Calgary 48 - BC 35 Post Game Stat and Comments

[Wakefan]

I am so frustrated as a long time Lions fan and season ticket holder. We have had some lean years including the 5 and 13 campaign in 1996, but I have not seen a season like this. I was so ticked off with the penalties, mental errors, and poor coaching that I took off my Lions jersey and threw it on the ground. I even joked with Calgary fans about cheering for their team. Anyway, I will remain a Lions fan of course, but something needs to happen or this time will not win any time soon. Unless changes are made, we won't be able to beat Montreal next week even though Calvillo is injured.

[WestCoastJoe]

I feel badly for Jacques Chapdelaine. I really do. Has anybody ever been in Hell on Earth?

Same for Wally.

These men are being slowly roasted on the spit.

And they don't know how to get off.

They didn't see this coming. They were living in dream worlds.

The ball game changed on Wally and he still hasn't seen it. The old stuff doesn't work anymore. And Wally didn't know how much the wise counsel of the Old Owls, Ackles, Ritchie and O'Billovich meant to him, to keep him on track.

As for Jacques, he thought he knew what he was doing. He thought he knew how to be an OC. But it looks like it was Dave Dickenson, his QB, who made the offence work, when he was here. And it rubbed off on Buck and Jarious for a while. Casey had his own magic back in 2004.

As for the O Line, that is a mystery. But blowing it up in the off-season was beyond stupid. And all those high draft picks, Valli, JonHR, Sorensen, can't be duds, can they? I don't think so. I suspect there is dysfunction between our OC and our O Line coach. We don't bother to try to establish a running game. And we don't give our QBs any time to make their reads. But they are somehow expected to execute anyway. After all, in the luxury of the coaches' offices, with the slow replay, one can see plays they could have made. But now with less than a second to make their reads in Real Time, under fire, our QBs can't make the plays. No one on this planet could. (How long does a straight sprint from the LOS to the QB take? 1.1 seconds? Try making even one read in that time.)

I don't blame the players. But even if you do, who chose and trained them and gave them systems to run?

Now we are between a rock and a hard place. I think the pooch may be screwed beyond salvage.

Based on what we saw tonight, does anyone still hold out hope that the season can be turned around into something respectable?

Wally was so close to avoiding this. Hufnagel might have been there for the asking in 2007. But not as OC, it would have had to be as Head Coach. And Dave Dickenson should have been offered the OC for this year, back when they talked in the off-season.

The saddest thing is: There is no mercy rule in pro football. It is more like a shark feeding frenzy.

[TheLionKing]

Buono says the coaches are working hard. Long hours too.

Working long hours does not equate to winning. Working smarter does. Has he not heard of the 20/80 rule ?

[TheLionKing]

Well, on the positive side the Lions did score 35 points tonight. That's the most scored on Calgary this season and by far the most points we have scored all season. Yes 15 points came in garbage time when the game was already decided, but still - it was 35 points.

Let's face it, say what you want about the O but with the 5th different makeup of the Oline in 8 games, you can't build consistency there and consistency is key on the oline. In addition, the D gave up 215 yrds rushing. You won't win many games when the opposition can run that far down your throat.

Take away 7 points on Yonus Davis' stupid fumble on the missed FG and if Arceneaux doesn't fumble in open space, who knows what happens.

Another positive is that the noose around Chapdelaine has just gotten a little tighter.

[TheLionKing]

The offence came out flat as a pancake again in the second half. The pep talk the coaches are giving the offence at half time just isn't working. Dickenson did a masterful job of mixing swing passes, screens and reverses to completely befuddle our defence. If DD would of called those same plays for us, we could of very well won the game...even with the stiffs and showboats the Lions have on offence.

The usual 10 rushes combined by Robertson, Davis and Messam? How do the Lions expect to win if they won't run the ball?

Because our illustrious Offensive Coordinator believes a one dimensional offence is the way of the future.

[orangegloves]

I As I have said a great number of times, I think Hufnagel, Trestman and the Austin/Miller combo in Regina have raised the bar of coaching in this league. What used to work for Buono doesn't work anymore. And he hasn't seen it yet. He still thinks Chapdelaine, Dorazio and Benevides (and himself) can compete in this league.

This is so very true. Its a much different game now, and since 2008 the Lions have had a tough time competing and they are getting badly out coached in just about every aspect. Its time to bring in a new mind, its like the Lions are Windows 98, and everyone now is using Windows 7.

[Blue In BC]

What was with Lions fans doing the " WAVE " when Passmore was lying on the field potentially seriously injured?

That was not the time for the damn wave.

Fortunately, he appears to not have been as seriously injured as it first appeared.

