Lions/Als East Semi

[LionsLip]

Let's get this started. Based on the Lion's recent past performances, I don't give them much of a chance against the Als. But if I can revert back to wish full thinking for a moment, the Lion's might have a chance. It is one game, a new season so to speak, anything can happen. We have all heard that! This Is a golden opportunity for the Lion's to right the ship! In order for this to happen, the players must stop committing senseless penalties and play with much more intensity. The obvious, the coaches must come up with a better game plan. We definitely have the talent to beat both Montreal and Hamilton. Wouldn't that be something....representing the East in the Grey Cup at Home!.... and then I woke up!

[dupsdell1]

lions lose 33 -10

[B.C.FAN]

The Als and Lions come into the game with similar strengths and weaknesses. Both teams are led by their defences and held back by inconsistent offences and special teams. Here are some excerpts from an article by Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette:

It would be easy to jump to conclusions following the Als’ 29-15 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday afternoon at windswept Tim Hortons Field. No, the offence wasn’t good enough. Again. First-year starting quarterback Jonathan Crompton struggled. Again. Montreal’s special teams struggled. Again. And the defence — the unit that has held this all together for much of the season, didn’t surrender an offensive touchdown for more than 47 minutes. But on this cold, damp and dreary day, when it seemed to either be raining or snowing, not even that was good enough.

The play selection was atrocious. Crompton passed 35 times, completing 18, ironically for a season-high 284 yards. But the total was misleading, Crompton throwing for only 93 yards by halftime.

Instead, on a day when it was difficult to pass, the Als were held to 17 yards rushing. Tailback Tyrell Sutton received only five opportunities, held to five yards. And he was understandably livid.

“That was bull—- out there. Nothing happened. That’s the whole point, nothing happened offensively. We didn’t run the ball. We didn’t do s—,” said Sutton, who departed with an ankle injury.

Sutton, predictably, was surprised at how little he was utilized. “With all that wind blowing and we’re still throwing the ball?” he said. “I can be mad all I want.”

But the Als should be concerned. Montreal’s offence produced 360 points in 18 games. That makes them the lowest-scoring team of all playoff participants. In the third quarter, when the wind was at their backs, the Als were held without a first down. That’s mind-boggling. With the wind for two quarters, the visitors were outscored, 10-6.

“We’ve been able to get away with just winning the turnover battle and playing good defence and making some plays, here and there, to get our streak,” head coach Tom Higgins said. “When you lose, all the blemishes come out. When you win, usually they’re masked.

Alouettes' weaknesses exposed in loss to Ticats

Als. Lions. Two 9-9 teams with similar strengths and weaknesses. Which team will be able to make plays? Which team will win the turnover battle? Which team will be more disciplined? Which team will be more motivated? Anything can happen.

[QB Club 63]

lions lose 33 -10

Sounds about right: 3 McCallum field goals and a single by Ricky Schitt, I mean Schmitt. And speaking of Scooter, if he thinks he's such a good kicker why was he so upset when the Lions added another kicker to the PR? When most professional athletes are challenged like that they answer the call. Scooter had a snit and it showed in his performance. Crappy punting (which is why McCallun took over) and sketchy kickoffs.

I really liked Sean Whyte's reaction to a little disrespect a couple of weeks ago. The Als were in TO and some Argo fans saw a group of players together. When they saw Whyte they asked if he was the team mascot. Sean responded by going 2/2 on field goals, kicked 2 converts, and averaged 44.1 yards punting, including a couple of classic coffin corner kicks. Is that not proof of being a pro?

Buh-bye Scooter!

[Rammer]

lions lose 33 -10

Sounds about right: 3 McCallum field goals and a single by Ricky Schitt, I mean Schmitt. And speaking of Scooter, if he thinks he's such a good kicker why was he so upset when the Lions added another kicker to the PR? When most professional athletes are challenged like that they answer the call. Scooter had a snit and it showed in his performance. Crappy punting (which is why McCallun took over) and sketchy kickoffs.

I really liked Sean Whyte's reaction to a little disrespect a couple of weeks ago. The Als were in TO and some Argo fans saw a group of players together. When they saw Whyte they asked if he was the team mascot. Sean responded by going 2/2 on field goals, kicked 2 converts, and averaged 44.1 yards punting, including a couple of classic coffin corner kicks. Is that not proof of being a pro?

Buh-bye Scooter!

All season long I was hoping that Schmitt would perform the coffin corner punt, that never happened. Why did the coaches allow him to continue to fail, when they had the veteran McCallum all world at coffin corner punts sitting on the bench? If I was the ST coach, I would have had Schmitt punting high vs angling the ball. He has lost his mojo and that is a coaching error, IMO.

[MexicoLionFan]

The Als and Lions come into the game with similar strengths and weaknesses. Both teams are led by their defences and held back by inconsistent offences and special teams. Here are some excerpts from an article by Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette:

It would be easy to jump to conclusions following the Als’ 29-15 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday afternoon at windswept Tim Hortons Field. No, the offence wasn’t good enough. Again. First-year starting quarterback Jonathan Crompton struggled. Again. Montreal’s special teams struggled. Again. And the defence — the unit that has held this all together for much of the season, didn’t surrender an offensive touchdown for more than 47 minutes. But on this cold, damp and dreary day, when it seemed to either be raining or snowing, not even that was good enough.

The play selection was atrocious. Crompton passed 35 times, completing 18, ironically for a season-high 284 yards. But the total was misleading, Crompton throwing for only 93 yards by halftime.

