Lions v Bombers July 9

[almo89]

I more annoyed that BC will have 2 bye weeks after just 4 games. Who the hell was in charge of scheduling?

[Hambone]

I more annoyed that BC will have 2 bye weeks after just 4 games. Who the hell was in charge of scheduling?

Argos had their 2nd this week after only 3 games.

[DanoT]

The 2 bye weeks early in the season could be a result of a team like the Lions submitting to the CFL that since they draw bigger crowds in the fall, the team actually wants to be able to play more games after Labour Day than before LD, thus contributing to the unbalanced or uneven application of bye weeks....just a guess on my part with no real evidence.

[Hambone]

The 2 bye weeks early in the season could be a result of a team like the Lions submitting to the CFL that since they draw bigger crowds in the fall, the team actually wants to be able to play more games after Labour Day than before LD, thus contributing to the unbalanced or uneven application of bye weeks....just a guess on my part with no real evidence.

Lions only have 3 home games after Labour Day this year. Have to go back a long.ways to find the last time they had fewer than 4. I've gone back to 2010 and it's mostly been 5 with 3 or 4 years with 4.

[TheLionKing]

Aside: How many bye weeks does each team have? And I bet CFL really hopes the Schooners materialize some year - it's always better to plan byes into the schedule instead of being dictated to by math.

I believe it's 3 byes

[Hambone]

Aside: How many bye weeks does each team have? And I bet CFL really hopes the Schooners materialize some year - it's always better to plan byes into the schedule instead of being dictated to by math.

I believe it's 3 byes

3 is correct.

[OV:54-40]

Tough loss - should be a learning lesson.

Lions got out-coached / play-called on both sides of the ball, big-time.

D is maybe not as good as assumed from the 1st three games - need better pass rush (they use plenty of rotation which is a good thing, but IMO Menard should be getting the most reps of any of them - veteran, good pass rusher with a non-stop motor and can play DE and inside to help run-stop); a couple of weak links in the secondary perhaps.

Lessons for Rourke but he still threw 3 nice TD strikes; new receiver Pearson hauled in a long-bomb nicely, but continues to drop passes; not enough ground game, and, once again - I guess nobody to do with coaching the offence noticed Mackie going off for over 100 yards from scrimmage 2 games back ???

And BTW - a good kicker knows how to deliver a squib kick to good affect - not just popping the ball up in the air to be fielded at the 40; ball can be drilled hard along the ground to bounce all over the place and end up well down field.

[Hambone]

Pearson drops passes? I'll give you his first one on the first play from scrimmage in Ottawa. That was a bona-fide drop. Last night stats show 1 catch on 3 targets he had another catch that was overturned because Rhymes jumped offside. I recall one "drop" as it was right in front of me. It was more a failure to make an incredible catch, than a drop. I'm not sure what the other failed target was because the game log doesn't indicate it.

As for Flintoft and the kicks he's a punter by trade and just following orders. They obviously practice onside kicks a lot but not sure they get asked to practice pooch kickoffs or squib kick very damned often.

[zeppo]

Pearson drops passes? I'll give you his first one on the first play from scrimmage in Ottawa. That was a bona-fide drop. Last night stats show 1 catch on 3 targets he had another catch that was overturned because Rhymes jumped offside. I recall one "drop" as it was right in front of me. It was more a failure to make an incredible catch, than a drop. I'm not sure what the other failed target was because the game log doesn't indicate it.

IIRC, he dropped a pass while running a slant route in the first half. The ball was a bit in front of him, but a pro receiver has to
make that type of catch. The second drop was late in the game. The ball hit him right in the hands, popped up in the air,
and ended up being intercepted.

[Hambone]

IIRC, he dropped a pass while running a slant route in the first half. The ball was a bit in front of him, but a pro receiver has to
make that type of catch. The second drop was late in the game. The ball hit him right in the hands, popped up in the air,
and ended up being intercepted.

