Lions' O Line for 2014 - Montreal shows how to build an OL

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B.C.FAN
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Angus Reid's weekly column in The Province focuses on Hunter Steward's technique and intelligence. Reid and Dan Dorazio are full of praise for the rookie.
Rookie Hunter Steward at left tackle showing he’s the real deal
Three kick steps to your left is all you get. If you do these kicks right, it’s all you need. If you do them wrong, you’re a sitting duck for defensive players who will take advantage of you.

It’s all that matters in the life if a left tackle in football, and it’s what makes Hunter Steward of the B.C. Lions special.

The art form of setting up correctly to pass protect — at arguably the most important position on the offence other than quarterback — is shaped by those three crucial kick steps you take after the ball is snapped.

Getting those three kicks right is part science and part art. The angle of the kick is probably the most crucial. Most coaches would agree it’s somewhere in the 45-degree range. That number varies though, depending greatly on your speed, lower limb length, and maybe most importantly, knowledge of the defender trying to rush past you and sack the quarterback.
Hunter has now shown he can do it when it matters most. In his first three starts of his pro life, he graded out at over 92 per cent twice. During those two games he was up against Montreal’s John Bowman and Calgary’s Charleston Hughes. Tests don’t get any harder than that.
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Steward could be the next Jim Mills.
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MexicoLionFan
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TheLionKing wrote:Steward could be the next Jim Mills.
I really believe so TLK...that's why I am so excited about the youth and potential of our OLine...if Fabien can stay healthy, he can be great...I haven't seen Guard talent like that since Taras...and with Matt Norman and Olafoye, we should have a great OLine for years to come...we should have no problem starting 4 CDNs on the line, which is a BIG bonus.

Now we just need another Kevin Konar and Glen Jackson for the LB corp...
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WestCoastJoe
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http://www.theprovince.com/sports/footb ... story.html
Don't let bye week stop you: Offensive line woes continue for Lions as Steward goes down

Red-hot rookie Hunter Steward the latest hoggie to go down; Victoria native out at least a month with foot fracture

By Lowell Ullrich, the Province August 26, 2014

Don't let bye week stop you: Offensive line woes continue for Lions as Steward goes down

B.C. Lions offensive lineman Hunter Steward will miss at least a month of action after fracturing his foot against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Sunday.

It’s official now. Misfortune knows no bounds nor is discriminates based on nationality when it comes to offensive linemen on the B.C. Lions this year. Just ask Hunter Steward.

The mammoth non-import left tackle, whose work had him in a race for top rookie honours on the CFL team, joined a growing list of import linemen who have either been injured or didn’t want to play the position when he fractured a bone in his foot in the waning moments of the Lions’ 20-16 loss to Saskatchewan Sunday.

Steward underwent surgery Monday and is expected to miss at least the next month. B.C. has just begun the first of two bye weeks. It’s possible Steward won’t be ready until their second bye week in early October.

“That’s four (changes) in nine weeks,” coach Mike Benevides lamented, confirming the latest setback.

“We just can’t keep a group together. The sad part is just how well (Steward) was playing. Spectacular is a pretty good way to describe what he has done.”

The off-season plan was for the 23-year-old from Victoria to be worked in at a guard spot but when the Lions kept losing imports, or had American players leave the team, they inserted Steward after a lamentable two-game stretch by Ryan Cave and never looked back.

He almost made it through his sixth CFL game but suffered the injury on the Lions’ final offensive drive Sunday. It’s an injury that goes well beyond simply identifying a replacement, or deciding whether or not to sign a 12th import lineman since the start of training camp.

Benevides said the Lions will more than likely play an import in Steward’s absence, and while the club has options it also means changing the ratio.

Andre Ramsey, who didn’t make it past the season opener when he suffered an ankle injury, has been taking a healthy dose of reps lately and could well be first in line when the team returns to work next week.

Benevides also mentioned Jermarcus Hardrick, who played in two contests before he was placed on the six-game injured list with an MCL tear Aug. 8, and practice roster import Jarien Moreland as possible candidates.

Either way, the Lions will likely be required to add an American and the outfall could result in yet another exit of an import off the special teams unit, which only happens to feature the most explosive player in the CFL at present, Tim Brown.

The hard-luck returner has 526 return yards in last two games and Tuesday was named the league’s top special teams player for the second straight week, and may finally have forced the Lions to look at other options.

“We don’t have to keep him on the roster but certainly you want to try and find a way to keep him and he’s clearly proven his worth,” Benevides said. “I believe we have enough (roster) flexibility.”

When it comes to offensive linemen, however, the Lions have had no choice but to flexible after Steward wandered into the left tackle graveyard on the weekend.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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The mammoth non-import left tackle, whose work had him in a race for top rookie honours on the CFL team, joined a growing list of import linemen who have either been injured or didn’t want to play the position when he fractured a bone in his foot in the waning moments of the Lions’ 20-16 loss to Saskatchewan Sunday.

