Lions vs. Riders Aug. 26, 2022

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions have activated Bo Lokombo a game early from the 6-game injured list but he won't start against the Riders on Friday. Instead he's listed as backup to Jordan Williams at Lokombo's old WILL position. Ben Hladik, who replaced Williams at middle linebacker during Lokombo's absence, remains listed as the starter. The Lions are without backup linebacker Isaiah Guzylak-Messam, who was one of their top special-teams tacklers this season, so they could use the extra linebacker depth but the Lions obviously have no salary-cap worries about activating Lokombo early. Former Langley Ram and Winnipeg Blue Bomber Jacob Firlotte is also activated as a backup linebacker and special teamer.

Other than quarterback, where Michael O'Connor takes over for the injured Nathan Rourke, there are no changes to the starting lineup for the Lions, who are riding a 5-game winning streak and can sweep the 3-game season series with a victory. WR Shane Wynn. who was activated as a kick returner last week in Regina, has been moved to the 1-game injured list. Kevin Thomson is activated as third-string QB. Sione Teuhema moves back onto the roster as a rotational DE after a week on the injured list. Saskatchewan native Noah Zerr, who was activated for the first time last week as a seventh OL, has also been moved to the 1-game injured list.

Lions roster and depth chart

[SammyGreene]

Wonder if Bo being listed as a back-up reflects where he is health wise/returning early or are they actually happier with Hladiuk in the middle and Williams in his WILL position? Williams and Lokombo both FAs at the end of the season and one is due for a huge pay bump.

Lucky full-time returning punts and kickoffs? Sure be nice to get something out of the return game to help make up for Rourke's absence but their problems are more than just needing a dynamic returner.

[DanoT]

Bringing back Lokombo a game early to play backup/ rotational, off the 6 game which results in giving up Cap savings seems odd to me as it is only 1/2 way thru the season, so Cap space could be a need later in the season.

Hladiuk/Williams are doing fine, so I don't see a pressing need to get a less than 100% healthy Bo back on the field.

[squishy35]

Bo being healthy should improve our special teams by a lot.

[swervynmerv]

One thing that the Lions absolutely must improve on to give O'Connor the best chance to have success early as he takes over is to improve their special teams overall, but most importantly, their return game.

All season there has been a lack of returns and the odd time they have something decent, there always seems to be a holding penalty. It's not very often the Lions start a drive past the 30 yard line and often they are starting in the shadows of their own uprights.

[OV:54-40]

Giving young O'Connor some time in the pocket could be key; I wonder if it would be a good idea to have big Mackie in as the main RB (so they don't have to go away from 5 pack) to help with pass pro; plus the guy proved a very capable ball carrier in his one big opportunity this season; Butler still plays to help establish the run game, but I'd have Mackie in the game plenty.

And if the Riders try to and succeed early with their run game (Morrow & Hickson are a good 1-2 punch - they should be using them way more IMO); the Lions could counter with 3 pure LBs in Williams, Hladik & Lokombo - to stop the run, including nailing Fajardo hard if he tries to run some.

[Walt67]

One thing that the Lions absolutely must improve on to give O'Connor the best chance to have success early as he takes over is to improve their special teams overall, but most importantly, their return game.

All season there has been a lack of returns and the odd time they have something decent, there always seems to be a holding penalty. It's not very often the Lions start a drive past the 30 yard line and often they are starting in the shadows of their own uprights.

Could not agree more about the special team concerns - one of the reasons Rourke had so many yards was he always started in the shadows of the goalposts. I honestly think the Lions would almost be better off not blocking on kicks - given the endless holding calls. And as shown in the rip-roaring Bomber-Stamps shootout tonight, running games still have their place and can provide crucial ball control. We know the Leos also need a better ground game to keep pace with the big boys when nights get colder. We'll see how both aspects look tomorrow......

[SammyGreene]

Do we finally crest over the 20,000 mark for this game? Lions have been promoting this one hard. Doman is definitely sinking money into this team in a way we haven't seen for some time.
Probably would be a lower bowl sellout by now and even upper deck open if the Riders were better going up against a healthy Rourke.

[swervynmerv]

One thing that the Lions absolutely must improve on to give O'Connor the best chance to have success early as he takes over is to improve their special teams overall, but most importantly, their return game.

All season there has been a lack of returns and the odd time they have something decent, there always seems to be a holding penalty. It's not very often the Lions start a drive past the 30 yard line and often they are starting in the shadows of their own uprights.

Could not agree more about the special team concerns - one of the reasons Rourke had so many yards was he always started in the shadows of the goalposts. I honestly think the Lions would almost be better off not blocking on kicks - given the endless holding calls. And as shown in the rip-roaring Bomber-Stamps shootout tonight, running games still have their place and can provide crucial ball control. We know the Leos also need a better ground game to keep pace with the big boys when nights get colder. We'll see how both aspects look tomorrow......

