Practice Report for Insiders Monday August 13

[WestCoastJoe]

Practice Report for Insiders Monday August 13

After warmups and group work, the Lions spent a lot of time on Special Team Punts and Returns. Benevides was on the players pretty hard, driving them to be sharp. I know some of our lionbackers have mixed feelings about Ian Smart. In my books he is terrific. He is very quick, strong and elusive. I like how he gets so much positive yardage up the middle on returns. Before we got Aaron Lockett I had asked Wally on one of the phone in shows if we were going to get a return specialist. In my view, Smart is by far the best we have had in Buono's tenure here. He contributes on O as well and is a very hard working pro.

Wally was very involved the entire practice, driving the team, pointing things out to the players, taking a more active role than he usually does.

Next came time on the running game vs scout team D. Dorazio also drove the players hard. Smith and Smart looked good as they usually do. A tight bunch formation was used to block for a power run off left tackle by Smith. They had a toss sweep to Smart around right end. Overall it looked fairly crisp. Pierce, Jackson and Guidugli all got reps.

Then it was scout team running Calgary running plays vs front 7 of the Leos. Markeith Knowlton who is strongly built played a lot of nickelback at outside LB. Otis is still not 100% and only did some reps here and there. Pottinger may have moved back ahead of Nick Hannah in the LB schemes.

Passing game vs 3-4 D, with 9 men back in pass coverage, Calgary style. Buck and Jarious looked good.

Not a good day for Geroy. He was very quiet all day, not usual for him this year. When the scout team O was working against our D, the starting receivers and backs, during their downtime, were hanging around the base of the elevated video platform. Geroy came by and muttered to Jason Clermont who was standing at the sideline: "Too many coaches, and not enough players." Clermont moved over to where the extra scout players were. Geroy sat on the grass all by himself, feet splayed out, not watching practice, just looking down.

Field goal team practice, Buck holding. No hooks today in McCallum's swing.

Lots of media in attendance. Craig McEwen and his crew. Lowell and Mike Beamish. Gord McIntyre. Giulio.

Big media scrum around Jamal Johnson, then Buck Pierce, then Korey Banks, then Wally.

Mike Beamish interviewing Tony Simmons.

Gord McIntyre talking with Geroy. Careful Geroy!

Extra work after regular practice for the backup O linemen vs pass rushers. Work for Valli, Jones, Plante and Farrow. Besides Bates, Haji-Rasouli and possibly Reid are not 100% and Dorazio wants to be prepared.

Extra work after practice for big Gino, throwing to receivers vs coverage. Gino even runs some gassers by himself. I like this big kid. I hope he shows enough and has enough to be a Lion beyond this year. Gino says it is pronounced Guh-Doo-Lee.

Injury Report:

Jamal J says the bone in his arm was a complete break, not just a hairline fracture - 4 to 6 weeks. He was dressed but not participating today.

Korey Banks. Dressed but not participating in drills. Still somewhat doubtful.

Tony Simmons participated fully today and looked good.

Dave D was here today, in sunglasses, and left after practice started. My guess: not likely to play this year, if ever. I think Dave will decide based on the symptoms he obviously still has.

Kelly Bates with a special brace on his arm, awaiting the time for surgery, but participating fully.

Buck Pierce not showing effects of the old rib and hand injuries. He is moving well on his foot, not limping much when he walks. A reliable source, one of the players' parents, said it is a bunion, not turf toe. Buck shows no ill effects of his shoulder problem which happened on the second last play for him of the Bomber's game.

Otis Floyd still not 100% percent, participating in some of the drills, not all, but looking ready to go when the real bullets fly.

Sebastian Clovis at practice, walking, jogging a bit. After his arthroscopic surgery, he is looking very good, considering.

Paris J has his thigh taped, a hamstring pull I think. His ankle is also hurting a bit from the tumble last week in practice.

[WestCoastJoe]

Oh yeah.

Happy Birthday, Adam Nicolson.

Josh Boden has a "shower" arrangement all set up for you after practice.

[SammyGreene]

Thanks as always WC Joe.....
Very bad news on the injury front.
Pottinger/Hannah is a significant drop off from what Johnson brings. Given it might not be until late September that we see Johnson again... I would consider bringing Kidd back but I know that's going against the grain with Wally.

Banks not practising today is not a good sign either. I thought I read he had a high ankle sprain which DD had a year ago and can be a real nagging injury that takes a long time to come around. As mentioned his absence mains 3 players play out of position.

This will be an almost desperate Stamps team we will be facing on Friday. A win and they are just 2 points back of the Lions. A loss and they are poised to battle the Eskimos for 3rd place the rest of the way.

Again... we are likely not going to getting the number of turnovers like we did 3 weeks ago at McMahon. The Stamps have a suspect defence and it will be up to Buck and company to take advantage of it and finally have a breakout game.

[WestCoastJoe]

Thanks, Sammy

Yeah, the injuries make it a real struggle.

I think a lot of pro coaches try to take the attitude of: "It will make us stronger; we will go with the players we have; they will rise to the challenge." Fair enough, but you can lose some games while you are at it.

You are certainly not going to be as good any time backups are in. Plus all your timing needs to be adjusted. It is especially tough when the QBs keep changing. Let's hope Buck gets a good long run now.

Jamall J was just starting to show what he can do. A lot of us here are very high on this special talent.

[Don Miller]

How do we know that DD is done.. The reports tonite and today say that he is progressing well and we could see him dressed at least for the Montreal game as long as there is no setback. He is travelling with the team to Calgary. Our defense is going to have to put lots of pressure on Hank or Frank Burris. Our run defense needs to step up. We need this game to stay in first. I don't think Sask loses at home against edmonton especially with Gass suspended for a game.