leos/Stamps Keys to the Game

[Blitz]

The last regular season game for our Leos will be a most interesting one as we take on the first place Calgary Stampeders.

Our Leos went into Edmonton with the best defense in the CFL, in terms of points against. They play a bad game and major changes are made. Our offence, mostly horrible all season, has only one significant change going into this game and that's at tailback, as Logan returns to the starting lineup, in place of Antolin.

Looks like Wally has asserted himself into the drivers seat of our Leos, in terms of the roster, in place of Mike Benevedes, who now appears to be a lame duck Head Coach. But this situation happened at the end of last season too, and Benny came back to do it all over again.

Here are my Keys to the Game. Look forward to reading yours.

GIVE LOGAN THE ROCK

If Logan is going to be our staring tailback in the playoffs he needs to get the rock and get into playoff ready mode. Logan had a huge game, the last time he was our staring tailback, rushing for 145 yards against Toronto. The going will likley be tougher tonite but Logan needs to get a decent number of touches and we need to also use him out of the backfield on passes and screens (hug?) as well as play action off of him.

PRESSURE THE QUARTERBACK

We saw the difference, in terms of quarterback pressure, between the Winnipeg and Edmonton games. In Winnipeg we got a ton of pressure. Against Edmonton we didnt. No matter how good our pass defense is, a good team will exploit it if their quarterback has time. A very different lineup on the defensive line and some practice players will get a chance to impress.

SHUT DOWN THE RUN

We really need to shut down the run. It's hurt us this season, even with our good defensive play. Jamal Johnson moves to weakside linebacker and Hoffman Ellis will give us a three import linebacker tandem often on first downs defensively. With Mitchell back in the mix, our inside defensive game will be interesting to watch.

WRAP

This is the last opportunity for our offence to get going and our Leos to get prepared to play playoff style football. It's been a most frustrating and often agonizing season but the new season of the playoffs loom. After tonights game, we'll get a good idea which players will be given the oppportunity to start in the playoffs next week.

[WestCoastJoe]

For Calgary a mean nothing game. Do not get hurt.

For the Lions, it is an important game, with the spotlight on the leadership of Mike Benevides.

Unfortunately, it might not say much. If we win, Calgary might have mailed it in. If we lose, that indeed would speak volumes.

The players do have professional pride. As noted by Ryan Phillips, the players feel ready. The motivation of players is greatly affected by the leadership of the Head Coach. When there are morale problems on a team the performance is adversely affected to a very large degree. The net result, over a period of time, is usually the dismissal of the HC. Too early IMO to gauge whether that will happen here. Benny could even get a reprieve from the limitless patience of his boss and mentor, Wally Buono. Play a couple of stinkers, and that likelihood lessens.
..........

Going through the motions here (as happens to teams with the above-mentioned morale problem) ...

Run the ball ...

Block well for the run ...

Use the entire field ...

Use all weapons ...

Pressure the QB ...

[leo4life]

purrfect game for the Lions as they love ultra consevative game plans & vanilla play calling;)