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You are here: Home / Archives for Montreal Alouettes

From the Couch – Lions 17 Alouettes 50

November 20, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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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.

Filed Under: 2014 Game Recaps, CFL/League, Den Talk, Featured, From The Couch, Game Recaps Tagged With: BC Lions, Brian Wawryshyn, CFL, From The Couch, Game Recaps, Mike Benevides, Montreal Alouettes, The Fifth Quarter, Wally Buono

The BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast – Episode 45

November 12, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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In Episode 45 Lions beat writer Lowell Ullrich joins us for a BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes Eastern Semi-Final preview, and we start getting ready to Roar On the Shore when 2014 Grey Cup Festival General Manager Jamie Pitblado joins the show to give us the scoop on this year’s festivities in Vancouver.

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 guests on Twitter: Lowell Ullrich: @Fifthqtr – Jamie Pitblado @JamiePitblado – Grey Cup Festival: @GreyCupFestival


Listen and Subscribe on iTunes

Filed Under: 2014, BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast, CFL/League, Den Talk, Events, Featured, Interviews, Podcasts Tagged With: BC Lions, BCLionsDen.ca, Brian Wawryshyn, CFL, CFL Playoffs, Eastern Semi-Final, Grey Cup, Grey Cup Festival, Jamie Pitblado, Lowell Ullrich, Mojo Kemp, Montreal Alouettes, Podcast, Roar on the Shore

The BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast: Episode 42

October 23, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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In our 42nd Episode we look at the Lions as they come out of their final bye week of the season and into the run for a playoff spot. Tony Allen of the Swagger and Stagger Show joins Brian and Mojo for a round the league CFL discussion.

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: Tony Allen: @taBeingta, Swagger and Stagger Show: @SwagNStagShow.


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, Calgary Stampeders, CFL, Edmonton Eskimos, Hamilton Tiger Cats, Montreal Alouettes, Ottawa Redblacks, Podcast, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Swagger and Stagger Show, Tony Allen, Toronto Argonauts, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The BCLionsDen.ca Pawdcast – Episode 32

July 23, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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In Episode 32 BC Lions wide receiver Emmanuel Arceneaux joins Brian and Mojo in The Den after his 3 touchdown performance in a 41-5 win over the Montreal Alouettes. Darrin Bauming of TSN 1290 radio in Winnipeg returns to the show to provide us with a Bombers preview as they travel to BC to face the Lions.

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! Listen:

You can follow Emmanuel Arceneaux on Twitter, @E_Arceneaux and Darrin Bauming, @darrinbauming.


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, Darrin Bauming, Emmanuel Arceneaux, Game Recaps, Mojo Kemp, Montreal Alouettes, Podcast, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

From the Stands : Lions 41 Alouettes 5

July 23, 2014 By Brian Wawryshyn

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Emmanuel Arceneaux had a lot to smile about in a three touchdown 41-5 romp over Montreal. Photo: BCLions.com

The BC Lions must have had a vision when they printed their 2014 season tickets. The featured player on the ticket for Saturday’s game against the Montreal Alouettes was Emmanuel Arceneaux, and the The Manny Show was on full display in front of over 25,000 fans at BC Place as the Lions kept their dominance over Montreal at BC Place intact. Here’s how I saw the game From the Stands.

The Manny Show

Lions fans have been waiting for the type of performance that Emmanuel Arceneaux turned in Saturday. Finally healthy, Arceneaux had no match defensively on this day, using his size and leaping ability to torch the Als for 145 yards and three touchdowns.

There are few defensive players in the CFL that can match up to Arceneaux physically and he took full advantage of that against an Als defence that looked nothing like the one we saw on Montreal two weeks ago.

If Arceneaux can stay healthy the Lions could have a lethal weapon on their side, and it didn’t seem to matter if it was Kevin Glenn or John Beck throwing him the football, never mind Travis Lulay.

The Defence

Let’s be honest here; the Alouettes were brutal. Troy Smith looked lost out there, and as the Alouettes head into their bye week they have a major decision to make at quarterback. The Als were also without Duron Carter and SJ Green sat out the second half after making a go of it with sore ribs in the first. Chad Johnson? All he does is run routes and you have to wonder if the Alouettes are doing enough to try and get him involved.

But let’s give a whole lot of credit to the Lions defence, who have only allowed two touchdowns in the last three games. They had relentless pressure on Troy Smith most of the night, even without Khalif Mitchell, who was nursing a sore back.

Following the Lions 0-2 start it was hard to point too many fingers at the defence, and now that they are getting some offensive support, the Lions are starting to show signs that they will be a contender in the CFL west.

Khreem Smith is having a great year and combined with Eric Taylor provided one of the night’s best moments when he blocked an Alouettes kick that was picked up by Taylor who rumbled down the field only as fast as a big man like him can.

Newcomer Alex Bazzie had a strong game as well, and Brandon Jordan didn’t look out of place, despite a poor roughing the passer call that the coaches won’t be pleased with.

Thunder and Lightning, Part Two

With the original ‘Thunder and Lightning’, Sean Millington and Cory Philpot in the building to celebrate the Lions 1994 Grey Cup team, Andrew Harris and Stefan Logan showed more signs that the Lions running game is starting to get rolling. Behind an improving offensive line, the two combined for 146 yards along the ground, and the Lions had big success sweeping to the right side.

Having two backs that bring different styles is a huge tool for the Lions to have at their disposal, and it appears Khari Jones is finding ways to make both of them effective, while at the same time keeping both of them fresh.

Solid Start for Hunter

Hunter Steward made his first start at left tackle for the Lions and did not look out of place, which is great news for fans who would love to see the turnstile at that spot stop spinning. Steward is young and is going to make some mistakes but the Lions may have something here as they attempt to replace national Ben Archibald. With the game well in hand the Lions pulled several starters and newcomer Jermarcus Hardrick saw some reps at the right tackle spot of Jovan Olafiyoe and also showed well.

Overall it looks as though progress is being made both in run blocking and pass protection and that’s a great sign.

The Flow

I really love this game, but this week’s games were really tough to watch with all the orange linen being thrown around by officials.

I get the fact that early in the season the officials want to make a statement to set the tone for the rest of year. The league says that over 90% of the penalties thrown this year have been legitimate, so where does the fault lie? In the Montreal-BC game, it seemed as though you couldn’t go more than two plays without a flag and that doesn’t make for quick games and sucks the flow out of the game.

Yes players have to be smarter and clean up their part, but the league really has to realize that football is a physical and emotional game. Perhaps they could start by eliminating some of these flags thrown simply for guys reacting to the adrenalin flowing through them and keep the flags for the penalties that effect the play. And yes, I am referring to call made on Harris, who spun the ball down following a run where he lowered his shoulder on an Als defender near the sideline. By the book, it was likely a penalty, and Harris knew it as soon as he saw the flag, but was it really that bad?

I’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. Post a comment here, hit me up on Twitter, @BCLionsDen and checkout this week’s Pawdcast on BCLionsDen.ca for more reaction on this game and a look ahead to the Lions and Bombers this Friday.

Filed Under: 2014 Game Recaps, CFL/League, Den Talk, Featured, From The Stands, Game Recaps Tagged With: BC Lions, BCLionsDen.ca, Brian Wawryshyn, CFL, Emmanuel Arceneaux, From The Stands, Montreal Alouettes, The Fifth Quarter

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