BC Lions Trades
BC Lions who RETURNED
Short Term BC Lions
Underrated BC Lions
BC Lions with a Single Memorable Moment
In addition to the various threads about the best BC Lions games, coaches, and players.
In light of the fact that someone mentioned in the NHL thread about how Eddie Lack should have replaced Ryan Miller after he allowed his third goal, this has got me thinking about the issue of immediate changes. I've noticed that overall, the issue of changes is always difficult even though most of the time the change leads to a better outcome. Think of a time when you were given an opportunity to make a change to your life - and you made the change. In retrospect and in hindsight, was it a good change in the end? For me personally, overall the change was a good move in the end and I've made some regrets in not making a change when the better outcome would have been to make the change. I think it's human nature to not want to make a change......for fear of uncertainty......consistent with Newton's Laws about how a stationary object will remain stationary unless a huge force is applied.
That said, I think it's time for another list on situations in which the Lions have made an immediate change. What I mean by immediate change is:
1. For on-field matters, a starting player being replaced with another player in the middle of a game.
2. For off-field matters, personnel changes that take place in the middle of a season.
Do not think about changes in the off-season such as player/staff trades, resignations, releases since that is more expected and the authority in charge had time to think about it. For immediate changes, it requires far less time to think or consider as to whether the change is good or not. I'll start off by listing 10 cases in which an immediate change turned out for the better, then create a list of 5 in which a change was not made and turned out to be the wrong move, and finally 5 examples in which the change didn't turn out to be a better outcome.
Top Ten BC Lions Moments when an IMMEDIATE CHANGE was a GOOD One 
1. 1994 Grey Cup - Danny McManus replacing Kent Austin as QB
First and foremost, after Kent Austin threw three interceptions in the end of the second quarter and Baltimore jumped to a 14-3 lead, his minor injury was a blessing in disguise as he was clearly losing confidence. While Austin recovered enough to play in the second half, Ritchie made the right decision to keep him in the sidelines. While McManus was only 3-7 in passing, at least he didn't throw anymore interceptions for the team and his 3 passes were long ones, albeit one extremely controversial. For the two playoffs games in which Austin replacing McManus in the WDSF and McManus replacing Austin in the WDF, I wouldn't consider this an immediate change for the better because the staring QB's were not really struggling prior to their injuries.
2. Late 2010 - Travis Lulay replacing released Casey Printers as starting QB
The Lions gave Casey Printers a second chance and it was very emotional when he was released just before the 2010 season and made Travis Lulay as the starting QB. But no doubt it was the right decision as Lulay went on to become the 2011 MOP and Grey Cup MVP.
3. Early 1988 - Lui Passaglia Replacing 3 kickers
When the Lions had to release him at the start of the 1988 season because of financial constraints, the team went with Tony Martino, Roy Kurtz, and Bernie Ruoff for placekicking and all three were totally inneffective. Realizing how valuable Lui Passaglia was after all, Joe Galat was willing to sign him again after all.
4. Mid 2000 - Steve Buratto replacing Greg Mohns as Head Coach
While Greg Mohns was okay when he took over the team in mid-1998 and led them to six straight wins and a 13-5 1999 regular season, his attitude and personality was not the most compatible for the players and I'm sure most players felt a sense of relief when Mohns bolted for the XFL and Buratto became his replacement. Perhaps because they were so appreciative of him becoming head coach that players worked very hard and was rewarded with two good road playoff performances and capped it off with a Grey Cup.
5. Early 2006 - Joe Smith replacing Antonio Warren at RB
While Antonio Warren served well as a Lion, it was apparent that Joe Smith was better and served the Lions well in the remaining of the 2006 championshp season.
6. Mid 1994 - Mervyn Fernandez released for Defensive Rosters
While it's always sad to see fan favourites leave, the fact of the matter was that Fernandez was well past his prime and was not going to dethrone the starting wide receivers of Ray Alexander and Darren Flutie. His release allowed other players such as Barry Wilburn to take important defensive positions as the missing link to the team's championship season.
7. 2006 Grey Cup - Ian Smart as RB and Buck Pierce entering the game
While the Lions deserved the win as the defense did well by allowing the Montreal offence to only score 10 points and forced some turnovers, the special teams did well with McCallum going 6 fo 6 in FG with his MVC performance, and Dickenson won game MVP - the offence had a hard time entering the end zone. Putting kick returner Ian Smart in as RB and backup QB Buck Pierce into the game at a pivotal moment seemed to confuse the Montreal defence enough to allow the Lions the only TD of the game.
