Leos Take On the Als!

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Blitz
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Our B.C Lions travel East to play the Montreal Als in a West-East matchup on Thursday night. Our 3-2 Leos, coming off a devastating overtime loss to Calgary will face a more confident 2-3 Als team who thrashed Saskatchewan 41-3 in their last outing.

Our Leos had only two practices to prepare for the Als and also had to make a number of lineup changes due to injury for this contest.

Lets have a closer look at this week's matchup:

OFFENCE

Our Leos come into this contest with the 2nd best rushing attack in the CFL, after struggling with our run game against Calgary. Anthony Allen, who had looked impressive in his first two starts as a Leo only gained 26 yards on 11 carries against Calgary. Calgary shut down our run game as our offensive line struggled to open holes and Allen had to grind out yardage. Jeremiah Johnson, who started the season at tailback, was sat for our last game and should be motivated.

Jonathan Jennings leads all CFL quarterbacks in rushing, with 138 yards in his first 5 games.

Another potential change for this contest will be at left guard. Buono singled out Hunter Steward this week at practice and O'Neil may get the nod. Steward, a first round draft choice is an offensive lineman who is very athletic and talented. Playing a new position this season at left guard is a different challenge for the 6'6", 315 pound lineman. But Steward was not the only one to make mistakes against Calgary. Buono himself could be faulted for going into the contest with only two defensive tackles (only one International) while dressing four defensive ends, including 3 Internationals.

Buono also threw the challenge flag twice on dubious calls that cost us a couple of time outs that would have been invaluable late in the 4th quarter and overtime. Our coaches did not give Jennings guidance in the situations he was in late in the game and Jennings made two critical mistakes. The third and one jet sweep call, on the goal line, was very questionable, when a quarterback sneak or a blast play to Allen would have made more sense. Bazzie took an offside call, with Calgary 2nd and 20, late in the 4th quarter, that negated a possible Phillips interception. Enough blame to go around.

Jennings had an excellent passing game against Calgary, making some impressive throws. Bryan Burnham, moved to the outside slot position to replace Nick Moore, had his best game as a Leo, hauling in some incredible catches along with some great YAC. We now have three receivers in the CFL 'Top 20' in receving yards. Shawn Gore is 11th (395 yds), Bryan Burnham is 12th (368 yds.) and Manny Arsenault is 13th (365 yds.)

Boldewijn gets his second start at slot. He had 2 catches last week, including a touchdown reception, and should feel more at ease in this contest.

There will be two keys to beating Montreal's defense, led by Chip Cox, Bear Woods, and John Bowman. We will need to run the football better and we will need to account for Montreal's blitzing, attacking style of defense. Noel Thorpe, Montreal's defensive coordinator likes to dial up the heat and pressure. Montreal's John Bowman is second in CFL sacks and Jevon Johnson has three sacks from his short side half position. Obviously, cutting down on turnovers is essential as well. The Als defence is aggressive and not to be taken lightly.

Jonathan Jennings excellent game overall last week improved his passing stats. Jennings has passed for 425 yds. and 374 yards in his last two games. Jennings made some incredible throws against Calgary. One example was a long, very accurate, throw behind to Shawn Gore for a touchdown. He is now 5th in CFL receiving, his passing percentage has improved to 60.7 % and his quarterback efficiency average is now 94.1. Jennings will need to continue to be a gunslinger while also learning from his experience last week.

DEFENCE

Our Leos defence goes into this game decimated by injuries. The biggest loss is Mic'hael Brooks, who is almost impossible to block one on one and gets penetration. Also lost for this contest are Craig Roh, David Menard, Brandon Stewart, and Mike Edem.

Our Leos will possibly use Purifoy at safety and Thompson at nickel.
Thompson was drafted 12th by our Leos in this year's CFL draft. He played four seasons at Southern Illinois. He has good size for a defensive back at 6'0" and 205 pounds. It will be tough for Fraser, who returned an interception to the one yard line, if he does not get the nod to start at safety with Edem out. Fraser had a critical pass interference call late in the fourth quarter but played solid in relief of Edem. It must also be tough to be Kenyan Parker, who was second on the depth chart to Stewart at field corner and be replaced by an International with only a week of practice. Our Leos will activate Anthony Gaitor to replace Stewart. Gaitor was a 7th round draft choice of Tampa Bay in 2011.

Our Leos will activate Bryant Turner for Brooks and also dress Max Forde. If they are smart they will also activate Uko as well, (Turner can play end and tackle) rather than Hudson but look for Hudson to get the nod.

