Vancouver – Marcus Sayles, an American defensive back, has signed a two-year deal with the British Columbia Lions, the team announced Saturday.
The two-time CFL all-star was set to become a free agent on February 13.
Sayles, 29, returns for his fourth season with the Lions after an impressive 2023 season in which he had 38 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss, one fumble recovery, and seven pass breakups in 18 regular-season games.
He recorded seven more tackles in two playoff games, including an interception in the West Division’s 41-30 semifinal victory over the Calgary Stampeders.
Sayles had a career year in 2022, totaling 68 defensive tackles and four interceptions, one of which was recovered for a score in a win over Winnipeg on October 15. He went on to record an interception in the West Division Final at Winnipeg and was named to both the CFL and the West Division all-star teams.
The versatile defender signed the Lions as a free agency in 2021 and played halfback and linebacker that season, totaling 52 defensive tackles, two interceptions, and a forced fumble in 13 games.
Sayles began his CFL career with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2018-19, receiving a West all-star mention in his first season and a championship ring at the end of 2019 after making a game-high six defensive tackles in the 107th Grey Cup victory over Hamilton.
This item from The Canadian Press was first published on February 3, 2024.
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Lions’ star supports Dan Campbell following playoff loss.
The Detroit Lions’ season ended last weekend with a loss on the road against the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game. It’s difficult to be sad if you’re the Lions because this was the best season they’ve had in almost 30 years, but the way they lost was about as harsh as it gets. Detroit led 24-7 at halftime, and it appeared that they would advance to the Super Bowl. However, things unraveled rapidly in the second half.
If the Lions complete a fourth-down throw around halfway through the third quarter, they will most likely play in the Super Bowl next weekend. Instead, the beautiful pass was dropped, and what should have been an interception for Detroit on the next possession became a key play for the 49ers, setting up a touchdown.
On the Lions’ following drive, they lost a fumble on the first play. San Francisco quickly banged it in, tying the game. Dan Campbell, the Lions’ head coach, passed up another field goal attempt on fourth down later in the game, which also failed. The 49ers won the game, 34-31.
Many people have questioned Dan Campbell’s decision-making since the game ended. If the Lions had kicked two field goals instead of going for it, the outcome of the game could have been different. Penei Sewell, the Lions’ standout offensive lineman, is standing with his coach, though.
“I disagree with any criticism of Coach. “I’ve got his back until the end,” Penei Sewell stated, according to an ESPN report. “If he instructs me to jump off a cliff, I’ll be right there with him. I’m quite serious. So, whatever he says or calls for, all we have to do is carry it out. So that is primarily our responsibility. “That is my guy.”
Sewell has been a valuable member of the Lions’ roster since his arrival, and he had another strong season this year. He has grown a lot since joining the NFL.
“I’m just more comfortable with everything and I’ve experienced more at the end of the day,” he said. “And the game is slower and that’s pretty much it.”