8. Mid 2011 - Obtaining Arland Bruce III
In need for a good receiver after the team started off 0-5 and 1-6, the Lions traded with Hamilton for a couple of draft picks for Arland Bruce III and that seemed to change the team around and was definitely a pivotal piece in the Grey Cup season.
9. Mid 1996 - Replacing Andre Ware with Damon Allen at QB
I should list this higher, but since Damon Allen is so unpopular.
Nevertheless it's hard to make a case against signing a QB who is a hall of famer who ends up at QB for seven years. 10. Late-1996 - David Braley buying the team over Nelson Skalbania
While it wasn't finalized until January 1997, Braley showed his intention to buy the team before the end of the 1996 season after Nelson Skalbania abandoned the team....and the rest is history.
I'm sure we've all made would haves, could haves, and should haves and that happens most often if a change may have been appropriate, but was not done and there were regrets. Here are five examples in Lions history.
Top Five BC Lions Moments when an IMMEDIATE CHANGE SHOULD HAVE been made but was not made 
1. 2004 Grey Cup - Printers not replacing Dickenson at QB
First and foremost as it's been debated to death.....the 2004 MOP did not enter the game. I suppose since Dickenson finished the 2004 WDF and started off strong with several completions for a quick 7-0 lead, Buono was unwilling to make changes. But in the second half aside from just one good drive that resulted in him scoring a TD, he was notably angry and perhaps Printers would have been able to put more points. At halftime, it was 17-10 for the Argonauts. Do you think the Lions would have won the game had Casey Printers replaced Dave Dickenson at halftime? Adding a poll to this.
2. 2008 WDF - Jarious Jackson not replacing Buck Pierce at QB
One of the most frustrating games to watch...the Lions dominated the first half but Pierce just couldn't enter the end zone after several attempts. That must have made him mad in the second half and threw a costly interception. Jackson might have performed with a calmer mind.
3. 1988 Grey Cup - Larry Crawford not replacing Anthony Drawhorn as kick returner
While the Duck may have been aging, he was no incapable returning kicks like he did several times in 1987. He probably wouldn't have fumbled a crucial play in the 3rd quarter like what Anthony Drawhorn did. On a similar note, Matt Dunigan not choosing David Williams over Jan Carinci in the crucial play late in the game.
4. 1983 Grey Cup - Any other receiver other than Jacques Chapdelaine
The Lions still had a chance to move the ball into field goal range after the Argonauts took an 18-17 lead, but Dewalt elected a rookie receiver in a crucial 2 and 20 play.
5. Early 1990 season - Joe Paopao over Doug Flutie as starting QB
With four QB's competing for the starting job, Kuharich elected aging Joe Paopao to start several games before Doug Flutie took over. True, Flutie was not experienced at the time but I'd choose him over an aging Paopao.
While most cases a change proved a good outcome, there are always exceptions left and right and I suppose that's the main reason why it's human nature not to want to change and here are five examples in which the change didn't turn out for the good. But even though it didn't turn out for the better, it didn't necessarily turn out for the worse either especially if you look at it in a binary, black and white perspective - i.e. 1) Change for the better = won the game, 2) Didn't turn out for the better = did not win the game.
Top Five BC Lions Moments when an IMMEDIATE CHANGE did not change the outcome 
1. Late 1987 - Don Matthews fired for Larry Donovan
The effects did not become apparent at first since the team went 4-0 to close the 1987 season along with a 1988 Grey Cup appearance. But the fact of the matter is, Don Matthews went on to become a legend and hall of famer with several more Grey Cups and Coach of the Year awards. While Donovan disappeared from the CFL scene after being fired four games into the 1989 season.
2. 1987 WDF - Holloway replacing Dewalt at halftime
The Lions trailed 21-7 at the half and Donovan put Holloway in the second half but the Lions failed to produce any points in the 31-7 loss.
3. Late 2005 WDF - Printers replacing Dickenson at QB
Perhaps Buono finally heard the rage from the fans from the 2004 GC. But this time Printers didn't change the outcome as when the Lions was threatening to tie the game, Printers threw an interception to Keyou Craver at the goal line.
4. 2007 WDF - Dickenson replacing Jackson at QB
Starting QB Jackson struggled going 3-12 with 2 interceptions. Dickenson was slightly better at 14-19 and a touchdown when he took over at the second half but wasn't superb and couldn't defend their GC.
5. 2009 EDF - Lulay replacing Printers at QB
Neither Lions QB could match the 56 points put on by the Alouettes.
