2005
Posted: Sun Apr 06, 2008 9:47 pm
2005
Playing host to the Grey Cup would make 2005 a year full of promises and high expectations. The Lions roared out of the gate dismantling all eight of the CFL’s other teams en route to a purrfect 11-0 start, conveniently shattering the team’s consecutive win streak (set just a previous season ago) as well as the record for best start to a season. While the quarterback controversy would be a hot topic amongst fans and media alike, the issue would not have to addressed by the team in the early going with the 2004 MVP Casey Printers on the sidelines with an injury. With Dave Dickenson at the helm primarily, the Leos’ passing attack would ultimately torch CFL rivals to the tune of 5,178 ytards and 33 touchdowns and pave the way to another first place finish in the West Division. But after bursting out of the gate, the Lions managed just one win in their final seven games thanks to a bevy of injuries including ones to Dave Dickenson and Mark Washington. However, the slump was not enough to topple the Lions’ regular season hold on top spot. The playoffs, however, were another story and even a late-game comeback wasn’t enough from preventing West Division rivals Edmonton Eskimos from crashing the hometown’s Grey Cup party with a 28-23 win, who would go on to win the Grey Cup in a thrilling double overtime match at BC Place against the Montreal Alouettes. On a positive note, the season did include numerous team and individual records including 11 consecutive wins. Three Lion receivers would hit the 1,000-yard mark with Geroy Simon (1,322), Jason Clermont (1,042) and Ryan Thelwell (1,035) all turning in outstanding seasons. Thelwell also earned West Division All-Star status. Defensive lineman Brent Johnson would enjoy a spectacular season with 17 sacks, West Division and CFL All-Star selections as well as being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian. Otis Floyd would rack up 46 defensive tackles on his way to being named a West Division All-Star along with Barron Miles, who led the team with six interceptions. Kick returner Aaron Lockett led all CFL return men with 1,249 yards. Off the field, interest in the Lions was at a level not seen in nearly two decades thanks in part to the team’s on-field success coming off a Grey Cup appearance in 2004 and a spectacular start to the season.
West Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
British Columbia Lions 18 12 6 0 550 444 24
Calgary Stampeders 18 11 7 0 529 443 22
Edmonton Eskimos 18 11 7 0 453 421 22
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 9 9 0 441 433 18
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 5 13 0 474 558 10
East Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Toronto Argonauts 18 11 7 0 486 387 22
Montreal Alouettes 18 10 8 0 592 519 20
Ottawa Renegades 18 7 11 0 458 578 14
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 5 13 0 383 583 10
Semifinal - Calgary Stampeders 26 Edmonton Eskimos 33
Semifinal - Saskatchewan Roughriders 14 Montreal Alouettes 30
Final - Edmonton Eskimos 28 British Columbia Lions 23
Final - Montreal Alouettes 33 Toronto Argonauts 17
Grey Cup Montreal Alouettes 35 Edmonton Eskimos 38 in Overtime
Playing host to the Grey Cup would make 2005 a year full of promises and high expectations. The Lions roared out of the gate dismantling all eight of the CFL’s other teams en route to a purrfect 11-0 start, conveniently shattering the team’s consecutive win streak (set just a previous season ago) as well as the record for best start to a season. While the quarterback controversy would be a hot topic amongst fans and media alike, the issue would not have to addressed by the team in the early going with the 2004 MVP Casey Printers on the sidelines with an injury. With Dave Dickenson at the helm primarily, the Leos’ passing attack would ultimately torch CFL rivals to the tune of 5,178 ytards and 33 touchdowns and pave the way to another first place finish in the West Division. But after bursting out of the gate, the Lions managed just one win in their final seven games thanks to a bevy of injuries including ones to Dave Dickenson and Mark Washington. However, the slump was not enough to topple the Lions’ regular season hold on top spot. The playoffs, however, were another story and even a late-game comeback wasn’t enough from preventing West Division rivals Edmonton Eskimos from crashing the hometown’s Grey Cup party with a 28-23 win, who would go on to win the Grey Cup in a thrilling double overtime match at BC Place against the Montreal Alouettes. On a positive note, the season did include numerous team and individual records including 11 consecutive wins. Three Lion receivers would hit the 1,000-yard mark with Geroy Simon (1,322), Jason Clermont (1,042) and Ryan Thelwell (1,035) all turning in outstanding seasons. Thelwell also earned West Division All-Star status. Defensive lineman Brent Johnson would enjoy a spectacular season with 17 sacks, West Division and CFL All-Star selections as well as being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Canadian. Otis Floyd would rack up 46 defensive tackles on his way to being named a West Division All-Star along with Barron Miles, who led the team with six interceptions. Kick returner Aaron Lockett led all CFL return men with 1,249 yards. Off the field, interest in the Lions was at a level not seen in nearly two decades thanks in part to the team’s on-field success coming off a Grey Cup appearance in 2004 and a spectacular start to the season.
West Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
British Columbia Lions 18 12 6 0 550 444 24
Calgary Stampeders 18 11 7 0 529 443 22
Edmonton Eskimos 18 11 7 0 453 421 22
Saskatchewan Roughriders 18 9 9 0 441 433 18
Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18 5 13 0 474 558 10
East Division Team GP W L T PF PA Pts
Toronto Argonauts 18 11 7 0 486 387 22
Montreal Alouettes 18 10 8 0 592 519 20
Ottawa Renegades 18 7 11 0 458 578 14
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 18 5 13 0 383 583 10
Semifinal - Calgary Stampeders 26 Edmonton Eskimos 33
Semifinal - Saskatchewan Roughriders 14 Montreal Alouettes 30
Final - Edmonton Eskimos 28 British Columbia Lions 23
Final - Montreal Alouettes 33 Toronto Argonauts 17
Grey Cup Montreal Alouettes 35 Edmonton Eskimos 38 in Overtime
