GAME DAY: TORONTO AT sa国际传媒, 4 P.M.
Through no fault of his own, Adam Bighill's job security has all of a sudden become a question mark.
But the sa国际传媒 Lions starting middle linebacker says he won't let predecessor Solomon Elimimian's return to the CFL team bother him as the Lions prepare to host the Toronto Argonauts today.
"It doesn't change my outlook at all," Bighill said Friday after his team's walk-through at sa国际传媒 Place Stadium. "I'm going to keep doing my thing the way I've been doing it. I've been playing well, and that's what I'm going to keep doing."
Elimimian is back with the Lions to complete the option year of his contract after a failed NFL tryout, but will not play against the Argos. As a result, Bighill will keep his starting spot for at least one more week as the West Division-leading Lions (7-3) look to pad their precarious two-point lead on the second-place Calgary Stampeders.
Meanwhile, the Argos (6-4) have a chance to gain sole possession of first place in the East.
Before the season began, the Lions' middle linebacker position was far from certain following Elimimian's departure to the NFL. Bighill, who is in his second season with the Lions, won a pre-season battle for the starting spot with James Yurichuk.
Despite the early uncertainty, Elimimian, who had unsuccessful tryouts with the Minnesota Vikings and Cleveland Browns, has not been missed.
Heading into this weekend's game, Bighill ranked third in the CFL with 59 tackles.
"I've been doing my job and doing my responsibility," said Bighill. "I've been playing well."
In the process, he has presented the Lions with a pleasant problem - whether to start either Bighill or go back to Elimimian, the 2010 CFL rookie of the year. Bighill said he is willing to play at any linebacker position, but coach Mike Benevides did not want to deal with the issue Friday.
For the time being, the starting position in the middle belongs to Bighill.
To reinforce the point, the Lions postponed a media availability for Elimimian, who suffered a hamstring injury in training camp with Minnesota, until a half hour before game time Saturday.
Benevides did not want Elimimian's presence to distract his club as it takes on a Toronto squad that has been rejuvenated under new coach Scott Milanovich.
"This is all about winning [today's] game," said Benevides. "It has nothing to do about anything else. ... It's great that [Elimimian] is going to be back in the fold, but I really don't care anything about that right now."
