BC Lions Football :: BCLionsDen.ca

  • Home
  • Pawdcasts
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • CFPN
    • BCLionsDen (Apple Music)
    • Horsemen Radio
    • Eskimo Empire Podcast
    • Piffles Podcast
    • Blue Bomber Talk
    • Podskee Wee Wee
    • Alouettes Flightdeck
    • 2 and Out CFL Podcast
    • Rouge Radio
    • Rouge White and Blue
    • Tokyo Unofficial CFL Podcast
  • BC Lions Official
    • 20218 Schedule
    • Current Roster
    • Transactions
You are here: Home / Archives for 2009 CFL Playoffs

Eastern Final Preview: BC at Montreal

November 21, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

Two weeks ago many had the BC Lions left for dead. I have to admit, that after the final regular season game against Edmonton, I wasn’t holding out a lot of hope, especially thinking we had lost Casey Printers. Strange things happen when you get a second chance, and like the Lions I feel invigorated as a fan and have great hope as the team prepares to take on the class of the CFL, the 15-3…haven’t lost at home…Montreal Alouettes.

There is no doubt the Lions will have to play their best game of the season to have a chance of advancing to the Grey Cup. Montreal’s stellar year was no fulke and they will be in front of a crowd in excess of 50,000 people at the Big O in Montreal. The Lions had two very good games against the Als this year, splitting the season series and losing the second on the last play of the game. The Alouettes have yet to face the “Casey Printers” version of the Lions.

Let’s take a look at the match up of Sunday’s Eastern Final and the Lions keys to success on Sunday.

Where: Olympic Stadium, Montreal QB

When: Sunday, November 22nd, 2009 10:00 AM
Where to watch: TSN, TSNHD
Where to listen: TEAM 1410 AM

2009 Results:

Montreal 12 at BC 19

BC 24 at Montreal 28


bc_med

Offense: The Casey Factor

Casey Printers didn’t play in either of the games against the Alouettes this year, in fact he wasn’t even on the team at that point. The Lions are clearly a different team with Printers in the lineup and he’ll pose a definite problem for the Montreal defense. Allow him to set up in the pocket and he has time to go deep. Allow him to escape the pocket and you can really get in trouble. Printers is no doubt a key in Sunday’s game, and he seems to be getting better with every start. His chemistry with Geroy Simon is impressive, and he’s also taking a liking to solid rookie receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux. Both of them had 100+ yard games versus Hamilton and they know if they get open down field, Printers can get it there. Failing that Paris Jackson is always a threat, and O’Neil Wilson has provided timely catches.

Printers showed great calmness in last weeks game versus the Ticats in a tough environment. He kept his cool during adversity, whether it was a bad penalty or in overtime after he had watched an 11 point 4th quarter lead slip away in the dying seconds. Right now he’s oozing with confidence, not only in himself but with the talent surrounding him and come Sunday if he’s on again, the Lions have a real shot at knocking off the Beast in the East.

Martell Mallett

Mallett hurt his shoulder in the Hamilton game and depite the fact he will play, it may be bad enough to keep the Western Division rookie of the year nominee from being anywhere near 100% come Sunday. The Lions will pray he can gut it out, because he was a force against the Als this year. In their first meeting of the year Mallett rushed for a  club record 213 yards eclipsing the 212 yard total previously registered by former Lion Sean Millington. He was held to 66 in the second meeting, but the Lions will need a solid running attack to keep Montreal’s defenders honest against the pass. Ian Smart will no doubt work into the mix as well and was an effective tool last week, particularly on pitch outs and screen passes.

The Offensive Line

Somewhat lost in the satisfaction of last weeks win in Hamilton was the fact that a costly penalty could have cost the Lions a place in the Eastern Final. Late in the game with the Lions driving for the winning field goal a catch by Geroy Simon that would have given Paul McCallum a relatively easy field goal for the win was wiped out by a procedure call, the sixth of the game charged against the Lions offensive line. And it wasn’t just one player. Noise was blamed for the confusion, that and the fact the club is without the general of the line, Angus Reid. But if noise was a problem at Ivor Wynne, the Lions need to rectify this issue quickly if they are going to have success in front of a huge Olympic Stadium crowd.

The Lions will be happy that tackle Daren Heerspink will be able to go Sunday. It’s not known how healthy he is, but considering early reports had him questionable for the game, it’s good for the Lions he can play. The Lions had moved Justin Sorensen to tackle and inserted veteran Bobby Singh last week. But to have Sorensen start at tackle in a game of this magnitude would be a lot to throw on the rookie.

Defense

On defense, the Lions will look to have the same success against Avon Cobourne this week as they did against DeAndra’ Cobb last week. All week the Lions heard they couldn’t stop the run, however they may have changed some minds after their success last week. That said they is always Ben Cahoon, Jamal Richardson and Kerry Watkins to worry about.