Alex Bazzie leads all CFL defenders with 5 sacks so far this season. Eliminian is tied for 4th in sacks with a bunch of other defenders. Our Leos are third in the CFL so far this season in quarterback sacks. Last week they sacked Bo Levi Mitchell four times, even though he came into the game as the least sacked quarterback in the CFL.

Our Leos will need to get pressure on the quarterback again. Kevin Glenn has completed over 72% of his passes this season and has a better quarterback efficiency average than Jennings. Give Glenn too much time to throw and he can hurt you. Pressure up the middle is the best recipe to negate his lack of height. Glenn also tends to throw interceptions when heavily pressured.

Despite key offensive losses in Green, Stafford and Sutton, the Als have offensive talent. Their offensive line is very good, Brandon Rutley, like Sutton, can be dangerous out of the backfield in the passing attack, Nik Lewis can still get it done (7th in the CFL in receiving) and Duron Carter is one of the most explosive long ball threats in the CFL.

SPECIAL TEAMS

Montreal's Stegan Logan is second in punt return yardage this season. Our Leos Chris Rainey has the best average punt return yardage and is a threat to break one on every punt if he can get some open field to run to. Rainey has returned two punts for touchdowns this season, including last week's 95 yarder.

WRAP

Our Leos could easily be 5-0 this season, had they shut down Toronto's running game in the second half of that contest and played a little smarter against Calgary. This is very much an improved team from last season. Jennings is an important part of our winning equation this season along with our revamped offensive line, some key free agent acquisitions, and the progress of our younger players.

We improved our depth in the off-season and this contest will provide some answers to how good that depth is.

If we can cut down our turnovers and penalties, play smarter when we need to, and use last week's game to motivate us, rather than demoralize us, we should win this game.

This game will show what residency this team has.

Go Leos!!!! :rockin: :beer: :roar: :roar: :beauty:
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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WestCoastJoe
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Jeremiah Johnson, who started the season at tailback, was sat for our last game and should be motivated.
Run the ball. Check.
Jonathan Jennings leads all CFL quarterbacks in rushing, with 138 yards in his first 5 games.
Much more mobile than I thought. Check.
Jennings had an excellent passing game against Calgary, making some impressive throws. Bryan Burnham, moved to the outside slot position to replace Nick Moore, had his best game as a Leo, hauling in some incredible catches along with some great YAC. We now have three receivers in the CFL 'Top 20' in receving yards. Shawn Gore is 11th (395 yds), Bryan Burnham is 12th (368 yds.) and Manny Arsenault is 13th (365 yds.)
Gore :thup:

Burnham :thup: This fan thought he always showed potential. Just needed opportunities, QB familiarity and good health. He has his own style as a receiver. Good size. Great hands. Catches in traffic. RAC pretty good. Somewhat physical.

Arceneaux :thup:
Noel Thorpe, Montreal's defensive coordinator likes to dial up the heat and pressure.
Yup. A major key to the game will be QB protection.
Our Leos will activate Bryant Turner for Brooks and also dress Max Forde. If they are smart they will also activate Uko as well, (Turner can play end and tackle) rather than Hudson but look for Hudson to get the nod.
Yup. Suit up 3 DTs. Even if they are small. LOL
Our Leos will need to get pressure on the quarterback again. Kevin Glenn has completed over 72% of his passes this season and has a better quarterback efficiency average than Jennings. Give Glenn too much time to throw and he can hurt you. Pressure up the middle is the best recipe to negate his lack of height. Glenn also tends to throw interceptions when heavily pressured.
Not many seem to appreciate Glenn. He can light you up if he gets time.

STs. We have much better preparation vs the other team's trickery. And we are springing Rainey loose on returns. :thup:

Great preview, Blitz. I just read your items and made comments. Quick work for me. You did the hard lifting.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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All I want is for them to come out of Montreal without anymore injuries.
caobax
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Anthony Calvillo in my opinion is the best zone blitz pickup coach in the cfl.
Blitz
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caobax wrote:Anthony Calvillo in my opinion is the best zone blitz pickup coach in the cfl.
Why do you view Cavillo as the best zone blitz pickup coach caoax?

This season, Montreal has given up 14 quarterback sacks this season compared to our 9 and Glenn is an experienced quarterback at reading when a blitz is coming.
STs. We have much better preparation vs the other team's trickery. And we are springing Rainey loose on returns. :thup: West Coast Joe
After a very poor first half of our first game of the season, our special teams preparation has been good as you note WCJ. Leone threw a pass off punt formation last game for a first down but that decision to throw the football was completely on him, as he saw Calgary players coming in late and Kenyan Parker was uncovered and clapping his hands for the football. Still, Leone had a green light and it was nice to see us making a special teams play.