That slant one was the one I recalled. Yes it was a slant but it wasn't like it hit him in the hands chest high in stride. He's 6'4 and had to drop to his knees and reach out in front to get his hands on it. I've seen Simon and Burnham drop far more catchable balls more than once. The latter must have been the pick O'Connor was charged with.

Anyways from what I saw if Pearson in camp and that electrifying TD I'm willing to have some patience in seeing if he can grow and develop into a reliable receiver.

[OV:54-40]

Pearson drops passes? I'll give you his first one on the first play from scrimmage in Ottawa. That was a bona-fide drop. Last night stats show 1 catch on 3 targets he had another catch that was overturned because Rhymes jumped offside. I recall one "drop" as it was right in front of me. It was more a failure to make an incredible catch, than a drop. I'm not sure what the other failed target was because the game log doesn't indicate it.

IIRC, he dropped a pass while running a slant route in the first half. The ball was a bit in front of him, but a pro receiver has to
make that type of catch. The second drop was late in the game. The ball hit him right in the hands, popped up in the air,
and ended up being intercepted.

Add in the blatant drop in the Ottawa game, and it's not a good ratio so far; but still a small sample size.

And if Flntoft is incapable of a decent squib kick then why bother with a little pop-up that gets returned near mid-field anyways ? = dumb coaching move.

[Hambone]

Add in the blatant drop in the Ottawa game, and it's not a good ratio so far; but still a small sample size.

And if Flntoft is incapable of a decent squib kick then why bother with a little pop-up that gets returned near mid-field anyways ? = dumb coaching move.

Agreed on the blatant drop in Ottawa but I'm willing to accept there were no doubt some serious nerves involved with a rookie running his first ever CFL pass route.

On the kicks agreement again on dumb coaching move. I think it was dumb regardless of whether he executed it well or not. The pooch still went 39 yards and the squib 44 so not awful by any means. The new kickoff point from the 30 probably made them look worse than they were. Kick the ball deep and make them earn the yards.

It made me recall the year Wally got all scared of some opponent's return game (or maybe it was BC's coverage) and had his kicker (O'Mahoney I'm thinking) doing everything but kick the ball deep. They didn't give up the big return but were easily conceding 15 easy yards in field position on every exchange of kicks.

[cromartie]

It made me recall the year Wally got all scared of some opponent's return game (or maybe it was BC's coverage) and had his kicker (O'Mahoney I'm thinking) doing everything but kick the ball deep. They didn't give up the big return but were easily conceding 15 easy yards in field position on every exchange of kicks.

That was the 2004 Grey Cup and thanks for that trip down memory lane. *ahem*

[SammyGreene]

Painfully watching Saturday’s game again.

I can live with our kick coverage has been poor much of the season. Even the ill timed turnovers such as the Jeffcoat INT. It was the piss poor defensive play and scheme that was the real gut punch.
Thanks for the "vanilla" comment Sayles only to get lit up.

On Bombers first possession we have them 2nd and 12 on our 30. We rush 4 and drop into zone coverage. Collaros not only has plenty of time he hits a wide open Ellingson 14 yards down field with 3 Lions defenders close but all behind him including Jordan Williams. Why such deep drops behind the 1st down marker. Inexcusable.

These are passes Fajardo and Mitchell will easily complete too against that scheme. Hopefully lesson learned Mr Phillips. The jury is out until we can prove we can at least beat the other big 2 in the West.

[David]

As others have mentioned, this was a humbling experience for our D and D-coordinator. I haven't watched the game on PVR but I thought the offense acquitted itself fairly well, if you take away the ill-timed turnovers. Our running attack was fairly impotent but I thought the offensive line was decent in pass pro against the best front 4 in the league.

Perhaps not the worst thing to happen to our D? They should come out hungrier next time. I'm all for team unity but dancing celebrations with the D-coordinator were getting a bit much. As SammyGreene points out, we haven't done anything yet against the Bombers, Stamps, and Riders. Beat them and we have cause to celebrate.


DH