternation for the B.C. Lions.

Expectations that the 5-6 running back's stay with the Pittsburgh Steelers might be short were dealt a blow after Lions player personnel director Roy Shivers contacted the NFL team this week. Shivers has a long-standing relationship with Kirby Wilson, the Steelers' running backs coach and a player he used to teach. Logan signed with Pittsburgh as a free agent in early February.

"Kirby told me to forget about him," Shivers said at Lions training camp Friday. "They like him and they've moved him to slotback. The idea is that they can get him the ball in space and everything. He's opening some eyes. The veterans have gravitated toward him because he's shown stuff in mini-camps. And they plan to use him as a kick-returner, too. Kirby told me, 'You're probably not going to get him back.' "

According to Shivers' interpretation, Logan will be moving on to the Steelers' main training camp in mid-July. And who knows where his NFL career goes after that?

And so, for now, and possibly the forseeable future, the Lions must hope that Ian Smart, Martell Mallet, Damian Sims or Emmanuel Marc can provide some of the electrifying moments that Logan used to.

"There's another one [Logan] out there and we've got to find him," Lions head coach Wally Buono said after the Steelers signed Logan.

That was four months ago and the jury is still out on whether that goal is being achieved.

Marc, a put-together 5-10, 205-pound back, played only two seasons of NCAA Division 1-AA football — with the Delaware State Hornets. Stylistically, however, he could be the closest approximation to Logan that the Lions have on their roster.

Trouble is, Marc's early promise in training camp came precisely at that point — early. He has been resting a sprained knee for 10 days and only got back on the practice field for a few limited reps on Friday. His desire to play in Tuesday's second pre-season game, against the Edmonton Eskimos at BC Place Stadium, borders on desperation.

"If it's up to me, I'll play," Marc said. "But I don't make the decisions. I'm assuming that I'll play because I need to play. Otherwise, I'll have nothing to show anybody. I'm ready to lace up and go."

Logan is unique, Shivers says, the type of transcendent backfield talent who comes along once "every five or 10 years" in the CFL.

Though Marc has never met the individual, he knows the yearning for another Logan is palpable. And he is aware of every one of Logan's baffling moves through video study. Marc, in fact, spent many hours checking out the credentials of the Lions' other running back candidates before they'd even arrived in camp. He is nothing if not thorough.

"I try not to say I compare myself with him [Logan] because it's the competitive nature in me," Marc says. "I try not to limit myself. If you need a power back, I'd like to be that guy. If you need a scatback, I'd like to be that guy. If you need a speed guy, I'm like to be him. I definitely believe I have the quickness and elusiveness that he has — and a couple of other things. It wouldn't hurt to bring that to this offence."

Until Marc is given a chance or proves otherwise, Smart is the leading candidate to replace Logan. A CFL kick return all-star in 2007 and the league's most outstanding special teams player that year, Smart insists he can be a rusher and a returner in the manner of Dominque Dorsey, the former Argo and CFL combined yards leader who is trying out with the Washington Redskins. Like Logan in Pittsburgh, Dorsey is the smallest player in the Redskin locker room at 5-7.

"Ian, right now, is a kick-returner vying for the running back position," Buono says. "He's not vying to be a combination running back/kick-returner. In my mind, he'll do one or the other but not both."

mbeamish@vancouversun.com

[steelreserve]

Interesting. Sounds like we might have picked up some good talent for cheap.

Wonder who's going to be left out if we do keep him around. Is Moore going to have less playing time? Or maybe to free up the roster spot, can we please, please, please cut Carey Davis now?

[El-Gonzo Jackson]

Originally Posted by steelreserve

Interesting. Sounds like we might have picked up some good talent for cheap.

Wonder who's going to be left out if we do keep him around. Is Moore going to have less playing time? Or maybe to free up the roster spot, can we please, please, please cut Carey Davis now?

He could be kept as a return specialist like Allen Rossum was before. The Steelers kept 7 D linemen last year and maybe this year they just keep 6.

The CFL games start in a couple weeks, so it could mean that Logan isnt gonna be coming back any time soon........but he still has a long way to go before he is on the 53 man roster.

[The Definiti0n]

Stefan Logan is going to be our Darren Sproles. But he has to change that number if he wants to be a star in this league. Number 41

[slashsteel]

I wonder if Kirby really said that. The pads aren't even on so a little hard for me to believe just how much he is liked just yet.....

[Texasteel]

Originally Posted by slashsteel

I wonder if Kirby really said that. The pads aren't even on so a little hard for me to believe just how much he is liked just yet.....

Your right slash, it is still very early, and just because they may like the looks of him now doesn't mean he'll make the team. I just hope that from all the kids we have brought in that we can find a real return threat.

[Galax Steeler]

I like what I have been hearing about Logan but like someone else stated it is going to be a crowded backfield. I do agree about Davis being cut.

[GBMelBlount]

Considering he didn't score a rushing touchdown last season

If he is that talented, I wonder why he didn't score a single touchdown last year?

Not that it's a big deal, but does anyone know his 40 time?

[slashsteel]

I remember reading somewhere that he runs a 4.4 40.

[mmalone]

first, did i need a translator for this article, or am i just hungover??

second, here is the roster. some of these fine players will have to go..... which ones???

Powdrell is gone already...


44 Summers, Frank RB 5-10 230 9/6/85 R UNLV
33 Redman, Isaac RB 6-0 230 11/10/84 R Bowie State
34 Mendenhall, Rashard RB 5-10 225 6/19/87 2 Illinois
28 Vincent, Justin RB 5-10 219 1/25/83 1 Louisiana State
21 Moore, Mewelde RB 5-11 209 7/24/82 6 Tulane
41 Logan, Stefan RB 5-7 185 6/2/81 1 South Dakota
39 Parker, Willie RB 5-10 209 11/11/80 6 North Carolina

FB
35 Powdrell, Ryan FB 5-11 254 12/20/83 2 Southern California
38 Davis, Carey FB 5-10 225 3/27/81 4 Illinois


TE

83 Miller, Heath TE 6-5 256 10/22/82 5 Virginia
89 Spaeth, Matt TE 6-7 270 11/24/84 3 Minnesota
84 Sherrod, Dezmond TE 6-2 250 5/11/85 1 Mississippi State
49 McHugh, Sean TE 6-5 265 5/27/82 6 Penn State
85 Johnson, David TE 6-2 260 8/26/87 R Arkansas State