Steward underwent surgery Monday and is expected to miss at least the next month. B.C. has just begun the first of two bye weeks. It’s possible Steward won’t be ready until their second bye week in early October.

“That’s four (changes) in nine weeks,” coach Mike Benevides lamented, confirming the latest setback.

“We just can’t keep a group together. The sad part is just how well (Steward) was playing. Spectacular is a pretty good way to describe what he has done.”
Solid pass blocker. Blocks out the sun. Moves well. Gets great contact. There are no rush ends about to run over him. He has stopped them cold. Physically immense. He also seems to have the calmness of special athletes.
The off-season plan was for the 23-year-old from Victoria to be worked in at a guard spot but when the Lions kept losing imports, or had American players leave the team, they inserted Steward after a lamentable two-game stretch by Ryan Cave and never looked back.

He almost made it through his sixth CFL game but suffered the injury on the Lions’ final offensive drive Sunday. It’s an injury that goes well beyond simply identifying a replacement, or deciding whether or not to sign a 12th import lineman since the start of training camp.
The Lions had planned to use him at guard. Cookie cutter thinking. If not for all the injuries we might never have seen what Steward can do at left tackle.
Andre Ramsey, who didn’t make it past the season opener when he suffered an ankle injury, has been taking a healthy dose of reps lately and could well be first in line when the team returns to work next week.

Benevides also mentioned Jermarcus Hardrick, who played in two contests before he was placed on the six-game injured list with an MCL tear Aug. 8, and practice roster import Jarien Moreland as possible candidates.
Ramsey and Hardrick have been injured. Dunno how much we can count on them.

Hunter Steward at practice ...
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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MexicoLionFan
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Wow guys, this is a big loss...fortunately for us, we have 2 byes in the next while, so Steward can take the proper amount of time to heal and NOT miss a lot of game action...but its a shame...I thought the kid was on target for Rookie of the Year honours...NO ONE in a long time has come in and done what he has...and consider that he's a rookie and had a significant injury in TC, and he's a one-off...there hasn't been ANY CDN that I can remember in CFL history that has accomplished what he has this fast, not even Jim Mills...

Remember with Hardrick, he was a LT at Nebraska...I watched him play...decent footwork...
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OUCH! Whatever part of the team the Lions seem to try to scrape by with soon becomes the part of the team that gets nicked and banged up, IIRC. This O-line seems to have been snake-bit by injuries (and other issues) for awhile. Steward was a real exception to this, IMO. Darn......
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NOTES — The Lions also brought in two new players on Sunday: offensive tackle Cory Brandon and long snapper Mike Benson. Brandon, who played at Oklahoma and was cut by the Seahawks last week, took first-team reps at left tackle and figures to start against Ottawa for non-import rookie Hunter Steward. who’s out with a broken foot. Brandon had been at the top of the Lions’ off-season recruiting list. “We have to take a look at the left tackle position,” said Benevides. “Unfortunately, it will be the fourth different body in 10 games.” Benson, who’s seen time with Toronto and Edmonton, will suit up for Jordan Matechuk, who underwent surgery on his hand on Sunday. -- Ed Willes in the Province
"top of the Lions' off-season recruiting list"

NFL experience with Tampa Bay, Chicago, Arizona and Seattle

6'7", 324
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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DanoT
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WestCoastJoe wrote:
NOTES — The Lions also brought in two new players on Sunday: offensive tackle Cory Brandon and long snapper Mike Benson. Brandon, who played at Oklahoma and was cut by the Seahawks last week, took first-team reps at left tackle and figures to start against Ottawa for non-import rookie Hunter Steward. who’s out with a broken foot. Brandon had been at the top of the Lions’ off-season recruiting list. “We have to take a look at the left tackle position,” said Benevides. “Unfortunately, it will be the fourth different body in 10 games.” Benson, who’s seen time with Toronto and Edmonton, will suit up for Jordan Matechuk, who underwent surgery on his hand on Sunday. -- Ed Willes in the Province
"top of the Lions' off-season recruiting list"

NFL experience with Tampa Bay, Chicago, Arizona and Seattle

6'7", 324
So are neither Ramsey or Handrick not healthy enough or are they not good enough to start ahead of the new guy Brandon?
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http://www.theprovince.com/sports/footb ... story.html
NFL castoff Cory Brandon was long on the B.C. Lions' radar

By Lowell Ullrich, The Province September 2, 2014

There would be no way for the latest member of the B.C. Lions' offensive line to understand how he could go from NFL unemployment to a starting gig for the CFL team in a week.

And for Cory Brandon there was even less inclination to find answers.

