Rammer wrote:Haven't posted much the last couple of games, just tired of poor reffing calls and even worse League Centre calls costing the Lions opportunities for hard fought wins. Today's game is no different, with the Reilly fumble that Wally lost a TO on. That should have been called by the League Centre under 3 mins as I understand, another epic fail on their part yet again in the favour of the Lions opposition.
Top that off with Wally's conservative approach on 3rd and 1 through his coaching career exemplified in the Number back to back losses. Wally when you're O is moving give them the ball and take it to your opposition, then tonight was I surprised on the 1 + yard 3rd down call. Hopefully this becomes more the norm vs just a situational position on the field, too far for a real high percentage FG attempt, and too close to really use Leone's punting distance to full effect.
Great win that showed the Lions strengths, offense, and ST's. Also the Lions weaknesses on the DL, just not enough QB pressure nor the ability to plug up the run game. Rainey seemed to be slowed down this game as as returner, it may be due to his effective offensive inclusion. Lions may want to keep him primed for the homerun strike as a returner.
Finally the East looks to be the easy route , but the West is shaping up to be Winnipeg then Calgary. I like the payback factor that the Bombers bring to the table for the Lions, and if there is one team that can beat the Stamps it is the Lions and all the pressure will be squarely on the Stamps.
Good to read you Rammer! Don't let those refs and Command Center get to you. Hey, we've seen worse refereeing in the 'good ol days'.
With regard to your comment regarding Wally's 'conservative' approach to third down gambles, conservative is actually the wrong word. Its more of a gamble to not go for the third and one - you take a bigger gamble of losing the game, in the bigger picture. Its fear that drives the decision not to go for it - not conservatism. Wally would rather lose the game than be criticized if we are stopped on a third down gamble, amongst other things. Its not high percentage football to punt in those situations. The good thing is that both of Wally's gambles in this game on third down led to 10 points. Maybe that will give him more confidence to go for it but its hard to change a duck into an eagle.
No question that our defensive line is not up to par. But it was a worry for some of us on Lionbackers before the season started. Our early season success in sacking the quarterback disguised the problem. Bazzie was on fire and Westerman was getting penetration but the rest of our sacks were coming from other players than our defensive line. Our blitzes are not effective these days. The Bighill/Sol E. blitz inside is being picked up easily most games.
This may surprise you Rammer but I don't agree with having Rainey just as a return man. He has made so many important plays for our offence this season and he brings a different dimension to it. There have been some games where our offence has been stuggling and he is the one who has opened it up.
What I would prefer is for us to spell him off on kickoffs or at least have him back there on the kick return team but have Sinkfield catch the football. In the home game against Winnipeg we had Rainey and Sinkfield on the kick return unit. Howeverm Sinkfield did not have a return play in that game as Rainey handled them all. For some strange reason, we were back to Shaq Murray Lawrence on the kick return team last game. Now there is a threat.
Having Sinkfield return a couple of kickoffs would help keep Rainey fresher for punt returns and offence. Its much better odds for a big play punt return than a kick return. Sinkfield is burner. His 4.19 time was not reliable but his 4.30 and 4.32 were accurate.
No question that Rainey did not have one of his best games as a returner last game. But Rainey only had 42 yds. on 5 punt returns the time before when we played Edmonton. Their special teams coverage did a good job on him in that game also..so I think its more a measure of their special teams downfield coverage than Rainey being tired. Like Rainey said.. he played tailback full time and also ran back punts and kicks in college. I don't think his limited reps a game is a problem. Other return men in the CFL do the same. Just my opinion though.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
