So how do we get this shipped turned around?

[David]

Your coach and GM for the day. What moves would you make to get our Leos back on track and help them get their swagger back? I certainly don't think the season is lost. With a bit of tweaking here and there, we can get right back in the race for first. Here are some thoughts:

* Bring in some NFL cuts. While I generally don't believe that players can come in from that league and make an immediate impact (perhaps an exception being Carl Kidd), I would like to see an airlift at the following positions, in priority order: wide receiver (a deep threat who can run good routes), DB (someone to challenge Myles in nickel coverage) linebacker (someone who can play the run effectively), defensive tackle (someone to push Aaron Hunt who hasn't been the same since 2006, and not by coincidence, probably the last time he was in good shape).

* Keep Joe Smith. It's clear to me that we're not going to get fair value in a trade. Why help other teams by cutting him? He's been a great team player by not bad-mouthing the organization and demanding to be traded or released. And he's a hell of an insurance policy if Stefan Logan gets hurt.

* More rotation on the defensive line. I want to see more of Ricky Foley at DE. If Hunt can't get it done, I'd like to see former Oregon tackle Jeremy Gibbs come in for a game at DT to see what he's got. He was effective in preseason until he hurt his knee. Failing that, we could use a 4 man front with Wake and Foley at the ends and Williams and Johnson in the middle.

* Fewer 3 man fronts. It's giving opposing teams too much time to find an open receiver and keeping drives alive. And while we're at it, more blitz packages to keep QBs guessing and their head on a swivel. We're not mixing things up enough right now.

* It's obvious Javy's heel is still bothering him as I don't think he's as fast as he was. Despite this fact, I think he still possesses good cover abilities. For this reason, I would move Jamall Johnson to the middle and Javy outside. As much as I like Javier Glatt, unfortunately, most of his tackles are from behind.

* More misdirection plays in our offensive attack - pitch outs, screen/swing passes, bootlegs. Get the ball in Joystick's hands more often coming out of the backfield with less reliance on the long ball that's not there.

* If problems persist on the offensive line, I would seriously consider starting another Canadian at receiver and put Stith at left tackle, moving Murphy over to guard. If his warm-up habits don't improve, bench him. I even noticed he was just going through the motions at the open practice during the stretching/warm-up period. Not a good example from one of the leaders of this team.

* I am not totally laying blame at Jarious's feet for poor production recently as I don't think the receiving talent and playbook play to his strengths. However, we simply need more right now from the position which is why, jammed finger or not, I'd start Buck next game to try and kick-start this moribund offense.

DH 8)

[Bosco]

Good post, David.

* The Lions certainly need more production from the numbers 4 & 5 receiving slots. Right now, Skillern and Coleman seem to be no more than afterthoughts in the passing attack, and their lack of YAC puts even more heat on Simon, Jackson and Clermont.

* Although Rolly Lumbala performed well the other night, it appears to be wishful thinking by Lions fans to somehow get both Logan and Smith into the same backfield. Smith is indeed an asset that is being wasted at this point.

* Agree that the Lions need a different look at QB against Montreal. Start Buck and hope that he can move the ball and provide a spark to the start and stop offence.

[pennw]

As for the recieving talent , I think that they need to get the ball more often , can't catch passes not thrown your way . This is where Buck comes in as JJ who has shown very good ability at times , also demonstrates far too much tunnel vision , ignoring obvious easy targets trying to get the big play.

[Tighthead]

David - one minor quibble. It is not the three man front that is killing us - it is the fact that we only rush three out of that formation. I think Toronto used to run a very effective 3-4 as their base defence.

Speaking of misdirection, we don't run nearly enough play action. Of course, when you run the ball three times in a half, play action is kind of a joke.

[bbang]

I would also add that the special teams is not very special at times. Better down field coverage on kick offs and punts and opening some lanes for Smart would even out the poor field position we/ve had in a lot of games this year. Also send some of our linebackers etc. back to tackiling school.

[Shi Zi Mi]

I posted this in another thread, but perhaps it better suited to this thread:

IMHO, the crux of the problem for the Lions is primarily at one position......middle linebacker........just like an offense MUST have a solid QB, the defense MUST have a solid MLB.......weakness at that position cascades down and weakens ALL aspects of the defense.

With a weak MLB, the opposition can easily establish a run game........this makes play action far more effective for them .........this causes the dline rush to be tentative (as they have to be concerned about the run first) and greatly reduces the pressures on the QB........with lots of time to throw, any decent QB (never mind good/great) can pick apart a secondary who can only cover receivers for so long. The cascade effect. All stemming from a weakness at the MLB that contributes to making the entire defense ineffective at ALL positions.