Football is, after all, a transient life and there isn't enough time in a day to explain how the Lions have been watching Brandon for three seasons, waiting for the chance to take him off their negotiation list and get him on to the field.

A more superstitious type, however, might want to start casually inquiring exactly what it is that has caused the Lions to go through the number of tackles they have tried to employ since the off-season departure of Ben Archibald through forced retirement. All Brandon had to do to determine why he was with the starters at only his second CFL practice Monday was to look at rookie Hunter Steward off to one side in a cart, a pair of crutches close at hand.

The amount of turnover at the position Brandon will play Friday when the Lions travel for their first meeting with the Ottawa Redblacks has clearly exceeded epidemic proportions. Since starting the search to replace Archibald, the Lions have gone through a dozen candidates (see chart), making it even more startling how right tackle Jovan Olafioye avoided not getting caught up in the roster roulette. Olafioye was initially tabbed to replace Archibald before the Lions had second thoughts. It's Brandon who is lucky number 13.

Some players weren't good enough, or at least not up to the Lions' exacting standards.

Some suffered injury misfortune, like Steward, who underwent foot surgery last week and will at least be out a month.

Some players got homesick. Some weren't truthful and eventually let it be known they weren't interested in a CFL stipend.

But absolutely nobody on the Lions has a reasoned theory as to why they might as well have installed a turnstile at the most important position in the offensive protection unit.

"I've got to say it's a little freaky, all right," said Steward, who was injured in the fourth quarter of the Lions' loss against Saskatchewan but finished the game.

"You almost don't want to tell anyone what has happened this season at the position."

You'd think the Lions might be hesitant to start Brandon, given that only a month ago they handed the position to a newcomer, Ryan Cave, and had horrendous results.

Cave began his CFL career after only three practices - replacing the injured Andre Ramsey in July - and was cut after two starts. Ramsey has mostly recovered from toe and tibia issues, general manager Wally Buono said, a tacit suggestion that his stock has dropped.

Jermarcus Hardrick, also a regular-season casualty, went so far as to point out his recovery from an MCL injury by posting a workout video on Instagram last week.

But the Lions will try the same formula again, hoping that the 13th time is indeed the charm.

"It's been a challenge," understated coach Mike Benevides, who formally reinstalled Travis Lulay as starting quarterback in place of Kevin Glenn at the start of the practice week Sunday.

"But whether it's (replacing) the nickelback or cornerbacks, the organization has done a great job filling holes."

Around the Lions these days, however, change has become such a part of the regular routine that a newcomer can fit in almost instantly. With rookie Casey Chin on the roster, B.C. didn't have to acquire a new long snapper when Jordan Matechuk underwent season-ending finger surgery last week, but did so anyway, signing non-import Mike Benson on Sunday.

Rookie nickelback Josh Johnson was back with the first unit Monday on defence after MCL surgery. Import Ernest Jackson, however, was not with the starters on offence, and with Tim Brown returning kicks the Lions may have discovered a way to keep the league's hottest special teams player on the roster, though Benevides offered a variety of options. "We'll have to find (ratio) flexibility on the defensive side with our defensive tackle and also in the receiving corps," the head coach said.

It seemed perfectly normal, in fact, that Cody Husband was with the starters at right guard Monday instead of Dean Valli, who said back spasms won't prevent him from playing in Ottawa, or that centre

Matt Norman was at work even though he underwent arthroscopic knee surgery last week.

None of this is particularly relevant for now to Brandon, whose career has been in a state of flux since he went from being on the NCAA's Outland Trophy watch list - the award goes to the top college offensive lineman - while at Oklahoma to an undrafted third-stringer in his senior year.

That drop-off went about as fast as his stops with four NFL teams, which included the first three pre-season games with the Seattle Seahawks last month.

"You look back to learn," said the 26-year-old Brandon, who has been on the Lions' radar since he played briefly for the Spokane Shock of the Arena League three seasons ago.

"I have a son. I'm getting married in February. I don't want to sit out any longer."

Given the luck anyone has had playing the position for the Lions in the past few months, he might want to try paying for the honeymoon while he has the chance.

lullrich@theprovince.com

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Tackling a dilemma

It's been a struggle to keep a left tackle with the B.C. Lions, or one who wants to remain in the CFL, this season. A list of players who have come and gone since the club's offensive mini-camp in April:
•Cut in training camp: R.J. Dill, Stephon Heyer, Jason Slowey.
•Injured during training camp: Rico Forbes. Left during training camp: Garrett Chisolm, John Estes.
•Cut during regular season: Ryan Cave, Nyere Aumaitre, Jarien Moreland.
•Injured in regular season: Andre Ramsey, Hunter Steward, Jermarcus Hardrick.
•Still on roster: RT Jovan Olafioye.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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I often wonder how a new player on the roster can simply join a team mid-season and immediately get a starting position for the next game. This is the case with Cory Brandon, and was the case with Cave. What about all the hard work put in by other players through training camp and the weekly practices? Is the new guy better? Does he understand the playbook (isn't it complicated)? Is it fair to the rest of the team the new player (for example, Cave)? It just seems strange to me how this can happen in pro sports.