Montreal plays a 3-4 defence. There is speculation that Montreal is trying to trade Vaughn Martin. He's the type of defensive tackle we need to compliment Brooks and Westerman. The six-foot-four, 300-pound Martin spent seven seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the fourth round in 2009 by the San Diego Chargers. He spent four seasons in San Diego before joining the Miami Dolphins in 2013 and also spent time with the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Martin, 29, appeared in 51 career NFL games, registering 79 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. He played collegiately at the University of Western Ontario.

Right now our Leos look like they will go with 3 International defensive ends, with Andrew Hudson at defensive end in Roh's spot and use Bazzie and Allen at the rush end spot. Hudson is 6'3" and 245 pounds. He played in 49 games at Washington recording 82 individual tackles, 26 tackles for a loss and 21 sacks. He started every game for the Huskies as a senior in 2014 and earned an honorable mention All-Pac 12 nod finishing the year with 54 tackles and 12 sacks.

We will go with Bryant Turner Jr., Westerman, and Forde at tackle. At least we'll go with 3 defensive tackles for this game.

Purifoy will stay at his nickel spot, Gainor will be activated to field corner, (not sure what Stewart's status is) and Thompson has been moved to safety..although Fraser could still start. Guess we won't know until game time.

In the original thread I wrote our Leos could easily be 5-0. We've led by six and 15 points prior to yielding our two losses. Our defense has allowed only a total of 12 first quarter points all season thus far.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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Despite what Wally says publicly about some of the changes being made to keep guys "fresh" in a short week, I am willing to bet O'Neill (for Steward) starts at guard, and Thompson (for Fraser) starts at safety. Whether they stay there the whole game remains to be seen, but unless you're playing at a very high level, Wally is going to send a message about taking stupid, ill-timed penalties (hands to the face and PI respectively).

And consider that Fraser had a 43-yard interception return! That's how pissed Wally was at the pass interference call that turned a certain field goal attempt into an eventual TD.


DH :cool:
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Blitz wrote:
Montreal plays a 3-4 defence. There is speculation that Montreal is trying to trade Vaughn Martin. He's the type of defensive tackle we need to compliment Brooks and Westerman. The six-foot-four, 300-pound Martin spent seven seasons in the NFL after being drafted in the fourth round in 2009 by the San Diego Chargers. He spent four seasons in San Diego before joining the Miami Dolphins in 2013 and also spent time with the Detroit Lions and Kansas City Chiefs. Martin, 29, appeared in 51 career NFL games, registering 79 tackles, three sacks and a forced fumble. He played collegiately at the University of Western Ontario.
I was surprised to hear the Als were shopping Martin, especially after they were doing summersaults when he came north. But they seem to be having some issues with the cap; they let Henoc Muamba go last season for $ reasons, Mitchell White chose to leave rather than take a pay cut and now Brandon Bridge refused less money and got released. Maybe too much money paid out to Vernon Adams contributing to Martin leaving?

As for Johnson stepping in for Anthony Allen, I don't think the Lions will skip a beat in the run game. Johnson is good running back and I hope the Leos take advantage of him in the lineup; particularly with the Als having given up the most average yards per game in the league.
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David wrote:Despite what Wally says publicly about some of the changes being made to keep guys "fresh" in a short week, I am willing to bet O'Neill (for Steward) starts at guard, and Thompson (for Fraser) starts at safety. Whether they stay there the whole game remains to be seen, but unless you're playing at a very high level, Wally is going to send a message about taking stupid, ill-timed penalties (hands to the face and PI respectively).

And consider that Fraser had a 43-yard interception return! That's how pissed Wally was at the pass interference call that turned a certain field goal attempt into an eventual TD.


DH :cool:
Sending messages does not always have to mean being benched. Stewart, in last week's game, bit too early on a fake screen and it cost us a touchdown. Ronnie Yell bit on a double move late in the fourth quarter and it cost us a touchdown. Steward and Fraser's mistakes were less costly. The biggest mistake was Wally going into the game with two defensive tackles.

Its going to be interesting to see what we do when Menard returns. Forde is taking his place but playing defensive tackle. Going into this game, we'll have three defensive tackle and three defensive ends. But when Menard returns are we going to take Forde out of the lineup and go back to two defensive tackles? To me, that is not wise.

