Leos/Stamps Keys to the Game

[leo4life]

Protect Glenn
Run the football out of double tight sets
Spread the ball around,get Gore involved and Ianuzzi more often
Win the turn over battle
Pressure Mitchell
Win the special teams battles for once
Hard to predict which Leos team will show up

[Blitz]

Protect Glenn
Run the football out of double tight sets
Spread the ball around,get Gore involved and Ianuzzi more often
Win the turn over battle
Pressure Mitchell
Win the special teams battles for once
Hard to predict which Leos team will show up

I agree...its been hard to predict which Leos team will show up or what type of game plan we will use.

Calgary is a well coached team. They are sound. Even with Cornish and Lewis out, they will be tough.

Is Calgary more talented than our B.C Lions? I don't see that. But they are a more sound team.

In terms of spreading the football around and using Gore and Iannuzzi more often...what tends to happen, when a quarterback is under heavy pressure, is that he becomes more slotback/tailback oriented. The quickest reads and quickest throws are to the slotbacks or the tailback coming out of the backfield.

Over the past 3 seasons Chap did the following things to enable the quarterback (Lulay) to throw to the outside. He used the designed quick out, the outside receiver coming across the formation in motion for a quick throw, the quick slant to the outside receiver out of 'trips', the quick sprint out and throw to the outside receiver, the hitch to the outside receiver, and the outside receiver in motion out of trips for the quick crossing pattern.

Khari Jones is going to have to have to design some quick passing plays specifically designed for our outside receivers. With heavy pressure coming at a quarterback, most of the time he will have the tendency to throw inside. The outside pass usually takes a half second longer to throw because the quarterback has to set his feet differently and it takes a bit longer and he also needs a longer extension of his throw. The outside throw also opens a quarterback to a side hit and its subconscious thing for a quarterback not to want to do that, when experiencing heavy pressure.

The best example of this was last week when Winnipeg only used two defenders to cover our 3 recievers in trips left. Iannuzzi was open but Glenn was already quick releasing the football to a slotback who was covered. Glenn looks like he is blind but in reality he is already trigger happy to release a throw quickly to the slotback because of the relentless pressure, hits, and number of sacks that he has taken.

Decent pass blocking and blitz pickup can make an amazing difference to a team's passing attack, quarterback play, recievers getting open, etc. Kevin Glenn knows that difference, having played for Calgary last season and our Leos this year.

[Blitz]

Interesting that today Benevedes is using the press to imply that the biggest reason for our lack of offensive success this season is that we are missing Lulay's leadership.

So now Benevedes has skillfully played the denial and blame game. First it was a lack of execution. Then it was our players 'needed to make plays'. Now its a 'lack of leadership at the quarterback position''. The concept that our offensive line has given up 21 sacks so far this season with a quick release quarterback when 30 sacks is what a good team gives us or less in an entire season, is not even mentioned.

Well, my theory to combat Benevdes theory for our early season offensive struggles is that Benny has better timing with his chest bumps with Lulay than he does with Kevin Glenn

Certainly we miss Lulay's leadership and we miss his mobility. On the other hand Glenn is also a quick release quarterback with very good pocket presence and that quick release has also been effective in the past, to deal with reasonable pressure coming at him.

I have no idea how Travis Lulay's 'leadership' could have dealt with the blitzes, missed stunt pickup, and incredible pressure that our quarterback has faced. Glenn is being blamed for the interceptions but Glenn has not been a quarterback with a high interception ratio in Calgary the past two seasons. Would we have had less interceptions with Lulay playing. Perhaps. Lulay will throw the football away more often. He has the ability to escape pressure much better but Lulay also does not usually have the quick release of Glenn or the accuracy either.

Our offence will likely get a motivational boost when Lulay returns. Our offensive line woes will likely be reduced and our line will have played together longer and likely be improved...we couldn't have been any worse in pass protection than these first 5 games. The sports writers will write it up that it was Glenn's fault and all that was missing in these first 6 games was Lulay.

