I am not sure that entertaining is the exact word to describe the play between the two sides, but I do know where you are going with that. Both teams are evenly matched, and above all had better bring 100% effort to the table or will face the wrong side of scoreboard at the games conclusion.thunder77 wrote:You've definitely got a point about making judgements this early in the season. the lions and riders have been 1 and 2 in alot of d. stats for a c ouple of years now. Nate Davis' replacement has as many sacks in 2 games as Nate did in 16 games last year and our "new guy" at end, Chick was CONSTANTLY in the backfield last game. Now, having said that I am VERY anxious to see hwo those two do specifically against BC's oline....especially the new guy, Chick who will line up against Murphy or Jimenez. I'd rather not discuss McCallum thank you very much.... :xB.C.FAN wrote:Hey, no fair to cite stats after two games because your guys have played Calvillo and Burris at their worst. The Lions put up 12 sacks on Calvillo in one game last year, and Montreal's line was better then.thunder77 wrote:Both D's are very good however, I give the early season lead to SK (maybe a homer pick but...).
SK leads the league in QB sacks with 13 compared to BC's 8 and Interceptions with 5 compared to BC's 3. As a team Sask leads the league with a +8 compared to BC's +3.
On defence I've got to give the edge to the Lions, who return almost all of last year's league-leading unit intact. The new pieces this year (Cameron Wake and Jamall Johnson) are probably upgrades on Chris Wilson and Carl Kidd. The Lions have not given up a TD drive across midfield and, aside from points off turnovers, have given up a total of 7 points to opposing offences in two games. That includes a game against Ricky Ray, who put up 39 points and 5 passing TDs in his other game this year.
On offence, B.C.'s Joe Smith and Ian Smart have been used together like never before to stretch defences or power through them in short yardage. I much prefer B.C.'s receivers to Saskatchewan's, although D.J. Flick seems to be thriving since escaping Hamilton. I like B.C.'s offensive line, but there's nothing wrong with Saskatchewan's either. You already mentioned the B.C. advantage at QB.
Special teams are pretty even but B.C. has a field-goal kicker who was purrfect in the playoffs last year. It seems like he never misses when the game is on the line. :wink
All of this means little, of course, because the game isn't played on paper and we know the Lions have struggled at Mosaic in recent years, especially in the wind. What's the weather forecast?
I'm not sure TO's oline is the best in the league either and Edmonton's was terrible last year and you only had to play part of the game with Lefsrud back so your points about Mtl and Cgy's lines are kinda a wash IMO.
Bottom line is BC @ SSK is always entertaining.
Cheers!
Eitehr side will have some built in excuses for the outcome (short week for the Riders, road game for the Lions), but make no mistake the victor won't care nor should they. I always enjoy these games, and while they aren't the most entertaining, for real football fans they are a priority to watch as it doesn't get more physical.
