Are there ANY glaring weaknesses on this 2016 Lions team??

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David
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If there are, they're not readily apparent to this longtime fan.

Sure, they'll need to get more consistency at field goal kicking (and extra point conversions), but Leone was just a rookie last year and he's been working this past off-season with Don Sweet to improve.

Rush End? They need to get better here, no question, but Ryan Rigmaiden (Director of U.S. Scouting) is calling this the deepest defensive line he's seen in a long time (look for newcomer Darius Lane to get a long look at DE to replace Khreem Smith. And there's the off-season acquisition of veteran Bryant Turner - he could play at one end spot too).

They have to replace Josh Johnson at Nickel, but I have a feeling Steven Clarke can fill in ably for Johnson - and there is a lot of training camp depth at the defensive backfield this year too.

I've read a lot of 4th and 5th place predictions for our Lions this year, and that could still happen in a division with parity. But there is a fair degree of optimism from where I sit, particularly at linebacker, quarterback, and suddenly lots of depth on the O-line.


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squishy35
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Edmonton has been gutted for talent on and off the field. The Riders have 1 returning vet to the defence from last year. Winnipeg still needs to improve their O-line. I say the Lions are in for at least 2nd place in the west..... maybe 3rd.....
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B.C.FAN
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There are lots of question marks but no glaring weaknesses. Here are my five biggest concerns:

1. Placekicking: Richie Leone needs to be more consistent. Games are won and lost on field goals and converts.

2. Offensive line. I understand the current plan calls for no lineman to start at the position they played last year. No unit requires more teamwork, consistency and experience than the offensive line. With Dan Dorazio coaching and making them think, this has the potential to go badly and hurt the running game and the quarterbacks.

3. Nickelback: This may be the most important position on defence. Steven Clarke hasn't played the position and hasn't shown the ability to blitz, attack the running game or play man coverage inside. Darious Lane has a bit more size and has at least practised at the position for a year but he dressed for only three games.

4. Defensive line: Free-agent defensive tackle Bryant Turner is considered a starter but his production has slipped in recent years and he may be asked to play defensive end. Canadians Jabar Westerman and Maxx Forde are reportedly being moved from defensive end to tackle. I thought the strength of las year's D-line was the play of Zach Minter and Michael Brooks inside but there doesn't seem to be room for them as starters.

5. Running back: Andrew Harris could make plays in the open field and catch the ball out of the backfield. Anthony Allen may be a stronger runner between the tackles but can he or Jeremiah Johnson step up and be a multipurpose threat?
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CardiacKid
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IMO the biggest weakness is Leone's ability to kick converts and field-goals. I have been waiting for the Leo's to address this glaring weakness via some news release or a piece on the website that highlights Leone's time with Don Sweet in an attempt to convince the fans they are addressing this. Or even someone in the traditional / social media to raise the question if Leone will be improved this year.

I am not convinced he has the full package for kicking chores. There is no question of his physical skills but as has been mentioned on this forum, Leone doesn't seem mentally in tune with kicking between the uprights as evidenced by his lack of practicing his field-goal swing while on the sidelines. McCallum constantly practiced and stayed loose while he was on the sidelines...Leone not so much. Bad attitude? Arrogance? Simply not having the guidance to do all the little things?

Whereas the Leos made moves to address the deficiencies elsewhere in the team with player moves, signings, drafting, etc., the kicking game seems to have been quietly pushed to the side.

All I know is when Leone goes to kick his first field-goal in the pre-season, I will be holding my breathe and crossing my fingers.
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SammyGreene
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TBH my greatest concern is our coordinators.

Is Mark Washington going to mainly go with a passive/conservative scheme? Dropping 6-7 maybe even 8 into coverage at times? Or will he show more faith in the secondary and bring more pressure?

This will be chance #2 for Khari Jones as offensive coordinator. Did he learn from 2014? Will Jennings' strengths make him look better than Kevin Glenn did? Upgrade at other positions as well?
How much will he lean on Marcel Bellefeuille's experience as well?

Wally is not really an Xs and Os type of coach and has always leaned heavily on his coordinators.

