The team will go nowhere with Chap

[Big Time]

I'm surprised that no one seems to be calling out Chapdelaine for yet another vanilla game plan that was so conservative it was just ridiculous. For the second game in a row, Buck did not even attempt to throw a ball deep in the first half. Chap seems to be content with running straight up the middle on first down, then throwing a five yard out on second down. It was only after the Lions lost McCallum that he realized that they are going to have to open it up, and he started calling some roll outs that were suprisingly effective. Yet whenever it gets down to the crunch, he goes right back to being conservative. There is no play that I find more frustrating then when a team needs to get 10 yards, and they call a five yard out hoping that the receiver will be able to make up the difference. This happened late in the game where they needed 10 yards, and they call a hook play to Geroy 6 yards deep. So in other words, he has to run, turn around and come back to the ball, and then try to turn against his momentum to pick up the difference. Naturally he didn't do it. These plays piss me off more than anything because they don't even give you a chance at success. If you need 10 yards, call the same play except throw it TWELVE YARDS down the field.

Unfortunately, this kind of conservative play calling has killed the Lions over the years. I'm starting to think they won the Grey Cup in 2006 in spite of their coaching, not because of it. As long as Chap is on the sidelines, Buck has no chance to be anything other than average. How much can he be blamed if the plays that are being called for him are so bland?

Wally shares blame here too, for sticking with Chap and not changing the game plan. Wally has shown that at times he can be an absolutely terrible game manager, as he is extremely conservative and unwilling to take chances. Last night Buck got called for intentional grounding where he had to get the ball beyond the line of scrimmage at the 21 yard line. I was sitting right at the 20 yard line and can tell you that without a doubt, Buck got the ball at least 2 yards beyond the 21 yard line and it went out of bounds at the 19. I was screaming for Wally to challenge the call but he didn't. With the loss of yardage, McCallum subsequently missed the field goal. All these lost points add up. Same thing happened last week when Wally called an inexplicable 2 point convert in the third quarter.

Until this team starts to open things up and gets creative, they are going to have to put up with being an average team on offense. The defense has looks like it has potential to get better, but without the offense, this could be a very long year.

[Rammer]

What the Lions do need is an additional observer that has some clout on the sidelines/booth to alter the Lions ineffective attack and help with the game management. Or did I just suggest that the Lions need a HC? Perhaps at a point of rather saying that what is obvious to us all game in game out (Chaps conservative game plan has to go), we get to the root of the matter and change the HC, who wields too much power over his subordinates.

[B.C.FAN]

What the Lions do need is an additional observer that has some clout on the sidelines/booth to alter the Lions ineffective attack and help with the game management. Or did I just suggest that the Lions need a HC? Perhaps at a point of rather saying that what is obvious to us all game in game out (Chaps conservative game plan has to go), we get to the root of the matter and change the HC, who wields too much power over his subordinates.

First, Dorazio designs the game plan and monitors it from the siedlines.

Second, the game plan seemed to work effectively in the first half when the Lions scored passing TDs on two of their three possessions, including a deep route by Paris Jackson.

The offence stagnated in the second and third quarters when holding penalties repeatedly put the team into first and 20 situations and Buck had trouble hitting open receivers, including Paris Jackson twice on deep post patterns. The first was thrown without enough arc and was broken up by a defender five yards behind the play and the second Buck locked in on a short crossing pattern. The Lions also fell into a pattern of in the middle of the game of trying to run on first downs, even when Hamilton stacked the box. Mallett had run effectively in the first quarter and the coaches wanted to put the offence into a second-and-short situations but with Hamilton's defensive adjustments and the Lions' penalties, the strategy backfired and the offence didn't get rolling again until the fourth quarter when the Lions were playing catch-up.

[Rammer]

What the Lions do need is an additional observer that has some clout on the sidelines/booth to alter the Lions ineffective attack and help with the game management. Or did I just suggest that the Lions need a HC? Perhaps at a point of rather saying that what is obvious to us all game in game out (Chaps conservative game plan has to go), we get to the root of the matter and change the HC, who wields too much power over his subordinates.

First, Dorazio designs the game plan and monitors it from the siedlines.

Yes, and doesn't my point still apply, we need to add some spark into the equation when things become predictable.

Second, the game plan seemed to work effectively in the first half when the Lions scored passing TDs on two of their three possessions, including a deep route by Paris Jackson.

That would be first quarter, but not the second and certainly not the third.

The offence stagnated in the second and third quarters when holding penalties repeatedly put the team into first and 20 situations and Buck had trouble hitting open receivers, including Paris Jackson twice on deep post patterns. The first was thrown without enough arc and was broken up by a defender five yards behind the play and the second Buck locked in on a short crossing pattern. The Lions also fell into a pattern of in the middle of the game of trying to run on first downs, even when Hamilton stacked the box. Mallett had run effectively in the first quarter and the coaches wanted to put the offence into a second-and-short situations but with Hamilton's defensive adjustments and the Lions' penalties, the strategy backfired and the offence didn't get rolling again until the fourth quarter when the Lions were playing catch-up.