[CatsEyes]

What was with Lions fans doing the " WAVE " when Passmore was lying on the field potentially seriously injured?

That was not the time for the damn wave.

Fortunately, he appears to not have been as seriously injured as it first appeared.

Because they're ignorant idiots who don't know any better. I'd bet my next paycheque Crazy P was behind it.

[West Coast Blue Fan]

Wow, sure was a stinker, but in all honesty, not really a surprise. The Stamps are that much better than us, schemes, execution, personnel and certainly coaching.

Felt bad for Passmore, a freak injury that looked horrific on tv. Hope he can bounce back. And yeah, BC fans are are incredibly "slow". Crazy P started that wave.

The Oline is a joke, I have seen better and faster footwork at a seniors home on all you can eat mashed potato night. WCJ and I have discussed the "mad scientist" Dorazio and how he affects players. It's very obvious that he can't cut the mustard. His "got good girth" schtick is now tired and the development of our draft picks lays squarely on his shoulders.

Does Paris Jackson even play anymore? One of my favorite players has turned into the invisible man. 1 catch for 4 yards, stellar....not. I sure hope we see Shawn Gore get cut from the Packers soon. Not that he'll play anything other than Special Teams for 3 years here. Hey Pasquale, how's that Pottinger draft pick look now? Fantuz sure would have been a sweet special teams player here in BC.

The Tad Crawford experiment is now officially over in my book. Put Anthony Reddick back there. He played that spot for the Miami Hurricanes (started as a freshman too, so he's got the talent) and he has the speed and size. He would be in the NFL if it wasn't for the fact he screwed up his knee his senior year. Anyways, give him a shot. LaRose and Arakgi aren't going to make a difference back there.

PS...Manny Arceneux, at least you actually caught the ball, but another brain fart and you fumble away any chance of a comeback. And that "Empire Leap"??? Ridiculous, use your head. I nominate that play for dumbest this season. Ok, maybe 2nd dumbest, as your drop in TO will win that award. Congrats.

[Blue In BC]

What was with Lions fans doing the " WAVE " when Passmore was lying on the field potentially seriously injured?

That was not the time for the damn wave.

Fortunately, he appears to not have been as seriously injured as it first appeared.

Because they're ignorant idiots who don't know any better. I'd bet my next paycheque Crazy P was behind it.

The wave was started by some people below me in section 222. I tried to get them to stop and pointed to Passmore surrounded by doctors. However, they didn't get it. How hard is it to figure out the game was at a standstill for a reason and the injury was on our side of the field??

I didn't see Crazy P trying to instigate the wave but I'm not sure.

The good news is that Passmore should be ok, although I suspect he won't play for awhile as precaution.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/f ... le1688707/

"When do you get tired of losing?" said dejected Lions slotback Geroy Simon, who caught one touchdown pass. "When do you get tired of getting your ass handed to you?

"We still have a long season left but it's getting shorter and shorter every week. We played Calgary but the B.C. Lions beat B.C. again."

The final score actually flattered the Lions. B.C. scored two touchdowns late, one on the last play of the game.

A more telling statistic is Calgary had 499 yards net offence compared to 266 for B.C. The Stamps rushed for 215 yards, the Lions 44.

"I don't think we played to the highest of our ability," said Rambo. "We still have to be better yet."

The humiliating loss was another sour note in a sad season for B.C. The Lions are 0-4 at home this season.

[leeinq]

What was with Lions fans doing the " WAVE " when Passmore was lying on the field potentially seriously injured?

That was not the time for the damn wave.

Fortunately, he appears to not have been as seriously injured as it first appeared.

Because they're ignorant idiots who don't know any better. I'd bet my next paycheque Crazy P was behind it.

Nope, it started in my section 222 and Crazy P was not involved. I ended up leaving the game over this. I have been to most stadiums and have to say that there seems to be a larger percentage of Lions fans that are clueless about the game. Once again from the start of the game most of the fans were more interested in the Felions and texting on their phones. I still do not get why fans need to be told by some screaming dj when to cheer. But the wave just clinched my feelings about Lion fans.

[tigerrr22]

I saw much improvement on the offence. The play calling was not automatic run on first down (except in the third quarter) and the deep balls thrown on first down, with roll outs and fake hand offs before hand, confused the defence and also led to some big gainers via pass interference calls and roughing the passer penaties. I liked the use of Davis as your primary back too. He darts through the lines like a young Larry Key. Explosive speed with a low centre of gravity. He was able to gain five yards on running plays consistently. The offensive line is the true culprit of this struggling offence (if Chapdelaine can maintain the courage to attack the defence with more passes on first down and keep the defence guessing.) I thought he reverted to his old ways of thinking, in the third quarter, with only running on first down and seeing a short gain set up an obvious second and long passing play. Only a recipe for a "two and out" offence. I liked the quick count fake hand off and option plays that would show the defence that they were going to attack the blitz early. Another positive with the QB's: NO INTERCEPTIONS! We even saw a brief exercise in hurry up offence designed to confuse the defence. 35 points were scored. 4 touchdowns too. Tonight the offence, as poorly blocked up front by the offensive line, was not the reason why the Lions lost to the Stamps.