Sadly, this also affects the offense, as they are usually playing catch up and can't stick to the game plan. As well as the demoralizing aspect and momentum loss that occurs when your defense can't stop the opposition offense.

IMHO, it can't be ignored any longer........the Lions MUST bring in a solid import MLB, go with 3 import LB's and park Glatt and Pottinger on the bench.

The Riders, right now, have the best defense in the CFL......and the strength and focal point of that defense is their 3 import LB's......they are all fast and big and play a kamikaze style that reminds me of the James West/Tyrone Jones/Greg Battle era in Winnipeg.......they are very difficult to run against because of their range and size and are great blitzers because of their speed and tenacity........and they were all brought to the Riders in 2006 by Roy Shivers.

To say finding a player like that in the middle of the season is impossible......well, that's just plain poppycock.......when Barrin Simpson tore up his arm, Joe Lobendahn stepped into the breach.....and IMHO, he has taken the job away from BS with his great play.

There's absolutely no reason why the Lions can't turn things around in short order........but the key is finding that MLB who will bring the tenacity, intensity and swagger back to the Lions' defense.

As a sidebar, I'd like to add that IMHO, Javy Glatt is playing hurt. There can be no other reason for his totally ineffective play. He's never been a great run stopper, but he was usually involved in most defensive plays. In the last number of games, and particularly the last game against Calgary, he is just not involved anymore......95% of the defensive plays, he can be seen trotting up to the play after it's over or not showing up at all........it's like playing a man short on defense on virtually EVERY play.

[TheLionKing]

I would in no particular order:

1) Order the Offensive Coordinator (Dorazio, Kruck, Chapdelaine) to come up with a more imaginative game plan. 50/50 run and pass.

2) Adopt a more aggressive approach on defense. Devise more blitz packages and go after the quarterback rather than dropping back to defend.

3) Get a middle linebacker and a deep threat wide receiver

4) Insert regulars on special teams that can tackle and bench the backups

5) Adopt a no nonsense attitude in practice. Get rid of the country club atmosphere.

6) Start Buck Pierce

[pennw]

Good post Loyd , we do need a middle linebacker . Maybe Shiv can find us one among the NFL cuts . Yes you can see far to much hesitation in our pass rush , due to being burned on the run .
We also need to give Stith some time in the starters role . That would get everyones attention for sure on the other side , much better then the JS benching .

[airkore]

Start Buck Pierce ?

History has shown that Buck will not last the game .
Expect to see Jarious coming off the bench in Montreal.

[No Ka Oi]

Good points, David, although I'm not sure that NFL cuts are the answer right now. It smacks of desperation to start an unknown player who might not know our playbook and has had only a few practices with the team...over a veteran who has toiled through training camp and knows our system, but is found wanting in some area. Some teams do this, but I feel signing NFL cuts is for next year's training camp, not for the playoff push this season.

Many have suggested that we move Glatt out of the MLB spot, but he IS our MLB. Again, I think we're talking about next year if we're talking about changing positions. Sure Javy has to play at 110% to be effective, but what he brings to the D is too valuable to be replaced with an unknown LB who doesn't know our plays, but is 20 lbs heavier and is supposedly a better tackler (but hasn't played a game since 2005).

I would sink or swim with the guys we got. They are proven winners and deserve the chance to regain the form which led this team to five straight division titles. I could see the Lions picking up a veteran CFL receiver...couldn't they find a Canadian who can contribute as much as Coleman and Skillern (like R. Thelwell), who are taking up two import roster spots which could be used to get Stith or Smith into the lineup?

[B.C.FAN]

I'll offer three suggested changes the Lions can make to turn things around, but I'll be a bit of a contrarian on some of the other points raised in this thread.

First, the suggested changes:

* On offence, start Buck Pierce, at least for this week. This change may be forced by JJ's injury, but it's time for more balance in the passing attack and better game management, and I think Buck is the player for that. I've pointed out before how the Lions have become more of a big-play team offensively this year. They need to be more consistent in moving the ball, and that requires a more effective short passing game, which is one of Buck's strengths. The offence has not sustained enough drives, and even their successful drives have relied on big plays. The result is that the defence has spent too much time on the field.

* On defence, put more pressure on the quarterback. This requires more stunts and a mix of blitzes from linebackers and defensive backs. The Lions have relied too much on ther front four to pressure the quarterback, but they need more sustained pressure than they can expect to get from the front four. I can't believe that Wally thinks Anthony Calvillo, Henry Burris and Ricky Ray are more effective when the Lions blitz.