While the penalties hurt, Buck was either off on others, or they simply weren't a very good call for game management. Playing not to lose is not playing up to our potential, ultimately that falls upon the HC, IMHO.

[WestCoastJoe]

About game planning and coaching ...

Offence

Established the running game.

Stretched the field with some long passes (Arceneaux, Jackson).

Had Buck roll out. I liked this. Buck has good mobility, and it gets him away from rush ends and pressure up the middle.

I thought they blew one great scoring chance deep in Ticat territory. They ran Mallett one time too often in a row. He was gassed (obvious to us fans). He got stuffed against a stacked run defence.

The O Line game prep was very good. Run blocking and pass blocking were very good.

I would give Buck good marks for his game. He handled the ball (every time the QB handles the ball it is crucial) a great number of times, made many plays, and misfired twice. Again, he made many, many plays.

I would give the Offensive game planning good marks, aside from a handful of not so great play calls.

...............

Defence

Porter ate up the middle of the defence on QB runs. Game planning inadequacy or poor play by Glatt and McKenzie?

2nd and long defence was poor. Time and time again Hamilton got the first down.

I would say not a great game by Glatt and McKenzie, especially against the run, whether by running back or quarterback. Game planning or poor execution?

Seemingly great gaps in the pass defence, receivers with space, as well as some poor tackling by the secondary.

I would have to grade the Defensive game planning as not good enough. Porter killed us with runs at key times. Porter also found holes in the pass defence at key times.
.................

Special teams

Failing grade. Keystone Kops. Containment poor. Penalties. Ineligible punter.
.................

Did we surprise the TiCats with anything? Nah.

................

Did they surprise us with anything? I would say Porter running must have been a surprise.

I would say the holes they found in the middle deep area of pass defence must have been a "surprise."

I would say the TiCats' success in second and long must have been a surprise.

I think the Lions must be the easiest team in the league to game plan against. Not so much the overall packages and plays, but how and when they are used, in particular situations, and against particular players, etc.

[PigSkin_53]

What the Lions do need is an additional observer that has some clout on the sidelines/booth to alter the Lions ineffective attack and help with the game management. Or did I just suggest that the Lions need a HC? Perhaps at a point of rather saying that what is obvious to us all game in game out (Chaps conservative game plan has to go), we get to the root of the matter and change the HC, who wields too much power over his subordinates.

Man I can't believe you finally said that!

[B.C.FAN]

While the penalties hurt, Buck was either off on others, or they simply weren't a very good call for game management. Playing not to lose is not playing up to our potential, ultimately that falls upon the HC, IMHO.

Agreed. Wally doesn't care about blowout victories. He likes to get a lead and preserve it by being conservative. The Lions were in position to win both games at the end, despite all the mistakes they made earlier.

I would say not a great game by Glatt and McKenzie, especially against the run, whether by running back or quarterback. Game planning or poor execution?

The Lions didn't spy Porter. Most of his runs seemed to come on B.C. blitzes when he was chased into open area vacated by the linebackers and DBs.

Most of Hamilton's success with the running game was off tackle or to the outside away from Glatt. The Lions adjusted in the third quarter by bringing Nande in as a third linebacker to help stack the box. Hamilton made a similar adjustment earlier in the game after B.C. established a successful run game with Mallett.

I don't think Hamilton's running game was the key to their victory. Porter was poised in the pocket and effective at picking apart B.C.'s secondary. He completed his first eight passes of the second half and was 19/24 (79%) overall, without a turnover. Those are hard numbers to beat.

I give Hamilton a lot of credit for a well-played game. They're a much better team than in the recent past, and that's good for the league. The Lions won't be the only team to lose to them.

[TheLionKing]

Good thread. Have to agree with most of the posters. I actually thought there was a bit of imagination to the Lions' offence last night. They rolled Buck out several times, actually ran the ball 18 times,threw in a screen play and horror of horrors they went vertical. I too find it extremely frustrating that whenever they need 8 or 9 yards for a first down they throw those dinky 4-5 yard pass and expect the receiver to pick up the difference. Once again on 2nd or 3rd and short it becomes an adventure. It should be as automatic as Wally responding to question by saying "As I said..."

[lion24]

What I see is a team with a lack of fire. Last night the Lions and the crowd just seemed out of it and I don't know if Buono has lost the team a bit or what but it justs looks like amateur hour too many times the past few games There were a few good performances with Mallett and Buck at times but there just seems to be a lack of energy with these guys. As far as Buck thinking of himself as an elite QB........he can be if he learns not to panic. All the potential in the world but we have been saying this for a few years now.

