Hopefully the third time's a charm for the Edmonton Eskimos.
Casey Printers will be the third different B.C. Lions quarterback to face them this season.
The CFL's 2004 Most Outstanding Player adds a running dimension more deadly than Buck Pierce or Jarious Jackson before him.
'HE'S GOT LEGS'
"He's a good quarterback, he's got legs," said Eskimos defensive tackle Eric Taylor. "This will be my first time playing against him so I'm excited to play against him, but we've just got to stop the run this game. Containing him is crucial."
Printers will add to the rushing threat posed by Martell Mallett's return from a foot injury and former Eskimos running back A.J. Harris.
"Mallett and Harris are good running backs and (stopping the run) is what we try to do every game," said Taylor. "We've done a pretty good job this year so we've got to keep continuing what we're doing versus the run."
Last week, the Eskimos front seven held the visiting Toronto Argonauts to just 21 yards on the ground.
"They didn't run the ball a lot last game, I don't know if we were stopping it or whatever, but for whatever reason they weren't running the ball a lot and we were fortunate enough to stop them," said Taylor.
But the Argonauts don't have deep threats the likes of Lions receivers Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson, who have a tendency to stretch out the field and open up a lot of running room.
Still, there's no added pressure to get to Printers.
"When you're a D-lineman, you don't really look at it being pressure for us to get there. That's what we're supposed to do," said Taylor. "Some people say you might need to get a little bit more pressure (on Printers), but good D-linemen just play the game.
"You know he's mobile so you have to compress the pocket," said Taylor. "There's some good running quarterbacks up here. All of them can run, all of them can throw the ball, so we want to come out and play well."
It will be Printers' third start since joining the Lions' practice squad on Sept. 21. He suited up as the third-string pivot against the Eskimos on Oct. 9. He has yet to record a win as a starter this season.
The Lions are the only team in the league this year the Eskimos have yet to beat, allowing 720 passing yards against in their previous two losses to B.C.
And now it's Printers' turn.
"No different challenges in a lot of ways when you look at Jarious Jackson and Buck Pierce," said Eskimos head coach Richie Hall.
TRIPLE THREAT
"All three of them have the ability to make plays with their legs. They're looking to go over the top, looking to make big plays and stretch you vertically.
"It's not like we haven't faced them before, that style of quarterback because (Calgary Stampeders) Henry Burris is the same way.
"We just have to be sound in our coverages and know that we have to stay with them, especially on scrambles because they're looking not to dink and dunk but to get 60 (yards) over the top."
GERRY.MODDEJONGE@SUNMEDIA.CA