One thing is for sure. Marcello Simmons should be a massive upgrade as special teams coordinator.
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David
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B.C.FAN wrote:5. Running back: Andrew Harris could make plays in the open field and catch the ball out of the backfield. Anthony Allen may be a stronger runner between the tackles but can he or Jeremiah Johnson step up and be a multipurpose threat?
I agree Harris was probably the best "receiving" running back in the league, but Chris Rainey will be called upon to take on this role. They'll have to give him some carries because if they don't, opponents will know that when he's inserted that he's likely to take a swing pass (like Logan a few years ago).


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B.C.FAN
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David wrote:I agree Harris was probably the best "receiving" running back in the league, but Chris Rainey will be called upon to take on this role. They'll have to give him some carries because if they don't, opponents will know that when he's inserted that he's likely to take a swing pass (like Logan a few years ago).
This is my concern with specialist backs who can do some things well. It seems that Rainey's touches were outside the tackles or downfield. When he was on the field, defences often knew what to expect and could defend against it. Harris presented match-up problems in man coverage because he was often covered by a middle linebacker.
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1. Placekicker

2. true rush/DE

3. secondary -- still in rebuild mode.

4. QB play -- jennings hasn't even made it thru the league once, DC will then focus on his weaknesses / lulay was terrible last year and couldn't hit anyone over 15yds with any accuracy.
Last edited by Qman on Fri May 27, 2016 4:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
leo4life
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D Line
O line
Play calling and game plans
Place kicking
TheLionKing
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My biggest concern is placekicking.
Qman
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B.C.FAN wrote: 3. Nickelback: This may be the most important position on defence. Steven Clarke hasn't played the position and hasn't shown the ability to blitz, attack the running game or play man coverage inside. Darious Lane has a bit more size and has at least practised at the position for a year but he dressed for only three games.

didn't we sign brandon stewart from HAM to play nickle/fieldside LB
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JohnHenry
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RB: Hopefully the Lions will bring in some scatbacks to camp. The lumbering CFL castoffs they've signed so far don't impress me much.

WR: Arsenaux OK, but N. Moore...then it goes downhill from there. A new recruit must beat out Hawkins.

DL: We can cross our fingers they found somebody to pressure from the outside and plug up the middle.

OL: Great on paper...but can they execute?
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David
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JohnHenry wrote:RB: Hopefully the Lions will bring in some scatbacks to camp. The lumbering CFL castoffs they've signed so far don't impress me much.
Chris Rainey and 5'6" speedster J.C. Coleman.
JohnHenry wrote:WR: Arsenaux OK, but N. Moore...then it goes downhill from there. A new recruit must beat out Hawkins.
6'5" WR Geraldo Boldewijn played one game for us last year (and looked good), but the mid-season signing wowed teammates in practice. This guy could be the real deal.


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WestCoastJoe
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SammyGreene wrote:TBH my greatest concern is our coordinators.

Is Mark Washington going to mainly go with a passive/conservative scheme? Dropping 6-7 maybe even 8 into coverage at times? Or will he show more faith in the secondary and bring more pressure?

This will be chance #2 for Khari Jones as offensive coordinator. Did he learn from 2014? Will Jennings' strengths make him look better than Kevin Glenn did? Upgrade at other positions as well?
How much will he lean on Marcel Bellefeuille's experience as well?

Wally is not really an Xs and Os type of coach and has always leaned heavily on his coordinators.

One thing is for sure. Marcello Simmons should be a massive upgrade as special teams coordinator.
I agree, Sammy.

Systems. Philosophy. Conservative in a wide open league?

Wally and his guys seem to have done a good job in the personnel department. D Line has some question marks. Positions. O Line is green, with the Mad Professor at the chalkboard. Think. Think. Think. OK, too much thinking. Khari ain't exactly proven as an OC.

But we have hope.

Loads of talent everywhere, it seems. Biggest question mark IMO will be the O Line. Can Dan's guys play physically, simply and effectively? That means protecting the QB, and running the ball.

Mark W talks about aggressive defence. Zone is not aggressive. Bighill 30 yards deep is about as non aggressive as it can get. LOL But zone may be what we get. All out pressure ala Chris Jones? Or a mix them up D ala Rich Stubler? Not likely.
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DanoT
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KISS Dan Dorazio or Jennings run like hell.
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