When all our regular starters are back, to me it makes more sense to dress Uko at defensive tackle and go with Menard, Bazzie and Roh at defensive end. We could also drop a National off our 44 man roster and dress Forde as well, who can play both tackle and defensive end, if we want to use four defensive ends. The spread offence, with its pocket passing, really needs inside penetration. Most spread offences also run the football inside. West Coast Joe wrote a post demonstrating how CFL defenses are really beefing up their inside defensive lines. A big nose tackle type could really free up Brooks to not have to deal with so many double teams. It was the play of 315 pound Khalif Mitchell and 297 pound Aaron Hunt that made such a difference to our 2011 Grey Cup defence.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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Blitz wrote:
caobax wrote:Anthony Calvillo in my opinion is the best zone blitz pickup coach in the cfl.
Why do you view Cavillo as the best zone blitz pickup coach caoax?

This season, Montreal has given up 14 quarterback sacks this season compared to our 9 and Glenn is an experienced quarterback at reading when a blitz is coming. ------Yes, you are correct. ------95% percent of those 14 sacks occurred in 0 zero coverage. Secondly, we watched Montreals great tight end hint how things were different when Glenn was out the lineup. Almost all the passing touchdowns Montreal throws are super drags, copper pump routes, like slant and goes, and x routed deep pick routes with receiver 1 brushing receiver twos db on his way towards the pylon. Simultaneously, receiver 2 chooks receiver ones db and soon after
runs towards the goal post at 4.24 speed.

These are dial toned up zone protection passing routes Anthony learned from Marc.
Blitz
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caobax wrote:
Blitz wrote:
caobax wrote:Anthony Calvillo in my opinion is the best zone blitz pickup coach in the cfl.
Why do you view Cavillo as the best zone blitz pickup coach caoax? Blitz

This season, Montreal has given up 14 quarterback sacks this season compared to our 9 and Glenn is an experienced quarterback at reading when a blitz is coming. ------Yes, you are correct. ------95% percent of those 14 sacks occurred in 0 zero coverage. Secondly, we watched Montreals great tight end hint how things were different when Glenn was out the lineup. Almost all the passing touchdowns Montreal throws are super drags, copper pump routes, like slant and goes, and x routed deep pick routes with receiver 1 brushing receiver twos db on his way towards the pylon. Simultaneously, receiver 2 chooks receiver ones db and soon after
runs towards the goal post at 4.24 speed.

These are dial toned up zone protection passing routes Anthony learned from Marc.
I'm confused caobax. I know what a drag route is but what is a super drag route? What are copper pump routes? You mentioned a slant and go but what other routes are there for that concept. What is an x routed deep pick route? It's different terminology than I am familiar with, in terms of a passing tree.

I understand what you are explaining in terms of combination brush routes or pick routes.

You specify some pass patterns but zone blitz pickup also involves formation, blocking scheme, and anti-blitz patterns from hot reads, bubble screens, as well as the quick passing game, including quick seam, slant, stop, fade, flat, quick cross, and stick routes.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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caobax wrote:
Blitz wrote:
caobax wrote:Anthony Calvillo in my opinion is the best zone blitz pickup coach in the cfl.
Why do you view Cavillo as the best zone blitz pickup coach caoax?

This season, Montreal has given up 14 quarterback sacks this season compared to our 9 and Glenn is an experienced quarterback at reading when a blitz is coming. ------Yes, you are correct. ------95% percent of those 14 sacks occurred in 0 zero coverage. Secondly, we watched Montreals great tight end hint how things were different when Glenn was out the lineup. Almost all the passing touchdowns Montreal throws are super drags, copper pump routes, like slant and goes, and x routed deep pick routes with receiver 1 brushing receiver twos db on his way towards the pylon. Simultaneously, receiver 2 chooks receiver ones db and soon after
runs towards the goal post at 4.24 speed.

These are dial toned up zone protection passing routes Anthony learned from Marc.
caobax,
I am not knowledgeable enough to know what all the above terminology means but I am impressed.

I should be knowledgeable enough to know who the Al's great tight end is except that like most teams they don't list a tight end in their depth chart. For example the Lions sometimes use FB Rolly Lombala as a TE but list him as a FB. So who is the Al's great (secret) TE?
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Motions, shifting, and misdirection can turn a hot route, a quick hit seam route into switch routes and yo-yo plays that light up the scoreboard due to the fact that all your blitzers have been accounted for and your secondary and lbs are stuck in zone.

The potential h.o.f. tight end favorite punchline is "steel balling."
Last edited by caobax on Wed Aug 03, 2016 1:39 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Blitz
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Montreal's defence has given up the least points of any CFL team this season (106 pts.) Hamilton has given up 114 points and our Leos are 3rd in the CFL, with 117 points against.