It was due to sloppy defensive tackling and special teams play. The early missed field goal drop was a killer. And how many times did the Stamps run for 7, 10 or 12 extra yards after the catch or on running plays from scrimmage. I liked some of the secondary play and Burris was burned for three picks. But the defensive line and line backers have to start tackling and closing their gaps better.

The offence is on the right track and has to deal with very sub par pass blocking. The O-line is what must be corrected. Also, defensively, I think the Lions would be better served to stay away from maximum prevent defence when it's second and long. Send more than three rushers. be aggressive and send five or six. Put the heat on Burris, or any QB, and maybe he gets sacked, or throws the ball away or throws into double coverage. If he has five or six seconds he'll burn you. Prevent defence is a recipe to keeping your defence on the field and your offence on the sidelines. Get after it defence. Force the issue. I'm encouraged by a few things after tonights game.

Geroy Simon is the class act of the league too. A true pro. He needs to teach these young guys to mature and learn how to be pros and winners on and off the field. A big thumbs up to #81! I hope he plays his entire pro football career as a Lion. Hang in there fans. O-Line repair and better defensive tackling will get this thing completely turned around as long as Chapdelaine can continue to attack the blitz and expand his play calling options on that vein! I saw positive progress tonight. Printers to start in Montreal. Lulay ready to take over if needed.

Dominic In Vancouver

Great to see Jerry Tagge there too. Be great to have a time machine and transport him from 1977 to this season! What a last second gun slinger he was! As entertainig a QB as we've seen in BC! (Flutie included.)

[Blitz]

A few thoughts on another difficult loss...

1. Following each loss the blame has been placed on the players for a lack of execution. Prior to each game pressure has been placed on the quarterback position, from Printers to Lulay to Jackson to Printers again to be the savior.

2. It's obvious that the quarterback, without a great scheme or excellent play calling, under tremendous pressure, from the coaching staff, and under tremendous heat from the defense, and without a running attack, cannot get it done by themself. It's an impossible task.

3. Wally as G.M. along with Shivers brings in the players. Wally as HC coaches the players. Wally as HC hires the assistants to also coach the players and develop the offensive and defensive schemes, along with himself. If we are not executing, then Wally is responsible for the lack of player talent or the lack of coaching skill or poor play design/calling that is resulting in this lack of execution.

4.. In this game, our defense played poorly but prior to this game, they were third in scoring against. Calgary had a magnificent game plan, exploited our weaknesses, and executed extremely well.

5. Chapdelaine did make some changes to the offence, in terms of plays that we used in this game. However, for years now we still struggle to make a yard...it took us 3 attempts at the goalline. It's a reflection of an offence that is not coached well and not in sync.

6. We all reccognize the losses of Ackles, O'Billovich, and Dave Richie and their impact on this organization. It's obvious that Wally, with his handpicked assistants, are struggling without experienced football men to surround them. Just the impact of Stubler this year shows how badly we need to bring some experienced football people into the organization-its now Wally's "World" and that world is not working.

7. Personell changes, when a team is losing, sometimes get a team turned around. However, some of the changes we're making have not made football sense and seemed to be done only to shake things up, put some fear into the players...but right now they are only making things worse.

8. Wally had a reputation of being able to assess talent but that skill seems to be more questionable now...from letting go Otis Floyd and Jamal Johnson to not having Davis return kicks from the start of the season. Dropping Armstrong was more than questionable. Letting go Jiminez wasnt' smart. There is an attitude that we can just ;plug and play' almost any player into the lineup. It doesn't work that way. There is a disconnect now between Wally and the route to success. He seems to be just grasping at anything and it feels more like reaction and desperation rather than really having a strategy for success.

9. As has been mentioned, our schemes/play calling are not of the calibre of the Riders, Montreal, Calgary, or even Toronto. We blitz well on defense, due to Stubler, but that's about it. Everywhere else, we're just behind the eight ball in terms of scheme and play calling. The game of football has become very technical now but Wally doesn't even wear a headset. It's like not being able to use a computer in this day and age.

