Stampeders 34 - Lions 32 Post Game Stats and Comments

[Rammer]

I don't understand what problem people are having with the 2 point convert attempt with about 10 minutes to go.

If I recall correctly, a successful 2 pointer would have tied things up at that point. Therefore a single or an unsuccessful 2 pointer would both have required another score to win.

You can only be critical in retrospect because Calgary scored 2 FGs after that point and the math with a BC TD to follow erased that 1 point differential.

It's easy to look at the score sheet later and say that the 2 pointer wasn't needed.

That is exactly why you don't go for the two pointer at that stage of the game. There was too many possessions left to worry about tying the game at that point, and yes hindsight on Coaching decisions is why these boards exist. Wally is unfortunately giving Lion fans a ton of hindsight in 2011.

One thing to recall is all the talent the Lions had during the 05 - 08 stretch and had only one GC for the result, it has never been a problem with the players, it is the decision making that is the root of the Lions problems.

[notahomer]

....
One thing to recall is all the talent the Lions had during the 05 - 08 stretch and had only one GC for the result, it has never been a problem with the players, it is the decision making that is the root of the Lions problems.

and especially at home. You want your team to play well at home. The Lions of the past few seasons seem to play better on the road, IMO. Its almost worth asking if they have 'away games only' season ticket packages....

[SammyGreene]

So much to digest from last night.

Bottom line is this team is on a slippery slope where virtually every starter is showing flashes of brilliance and yet make critical mistakes at key times. Does Wally ride it out hoping all of them come along or make changes to avoid potentially another disasterous start to the season?

• The special teams (Harris on opening kickoff) and defence (Marsh INT) gave the Lions an opportunity get off to a huge start. Instead it ends being a punt and FG. Man... was that frustrating.

• receivers, including Geroy, seemed to be fighting the ball all night. Is this team too tight, especially on offence, to perform in front of the hometown fans?

• Travis going to his first reads too much, even with tight or even double team coverage, which is the sign of a young QB. Greatest example was the first throw to Geroy after the fumble recovery with a 1:20 to go. There must have been better options elsewhere, especially when you only needed about 25-30 yards in 5 to 6 plays.

• There were suggests this was the best defence in the league at the start of the season, but their inconsistency in both games is a huge concern. Why is it taking 3 or 4 series (or TDs) for the coaches to make the necessary adjustments?

• Davis Sanchez has gone from their best tackler last season to looking more like a 37-year-old playing with a bad arm. Both he and Hyland missed tackles on Lewis' long TD run.

• They were better off throwing a hail mary and perhaps get a PI call then McCallum hitting a 57-yarder into the wind.

[B.C.FAN]

Some interesting day-after tweets from Mike Beamish:

sixbeamers Mike Beamish
Bleak diagnosis for B.C. Lions DB Stanley Franks. Dislocated knee, torn ligaments, tendons, blood vessels Friday vs. Calgary. Done for year.

Sorry to see. He had just gotten into the lineup after missing most of camp and preseason with a hamstring injury.

sixbeamers Mike Beamish
Coach Wally Buono pondering option of veterans Kamau Peterson, Paris Jackson after massive case of flub-itis infects B.C Lions receivers.

I wouldn't mind seeing one of the veteran Canadian receivers inserted for Dobson Collins, who has shown little in two games. I like what I see from Gore and Foster, despite some drops.

sixbeamers Mike Beamish
Jamal Robertson to remain B.C. Lions feature back, despite stats: four rushes, 13 yards in two games. Coach Wally Buono puts onus on O-line.

I agree. I don't know how to fix it, but the line needs to get push and open holes for the running game.

[TheLionKing]

sixbeamers Mike Beamish
Jamal Robertson to remain B.C. Lions feature back, despite stats: four rushes, 13 yards in two games. Coach Wally Buono puts onus on O-line.

I agree. I don't know how to fix it, but the line needs to get push and open holes for the running game.

Typical Buono. Blame it on the players.

[Rammer]

sixbeamers Mike Beamish
Jamal Robertson to remain B.C. Lions feature back, despite stats: four rushes, 13 yards in two games. Coach Wally Buono puts onus on O-line.

I agree. I don't know how to fix it, but the line needs to get push and open holes for the running game.

Typical Buono. Blame it on the players.

If it was the O-line, then he should really be looking at Durazio IMO who has been under the radar for a few seasons of Lion OL woes. At some point there has to be some accountability placed directly at his feet. You can't tell me that our current OL's talent could be any better, so trace the problem out.

[Area51]

A bit of a head scratcher to criticize the O-Line for the lack of rushing production when after two games the QB has the same number of carries as the two RBs have COMBINED - - eight. The aversion to the run game is even more inexplicable when you consider BC has a bunch of rookies at WR who aren't running crisp routes and then dropping passes, and a QB in his first full year as starter.

Why is Jamal Robertson on this team?