[bbking]

On the topic of coaching . It seemed like the HC was discombobulated during the last dirve by the lions prior to Bucks Interception. Wandering back and forth as If he wasnt sure as what to do. It just seemed wierd. Of course the pass to Otis Floyd didnt help this feeling of disarray that I had watching the last drive. I thought the clock was mismanaged with passes up the middle until Buck started throwing to the side lines with success . Then a desperation run by Buck followed by another pass up the middle. Coaching???
I know its not fair , but I often ask myself what would Dave Dickenson do In such a situation. Could it be that a great QB like DD made the coaches look good? If so then perhaps its time the coaches start making the kind of calls that make the players look good. JJ coming in for one play ....PM throwing for a 2 point convert to no one in particular. If these are trick surprise plays then they are working unfortunatly the ones surprise by them are the players trying to execute them. Coaching???
The Stats showed that the top 3 Hamilton runing backs had over a 6 yard average last year .This suggests that the cats run the ball well no matter whos carring the ball . If we praticed to stop the run it wasnt evident. Coaching???

[Toppy Vann]

What the Lions do need is an additional observer that has some clout on the sidelines/booth to alter the Lions ineffective attack and help with the game management. Or did I just suggest that the Lions need a HC? Perhaps at a point of rather saying that what is obvious to us all game in game out (Chaps conservative game plan has to go), we get to the root of the matter and change the HC, who wields too much power over his subordinates.

We know that Kruck called the plays when Chappy was in Edmonton making future H of Famer Ricky Ray look ordinary and it seemed to me that he got better and better as the season went on despite the undercurrents of unhappiness among arrogant receivers and team leaders who wanted the ball tossed to them and eventually got their guy back in BC and look at how much he has learned since the Esks debacle.

We also know Kruck is still there but we know that Chaps is a bit of an arrogant sort who would never be influenced as he and the DC both like to be the show on the sidelines with their histrionics.

Where I am critical of Wally is that what astute fans see he doesn't until the year end. He has made some odd decisions that cannot keep being made with so many new faces.

Wally is not an x and o guy or offensive strategist and he didn't much like Burratto who is.

[cromartie]

Do we just copy and paste this thread year to year?

Ok, well, here we go again.

As I've said more than once, you can double the number of rings we'd have, at a minimum, if we had Burrato rather than Chap.

But it is what it is, and let's deal with where we are now.

The offensive game plan last night was more about execution than it was about the plan. Guys need to not drop passes. Buck needs to make better decisions.

At the same time, although the playbook seems a bit larger this year, and I think has been redesigned somewhat since mid last year, offensively we still don't adjust very well, as the Hamilton radio crew didn't hesitate to point out repeatedly last night.

On defense, if you run the same 2nd down blitz, by overstacking the same side of the line, three drives in a row, the opposition is going to figure it out and adjust, hence the long touchdown run.

Let's set aside for a moment that the smart down upon which to blitz is 1st down far more often that 2nd....

[B.C.FAN]

Do we just copy and paste this thread year to year?

Ok, well, here we go again.

As I've said more than once, you can double the number of rings we'd have, at a minimum, if we had Burrato rather than Chap.

But it is what it is, and let's deal with where we are now.

The offensive game plan last night was more about execution than it was about the plan. Guys need to not drop passes. Buck needs to make better decisions.

At the same time, although the playbook seems a bit larger this year, and I think has been redesigned somewhat since mid last year, offensively we still don't adjust very well, as the Hamilton radio crew didn't hesitate to point out repeatedly last night.

On defense, if you run the same 2nd down blitz, by overstacking the same side of the line, three drives in a row, the opposition is going to figure it out and adjust, hence the long touchdown run.

Let's set aside for a moment that the smart down upon which to blitz is 1st down far more often that 2nd....

Good post. Did Hamilton just guess right or did they know when a B.C. blitz was coming and where it was coming from?

As for the lack of execution, I've maintained for years that the deep vertical routes are there and receivers are open but Buck has a tendency to lock on to the underneath crossing routes and not go deeper. I thought he did a better job of stretching the field last night but he missed several opportunities to hit open receivers deep, and had one or two deep balls dropped. I support Wally's view that Buck needs a year as the undisputed No. 1 quarterback to hone his game and become a more complete quarterback. He's showed good progress so far. Grey Cups aren't won in July.

[lesleychow]

Chap is, unfortunatley, very predictable. Even me, Mr. Chow. with the little football experience I have, have the ability to predict almost every play the Lions run on offense. Run up the middle on first down, and throw for 5 yards on the second down. While I watch this I keep thinking about all the years he's been in his position and all the time's I've been able to see where he was going to make his offence go!

Also there was that time when he was playing for the Lions in the grey cup and he dropped that beach ball that costed us the game.... pfft

[Solar Max]

Also there was that time when he was playing for the Lions in the grey cup and he dropped that beach ball that costed us the game.... pfft

Welcome, lesleychow.

Funny, someone else was just talking about that just the other day right here. Amazing how that works.