* At practice, take a no-nonsense approach. Make everyone do the same warmup routines, and cut the clowning and showboating. I'm relying on secondhand information since I haven't been to a practice this year, but I didn't like what I saw from Murphy and Jimenez in the pregame warmup against Calgary. I've always believed in practising hard and playing hard.

And now, to be a contrarian:

* Coleman and Skillern are developing nicely as fourth and fifth receivers since the loss of Cory Rodgers. I mentioned in another thread that Skillern led the team in receptions against Calgary and Coleman tied for the team lead with Clermont in the back-to-back games against Edmonton. They're both catching the ball consistently after some early problems. The B.C. offence is not designed to feature another receiver as a deep threat. By design, Simon, Jackson and Clermont are the Lions' three main targets and they all must run the full range of routes to be effective and to keep defences from sitting on a particular route. Simon, Jackson and Clermont will remain the main deep threats, and the main short threats. All three have done exceptionally well at catching the deep ball this year.

* Aaron Hunt is not as flashy as others on the front four, but he helps make his teammates more effective. He's third on the team in sacks, he leads all linemen (and is tied for the overall team lead) in pass knockdowns and he has as many tackles (14) as Brent Johnson. I think it was mentioned on the TSN broadcast the other night that an informal survey of opposing lineman named Hunt as the most difficult Lion to block. I put a lot of weight (no pun intended) in the opinions of players in the trenches.

* Javy Glatt has acknowledged being bothered by his Achilles injury, and I suspect it has affected his speed and mobility but I'm not ready to advocate a major change in his role. I would, however, prefer to see him used more on second down and less on first down. When healthy, Pottinger is ready for more reps in the middle in running situations. Criticism of B.C.'s run defence is misdirected. The Lions rank second in the league behind Calgary in lowest average rushing yards per game and lowest average gain per run. As the leader of that defence and the team's leading tackler, Glatt deserves a lot more credit than he gets on this board. The main weakness of the B.C. defence is against the pass, particularly the deep pass. They've given up the most passing touchdowns in the league and the second most points. You can point the finger for that at coaching and the secondary, but not the linebackers.

[Toppy Vann]

Start Buck Pierce ?

History has shown that Buck will not last the game .
Expect to see Jarious coming off the bench in Montreal.

You're basically re-writing history.

When a player has an injury that is not fully healed up- they do tend to get re-injured.

[cromartie]

1) As has been suggested for the last two seasons, move Javi out of the middle, immediately. For an interim step, switch positions with he and Jamal Johnson. If either one of them can't hack it, bring in an import replacement.

2) Take a nice, long look at why our Special Teams coverage isn't special. I don't want to challenge McCallum's jobs, but it's obvious Bret Anderson is nearing the end, and one of the things Calgyra and the Riders have that I don't is a kicker that can consistently boom kickoffs. As weird as it sounds, in the CFL anyway, I might go hunting for a kickoff specialist (roster space permitting).

3) Either keep Joe Smith and activate him, or see what Lumbala can do in a larger role. With that in mind, I do have the personnel and we're getting a game plan versatile enough for either QB. If I'm going to go with a JJ backed offense, get Smith active and in uniform so I can grind the ball extensively when Bad Jarious is on the field. If I'm going to go with Pierce, I need to know that Lumbala can do some amount of grinding if called upon.

4) Fix the offensive line. I'm hesitant to inject heart/hustle into any discussion, because it's difficult to evaluate those aspects of a player if you aren't on the field/in the locker room with them. But our tackle play has declined noticeably, I think, from last year. This needs to be addressed and soon. Maybe it's a rotation problem, so let's get Stith in uniform and see if that helps.

5) We had Airese Curry and Carl Ford up at various points the past two seasons. I think Curry was sent home with a playbook. These guys are fast. If there's no interest in them specifically find someone of their ilk, get them here, and keep them here.

[Lion Guy]

1. Sit Rob Murphy ( did I just say that?)

2. I am really really trying to listen to the posters here when they say that Jarious can play QB. I have tried to give him a chance, but the experiment is over for me. Send him off to somewhere with Smith for some receiver help.

3. Glatt. He is NOT a ML. Period. We need one.

4. Teach the D that it is OK to tackle somene BEFORE they reach the first down stick.

5. OC. Ditch the 3 headed monster and get one. A REAL one.

6. Send Benevides back to ST and bring in someone with some creativity.

That is all for now. My head still hurts from Friday.

[mightybuck]

Sit Rob Murphy ( did I just say that?)

Personally I think this week Murphy will be awesome. Something tells me - he will do everything in his power to protect the QB

Just have a feeling this is the week Murphy really returns