The key to it all will be to get to QB Anthony Calvillo early and often. Get him off his game and out of the rhythm he’s famous for getting into. Calvillo’s release is accurate and quick, and if the Lions allow him enough time, it’s going to be a long day for Lions fans. Brent Johnson and Ricky Foley will be the keys to this success, and look for extra pressure from the blitzes of all-star Korey Banks.

The secondary had a strong game in Hamilton, but they have been giving up big chunks of yardage at critical times as well, mostly due to blown assignments. Barron Miles will look to lead the group and advance to the final, in what could be his final year. Look for the stamps to test Lavar Glover early.

Special Teams

Ian Smart doesn’t like the Alouettes. Cast aside by the Als, Smart would like nothing better than to be a factor in this game, not only at running back, but returning kicks. He’s joined in the return game by Ryan Grice-Mullen, who has had a few big returns of later, and looks to be getting comfortable as a CFL return threat.

On the other side of the ball, all hands will be required to stop the lethal Larry Taylor. Taylor is a threat every time he touches the ball, and when it looks like you have him he can make you look real dumb, real quick.

Both Paul McCallum and Damon Duval are capable kickers. The Lions will use the stronger leg of Sean Whyte for kickoffs and rely on the expertise and experience of McCallum for punting and field goal kicking. Field position will be huge, int he loud surroundings, and the Lions will need to be strong on special teams to ensure they have an upper hand in that department.

Coaching

Wally Buono, the most successful coach in CFL history against the new blood, and highly thought of Marc Trestman. Both coaches will have their teams ready to play, but the big question as usually will be the adjustments made during the game. The Lions devised a wonderful game plan for the TiCats last week and will have to have an even better one for Montreal. The Als have the advantage of the bye, and possibly adding things the Lions haven’t seen, while the Als have film from last week that shows how the Lions were successful.

Our Prediction:

Does anyone else kind of sense this is turning into a story book ending for Casey Printers? Clearly the Lions are a different team with him at the controls. His ability to escape the rush, and as proven last week, stand in the pocket gives the offense so much more weapons. Case in point, the production of Geroy Simon since Printers’ return. The Lions are playing with nothing to lose against the beasts of the CFL this year, and have been a decent road team. Top that off with the fact they seem to be one of the few teams that consistently play the Alouettes tough and…

Lions 28, Alouettes 21 and the first all west Grey Cup in CFL history.

Filed Under: Featured, Uncategorized Tagged With: 2009 CFL Playoffs, BC Lions, Eastern Final, Montreal Alouettes

Eastern Semi Final Preview: BC at Hamilton

November 9, 2009 By Brian Wawryshyn

When: 10:00AM Pacific, Sunday November 15th, 2009
Where: Ivor Wynne Stadium, Hamilton, ON
TV: TSN, TSNHD
Radio: TEAM 1410 AM

The BC Lions were the Hamilton Tiger Cats biggest fans last Sunday, but seven days later they will be enemies in the CFL’s Eastern division semi-final playoff game in Hamilton. The Lions were on playoff life support after losing the final western spot to the Edmonton Eskimos in devastating fashion two days earlier, and the Tiger Cats gave them what they needed to play again by defeating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers convincingly in Winnipeg.

Hamilton will be hosting their first playoff game since 2001 and have been a rejuvenated franchise in 2009. Under the guidance of former Lions personnel guru Bob O’Billovich and head coach Marcel Bellefeuille, the Ticats captured second place in the CFL East with a 9-9 record, including two wins over the Lions.

Let’s take a look at some of the key issues for this game on both sides of the field, starting with the Lions.

bc_med

The Lions will hope Csey Printers can play Sunday
The Lions will hope Casey Printers can play Sunday

BC will enter the game as underdogs, and under a little mystery as well. Just how healthy their quarterbacks are will likely be a closely guarded secret this week. The latest reports at the time of this preview were that Casey Printers was throwing the ball at the club’s practice facility on Sunday. But according to Printers, that didn’t take place and that he’s taking a wait and see attitude. Wally Buono is confident that Printers will start the game under centre. Travis Lulay is also reportedly ready to begin practicing this week, and should be available as the backup, along with Zac Champion. Buck Pierce may be available as the third option, but it would seem unlikely and a little to foolish to have a player dressed that won’t be able to be effective. Jarious Jackson will not be available.

If the Lions can get some consistency at QB in the game, the rest of the offense can be dangerous. Martell Mallett returned last week, and when he was used he was effective. Newcomers Dean Valli and Justin Sorensen need to step up along with the rest of the offensive line to produce an effective ground game, and keep the QB’s out of the first aid room and on the field.

