Stampeders @ Lions - Pre Game Odds and Comments

[WestCoastJoe]

Vegas Odds Favor the Lions by 2 points ...

B.C. defeated the Stampeders twice last year after losing about 10 straight (counting preseason) to Hufnagel's team.

[Lionheart]

Can someone translate the above?

[WestCoastJoe]

Can someone translate the above?

Call your local bookie.

I will take Winnipeg, B.C., Montreal and Edmonton.

[joe kapp22]

Kenyon Rambo not making the trip to BC.

[TheLionKing]

Calgary has beaten BC 5 games in a row in Vancouver.

[Lionheart]

This has to end, and end fast. I hope the Lions are reminded what an awful egg they layed against the stumps the last few years.. they need to get their anger back up.. I know mine is.

[Lionheart]

I heard that Stanley Franks will be in for this game. That is good news in my opinion.

[notahomer]

Can someone translate the above?

Call your local bookie.

I will take Winnipeg, B.C., Montreal and Edmonton.

Those are my picks too and I'm 0-fer so far. I'd really like to get back to 50%. Calgary and Sask starting 0-2, sounds good to me....

[Lionheart]

I've never been oh fer in my life.. but am today.

I'm going with three of those but will change up the winnipeg game.

[B.C.FAN]

I heard that Stanley Franks will be in for this game. That is good news in my opinion.

I wasn't happy with the way he was picked on last year but after watching Hyland and Reddick play his position, I'm looking forward to Franks' return. I just hope he's up to game speed because Calgary's receivers are probably the best in the league.

[WestCoastJoe]

Beamish picks on the CFL

By Mike Beamish, Vancouver Sun July 6, 2011

Rough start to the prediction business in Week One, as it was for the Lions, Roughriders, Stampeders and Tiger-Cats. But B.C. started 1-3 in its last championship season (2006), so let’s hope it’s a good omen for both our sakes.

FRIDAY

Toronto at Winnipeg, 4:30 p.m., TSN -- Last year, his play bore the earmarks of his surname – Lemon. But Argo QB Cleo Lemon looked like a peach in a comeback road win over Stamps. The momentum continues for Toronto.

Pick: Argos

Calgary at B.C., 7:30 p.m., TSN -- After a positive second half in loss to Alouettes, the Lions can’t afford another stumble, in their home opener. B.C. must make a statement that another 8-10 season is not in the cards for skeptical customers.

Pick: Lions

SATURDAY

Montreal at Saskatchewan, 1 p.m., TSN -- The Lions dropped Anthony Calvillo behind the line of scrimmage on a single occasion in the league opener. The Roughriders, lacking a sustained push up front, look to be vulnerable against Montreal’s maestro of offence.

Pick: Alouettes

Hamilton at Edmonton, 4 p.m., TSN -- Quarterback issues started to surround the Tiger-Cats after just one game. Not so in Edmonton, where Ricky Ray looks to be poised for a rebirth after throwing three touchdown passes for the surprisingly competent Eskimos.

Pick: Eskimos

Last week: 1-3

How they rank:

1. Montreal Alouettes – Played like a championship team for one half against the Lions. Not great, but it was still good enough.

2. Edmonton Eskimos – Head coach Kavis Reed’s eyes glistened with tears after his first career win in upset over ‘Riders.

3. Toronto Argonauts -- After a 2-0 preseason, the poised Argos pulled out a dramatic win in Calgary for the first time since July 1, 2005.

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Buck Pierce survives hellacious hit from Jamall Johnson as the Bombers get their first road win since Oct., 2009, vs. Hamilton.

5. B.C. Lions – Lions coach Wally Buono slammed by CFL “experts”, fans for another questionable late-game management decision, against Als.

6. Calgary Stampeders -- Kicker Rob Maver jeered for missed FGs, cheered for grittiness after revelation he played with torn quadriceps against Argos.

7. Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Yanking of quarterback Kevin Glenn after giving up three interceptions in opener against Blue Bombers sends the wrong message.

