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From the Couch – Lions 17 Alouettes 50

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Even if you had the slightest glimmer of hope that the Lions offence would be able to come together for the playoffs, there certainly can’t be anyone that is surprised at what unfolded in Montreal. In reality it was a snapshot of the Lions season, one that was filled with frustration and inconsistencies.

We could talk about the game, but you’ve probably already had enough about that. So let’s look at what the Lions have facing them over the next six and a half months, because there are plenty of areas on this football team that need to be addressed. Here are a few of my thoughts for the final time this season, From the Couch.

The Coaching

13-5, 11-7, 9-9…see a trend here? The BC Lions have gotten progressively worse in the three years that Mike Benevides has been at the helm. They have yet to win a playoff game over that span, and had a losing record at home this season. This team seems to have a problem being ready to play games and whether or not that is game planning or execution of the players, it’s the coaches’ job to ensure that it happens.

Assuming David Braley doesn’t hold Wally Buono responsible, and I don’t think he will, the general manager has a tough decision to make that will be made tougher by the fact he just signed his coach to a two year extension this season. But can this team sell another year under Benevides to their fans? Will the injuries the team endured give him a pass?

There could be some quality candidates out there as well. How long does Marc Trestman have in the NFL with the Bears floundering? Would Dave Dickenson leave Calgary for a head coaching gig if John Hufnagel coaches another year?

Regardless, Buono first has to make the call to part ways with his protégé, even if doing so would be an admission that an extension for his head coach this year may not have been the best idea.

Khari Jones had some nice games as OC but he wasn’t able to get any sort of consistent production from his players. The offence faced many challenges this season, especially with injuries. The Lions no doubt spent the off-season under the assumption that they would have Travis Lulay, and likely designed an offence with that in mind. Kevin Glenn, while experienced, isn’t the same type of QB and the Lions were unable to find ways for him to succeed. But the challenges aside, Jones’ offence simply hasn’t been good enough and a change should be considered.

Mark Washington had the Lions among the league’s best defensively but in the final three games this year that fell apart as well. That said, for his first year as a coordinator he did enough to come back in the same role.

Change is Needed

The biggest question surrounding the team besides coaching will be what to do with Travis Lulay. Clearly the Lions need a plan B and in my opinion there is no way Kevin Glenn can be part of that plan. John Beck doesn’t have a big enough body of work in the CFL and isn’t getting any younger, and we don’t know what the future holds for Travis Partridge.

Putting all their eggs in Lulay’s basket once again would be a mistake with the nature of his shoulder. But from all accounts it appears that Lulay wants to keep playing, so the question is what role would he do so under, and can the Lions find someone for that Plan B.

The Canadian receivers on this team have to be seriously looked at, as none of them had great years and that was a big part of an underachieving offence. Shawn Gore was looked on to step up this season, as were Marco Iannuzzi and SJ Haidara. The Kito Poblah experiment was a bust.

The offensive line was an issue for the Lions all season. They did play better once they could settle on a group, and they do have some promising pieces in the fold with Kirby Fabian and Hunter Steward. But the Lions must draft better in this area and do whatever they can to upgrade this group. And if that means getting rid of Dan Dorazio, perhaps it’s time for that as well. Dorazio is a coaching genius but even Angus Reid has suggested that sometimes his teachings may be too complex for young lineman. The Lions also have a built in replacement with Kelly Bates.

Defensively the Lions have decisions to make as well. They have found some nice talent in the secondary and the annual review of older players like Dante Marsh and Ryan Phillips will once again take place. Matt McGarva will be looked on to get healthy and challenge for the safety spot of JR LaRose. The defensive line, whose best player was 35 year of Khreem Smith, needs to be more aggressive and effective at pressuring the quarterback. Can you see Khalif Mitchell coming back?

The Culture

Is it just me or have things really started going downhill since Geroy Simon left the organization? The core of this team’s success over the past 5-7 years is dwindling and getting older. Do the right thing and find a spot for Simon in the organization and bring him home where he belongs. The whole thing left a sour taste in the mouth of the fan base and it still does every time I see Simon in Rider colours. He has a lot to offer as a mentor, as an alumni and as a football man.