10. In essence, what happened here in B.C, is mainly due to arrogance. When Wally came to B.C. he was hired by Ackles, who played an important role in providing perspective for Wally. Wally had slid in Calgary and the new job provided a new challenge. He also was provided with Dickenson to give him an experienced quarterback to get started with. We had a lot of initial success in 2003. Printers saved us with a magical season in 2004. IN 2005, Ritchie came in and gave us experience and leadership and an aggressive defence that enabled us to finally win a Grey Cup in 2006. HUfnagel was brought in as a consultant in 2007 and Kruck did a great job of making offensive changes that allowed Jarious Jackson to lead us to nine wins in his 11 games as a starter.

However, the problems we face today were being slowly written along the way. The demotion of Buratto in 2004 was unwise, especially at the time of year it was done, just a few games prior to the Grey Cup game. In 2005, Wally badly underestimated our offensive line talent and played Mantyka with one arm. We had collected so much talent in 2006 we won a Grey Cup but our offensive problems, in terms of predictability and getting our quarterbacks almost killed were evident right back from the 2005 season.

The return of Chapdelaine in 2008, to call the plays while being receivers coach, was only one of many decisions that demonstrated Wally believed he could do anything and be successful. He promoted Benevedes to defensive coordinator, without the requisite experience needed. He continued to make questionable personell decisions, constantly changed starting quarterbacks, and made dubious in game decisions.

Perhaps more telling was how our team practiced after our Grey Cup win. Wally did not provide the support to Kruck and Baresi that they needed. By 2008 our practices were not sharp and continued that way into 2009. Veteran players were frustrated with our practice habits. Others questioned our offensive schemes.

This season we went into 2010 with the attitude we could just throw anyone into the offensive line. Our offensive scheme stayed the same. Mantyka's concerns are obvious.

In essence what we have is complacency and arrogance. We have a HC/GM who believed he could make anyone an assistant coach. He believed he could make anyone a successful defensive coordinator. He believed he could let go valuable players and replace them easily. Anyone was replaceable. He let players leave for other teams or the NFL when he didn't have to. We draftred poorly. He believed we could stick with the same schemes and be successful while others were adapting and innovating.

Worst of all, anyone who questioned, in any small way or had a different idea was jettisoned. It happened to Burratto and Kruck. It happened to Mantyka and other players along the way. The press was used by Wally to single out players.

A football team is not a democracy. However, wise Head Coaches listen to different ideas from their coaches and vet players. They create opportunities to do that to avoid group think. They self-scout. Any coach or player who was even suspect of having any concern was targeted and gone. (the comment by Wally that Burratto or Kruck didn't know what they were doing is beyond words) Players stay on message...our coaches are great, our scheme is great, its all our fault.

Now Wally's in shock. How did this happen?? And he's unsure what to do. Blame players, change players, work the press to deflect the pressure is his strategy right now.

The blue print is there. Wally has used it successfully before. You build by drafting great Canadian talent, for example there is no way we should be still stuck with Wilson as a receiver. You run a tight ship but you also listen to veteran players. You hire assistants who are innovative in terms of football strategy. Hufnagel has Chris Jones coodinating his defense. You have a plan and you don't panic. You listen to veteran players. You run great practices. You create a sense of leadership, purpose, and vision.

Your players need to know what you want and why. You create a sense of confidence that the road you are taking will get you to the promised land. You can't lead by only using fear and blame. You can't lead by only having yes men around you. You can't lead with knee jerk decisions. Players need to know your vision and feel a part of it and feel confident in the plan.

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.calgaryherald.com/sports/Sta ... story.html

"That first half . . . I don't know," said Stampeders defensive end Mike Labinjo. "They were throwing some weird jump balls. Pretty much Hail Mary passes and they were getting the bounces. But I think we did a good job of coming out in the second half and shutting down their offence.

"Unfortunately we gave up those late 14 points, but what can you do? We got the win and that's all that really matters."

Gargage time points. Is there a moral victory in that? Ask Geroy.

"B.C. played a very physical game," Burris noted. "Shoot, we're coming out of here bumped and bruised.

"And it's a good thing we have a few days off to get ready for Labour Day," he added as the Stamps break until resuming practice on Wednesday.

I would say the Lions played hard, for the most part. Ragged at times throughout. Outmanned. Outgunned. Out Coached.

"I thought all three phases of our team played well tonight, but I also thought all three had their problems," said Stampeders head coach/GM John Hufnagel.

"I could tell in the pre-game that B.C. was very focused on this game. We were able to take advantage of some of their mistakes and build a lead, but we also did our share of screwing up things."

The Stampeders are a well-oiled machine. Burris got a bit complacent I would say. He was making it look easy with his running and throwing.

Late in the game, Arceneaux and Simon scored "silly time" touchdowns - with the result not in doubt - as Calgary still won by 13.

At that point, the Lions were willing to try stuff. To let 'er rip.