The Lions are going to need a big game from their receivers as well, who were rendered ineffective last by the Eskimos and the QB situation. Geroy Simon and Paris Jackson both had 1000 yard seasons, and newcomer Emmanuel Arceneaux proved to be a valuable addition. Assuming there is someone to throw them the ball, they will all need a big game Sunday.

On special teams, Ryan Grice-Mullen had a strong game for the Lions last week, one of the few bright spots, and he’ll have to be sharp again. But the Lions will need to do a little better job and focus on not allowing the Ticats a short field by allowing big returns against from the likes of Marquay McDaniel.

The bigger concern by far is on defense, where the Lions were really struggled to stop the run all year, and that included 267 yards to the Ticats DeAndra’ Cobb in the two times they faced him this year. Coming off a disastrous game last week against the Eskimos, this is a serious area of worry heading into the playoffs. The Lions led the league in sacks with 42, and the front four will really need to try and pressure Kevin Glenn in addition to shutting down the run. The club needs much better production from linebackers Jojuan Armour, Javier Glatt and Anton McKenzie, who were clearly frustrated last week against the Eskimos to the point of shouting matches on the bench.

The defense appeared deflated and lifeless against the Eskimos, and their pride will have to be a motivating factor this week against Hamilton, who will be ready to play in front of an amped up Ivor Wynne crowd come game time.

Finally the Lions have to stop taking bad penalties. Procedure, offside, two many men, you name it the Lions are doing it. Discipline and focus have to be present for the Lions to have a shot at success.

ham_med

Hamilton enters the game coming off of impressive wins over Saskatchewan and Winnipeg. Kevin Glenn, who took over the QB spot from Quinton Porter has provided leadership and experience guiding the Winnipeg attack, passing for over 3000 yards and 18 touchdowns. When Glenn is on he can play with anyone, but consistency has plagued him as well.

DeAndra’ Cobb had his coming out party against the Lions in the first few weeks of the season, He finished third in rushing with 1,294 yards and added over 500 yards receiving. In two games against the Lions, he rushed for 267 yards and two touchdowns, while adding another 102 in thru the air. Of course the Lions will also have to contend with the likes of Arland Bruce, Prechae Rodriguez, Dave Stala and Marqauy McDaniel.

The Cat’s offensive line was a huge part of their rebuilding process and is anchored by Dan Goodspeed and Alexandre. Still though they allowed 40 sacks as a unit, and the Lions will look to pressure Glenn as much as possible.

Otis Floyd will be licking his chops and flapping the gums when the Lions are in town.
Otis Floyd will be licking his chops and flapping the gums when the Lions are in town.

On defense, the Cats average of 24 points/game was second only to the Montreal Alouettes, and they will look to continue that stinginess led by three former BC Lions in Otis Floyd, Markeith Knowlton and Jamal Johnson. You know Floyd in particular would love to stick it to his former club after not being re-signed by the Lions in the offseason. Johnson wanted to return to BC after a failed NFL tryout, but couldn’t get the guarantee of playing time when the Lions were settled on a new defensive scheme using Javier Glatt and Anton McKenzie. Johnson only went on to lead the Ticats in tackles, setting a club record in the process with 109.

On special teams the Cats may enter the game with Jeremy Ito handling the kicking duties which would be just his second CFL game, his first coming last week in Winnipeg. Injured kicker Nick Setta’s status (Quadricep) is unknown.

The Numbers:

BC Team Stats

Hamilton Team Stats

2009 results:

Friday July 10th: Hamilton 31 at BC 28 :: Recap :: Game Stats :: Highlights

Friday July 31st: BC 18 at Hamilton 30 :: Recap :: Game Stats :: Highlights

Filed Under: Featured Tagged With: 2009 CFL Playoffs, BC Lions Football, Casey Printers, CFL, DeAndra' Cobb, Geroy Simon, Hamilton Tiger Cats, Kevin Glenn, Otis Floyd

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • YouTube

Sponsor: RenfrowFootball.com

https://bclionsden.ca/blog/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/RPReplay_Final1575410753.mp4

Sponsor: Metal Rocks

Metal Rocks

Advertisement

Great CFL Resources

  • CFL Database
  • CanadaFootballChat.com

CFL West Fan Sites

  • BCLionsDen.ca
  • Horsemen Radio
  • Eskimo Empire Podcast.com
  • Piffles Podcast

CFL East Fan Sites

  • Friends of the Argonauts
  • Alouettes Flightdeck
  • Redblacks Fan Facebook Page
  • Podskee Wee Wee
Creative Commons Licence
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2023 BCLionsDen.ca · BCLionsDen.ca is an independent fan site and is not affiliated with the BC Lions Football club, the Canadian Football League or its partners.