Benevides is labelled as a player’s coach, but it seemed like he lost his team on too many occasions. The team is going to need to get younger and some of that transition is already taking place. Perhaps this group needs more of a disciplinarian as a coach, but at the same time someone that can convince this team to buy in, and to play with discipline and focus.

“It’s all about winning.”

The bottom line is football is about winning, and the Lions aren’t doing enough of it. You hear the coaches say all the time “Your job is to win, and if you can’t we’ll find someone that will”. That applies to them too and the Lions will have a tough time convincing their fans that the status quo will turn it around. Tough choices face this organization and whatever they decide those choices must get this team back to being a contender.

Thank you

Thanks to Lowell Ullrich and you the reader. It’s been a pleasure writing these pieces for TheProvince.com again this year, and I hope you’ve enjoyed them. As always, I welcome your comments whether you agree with my views or not. We’ll be continuing our Lions coverage on BCLionsDen.ca and our Pawdcasts, as well as our social media channels.

Until then, we have some Grey Cup partying to do in a couple weeks, even if the team we love isn’t in the game. Roar you Lions Roar.

From the Couch: Lions 3 Eskimos 37

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This B.C. Lions team sure has a way of testing your emotions, or maybe it was simply the fact they were playing one of the real contenders in the CFL. Whatever the case, the Lions were dominated from start to finish by the Edmonton Eskimos, and it wasn’t pretty. Here are my thoughts, From the Couch.

What a Letdown

The game was billed as a playoff preview and the Lions still had an outside shot at second place in the West Division. But you never would have guessed it by the display put on by the Lions and should they return to Commonwealth Stadium in two weeks, there was no aspect of their game that led you believe the result will be much different.

Hey, any given Sunday right? Don’t hold your breath.

It was discouraging to see the Lions were unable to rise to the occasion. Sure second place was a bit of a longshot, but you at least wanted to see an effort that let the Eskimos know that should the two teams meet in the playoffs, it would be a fight. In the end it looked like contender versus pretender.

The Lions stumbled from the first whistle and once again didn’t appear to be ready to play. The penalty parade continued and the lack of execution on offence was once again evident. Why can’t this team be ready to play? Why can they not make the in-game adjustments to counter what other teams are doing? Chris Jones schooled his counterpart on Saturday and the efficiency and determination of his team was impressive, two traits that have been missing from this year’s edition of the Leos.

No one is saying they don’t care. Trust me, this is what these players and coaches do for a living. They care more than we the fans do, but clearly there is a disconnect somewhere that is allowing these types of efforts to surface too often.

Offensive Struggles Continue

The Lions managed only a field goal as their offence once again failed to produce. Ernest Jackson who had two strong games versus Ottawa and Winnipeg was blanked by the Eskimos. Manny Arceneaux had no impact and the running game was unproductive as well.

The Eskimos did an outstanding job of covering the Lions receivers, leaving Kevin Glenn with few options, and when that happens Glenn is not an effective quarterback. Even short to medium range passes were not an option. John Beck didn’t fare any better in relief.

The Lions’ receivers have shown they have the talent, so why do we see it so sporadically? Is it all execution or is Khari Jones’ offence simply not good enough? It seems plays that other teams make regularly are a task for the Lions. Sure, we can point to injuries to key players, but so can the Stampeders, Riders, Argos and almost every other team in the CFL. The bottom line is, offensively, the Lions have not been good enough for a variety of reasons.

In contrast, Mike Reilly and the Eskimos have the ability to make things happen when there is nothing downfield. He has a running back in John White that is consistently productive and receivers that find ways to get open. Those two elements of the Eskimos offence make them very tough to defend, even for a good Lions defence.

