Team: B.C. Lions
Number/Position: #12 / QB
Date of Birth: January 11, 1973
Dave Dickenson knew in his heart of hearts that the
CFL was where he belonged all along. But after being
named Most Valuable Player in the 2000 CFL season, the
NFL beckoned and Dickenson knew he had to give it a
shot. Fast forward to the spring of 2003 and none other
than the same Dave Dickenson was anxious to return to
the CFL and pick up where he left off. "My biggest
reason for coming back to the CFL was just to get back
on the field and start playing football again,"
the affable quarterback offered recently. "After
two years of standing on the sidelines, you really start
to miss being part of the action. It was a tough adjustment
to go from being a starter in Calgary to not playing
at all down south, so I am thrilled to be back."
There was someone else thrilled with Dickenson's return
to the Canadian brand of football. None other than Wally
Buono, Dave's coach in Calgary. Buono headed farther
west in the off-season, linking up with the B.C. Lions,
and when he assembled his wish list, Dickenson's name
was at the top of that list. The feelings were obviously
mutual. "I was definitely in favour of reuniting
with Wally and it has worked out well so far,"
Dickenson continued. "The best part about it is
that we have equal expectations of each other. He knows
what I bring to the table and, conversely, I know what
to expect from him. We have a very good working relationship."
Dickenson knew what he was getting into with his return
to the CFL and more specifically the West coast. The
Lions had struggled at the gate for a few years, but
when Bob Ackles was installed as GM and the Leos took
their message to the masses consistently, the result
has been a renaissance at the gate. The Lions have enjoyed
a 40 per cent increase in attendance this year. And
that's not lost on Dave. "I love being here in
B.C., and I think we are starting to build something
special. The football team has been received exceptionally
well in Vancouver, attendance is up, and there is a
real buzz around the Lions, which is something we hope
to keep going for years."
Of course there will be road blocks. Like the other
teams in the West Division where a race is heating up
to see who finishes the regular season on top. "I
think that any of the top four teams are good enough
to win the Division at this point. Whichever team is
able to survive down the stretch through a grueling
schedule against Western opponents, should be in a good
position to challenge for the Grey Cup."
Challenging for the Cup will be at the top of Dickenson's
list. He was on the Stampeder club that went to back-to-back
finals, winning in 1998 and coming oh-so-close the following
year. But to Dickenson, of more importance is establishing
a strong team for years to come. That, and the fun of
just playing again. He continues, "The best thing
about my first year back is the way that the team has
come together. The offence has been in sync, we are
winning games and because of those two things, football
has become fun for me again. No matter what type of
work you do, you want to enjoy it, and football is no
different. Now that I am back in the CFL football is
fun again."
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