Even if Lulay had been able to play these first 5 games and we had been able to experience his leadership, his mobility, etc. I still believe that we would be 2-3 at this point. What I find frustrating is that sports writers like Willes are very good at blaming players either overtly or subtly but they rarely ever criticize or even question coaching. Most football writers and media in B.C. tend to operate like sycophants around our Leos coaching staff and are more than happy to use a coaches comments as the truth to what ails us, without a little more investigation and analysis. Ullrich is about the only football sports writer who will put a coach under any pressure. Benevedes has had more 'feel good' stories written about him than I can ever remember ...I sometimes wonder if Wally having his press department write them and give them out for the sports writers to copy.

This game against Calgary will come down to game planning, play calling, scheme, offensive line stunt and blitz pickup, and defensive line penetration, blitz scheme, and type of pass defense more than 'leadership', 'execution', or 'making plays'.

Chris Jones and Mike O'Shea have managed to turn Edmonton and Winnipeg around because of coaching leadership and coaching strategy. Those two are always the biggest diference makers between winning and losing.

[MexicoLionFan]

Interesting that today Benevedes is using the press to imply that the biggest reason for our lack of offensive success this season is that we are missing Lulay's leadership.

So now Benevedes has skillfully played the denial and blame game. First it was a lack of execution. Then it was our players 'needed to make plays'. Now its a 'lack of leadership at the quarterback position''. The concept that our offensive line has given up 21 sacks so far this season with a quick release quarterback when 30 sacks is what a good team gives us or less in an entire season, is not even mentioned.

All of this is nothing more than pyschobabble rap...unless it be a load of crap...when Lulay was directing THESE SAME PROBLEMS last year, he became THE target of Wally and Benevides...now suddenly with Kevin Glenn playing and Lulay watching, Travis is the saviour once again. Good grief Charlie Brown! Spin, deny, blame is the name of the game for MB, and believe me there is a part of me that wants this mess to absolutely crash so that he and his lackeys will be gone.

We are so lucky to be 2-3...we have had the 2nd easiest schedule so far in the league...we got EDM at home in game one when they were still trying to come together as a team, and they beat us and dominated in the 2nd half. We got CRUSHED by an awful MTL team, in MTL, where we could have and should have won...then SSK gave us a GIFT with the turd they laid at home...then against MTL, at home, we ran away from them in a game where we did everything we could to give them a chance...remember, Glenn could have easily thrown 5 picks in that game with any play from a pathetic MTL team...then we got squashed at home by an average WPG team that was without a lot of key starters and coming off their first loss of the season...to yet another rookie HC...

We are a joke, and its sad because our talent is just fine...and in fact our Defensive talent is the best in the league. And how many backfields can boast Glenn/Lulay, Harris and Logan??? None! There is NOTHING wrong with our OLine...and now we find out that our best OLineman is going to be given a rest (Fabien) so that his knee can properly heal so that a brand new import used to playing tackle can start at Guard...seriously? We are even using a valuable import spot on an International kicker to help our S Ts get a "leg up"...we are not being run in any coherent, efficient method...so we will see what happens from here on, but again, there is NOTHING wrong with the talent level on this team, including the OLine.

One more shout out to everyone contributing here with such great comments!!!

[David]

Great Benny, way to imply that your current QB lacks leadership with (at least) 2 games until Lulay gets back. By saying this you're enabling your players with a workable excuse for poor performance (the offensive ones especially) until Lulay returns.

Man, does this guy not have the worst habit of putting his foot in his mouth, or what??


DH

[SammyGreene]

“There’s an innate leadership to the position, and when that position is down, it creates a sense of doubt, a sense of what are we going to do now?,” Benevides said as the Lions prepared for Friday night’s game against the Calgary Stampeders.

Ridiculous, nothing like throwing your current starter under the bus who happens to have a very good proven track record elsewhere. Is this not the same QB who led the Stamps to 1st place in the West last season? And Calgary has thrived the last few years by utilizing the talents of 3 QBs (Glenn, Tate and Mitchell) at various times in a game. What a bunch of crap the Lions are missing Lulay's leadership and how the entire playbook was designed around his strengths not Glenn's. Make fricken adjustments then. You have only had about 8 weeks to do it.