A Tale of Two Defences

Both the Eskimos and the Lions are solid defensively, and while the defence allowed a lot of yards and 37 points the biggest difference is the Eskimos have a balanced offence that forces teams to be aware of multiple facets. Their defence didn’t have to worry about Glenn running the ball when his receivers couldn’t get open, and when you combine that with a struggling running game all they had to do is sit back, contain and cover.

With the defence constantly on the field, it was too much to ask (once again) to shut down the balanced offence of the Eskimos. This wasn’t Ottawa or Winnipeg, this was a legitimate Grey Cup contender and the Lions simply couldn’t compete.

Solomon Elimimian set the league tackles record, but that was the only high for the Lions on the night. Unfortunately the Lions can’t bottle the fire this guy plays with and spread it around.

It appears the Lions will lose Adam Bighill with what is being reported as a broken arm and while they do have a capable replacement with veteran Jamall Johnson, his loss was just another insult to injury on Saturday.

What were your thoughts on the game? We’ll have more on this week’s Pawdcast, and you chat Lions and CFL football with me @BCLionsDen on Twitter.

From the Couch: Lions 28 Blue Bombers 23

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The BC Lions punched their ticket to the 2014 CFL playoffs for the 18th straight season, but made it tougher on themselves they needed to. Here’s how I saw the game, From the Couch.

They All Count

A win is a win and the Lions did reach down to beat the Bombers so you have to give them credit. But it should be noted that there is lots of work to do for the Lions in the next two weeks.

There appeared to be a lot of bye week rust with the Lions, who faltered early mainly due to a parade of penalties. Unnecessary roughness calls, offsides, time counts, illegal blocks, you name it the Lions probably got called for it and that simply can’t continue heading into the playoffs against teams that will make you pay for it.

But the coaches weren’t immune either. There were some time management issues, mainly some poor clock management to end the first half that resulted in a field goal instead of a possible touchdown.

I know, I know, quit being so negative…but these things are fixable, and as we said a win is a win.

Stepping Up

As was the case against Ottawa the Lions once again got a big game from Ernest Jackson who racked up 149 yards of receiving. Jackson is a great story, often being the odd man out of the lineup when the Lions were healthy. To think back to the catch he made in Calgary and the last two games he’s played and right now I don’t think he’s in that position anymore.

Keola Antolin also had another strong showing on the ground grinding out 84 hard earned yards on the night and adding a touchdown.

And on special teams Marco Iannuzzi probably had his best game of the season as he gave the Lions solid field position most of the night. He had a 92-yard return for a TD called back by a couple of the aforementioned penalties as well. Someone owes him a dinner.

After Kevin Glenn went down in the fourth quarter, John Beck came in to throw two touchdown passes and even the often not noticed Kito Poblah chipped in with a 55 yard catch and run touchdown that proved to be the winning points the Lions needed.

54 Possessions

The Lions defensive touchdown shutout streak ended at 54 possessions, but the defence unleashed a sack attack that Lions fans haven’t seen this season, racking up 10 on the night. Khreem Smith who had four of those sacks was a one-man wrecking crew in the fourth quarter to lead the way for the defensive line.

The Lions seem to have found a good one in national David Menard as well, who had two sacks on the night. One of them was a prime example of his fight and determination as he fought off a hold at the line to follow up and sack Drew Willy. Along with Jabar Westerman, his starting status gives the Lions the luxury of starting that extra import on the offensive line, or at receiver and that’s been the difference maker in their last two games.

After a four-tackle performance, Solomon Elimimian is six away from the CFL tackle record of Edmonton’s JC Sherritt. The Lions most outstanding player this season also added a fumble recovery and a sack.

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Everyone’s favourite whipping boy JR Larose also deserves to be mentioned. He had some bone jarring hits in this one and added the final sack of the night on the last play of the game. LaRose always seems to be the target when things go wrong for the Lions. Sometimes it’s fair, sometimes he’s just the guy everyone likes to point at. Regardless, he had a solid game against the Bombers, and he also deserves his recent Tom Pate Award nomination as well. There are few if any CFL players in the league that do more in the community than LaRose.