Great point on the running game and the weather that will soon turn here in the prairies. Getting a combination of Butler and Mackie going, especially on first down, will help the Lions in those cold weather games in addition to giving O'Connor different options on second down if they can have established run game going.

[Hambone]

And if the Riders try to and succeed early with their run game (Morrow & Hickson are a good 1-2 punch - they should be using them way more IMO); the Lions could counter with 3 pure LBs in Williams, Hladik & Lokombo - to stop the run, including nailing Fajardo hard if he tries to run some.

Pay attention boy (Foghorn Leghorn voice) It was announced a few days ago that Morrow will miss a few games with a broken hand suffered last week. Riders do get Shaq Evans and Kyran Moore back but lose Morrow and Duke Williams.

It's Hickson and LaFrance at TB with a trifecta of NAT FBs in the backfield. The 5 have combined for 37 carries this year; Hickson 35, LaFrance 2 and the 3 FBs 0.

[OV:54-40]

And if the Riders try to and succeed early with their run game (Morrow & Hickson are a good 1-2 punch - they should be using them way more IMO); the Lions could counter with 3 pure LBs in Williams, Hladik & Lokombo - to stop the run, including nailing Fajardo hard if he tries to run some.

Pay attention boy (Foghorn Leghorn voice) It was announced a few days ago that Morrow will miss a few games with a broken hand suffered last week. Riders do get Shaq Evans and Kyran Moore back but lose Morrow and Duke Williams.

It's Hickson and LaFrance at TB with a trifecta of NAT FBs in the backfield. The 5 have combined for 37 carries this year; Hickson 35, LaFrance 2 and the 3 FBs 0.

Oops, forgot about Morrow out; but Hickson has looked very explosive, and LaFrance is quite capable at RB too; my bet anyways, is Maas is too clueless to pound a run game, so probably won't be a BC D concern; but nice to have a 3 true LB package of Williams, Lokombo, Hladik available -all athletic, quick and powerful.

[Hambone]

And if the Riders try to and succeed early with their run game (Morrow & Hickson are a good 1-2 punch - they should be using them way more IMO); the Lions could counter with 3 pure LBs in Williams, Hladik & Lokombo - to stop the run, including nailing Fajardo hard if he tries to run some.

Pay attention boy (Foghorn Leghorn voice) It was announced a few days ago that Morrow will miss a few games with a broken hand suffered last week. Riders do get Shaq Evans and Kyran Moore back but lose Morrow and Duke Williams.

It's Hickson and LaFrance at TB with a trifecta of NAT FBs in the backfield. The 5 have combined for 37 carries this year; Hickson 35, LaFrance 2 and the 3 FBs 0.

Oops, forgot about Morrow out; but Hickson has looked very explosive, and LaFrance is quite capable at RB too; my bet anyways, is Maas is too clueless to pound a run game, so probably won't be a BC D concern; but nice to have a 3 true LB package of Williams, Lokombo, Hladik available -all athletic, quick and powerful.

He might run more this week. With Rourke out he may not see as much need to try to outgun BC and try to grind it out.

[David]

Do we finally crest over the 20,000 mark for this game? Lions have been promoting this one hard. Doman is definitely sinking money into this team in a way we haven't seen for some time.
Probably would be a lower bowl sellout by now and even upper deck open if the Riders were better going up against a healthy Rourke.

From what I hear, trending towards a lower bowl sellout. Happy with 24K.

This cooler, cloudy weather is going to help the gate, for sure.

Matthew to Nathan: See? It takes me starting to finally get a good crowd in here.

Go Lions!



DH

[Hambone]

Matthew? Either that zipped over my head David or you been in the pre-game sauce already.

[Lion Guy]

And if the Riders try to and succeed early with their run game (Morrow & Hickson are a good 1-2 punch - they should be using them way more IMO); the Lions could counter with 3 pure LBs in Williams, Hladik & Lokombo - to stop the run, including nailing Fajardo hard if he tries to run some.

Pay attention boy (Foghorn Leghorn voice) It was announced a few days ago that Morrow will miss a few games with a broken hand suffered last week. Riders do get Shaq Evans and Kyran Moore back but lose Morrow and Duke Williams.

It's Hickson and LaFrance at TB with a trifecta of NAT FBs in the backfield. The 5 have combined for 37 carries this year; Hickson 35, LaFrance 2 and the 3 FBs 0.

Pay attention boy (Foghorn Leghorn voice). Shaq Evans is not playing tonight.