Lancer lineman Bakos has big shoes to fill

The 22-year-old defensive tackle has been handed the assignment of sliding over to the outside to replace two-time, all-Canadian tackle Seamus Postuma, who stuck with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this season.

“Seamus is a close friend and those are big shoes to fill,” Bakos said. “I’m not looking at it that way because I’d be setting myself up for failure.

“We’re different players. Seamus has the ability to overpower people. I rely more on finesse, speed and intellect in my game.”

Bakos displayed just how effective he could be employing those elements last season. Playing as the ‘plug in the middle’ of the defensive line, Bakos more than held his own despite his five-foot-11, 270-pound frame being nearly 40 pounds lighter than Postuma.

“I had to handle a lot of double teams and that helped Seamus on the outside,” Bakos said.

“I’m not afraid of this challenge. I welcome it.”

Bakos smiles when asked if his game is better suited for the outside.

“I think I’m actually better suited for the three (tackle spot),” Bakos said. “I was forced into a more physical role inside last year, just kind of holding my own tying up two guys.

“At the three (tackle), you’re more one on one with the guard. The onus is on you to break the pocket and get at the quarterback.

“You play a more aggressive style at the three (tackle). That suits me just fine.”

While it won’t be easy replacing Postuma, the Lancers do have three of their four starting defensive linemen back. They also return the majority of their backups at those positions.

Returning veterans include Garrit Post, Stephan Miller and John Langley, who is still likely a month away from playing as he recovers from knee surgery in January.

“No one player can replace Seamus and do the things he could do,” Lancers head coach Joe D’Amore said.

“But we have two or three guys who can step in with various abilities that can fill in the holes. We feel we can use the sum of those skills to help fill Seamus’s role.”

D’Amore said he expects four or five of his rookie defensive linemen to see some consistent action whether on special teams or in their regular spots.

Two of the most promising rookie linemen are London’s Tai Pham (six-foot-four, 273 pounds) and Chatham’s Jordan Deneau (six-foot-three, 275 pounds).

D’Amore describes Phan as very athletic, but a little raw technically while Deneau is extremely strong.

The Lancers will also resort to some more aggressive play from their strong linebacking corp to get sacks and open up lanes to the quarterback to help take some of the pressure off the defensive line.

“We’ve got some great people still on the line,” said D’Amore, who has 11 returning defensive starters. “We need to free people up for the rush by blitzing more.”

In Bakos, D’Amore feels he has another defensive tackle with the athletic ability to play the outside position.

“You have to be quick and athletic to play that spot,” D’Amore said. “Andrew is very athletic and he would’ve been there last year, but for Seamus.”

Bakos will also have to replace his friend in more areas than just the sack category. As a fourth-year veteran, the Tecumseh resident is now a key member of the Lancers’ leadership group.

“I’m looking forward to that,” Bakos said. “I’d like to coach latter on, so I enjoy answering questions from the rookies.”

On the field, that leadership role will also force Bakos into some unchartered territory. The St. Anne graduate admits being really vocal isn’t a trait that comes naturally.

“That’ll be a big challenge for me,” Bakos said. “
“In the past, I’ve just gone about doing my job and not been that vocal on the field. I’m one of the veterans now and I’ll have to push myself that way.”