8. Saskatchewan Roughriders -- Made the rebuilding Eskimos look like Grey Cup contenders in an embarrassing season-opening loss at Mosaic.

Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Beam ... z1RQTCL6te

[Rammer]

I heard that Stanley Franks will be in for this game. That is good news in my opinion.

I wasn't happy with the way he was picked on last year but after watching Hyland and Reddick play his position, I'm looking forward to Franks' return. I just hope he's up to game speed because Calgary's receivers are probably the best in the league.

Stamps have some receiver injuries, but I still would place Montreal's receivers as the best all around unit in the CFL at this point.

[Whisperin' Jimmy]

Speaking of returning faces tomorrow, I was moved by the article on J.R. LaRose in this morning's Sun. Frankly I did not have a lot of faith in his abilities coming into this season, and the football gods do not always reward the deserving (or else Buck Pierce would be our starter). But reading about the obstacles LaRose has faced, I admit I will be pulling for him now:

http://www.vancouversun.com/story_print ... 4&sponsor=

[B.C.FAN]

The team's weekly game notes are again disappointing and seem to be thrown together in random order, but they contain a few interesting observations from Week 1 that will bear watching this week:

- 23 in a row: BC ran off a second stretch of 23 straight passing plays (22 attempts, one sack allowed) in the second
and third quarters. At one point during that run Travis Lulay hit 9-of-10 for 153 yards before Jarious Jackson came in
near the goal line and was stopped by a Diamond Ferri sack.

- 20+: BC completed NINE passes of 20+ yards last week. Big plays were an issue however beyond 30 yards as
Montreal rolled up six to the Lions three (20+ rushes, 30+ passes plus long kick returns).

Turnover ratio: No team committing more turnovers won in Week #1. Last season, teams that made more
turnovers won just 9 times in 72 games. In 2009, just 12 teams losing the turnover battle won
the game and just 8 in 2008. The four winners in Week #1 made just 3 turnovers.

The most curious thing about the game notes is that the projected starters are again different from those in the weekly depth chart, with this disclaimer: "Projected starters reflect primarily last week's starting lineups to preserve club game preparations and are subject to change up to one hour before game time." Why not just omit the projected starters from the game notes if they're not going to be listed correctly?

The roster and depth chart has six key changes from last week:
- Franks starts at wide-side halfback in place of Reddick, who is on the one-game injured list.
- Black starts at slotback in place of Moore, who is on the one-game injured list.
- LaRose starts at safety, backed up by Arakgi.
- Adam Bighill is released.
- David Hyland is not listed on on the 46-man roster, deptch chart, practice roster or injured lists, and his absence isn't noted anywhere by the club.
- Jamall Lee is added to the roster.


Game Notes
Depth Chart and 46-man roster

[sd25]

Hi BC Fan,

I actually put together the game notes each week for us and feel compelled to reply after two posts.

Thanks for your comments on the Game Notes the last two weeks. I hope that they are meant to help but must admit that they are a real downer for me as I work 16 hrs/day, every day for the Lions, the other 7 teams, the CFL itself and media/broadcast members across Canada to provide insight into the CFL. As the league's head stats guy I was asked to take our Lions model (I have worked with/for Jamie C. since 2005-06) to all of the other teams and the task is unbelievably hard. The depth of content would not be possible at all without watching and scoring every single play (twice over) from all games at the expense of much (only my wife's patience makes it possible). I will only add that starters are a closely-held thing and that the Notes are not in "random" order but carefully constructed into three sections: 1) CFL-wide 2) Home stats and analysis 3) Visitors stats and analysis. I am trying to change the culture and have all teams offer quality, dynamic and timely information each week but it is so hard to be exact. The consensus across Canada is that they are not "disappointing" but a positive change so I'll take the good with the bad. Sorry you feel that way which is of course your right but I hope you understand just how much work this really is for me. I love the Lions as you do. Enjoy the season and feel free to contact me directly to share why.