This will not be an easy game for our offence. The ability to combat Montreal's blitzing defence will be the key to our offensive success. Montreal likes to line up in a 3-4 and then send linebackers, defensive backs, or both in blitz packages.

Our ability to run the football, to protect the quarterback, and exploit weaknesses in Montreal's coverages will be important. Jennings will attack a blitzing defence. Montreal is aware that he likes to go deep. Khari Jones has learned to use formation as a strategy against blitzing defences and not just be stuck in the spread formation all game.

Its time that our Leos began to add more variety to our offence. A bubble screen to Arsenault or Rainey, a misdirection screen to Lumbala, a motion swing pass to Johnson would be welcome additions to our offensive play book.

Montreal's Jim Popp has emphasized special team coverage on Rainey all week.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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I hope the new guys fill in and play well....Go Lions! :rockin:
Blitz
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B.C. bound wrote:I hope the new guys filling in and play well....Go Lions! :rockin:
The Als are playing their third game in 11 days. They should be in sync but weariness could be a factor. Our Leos are coming off a heart breaking loss to Calgary and only had two practices, lots of injuries to deal with, and a long flight East as challenges to this contest.

Overworked Alouettes look to even their record while Lions hope to bounce back

The Canadian Press

August 3, 2016

The Lions take to the field against the Alouettes Thursday night -- the third game in 11 days for Montreal.

MONTREAL — Quarterback Kevin Glenn says playing three games in 11 days can be looked at either as a burden or an opportunity for the Montreal Alouettes.

And if the Alouettes (2-3) can end that gruelling run with a win Thursday night over the visiting B.C. Lions (3-2), it could turn their season around.

“It’s a character builder,” said Glenn. “If someone tells you that you can’t do something, you want to go out and do well.

“If we can get a win it’d be nice to say we played three games in 11 days and still won.”

It started with a 30-17 loss in Toronto on July 25, but after only three days of rest, the Alouettes rebounded with a 41-3 home win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Six days later, they face a B.C. team playing its third straight road game.

“It’s tough. I wouldn’t wish it on anybody, especially in this sport where you’re running into each other with equipment on,” said Glenn. “It’s just one of those things you have to do.

“You try to prepare for these things in the off-season. We’re also getting three (pay) cheques in 11 days. Look at the positives.”

The Alouettes could do no wrong against the struggling Roughriders as they ran up points while the defence stoned the Saskatchewan attack. It ended a three-game losing run following their season-opening victory in Winnipeg.

Montreal’s wins have come against arguably the CFL’s two weakest clubs. B.C. has lost two of its last three games but is still considered one of the league’s better squads.

Last week, B.C. led Calgary 41-26 with under five minutes to play before dropping a 44-41 overtime decision to the West Division-leading Stampeders. Quarterback Jonathan Jennings was picked off twice late in the game.

It was also a costly contest for injuries as defensive linemen David Menard, Craig Roh and Mic’hael Brooks all went down for B.C., as did former Alouettes safety Mike Edem. Linemen Andrew Hudson and Bryant Turner Jr. as well as defensive back Anthony Gaitor and linebacker Nehemie Kankolongo could move into the lineup.

“It’s a very good opportunity to try to get a win against a good team,” said Glenn. “Regardless of a team’s win-loss record, in this league every team is good.

“But to get a win against a team like B.C that has had some success, will be a good test for us.”

The game features two of the league’s top pass rushers. The Lions’ Alex Brazzie leads the CFL with five sacks, one ahead of Montreal’s John Bowman.

Bowman, whose career looked to be over last summer when he was made a healthy scratch by former coach Tom Higgins, signed a contract extension this week through the 2017 season.

“It’s a token of their appreciation for me, saying ‘You don’t have to retire,’ ” said 34-year-old Bowman, who is playing his 11th season, all with Montreal.

The New York native led the CFL with 19 sacks last year and is the Alouettes’ all-time leader with 106.

Teammate Alan-Michael Cash sneaked into the media scrum and asked “How much do you have left in the tank?” To which a laughing Bowman said “There’s some gas left. Premium.”

He’ll need it against a big and efficient offensive line that has the Lions leading the league with 99.6 rushing yards per game.

“We feel we’re headed towards being a winning team,” said Bowman. “The difference between a good team and a great team is consistency and we’re trying to build that here.”

A concern for Montreal is kicker Boris Bede, who was good on 90 per cent of his field-goal attempts in 2015 but has made just 6-for-14 this year. Coach Jim Popp wants to stick with the strong-footed Bede nonetheless.

“He’ll get out of it,” said Popp. “I think it’s mental.

“He’s overthinking it. Once he bangs one through early he’ll get on a roll.”

— Canadian Press
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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