Instead, on a day when it was difficult to pass, the Als were held to 17 yards rushing. Tailback Tyrell Sutton received only five opportunities, held to five yards. And he was understandably livid.

“That was bull—- out there. Nothing happened. That’s the whole point, nothing happened offensively. We didn’t run the ball. We didn’t do s—,” said Sutton, who departed with an ankle injury.

Sutton, predictably, was surprised at how little he was utilized. “With all that wind blowing and we’re still throwing the ball?” he said. “I can be mad all I want.”

But the Als should be concerned. Montreal’s offence produced 360 points in 18 games. That makes them the lowest-scoring team of all playoff participants. In the third quarter, when the wind was at their backs, the Als were held without a first down. That’s mind-boggling. With the wind for two quarters, the visitors were outscored, 10-6.

“We’ve been able to get away with just winning the turnover battle and playing good defence and making some plays, here and there, to get our streak,” head coach Tom Higgins said. “When you lose, all the blemishes come out. When you win, usually they’re masked.

Alouettes' weaknesses exposed in loss to Ticats

Als. Lions. Two 9-9 teams with similar strengths and weaknesses. Which team will be able to make plays? Which team will win the turnover battle? Which team will be more disciplined? Which team will be more motivated? Anything can happen.

Anything can happen because its a game and needs to be played out...BUT, these are TWO VERY DIFFERENT FOOTBALL TEAMS going in different directions...regardless of the Als loss to HAM, you can't win every game and they gave HAM everything they could handle. The Als have been the hottest team in the CFL since they overhauled their ASST Coaches with very smart guys. The Als are still young and inexperienced on offence, and as such can be stymied, but that unit is getting better and better for them each week, and they were good enough to win game after game in playoff like conditions...the only playoff like game we played in this season we didn't even show up and got blown out.

The Lions talent gives us a chance to win every game, but these are the playoffs...EVERYTHING is on the line for the Als...if they don't win this week, they're done...they will show even more pressure and wrinkles to the Lions offence that we haven't seen yet, and our offence hasn't adjusted its equipment yet this season, let alone a game plan!

[SammyGreene]

On paper it should be all Lions.

Crompton a rookie making his first-ever playoff start versus veteran Kevin Glenn who has loads of post-season experience and has started the last two Western Finals. This match-up should be not even close.

Als have always had a great offensive line but Lions are now going out of their way to do the unthinkable and start three internationals. That should close the talent gap in a big way.

Als have better game breaking receivers in Carter and SJ Green but Jackson and Arceneaux are capable of delivering similar performances.

Als have a solid front seven with Bowman and Knapton (combined 21 sacks) on the DL, along with LBs Herbert and Cox. B.C. counters with Smith and Bazzie (combined 21 sacks) up front and all-star LBs Elimimian and Bighill. Looks pretty close to me.


Now if only coaching and scheming had nothing to do with the outcome. Instead we have to worry about how Dorzaio's blocking schemes deals with Montreal constantly sending 5 or 6 on every down or if Mark Washington's conservative game plan gives Crompton all the time in the world to find open receivers.

[ballhawk]

Of course, we hope the Lions win the game against Montreal, don't we? We're cheering for them right. Are there Lionbackers here who don't want the LIons to win? Let it out!

[cromartie]

Of course, we hope the Lions win the game against Montreal, don't we? We're cheering for them right. Are there Lionbackers here who don't want the LIons to win? Let it out!

Ad populum: This is an emotional appeal fallacy that speaks to positive (such as patriotism, religion, democracy) or negative (such as terrorism or fascism) concepts rather than the real issue at hand.

*Yawn*

Like? Sure.

Expect? Not really.

Glad to be wrong if they do win? Ok.

[Rammer]

lions lose 33 -10

Still, remember that for whatever reason, the Als seem to be the best tonic for what ails the Lions on most big games. Lions have won more big games against the Als than any other team that I can recall. GC's, big season games with the Als rolling undefeated, it just happens, there is no reason to think that won't be the case come Sunday for me. At least Higgins isn't the best HC in the league and that will give Benevides a legit chance at being prepared.

[korey&dante4ever]

Great opportunity for these players.
Needed every one of those 9 wins to make the playoffs. 2 more to get to the grey cup at home

[JohnHenry]

The Als aren't in the same class as the Lions, especially on offence. We should win going away, with our defence eating up and spitting out Crompton. The only question is should the Lions stay out east next week for the eastern final...or make 3 trans-continental flights in a week to sleep in their own beds for a few nights?

[leo4life]

The Lions have a habit of getting schooled/beaten by rookie qb's the last few seasons! Pressure pressure and more pressure on Crompton or they will be on the field too long...their defence will have 6,7,even 8 on the LOS so hoping Jones is ready with quik hitters,screens,draws and attack the length and width of the field...should be a good hard hitting game!

[TheLionKing]

Don't see the Lions winning. Lions' warts that have been evident this season will again surfaced. For those sleeping under a rock they are: lack of a running game, inability to neutralize the blitz, turnovers, stupid penalties, lack of a pass rush, poor kick coverage. Last but not least, outcoached, out schemed and inability to make meaningful adjustments.

[sj-roc]

Don't see the Lions winning. Lions' warts that have been evident this season will again surfaced. For those sleeping under a rock they are: lack of a running game, inability to neutralize the blitz, turnovers, stupid penalties, lack of a pass rush, poor kick coverage. Last but not least, outcoached, out schemed and inability to make meaningful adjustments.

AFAIC our only hope is that our coordinators have been playing possum all season and have waited until the playoffs to open up chapter 2 of their playbooks.