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You are here: Home / Archives for Game Recaps

From the Couch: Lions 3 Eskimos 37

November 6, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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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.

Filed Under: 2014 Game Recaps, CFL/League, Den Talk, Featured, From The Couch, Game Recaps Tagged With: BC Lions, BCLionsDen.ca, Brian Wawryshyn, CFL, Edmonton Eskimos, From The Couch, Game Recaps, The Fifth Quarter

The BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast: Episode 43

October 30, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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In Episode 43 we’re talking playoffs after the Lions clinch a playoff berth for the 18th straight season. We look back at the win over the Bombers and we set up a possible Western Semi preview when our Eskimos Insider Dave Campbell of CHED 650 joins us.

To stay up to date with our podcasts, blogs and other Lions news, follow us on Twitter @BCLionsDen Please leave us a comment on the site and let us know how we’re doing. You can also leave us a ranking and a review on iTunes, we would really appreciate it!

You can follow our guest on Twitter: Dave Campbell: @Dave_CHED.


Listen and Subscribe on iTunes

Filed Under: 2014, 2014 Game Recaps, BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast, CFL/League, Den Talk, Featured, Game Recaps, Interviews, Podcasts Tagged With: BC Lions, BCLionsDen.ca, Brian Wawryshyn, CFL, CHED 650, Dave Campbell, Edmonton Eskimos, Game Recaps, Mojo Kemp, Podcast

From the Stands: Lions 41 Redblacks 3

October 23, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

How do you spell relief? For the BC Lions and their fan base, relief was spelled O-F-F-E-N-C-E Saturday at BC Place Stadium. Kevin Glenn had arguably his best game as a BC Lion and got support from his receivers as the Lions went on to thrash the Ottawa Redblacks 41-3. Here is how I saw the game, From the Stands.

Rising to the Challenge

When Glenn appeared to injure his throwing hand on the first play of the game, my first thought was, “Sure, why not?” The way Lions have been falling by the wayside of late it only seemed fitting that another player would be added to the pile. But thankfully Glenn not only returned, but went onto a 20-27, 345 yard, 3 touchdown performance.

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Ernest Jackson had plenty to celebrate against the Redblacks. Photo: The Province.com

 

Glenn wasn’t the only performance to be thankful for on Thanksgiving weekend. The Lions receiving corps needed to step up to help a struggling offence and they were led by the 195 yard effort of Ernest Jackson. Jackson was in the zone Saturday, with big plays and timely catches all night long. I’ve often wondered why the Lions haven’t attempted to use Jackson more, and after this performance he may have forced them to consider it, even when injured receivers return.

Jackson wasn’t alone as Lavasier Tuinei turned in a strong game and Shawn Gore made some key catches as well.

The running game also came to life with Keola Antolin looking much more comfortable in his second start and the offensive line opening the holes the diminutive running back needed. Antolin also gets high marks for the surfing routine he did to celebrate his first professional touchdown, a result of a 56 yard run on the same drive. Stefan Logan will likely return after the bye week, but the Lions now have some comfort without Andrew Harris in the running department.

Credit to the Coaches

No one escapes criticism when things aren’t going well and the Lions coaches have received their fair share over the last few weeks. But not only did Mike Benevides and his staff have to find ways to generate offence with so many starters injured, they had to keep the team united as one. They accomplished both. After the game Lions players spoke of the fact that no one believed in them, but as Gore said earlier in the week, that doubt and criticism was deserved from outsiders. So too is the praise they should receive for rallying as an organization, and hopefully this was the tonic the teams needs to play out the final three games of the season and enter the playoffs on a roll.

Special Teams

After a poor outing in Hamilton the Lions did a much better job on special teams. Tim Brown looked maybe a half step behind speed wise coming off his groin injury, but the coverage downfield was solid all night long and gave the Lions much better field position to work with defensively.

Better Call Sol

I spent a lot of time watching Solomon Elimimian Saturday, because not only is he my favourite player, I just wanted to watch and see what makes him so good. His pursuit of the ball on every play is relentless, he’ll go over, through or around any obstacle in his path to make a tackle. Elimimian has really settled into the CFL game and it shows. Solomon became the Lions record holder for tackles in a season, and the league record will be next to fall if Elimimian can stay healthy.

Props to Paul

Paul McCallum was also in the spotlight Saturday as he moved into second place on the all-time CFL scoring list. It’s unlikely that McCallum will catch Lui Passaglia to take over the number one spot, but it’s pretty cool that two BC Lions are one/two on the list.

Speaking of Passaglia, it was great to see him at BC Place on Saturday night as the club’s honorary captain. He’s been in Lions fans’ thoughts since his recent battle with cancer was made public, but Lui looked good and it was great to see the Lions bring him out to a standing ovation and chants of Luuuuu for the coin toss.

Looking Ahead

The Lions were finally able to take advantage of their position and move four points ahead of the Bombers. But the Riders are in a freefall as well and got spanked by the Alouettes, meaning that the Lions are now just two points out of third in the CFL West and they hold the tie breaker over the Riders.

The Lions should be getting some bodies back following the bye week, and now have some confidence in their pocket when they head into Winnipeg in two weeks. That game could be the defining moment of the season for BC, who close out the season versus Edmonton and Calgary.

Going through the West or the East doesn’t matter, because in the end the Lions will have to beat two good teams to get to the Grey Cup. However, travel wise the club would be better off to keep their playoff streak alive by qualifying in the West.

What are your thoughts? Your comments are always welcome. The Pawdcast will be taking a break this week along with the Lions, but we’ll be back with a show before the Lions take on the Bombers.

Filed Under: 2014 Game Recaps, CFL/League, Den Talk, Featured, From The Stands, Game Recaps Tagged With: BC Lions, BCLionsDen.ca, Brian Wawryshyn, CFL, Ernest Jackson, Game Recaps, Keola Antolin, Kevin Glenn, Ottawa Redblacks, The Fifth Quarter

The BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast – Episode 41

October 9, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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In our 41st Episode we look back at a 19-17 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats that sees the Lions in search of an offence and leaves them on a three game losing streak. TSN 1040 colour man Giulio Caravatta joins to take a look at the struggling Lions and to look ahead to this week’s game against Ottawa.

To stay up to date with our podcasts, blogs and other Lions news, follow us on Twitter @BCLionsDen Please leave us a comment on the site and let us know how we’re doing. You can also leave us a ranking and a review on iTunes, we would really appreciate it!

You can follow our guest on Twitter: Giulio Caravatta, @Caravatta2.


Listen and Subscribe on iTunes

Filed Under: 2014, 2014 Game Recaps, BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast, CFL/League, Den Talk, Featured, Game Recaps, Interviews, Podcasts Tagged With: BC Lions, BCLionsDen.ca, Brian Wawryshyn, CFL, Game Recaps, Giulio Caravatta, Hamilton Tiger Cats, Mojo Kemp, Ottawa Redblacks, Podcast

From the Couch: Lions 17 Tiger-Cats 19

October 9, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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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.

Filed Under: 2014 Game Recaps, CFL/League, Den Talk, Featured, From The Couch, Game Recaps Tagged With: BC Lions, BCLionsDen.ca, CFL, From The Couch, Game Recaps, Hamilton Tiger Cats, The Fifth Quarter

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