A 34 year old feature back who's had a mediocre career at best, and that's the best they could come up with? If he's getting $1 over the league minimum, somebody needs to be fired for making that personell decision. There's SO MANY backs available out of the NCAA - - look at the success Logan & the Mallett had.

Maybe Buono got angry that all his young RBs were leaving for the NFL and decided to fix the problem once and for all by going with a washed out 30something as his starting RB and then limiting him to four carries per game. That should keep the NFL away from your RBs.

[TheLionKing]

There is no need to recruit running backs. We don't utilize the ones we have. Just put Jesse Newman in the backfield and have him block.

[MacNews]

A 34 year old feature back who's had a mediocre career at best, and that's the best they could come up with? If he's getting $1 over the league minimum, somebody needs to be fired for making that personell decision. There's SO MANY backs available out of the NCAA - - look at the success Logan & the Mallett had. .

The reason we have Robertson is because he is great at blocking and catching passes, and good at running. Have you forgotten the 100-yard games he has had for us?

[woody]

pictures from the game.
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/2153/36002766.jpg
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[pdxlion]

Why the negativity? Nobody likes 0-2 but it's not like last year. What I see is that we're inches away from being really really good. Had we just made a few more catches in each game we'd be 2-0. To compare this team to last years is simply crazy. It'll all work out guys, just be patient. The wins will come and before the season is over we'll be really good at just the right time.

[joe kapp22]

A 34 year old feature back who's had a mediocre career at best, and that's the best they could come up with? If he's getting $1 over the league minimum, somebody needs to be fired for making that personell decision. There's SO MANY backs available out of the NCAA - - look at the success Logan & the Mallett had. .

The reason we have Robertson is because he is great at blocking and catching passes, and good at running. Have you forgotten the 100-yard games he has had for us?

Exactly, he is solid in blitz pickups, catches the ball well and can break the long run on occasion.

I suspect the issue with the running game is Reid and Valli, Angus is a better pass blocking Center, and Valli is on OJT.

[pennw]

Exciting game but too common a result now for far too long now.





If Casey Printers had been the quarterback last night, instead of Lulay, even with all the dropped footballs, there would have been many who would have been fundraising to give him a plane ticket out of town immediately. Lulay and his receivers combined for a 3/17 and a miserable 37 yards of totol offence in the first half, while our defense played great, created turnovers, and we could have jumped out to a good lead that would have changed the dynamic of the game. Yes there were dropped footballs but Lulay missed some passes that should have been thrown better as well and could have been husge plays. when he had receievers wide open too. I like Lulay as a quarterback but he is also 4-7, I believe, as a starter. The reality is that we haven't got it done conistently with him as a quarterback yet. However, whether is was Buck Pierce, Jarious Jackson (after 2007), Casey Printers, or Travis Lulay, we haven't been able to get the football into the end zone enough. The fact is that it takes incredibele quarterbacking on a conistent basis to overcome our offensive sheme and play calling.

Eff Casey Printers. Tell him my fries were a bit greasy last time.

Just ask Korey Banks about this one ...

[1greatmysticbushape]

oh we're just running the kinks out. nobody could drop that many passes 3 games in a row. we'll chow down on the Eskimos in their barn on FRIDAY night football. get ready for a good time.

[Reginaldo]

So, I have been reading these posts for a couple of years now and finally registered so I can add to the discussion. Friends, the sky is not falling. A few points I wish to make:
1. Regarding the idea of continually going long as the Lions did against Calgary. There is an old saying in football that you keep running the plays until the defense stops you. Calgary didn't stop the deep balls. We did by failing to catch and hold onto them. Those plays were there all day long. With a good performance from our receivers, Geroy included, we would have won the game in a cakewalk.
2. Our offence has performed reasonably well so far other than the dropped balls issues and poor run blocking. I can't see a whole lot wrong with the game planning by the OC...he sees the weakness in the opposing defense and develops an offence to exploit it....and like point 1...there were plays all game long that were perfectly executed except for the catch...Gore being the main culprit....
3. Run blocking needs to be rethought....not sure what the issue is but I reran one play with Robertson running off left guard and the left guard didn't block the d lineman across from him and Robertson got stuffed. Was it a miscue by the left guard or what?
4. Our defensive ends have been victimized several times by getting trapped on running plays...Keron Williams and Brent Johnson tend to rush the QB every down so they are easy targets for delayed handoffs...they don't even have to be blocked as they take themselves out of the play. Saw it too many times last year.
5. Linebackers - is it time to give Bighill a chance and sit Anton McKenzie? or someone else? Not sure but maybe the tapes will reveal a weak link we can shake up ...I got a sneakin suspicion that if Bighill gets in he will not be coming out.
6. Lulay - we got a franchise QB here, that much is obvious...and the upside is great...just need to surround him with players that will catch the ball when he puts it anywhere near him.