[WestCoastJoe]

From the column by Ed Willes ...

The first is pretty straight forward. The B.C. Lions’ playbook and entire offensive philosophy is designed for Travis Lulay. When you take him out, and plug in Kevin Glenn, there is a ripple effect which is felt in many ways. For the Lions, the most obvious is their 2-3 record.

So Benny would have us believe that the entire offensive philiosophy is designed for Travis Lulay. Even though he was coming off of serious, career-threatening surgery? Entire offence? And this is supposed to be true, all the way through Training Camp?

Then there’s the second, which Benevides says it isn’t as explicit but might be more important and it has to do with the psyche of the team. In his 38 starts since the midpoint of the 2011 season, the Lions are 29-9 under Lulay’s direction and 7-7 under the dreaded others.

Those numbers are revealing enough but it’s what they represent — the certainty and confidence when Lulay is in the game, the nagging fear they’re not good enough at the most important position when he’s not — which is the real story.

“There’s an innate leadership to the position, and when that position is down, it creates a sense of doubt, a sense of what are we going to do now?,” Benevides said as the Lions prepared for Friday night’s game against the Calgary Stampeders.

“That puts a psychological drain on your group.”

Nice tributes to Lulay's leadership. But ... Benny is telling the world, and his team, and his present QB, Kevin Glenn, that without Lulay we are lost. Without Lulay our psyche is so damaged that we play like a canoeist without a paddle. "Not good enough at the most important position" when Lulay is out? Kevin Glenn was an excellent QB for Calgary. Now he is "not good enough"?

“There’s an innate leadership to the position, and when that position is down, it creates a sense of doubt, a sense of what are we going to do now?" -- Mike Benevides.

"When that position is down" ... That is a shameful comment by Benny. He needs to apologize to the warrior in the line of fire, taking the hits for his new team, Kevin Glenn. Of course Benny does not mean to slight Glenn, but Benny is desperately looking for excuses for the 3 losses, for his team's poor play.

“Great players make everyone around them better,” said Benevides. “That’s the case with this guy.” -- Mike Benevides.

Lulay deserves praise. But not now. Not at this time. We have our quarterback at this time. And he is Kevin Glenn, the "greatest trade of the century," or some such hyperbole.

That was eight weeks ago. Glenn, who was picked up in a draft-day trade has an insurance policy, has stepped in, and he’s had moments. But he’s also thrown eight interceptions in five starts and his quarterback rating is eighth among the CFL’s nine starters.

No mention of the pressure Glenn has faced? The hits? The sacks? The defenders in his face? The take downs? The schmozzle that has been our O Line?

Lulay, at the minimum, will be an upgrade, and with the Lions’ defence and special teams, that might be all they need. But, despite his track record, it’s still unclear what he’ll bring to the table.

There is no guarantee Lulay will be an upgrade on Glenn. None. Not with the lack of pass protection Glenn has received. Lulay will have to run for his life, once again. And it was in running that he injured his shoulder.

One more thing: This focus on Lulay sets him up for failure with sky-high expectations. Pie in the sky expectations. With all this praise, one would expect Lulay to just automatically lead us to the Grey Cup once again. Without benefit of a Training Camp. Coming off very serious surgery. And without TC and 7 games to sharpen his amazing escapability skills. As noted, Lulay will doing well to stay healthy, with the present state of our pass protection.

Not liking this article. Not liking Benny's comments that slight the guy taking all the shots for the team, Kevin Glenn.

[TheLionKing]

Benevides has learned well from his mentor Wally Buono. The blame always rest with the players, never with the coaches or schemes. Ever

[DanoT]

It wasn't that long ago that Benny was declaring the trade to get Glenn the greatest in draft day history, and now he is pretty much throwing him under the bus.

Benny has a tendency to over state or over hype things. Since Benny has become the HC, I have gone from liking what he says, to being surprised at what he is saying, to being disgusted by what he is saying. There is a creditability gap here folks.

[Blitz]

From the column by Ed Willes ...

