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The player who was penalized twice last week for a sack dance that was legal for two seasons said he wanted to be fined for his actions so as to show the CFL the absurdity of the flags thrown on Craig Roh.

Yes, it’s time for another season of three-down football all right.

Roh, the third-year B.C. Lions defensive lineman, was still incredulous days after he was penalized twice in the game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders Saturday. It was a pre-season contest, and the retirement of teammate Jason Arakgi got the headlines after the 42-10 win, but Roh was penalized for something that by any definition defies logic.

Though he had been doing the same thing for each of his first two seasons, Roh was flagged for his sack routine Saturday, in which he pulls out a mythical sword, making sure not to show up an opposing player but strictly, he said, for entertainment.

The CFL, on the other hand, took a much dimmer view, suggesting that replicating a sword effectively is replicating a weapon and this season will be regarded much as a throat-slashing gesture, which indeed doesn’t foster a family-friendly image.

The club was made aware of the new standard but it wasn’t communicated to Roh or his teammates, which puts some onus on the Lions to conform.

But days later, Roh still doesn’t the move and has pushed it to the CFLPA is search of a favourable resolution,

“It's actually funny; on the play where I was flagged —and I love my guy (fellow lineman) Mich’ael Brooks — he was punching a guy in the face while I was getting flagged for pulling out an imaginary sword,” Roh said.
“This is going a little bit too far on the politically-correct scale. It's not a huge deal but I want to be able to entertain, put fans’ butts in the seats and celebrate with my teammates.” 

The Lions know they’re not going to win this one, no matter how Roh might protest.

Using your thumb and forefinger to simulate a gun? That’s likely a no-no now too.

“It would have been maybe nice for the officials to go up to the player so he didn't go and do it the very next play but if that's the rule that's the rule. We have to educate everybody and if I didn't do it then its my fault,” coach/GM Wally Buono said.

Celebrations have always been part of three-down football and occasionally the rules have been tightened only to be subsequently pulled back.

Even before their accomplishments matched their on-field success, the Calgary Stampeders were often at the top of the list. One of the best pieces of choreographed celebration came when Jeremaine Copeland led his receivers group by simulating rowing a boat in the end zone. Coach Tom Higgins didn't ban the merriment, but the row boat was seen as being a little over the top and the practice was halted.

Second prize might have been the time Emmanuel Arceneaux of the Lions grabbed a corner pylon and used it to simulate a putting stroke. That was outlawed by the CFL as well.

But even the NFL, which came by its nickname of No Fun League honestly, is loosening the noose, if such an expression can be allowed and not construed as one inciting violence. Commissioner Roger Goddell proved it’s not always about the money when he wrote a letter to fans this spring and stated the rules regarding celebration will be changed this year, though not to include anything considered an obscene gesture.

"We all know that you love the spontaneous displays of emotion that come after a touchdown,” Goddell wrote. “And players have told us they want more freedom to be able express themselves and express their athletic achievements.”

Two words, then, for the person who will eventually be selected to serve the CFL in a similar capacity as Goddell: Lighten up.

LIONS TALES: The seemingly never-ending pursuit of an effective safety for the Lions continued as they began preparations for the regular season opener when second-year import Loucheiz Purifoy worked with the starters despite having no reps at the position throughout training camp. Purifoy has been effective at nickelback but the Lions feel they can show more looks with Chandler Fenner in Purifoy’s spot and Steven Clarke backing up halfback T.J. Lee  “I'm accepting the role. If that's where they want to put me there I’m all for it,” Purifoy said.…RT Kelvin Palmer, who hurt his right ankle against Saskatchewan having been installed as the replacement for Antonio Johnson, is back on the sideline. LT Hunter Steward, who sat out the pre-season finale, is back after suffering concussion-like symptoms. Rookie kicker Ty Long again worked ahead of Swayze Waters. Buono said the goal is for the Lions to have kicking options in a week or so, which would suggest Long will do all the kicking chores Saturday against the Edmonton Eskimos (7 p.m.,TSN; 5 p.m. pre-game, TSN 1040). Chris Williams continues to work out on the sidelines, saying his Lions debut is still a couple of weeks away