Also WestcoastJoe and David had very interesting posts on their observations at the team practices earlier this week. I wonder what happened to these posts - they seem to have just disappeared! At least I can't find them anymore.
"the 1996 season was a very difficult period... I couldn't imagine telling people that I was part of the last days of the CFL... it seemed that there would be no end to the continuous stream of catastrophic problems... it was like living in a toxic fishbowl... if they had known how serious the situation was, but we couldn't make it public, for fear of a total meltdown". (from Bigger Balls, The CFL and Overcoming the Canadian Inferiority Complex, by Jeff Giles)
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ballhawk wrote:Also WestcoastJoe and David had very interesting posts on their observations at the team practices earlier this week. I wonder what happened to these posts - they seem to have just disappeared! At least I can't find them anymore.
Go to the Scout Team Room subforum. They're there.
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South Pender wrote:
ballhawk wrote:Also WestcoastJoe and David had very interesting posts on their observations at the team practices earlier this week. I wonder what happened to these posts - they seem to have just disappeared! At least I can't find them anymore.
Go to the Scout Team Room subforum. They're there.
That area isn't accessible (or even visible) to everyone.
Sports can be a peculiar thing. When partaking in fiction, like a book or movie, we adopt a "Willing Suspension of Disbelief" for enjoyment's sake. There's a similar force at work in sports: "Willing Suspension of Rationality". If you doubt this, listen to any conversation between rival team fans. You even see it among fans of the same team. Fans argue over who's the better QB or goalie, and selectively cite stats that support their views while ignoring those that don't.
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ballhawk wrote:I often wonder how a new player on the roster can simply join a team mid-season and immediately get a starting position for the next game. This is the case with Cory Brandon, and was the case with Cave. What about all the hard work put in by other players through training camp and the weekly practices? Is the new guy better? Does he understand the playbook (isn't it complicated)? Is it fair to the rest of the team the new player (for example, Cave)? It just seems strange to me how this can happen in pro sports.

Also WestcoastJoe and David had very interesting posts on their observations at the team practices earlier this week. I wonder what happened to these posts - they seem to have just disappeared! At least I can't find them anymore.
They are in the Scout Team Room. Send a message to D, the owner of the site, and ask for permission to view the material there. After a number of posts, interested newer members are granted that permission. That room is a bit more private, away from the prying eyes of other teams.
............

I agree with your view. It has certainly been a schmozzle with the amazing number of changes at left tackle this year. Over the years I have gotten the impression that the blueprint we are looking for has undergone change, or been uncertain, or flip flopping. Or our judgment at tryout camps, or from tape, has been suspect. Or that the staff member making the decision on who is brought in sees the player differently than the one who coaches the player, or the one who decides which players stay. How else to understand the vast number gone through this year? 13 at last count. And it seems Ramsey has slipped down the depth chart, although able to practice.

Brandon is brought in, on the Practice Roster, and goes to first team reps immediately. And we still have Ramsey on the 46 man roster. Moreland seems to have been released. Hardrick is on the 6 game injured list.

And we have Stephon Heyer and Garrett Chisholm on the Suspended list.

As I said it has been kind of a schmozzle.

Then we get some excellent play, and some stability, from a National player, a rookie, in Hunter Steward, and he gets injured.

And there is one more factor: Both T-Dre Player and Kirby Fabien, Nationals, played tackle in college. One wonders how they would do playing tackle in the CFL, rather than being switched to guard.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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ballhawk wrote:I often wonder how a new player on the roster can simply join a team mid-season and immediately get a starting position for the next game. This is the case with Cory Brandon, and was the case with Cave. What about all the hard work put in by other players through training camp and the weekly practices? Is the new guy better? Does he understand the playbook (isn't it complicated)? Is it fair to the rest of the team the new player (for example, Cave)? It just seems strange to me how this can happen in pro sports.
I wonder about Brandon stepping directly into the starter's role after three practices. I'd love to know what Ramsey thinks of that move. He claimed the starting LT spot in spring workouts and didn't relinquish it until he was injured. Is he fully healthy now? He's been off the injured list for several weeks. Cave was an emergency. No one else was on the roster. Not much was expected of him, and not much was delivered. But Ramsey's nose might be out of joint if he has been surpassed by a fresh NFL cut. With Steward looking like the long-term answer at that position, I wonder if Ramsey will want to stick around as a third stringer.
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