The first is pretty straight forward. The B.C. Lions’ playbook and entire offensive philosophy is designed for Travis Lulay. When you take him out, and plug in Kevin Glenn, there is a ripple effect which is felt in many ways. For the Lions, the most obvious is their 2-3 record.

So Benny would have us believe that the entire offensive philiosophy is designed for Travis Lulay. Even though he was coming off of serious, career-threatening surgery? Entire offence? And this is supposed to be true, all the way through Training Camp?

Then there’s the second, which Benevides says it isn’t as explicit but might be more important and it has to do with the psyche of the team. In his 38 starts since the midpoint of the 2011 season, the Lions are 29-9 under Lulay’s direction and 7-7 under the dreaded others.

Those numbers are revealing enough but it’s what they represent — the certainty and confidence when Lulay is in the game, the nagging fear they’re not good enough at the most important position when he’s not — which is the real story.

“There’s an innate leadership to the position, and when that position is down, it creates a sense of doubt, a sense of what are we going to do now?,” Benevides said as the Lions prepared for Friday night’s game against the Calgary Stampeders.

“That puts a psychological drain on your group.”

Nice tributes to Lulay's leadership. But ... Benny is telling the world, and his team, and his present QB, Kevin Glenn, that without Lulay we are lost. Without Lulay our psyche is so damaged that we play like a canoeist without a paddle. "Not good enough at the most important position" when Lulay is out? Kevin Glenn was an excellent QB for Calgary. Now he is "not good enough"?

“There’s an innate leadership to the position, and when that position is down, it creates a sense of doubt, a sense of what are we going to do now?" -- Mike Benevides.

"When that position is down" ... That is a shameful comment by Benny. He needs to apologize to the warrior in the line of fire, taking the hits for his new team, Kevin Glenn. Of course Benny does not mean to slight Glenn, but Benny is desperately looking for excuses for the 3 losses, for his team's poor play.

“Great players make everyone around them better,” said Benevides. “That’s the case with this guy.” -- Mike Benevides.

Lulay deserves praise. But not now. Not at this time. We have our quarterback at this time. And he is Kevin Glenn, the "greatest trade of the century," or some such hyperbole.

That was eight weeks ago. Glenn, who was picked up in a draft-day trade has an insurance policy, has stepped in, and he’s had moments. But he’s also thrown eight interceptions in five starts and his quarterback rating is eighth among the CFL’s nine starters.

No mention of the pressure Glenn has faced? The hits? The sacks? The defenders in his face? The take downs? The schmozzle that has been our O Line?

Lulay, at the minimum, will be an upgrade, and with the Lions’ defence and special teams, that might be all they need. But, despite his track record, it’s still unclear what he’ll bring to the table.

There is no guarantee Lulay will be an upgrade on Glenn. None. Not with the lack of pass protection Glenn has received. Lulay will have to run for his life, once again. And it was in running that he injured his shoulder.

One more thing: This focus on Lulay sets him up for failure with sky-high expectations. Pie in the sky expectations. With all this praise, one would expect Lulay to just automatically lead us to the Grey Cup once again. Without benefit of a Training Camp. Coming off very serious surgery. And without TC and 7 games to sharpen his amazing escapability skills. As noted, Lulay will doing well to stay healthy, with the present state of our pass protection.

Not liking this article. Not liking Benny's comments that slight the guy taking all the shots for the team, Kevin Glenn.

Great post WCJ....outstanding analysis of why this was the wrong statement and especially at the wrong time.

Whatever happened to Benny's comment that the Glenn trade was the steal of the century?

What Benevedes should have said he admired the courage of Kevin Glenn standing in there to face incredible pressure and sacks ..and that our offence needs to get its blocking scheme improved.

What have we got now. Basically Glenn goes into Calgary without a confidence vote from his HC. Lulay, as WCJ points out, gets more pressure than he needs to be the White Knight. If Lulay returns and gets hurt, then what do we have ...a leadership void again?

