Davis Sanchez signs with B.C. Lions

It took a year longer than expected but Canadian cornerback Davis Sanchez finally got the long-term deal he wanted with the B.C. Lions.

Sanchez has agreed to a contract that will keep him with the Lions until 2013. The 36-year-old native of Delta, B.C., believes the experience he's gained in over a decade in the Canadian Football League compensates for the mileage his body has logged.

"I know my role," Sanchez told a news conference Wednesday at the Lions practice facility in Surrey, B.C. "I know what I do well.

"As you get older, you have to take your advantages. I use my smarts and where I have to be and what I have to do. I think that's the advantage I have now after I lost a step, or a step and a half."

Even though he is under contract until 2013, Sanchez doubts he will play that long.

"Chances are I'll play this year and it will probably be my last," he said.

Sanchez joined the Lions as a free agent last season after four years with the Montreal Alouettes. He was looking for a long-term deal then. Wally Buono, B.C.'s coach and general manager, took a wait-and-see approach, giving him one year and an option.

"We had a conversation on the fact he had to come here and prove himself," Buono said. "He proved to me last year a lot of things I wasn't 100 per cent sold on earlier.

"He played well, he was great in the locker room. He brought along a lot of the young guys we had. He showed them a lot about what being a professional is. When you are trying to build a championship team, you have to have good veterans that have been there before to lay a lot of the foundation for the young guys."

Test drive

Sanchez understood why Buono wanted to take him for a test drive before assigning him a spot in the Lions garage.

"When you pluck long-time veterans, that have been leaders and put them in another locker room, especially a strong personality like myself, it could go either way," Sanchez said.

In 15 games last year Sanchez had 37 tackles, two interceptions and six pass knockdowns. He returned an interception 54 yards for a touchdown July 30 against Edmonton. It was B.C.'s only touchdown off an interception all season.

A dislocated elbow in Week 16 ended Sanchez's season. The elbow is healing fine and he will be ready to start the season.

The 2011 Grey Cup being played at B.C. Place Stadium was another incentive for Sanchez.

"The opportunity to play at home in a Grey Cup in Vancouver, with hopefully a much improved team, is something I'm really looking forward too," he said. "I'm excited."

During the news conference it was also announced two B.C. high school football players have agreed to scholarships at U.S. colleges.

Taylor Loffler, a linebacker/quarterback from Kelowna, B.C., has accepted a full scholarship to Boise St. University.

Defensive lineman Christian Covington of Vancouver has agreed to go to Rice University in Houston, Tex. He's the son of Grover Covington, the former Hamilton Tiger-Cat who is the CFL's all-time sack leader with 157.

No favourites

During his career Buono has shown no hesitation over releasing veterans. Players like Otis Floyd and Jason Clermont have been shown the door in Vancouver.

But this year the Lions will head to camp with Sanchez and 34-year-old centre Angus Reid.

"When you look at our club, the youth we have, you also want to make sure you have some solid veterans," said Buono. "These two guys both came in last year and proved themselves. They brought in a different attitude."

Another player Buono is close to signing is backup quarterback Jarious Jackson, who can become a free agent later this month.

"We're fairly comfortable we can get something resolved," said Buono.

Before the season starts the Lions are looking to fill holes at rush end and wide receiver. Buono may try to sign free agents or even make trades.

Buono also has to decide what to do with his kicking game. Currently he has 41-year-old veteran Paul McCallum and Sean Whyte, 25, under contract.

Buono was asked about the chances of keeping both players.

"That's something that initially I thought we maybe wouldn't," he said. "At this points we feel they are both very valuable assets."

During his career Sanchez has played with B.C., Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal. He also spent two seasons with the NFL's San Diego Chargers.

Sanchez has played in four Grey Cup games, all with Montreal, winning in 2009 and 2005.