More Details On The Release Of Glatt & Jimenez
A few more details have come to light on the release of Javier Glatt and Jason Jimenez since our first post on the news. Wally Buono was on the TEAM 1040 Friday, shedding some light on the moves.
In the case of Jimenez, it appears the decision was based on more than the 2008 CFL All-Stars play on the field. Buono told the Team’s David Pratt that Jimenez was unwilling to play the way the coaches wanted him to play.
“Everybody can rub somebody the wrong way at different times. For us, the big reason was that we wanted to have a guy that was more physical, more the kind of guy that we believe he can be, and at the end of the day we just didn’t feel like we could reach Jason. Jason didn’t give us the impression that he was willing to change some of the things that he was doing from a physical standpoint and from a personality standpoint. He probably will go someplace else and hopefully take what we said to heart and be a better player for it.”
Javier Glatt
On Glatt, Buono said it was the fair thing to do for the player, and hinted that if Glatt was unable to find a starting role elsewhere, he hoped that the door was open for him to return to the Lions in some capacity. Glatt had asked for his release if he wasn’t going to be a starter.
“Javy felt that if he wasn’t going to be a starter in this organization, that we could get that process (releasing Javy) so he can get an opportunity someplace else. We feel we have to improve the athleticism and the production at the linebacker position and that wasn’t going to be a starting opportunity for Javy, so the best way for us to satisfy his needs was to let him free so he can be on the market.”
Glatt took the loss of his starting role in stride last season and saw a fair bit of rotation behind Jojuan Armour. He was a team player and didn’t rock the boat, so granting him his release was the fair thing to do for him after seven years of service.
Glatt issued a statement posted on BCLions.com thanking the organization and the fans.
“I would like to thank the BC Lions Football Club and its fans for the amazing opportunity to live out a dream for the past seven years. I have met so many incredible people along the way and have built relationships that will last a lifetime, and for that I am truly grateful,” Glatt said.
I don’t really know what to say about losing Jimenez – with how the front 5 looked last season, I can’t imagine what it will be like this year. I’m all for Wally giving a player who doesn’t want to commit to the system the heave-ho, but isn’t that similar to selling your house before you’ve even begun to look for a new one?
As for Javy, I’m wishing him the best at finding a starting role, but hope he finds his way back to the den. He’s the consummate pro who put team before player last year and that’s the type of player I want to see more of in the Orange jersey.
Salary no doubt had much to do with the Jimenez release. And with free agency a couple weeks away Buono could be making some room. I’m concerned about replacements as well, but we’ll see what the next month brings.
Javy was the ultimate professional, and I wish him the best, But I am also glad to see the Lions looking for more from the middle linebacker spot, which IMO has been a weakness on our defense for two years now.
Javier, needs to either move into a role as a WLB or find a system where as a MAC backer he can play with the athleticism that he still has. He needs to be more of an athlete, he seemed to be a little mechanical last year than years before, which shouldn’t be but when you add new backers there is a bit of hesitancy.
Jimenez, needs to be the player that the staff expects him to be. I would be curious to what their demands were. Size, and knowledge appears to be more than solid. So, I wonder if he was trying to assume the mantel of Rob and just doesn’t have it in his nature or if the Lions have decided to turn the page on the whole tuff guy intimidation thing and is looking for guys who play hard nosed football.
This is football not hockey