The Lions defence did have some issues dealing with the small and shifty Paris Cotton. Strangely though the Bombers got away from him in the fourth quarter and Willy, who was running for his life most of the second half, got himself in trouble with two interceptions. One was to Cord Parks, the other to Ryan Phillips, the 40th of his career.

Bombers Done

With the Lions clinching that of course means the Bombers are done. There were some solid strides made in Winnipeg this season, and I don’t think many thought the Bombers would cave the way they did. Mike O’Shea is a good coach, and there seems to be some good football people in place. Willy got beat up this season, and the Bombers will have to address that and their poor run defence this off-season.

Onto the Playoffs

The Lions still have an outside shot at a home playoff game and a chance to catch Edmonton. They have to beat the Eskimos by eight points, then have Edmonton lose while they must beat Calgary in the final week. One more Lions win I believe would also make Saskatchewan the crossover team, as they have just one game left and lose in any potential tie situation with the Lions.

What were your thoughts on the game? Are the Lions poised to make a run in this year’s playoffs? As always your comments are welcome. We’ll have more on this week’s Pawdcast, and you chat Lions with me @BCLionsDen on Twitter.

From the Couch: Lions 17 Tiger-Cats 19

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BC Lions Keola Antolin was in tough against Hamilton – Photo: TheProvince.com

 

If someone told you the Lions would go two games without allowing a defensive touchdown and would lose both games, you would have thought they were crazy. But that’s the reality facing a team that has lost any reasonable facsimile of an offence. It was the third straight loss for the Lions who have been unable to take advantage of the recent losses of foes in the West. Here’s how I saw the game, From the Couch.

Plenty of Blame to Go Around

With all the problems the Lions have encountered with their offence this season, expecting them all to be fixed overnight is somewhat unrealistic. That said, as a fan you at least hope for some signs of progress, yet sadly there were none to take solace in Saturday.

The offensive line has been the focal point for much of the season but perhaps that has been a little unfair, because this team is finding all sorts of ways to stall drives and stay out of the end zone. Whether it’s missed blocks, protection breakdowns, penalties, dropped passes, or the inability to get open and execute the proper routes, you name it the Lions are finding ways to make things downright frustrating offensively.

Keola Antolin was unable to generate anything out of the backfield, but it’s unfair to pin the Lions woes on a player playing his first CFL game. He received little help from those in front of him, often being smothered immediately in the backfield by the league’s best run defence.

With Antolin and the running game struggling the Lions needed their passing game to rise to the occasion but they couldn’t. In the third quarter, after a 42 yard Kevin Glenn strike to Ernest Jackson the Lions only offensive touchdown came on a pitch to Emmanuel Arceneaux who found Shawn Gore alone in the end zone. It was the Lions most creative play in some time, but it would be the last points they scored.

In the fourth quarter, going against the wind and hemmed deep in their own end, the Lions couldn’t manage a drive to tilt the field in the other direction. When they needed a field goal in the final minutes, SJ Haidara dropped two passes the Lions desperately needed to complete to give them a chance. It was the story of the night, and their season to date.

Once again the defence did their best to hold the fort, but keeping the Ticats out of the end zone wasn’t enough. Unlike the Lions offence, Hamilton were able to extend drives and keep the Lions defence on the field and were able to move the ball into Lions territory consistently enough to chip away at the lead.

It wasn’t just the Lions offence that struggled; special teams and coaching chipped in too. The Lions had problems dealing with Terrell Sinkfield and Brandon Banks who racked up 199 return yards. After conceding one safety, the Lions conceded a second, and Mike Benevides indicated on the post-game show the second was supposed to be a punt, but miscommunication at a crucial time saw Ricky Schmitt take a knee.

There is plenty of blame to go around, and with the injuries the Lions have incurred there is little help coming to resolve the issues they are having. They are running out of chances in to make up ground in the West and have blown two chances to do so. Solutions must come from within, and they must come quickly.

