For me, the state of the Lions is not so much a nightmare, as it is a minor headache. Same old, same old.
Nine years under Buono. One Grey Cup in nine years in an eight team league. Not even average. Ooodles of missed chances. Disappointment for the fans all over the place, going back to our huge missed opportunity in 2004.
I love the CFL. So how could I knock David Braley? He has taken the CFL under his wing. He will not let it fold. He brings stability. So we put up with his overly patient, overly loyal ownership.
If we make the playoffs, it could mean another Mulligan for Wally the "mentor" and his "student coaches." So be it. Even Braley would have to make a move eventually. Or Wally just might get sick of losing and move to another position in Braley's empire. Maybe something to do with the auto parts business?
So how can we make the playoffs?
Beat Saskatchewan. They look eminently beatable. And beat Toronto. They also look eminently beatable. Not likely to win a crossover berth in the playoffs: Winnipeg, Montreal and Hamilton are running away from us. So we would have to win third in the West, and prevent Toronto from crossing over.
And then we get our reward: A new vote of confidence in Wally. Lifetime contracts for all of his student coaches.
A mark of a prominent Head Coach is promotion to the top of another franchise for some of his assistants over the years. Jacques almost got his chance with Edmonton. That did not fly. Mike B was offered the Toronto job, but chose the safety of Wally's World. It is not likely we will see another Head Coaching opportunity for Wally's guys, except for with the Lions, his little fiefdom.Braley is going to have to do some serious thinking. Wally has a lifetime contract. Does Braley develop loyalty to Jim Barker in Toronto, as a sort of fair play for his Head Coaches? Two losing franchises? Two teams failing, stinking out the joint, driving away the fans? Braley will have to apply some his business acumen to solve this double football business problem.