Chap was expected to have an offence be dynamic, last season, with a long stretch of DeMarco, without Logan, with Norman as a rookie center, with Fabian hurt for most of the season, and also deal with Dorazio's ineptitude. Chap managed to have the best run game and the best passing attack in 2012, while dealing with Dorazio's inability to provide protection or create consistent holes. He had to scheme around the issues that Dorazio creates. Our offence was explosive for the last 3 games of the season when we got Logan and Dorazio changed the run blocking scheme. I said at the end of last season that we would be wiser to keep Chap for this Grey Cup season. However, I understood the expectatins and the disenchantment.

Stubler was also put under the bus at the end of last year as was Chap, in part to deflect from Benevedes playoff performances. Now that we have Jones and Washington do we look any better? Nope...our run defense is worse, our sack totals are down. On offence, we are playing under .500 so far, given up the most sacks in the CFL, and our passing attack looks miserable.

No wonder long time B.C. Lion Jarious Jackson left to coach elsewhere..Jarious is smart and knew what was going on.

Stubler will be psyched so we had better be prepared.

I don't blame Khari Jones. Its a tough thing to deal with. And what Jones doesn't need right now is to have Benevedes undermine his starting quarterback in Glenn, in a manipulative strategy to deflect from his own coaching performance.

21 sacks and the problem is quarterback 'leadership'. What a load of b.s.

If players have to 'make plays' then coaches have to 'design plays' that will work, if players have to 'execute', then coaches have to 'execute game plans' and if player 'leadership' is necessary to win, then so is 'coaching leadership'. We know who has the most accountability and we know who is deflecting that accountability.

I

[leo4life]

Benny should take his own advice:"Shut up and win!"

[pennw]

Lulay will have to run for his life, once again. And it was in running that he injured his shoulder.

while I agree with most everything you posted ,WCJ , this part I don't agree with . Lulay was not running for his life when he injured his shoulder , he made a long run for the endzone and did a big dive for the TD over a defender when he injured it . He could have gone out of bounds close to the goal line but chose not to.

[WestCoastJoe]

Lulay will have to run for his life, once again. And it was in running that he injured his shoulder.

while I agree with most everything you posted ,WCJ , this part I don't agree with . Lulay was not running for his life when he injured his shoulder , he made a long run for the endzone and did a big dive for the TD over a defender when he injured it . He could have gone out of bounds close to the goal line but chose not to.

True. My point, however, was that it was in his running that he got injured. I wasn't really separating his scrambles from designed runs. I don't recall if that run was by scramble or design. When he runs, he is at risk. Defenders can hit running QBs much harder than those in the pocket.

[swervynmerv]

Great initial post Blitz and lots of great points by everyone so far. Not a lot I can add that hasn't already been voiced.

This is a must win for BC. If we start the year 2-4 and the other teams in the West win this weekend, not only are we in a deep hole early, but that record, in my opinion should be enough to get someone fired. Right or wrong, we were picked to win the GC in the pre-season odds and a start like that would be unacceptable.

The talent is there. In many facets of the game our players are as good or better than most teams in the CFL. Hamilton is giving Winnipeg a good run for their money tonight. The same Winnipeg team that we couldn't even score a TD against at home! Does anyone honestly think that we have worse talent than Hamilton?

From the games I've watched this year the Lions are:

Above average or excellent: RB, Secondary, Linebackers, Kicking, QB(with a healthy Lulay, him and Glenn give us a great 1-2)
Average to above average: Recievers, defensive line
Below average to average: O-line and Special Teams, safety

Of these three grouping, the two that I feel are our poorest are two units that are currently being coached by the most veteran coaches on staff. My belief is that it is not a lack of pure talent but poor and outdated coaching.

TSN showed a display tonight where it was shown that Hamilton has had a different O-Line every game so far this year. They have rookies on the O-line too but don't look like a disaster like ours can at times. If all things are equal, then it has to be a coaching issue as Blitz has more than proven.

If I'm Wally I tell Benny to win against Calgary or someone is gone. We know Wally won't change Dorazio so that means you Mike! Of course that is what should happen. In Wally World, I doubt it does!!!

[leo4life]

Wally has always stated changing coaches during the season is a disaster.However standing pat if the Leos go 2-4 could get nasty with attendance already dwindling down although its mid summer.