Let’s Pass On Interference Reviews

I’ve had it with the review of pass interference. It was an intriguing addition to the rules this off-season and I was willing to give it a chance but it’s not working. Teams are using it as a tool in their offence now, and why not? Even when calls go to the command centre it’s a crapshoot as to what they deem pass interference and what isn’t. Andrew Harris voiced his displeasure on Twitter, Jovon Johnson of the Redblacks retweeted yours truly when I voiced my frustration, so the players thinks it’s a joke too. It’s an experiment that has failed badly, and it needs to be turfed.

Home Sweet Home

Anyone else happy for the fans in Hamilton, who are undefeated in their new home? Ticats fans are some of the most long suffering yet loyal fans in the country. After being the equivalent of the CFL homeless for what seemed like an eternity, they finally have a place to call home. Tim Horton’s field sounded very loud on Saturday, and it’s likely to play host to a playoff game. A reward that fans in Hamilton are very deserving of.

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your comments, and of course we’ll have plenty more to say on this week’s BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast.

From The Couch: Lions 7 Stampeders 14

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The BC Lions didn’t allow a touchdown Saturday night yet because their offence did nothing after the first 5 minutes of the game, they ended up losing 14-7 to the Calgary Stampeders. Here are my thoughts, From the Couch.

Usually when I do these articles for The Fifth Quarter, I attempt to describe the games from a fans point of view. You could probably take half a dozen of my blogs this year, replace the opponent with Calgary Stampeders, and you would have my view of this game.

It’s become a broken record for the Lions year, as week after week the defence plays a great game, but gets no support from an offence that has so many issues you don’t know where to start. Add to that the loss of Andrew Harris to a serious ankle injury and one has a hard time seeing light at the end of the tunnel.

We are literally talking about the same things on weekly basis and the Lions are what their record shows; a .500 football team. You simply can’t leave your defence on the field for most of the second half and expect to win football games, especially with Jon Cornish pounding the ball and grinding you down.

To Calgary’s credit their defence played just as well. The difference was their offence was doing enough to keep them off the field, while tiring the Lions defence down in the process. The score could have been much worse however, with Drew Tate overthrowing three wide open receivers deep. Cornish simply took the game over giving the Stamps key first downs.

On the first drive of the game the Lions chewed up close to five minutes of clock on a 9 play, 75 yard touchdown drive to open the scoring. But that would be it the rest of the way, and in the third quarter the Lions sputtered mightily.

Stefan Logan brought a missed field goal out of the end zone pinning the Lions deep in their own end and they never recovered field position wise. On the ensuing series they gave up a safety. And the tide had shifted.

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Andrew Harris – Photo: O.Canada.com

With the offence sputtering so badly, and already having lost the promising skills of Bryan Burnham, it seemed like the football gods were striking down upon the Lions and their fans, when Harris went down with his ankle injury with five minutes remaining in the game.

Without Harris the Lions offence becomes even more one-dimensional. Emmanuel Arceneaux is being targeted on every down, because opposing defences aren’t too worried about the rest of the receivers, especially with Courtney Taylor out. Shawn Gore isn’t a factor, and has anyone seen Marco Iannuzzi and Kito Poblah?

The running game will now fall to Logan, but with Harris out it also affects the Lions ratio, which you guessed it, will likely mean more changes to the offensive line. Tim Brown will hopefully return as well, but the Lions may also have to activate Keola Antolin, who impressed in the preseason but has bided his time on the practice roster.

The bottom line is the two players that were supposed to be leaders on your offence are gone in Harris and Travis Lulay, three if you count the contributions of Courtney Taylor.

With another chance to extend their lead over Winnipeg missed and the prospects of going on without Harris looming large, what will change for the Lions? There isn’t anyone out there to bring in. We’re into the final third of the season and the offensive line hasn’t been able to gel and will likely see more changes yet.

Don’t be surprised if next week’s contribution in this space is eerily similar to this one.

What are your thoughts? I’d love to hear your comments, and of course we’ll have plenty more to say on this week’s BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast.

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