Getting Ready for the Tabbies

[Blitz]

Its a battle of ferocious beasts as our Leos play the Tiger Cats.

However, outside of the fact that there are a number of ex-Leos playing for the Tabbies and ex-Tiger Cat Arland Bruce playing our Leos there is not a huge rivalry between these two squads.

Jiminez is getting pined, which might have added some excitement to the game and caused old timers to relive the days of Angelo Mosca.

Hamilton goes into this game missing two key players that got hurt in their last game against Montreal as receiver Chris Williams and linebacker Jamall Johnson, both nursing lower-body injuries will not likley play.

For our Leos, Eliminian will not be in the lineup again, Tim Brown is also out, as is Jason Aragki from special teams. Dante Marsh will also likely not play.

We need to do a better job of shutting down the run than we did against the Riders last week. Glenn and Porter will both see action for Hamilton as the Tiger Cats go with a two quarterback system.

Offensively, we need to score some touchdowns early and get away from just kicking field goals for three quarters as we did against the Riders. The Cats are also a better team than the Riders and we'll need to play well on both sides of the football and improve our downfield coverage on special teams to come away with the victory we need.

[Rammer]

We do have Jerome Dennis an ex ex Lion and ex TigerCat in addition to Bruce. Hamilton goes from top CFL team to bottom 6 at times, which team shows up for Saturday is anyone's guess. The two areas of interest from this Lions fan's perspective, is the introduction of Jock Sanders as a returner, plus our DL's ability to shut down the TigerCats run game. Win both those and I think that the rest will fall into place.

[B.C.FAN]

This is a battle of two of the league's highest scoring teams. The Lions are second in the league at 28.6 points a game. Hamilton averages 28.0 points a game.

One team is among the best defences in the league and one is among the worst. The Lions have given up a league-best average of 21.5 points a game and second best average of 328.6 yards a game. Hamilton has given up a sixth best average of 27.7 pints a game and seventh best average of 389.3 yards a game. They're seventh against the run and the pass. That's a big advantage for the Lions.

[Blitz]

We do have Jerome Dennis an ex ex Lion and ex TigerCat in addition to Bruce. Hamilton goes from top CFL team to bottom 6 at times, which team shows up for Saturday is anyone's guess. The two areas of interest from this Lions fan's perspective, is the introduction of Jock Sanders as a returner, plus our DL's ability to shut down the TigerCats run game. Win both those and I think that the rest will fall into place.

I forgot about Jerome Dennis..B.C. Fan..and he has brought needed experience and depth to our secondary...a good pickup by our Leos.

Hamilton goes into this game with 14 players injured.

Of course, we have Marsh, Brown, and Eliminian and Arakgi out but we also will go into this game without defensive tackle KKhalif Mitchell.

I thougth we struggled more against the run at times last game aganst the Rider with Eliminian out of the middle and losing Mitchell this game doesn't help and I anticipate Hamilton will try to run against us. Of course we have Taylor for depth at tackle going into this game so hopefully the loss of Mitchell won't hurt oo much.

[pennw]

Didn't know Mitchell was out , what happened to him ? Lions did not look as good without Sol-E . Suddenly the injury bug is taking it's toll whereas we seemed to fare pretty well up to now . With Taylor in we should still be okay , he was the starter earlier in the season .
New comber Jock Sanders is playing today ? At what position ?

[Rammer]

Didn't know Mitchell was out , what happened to him ? Lions did not look as good without Sol-E . Suddenly the injury bug is taking it's toll whereas we seemed to fare pretty well up to now . With Taylor in we should still be okay , he was the starter earlier in the season .
New comber Jock Sanders is playing today ? At what position ?

Sanders will likely see Brown's return spot duty, perhaps some O (receiver/RB) plays just to see what he can bring to the table for the playoff run.

[So Cal Lion]

Hamilton is susceptible to the intermediate and long passing game and creating mismatches with their secondary could be a key to beating them. They depend heavily on man to man coverage and have a very young and inexperienced group of Db's. None has played the full season with injuries and fill in roles and they are learning on the fly under Chamblins system.

The Tabbies linebacking corp and rush ends are very solid although they can be neutrailized with quick hitting routes when facing blitz situations which Hamilton tends to show, not disguising pressure very well. The draw play and flare routes can be very effective in addressing the cats pressure game. I see a key match up being Justin Hickman v the Lions O-line. Olafoye v Hickman could be a NFL preview down the road. Likely a key film match up for both guys and numerous NFL personnel guys.

The interior of the Tiger-cat defensive line is not as skilled and could be a good area for the running game, however I do like the counter type rushing game that creates an against the flow cut back lanes that we see from the fly type Gore rushes.

Lulay should shred the Tiger-cats defense and have solid numbers and long field drives throughout the game.


Defensively for the Lions, pressure and hit Kevin Glenn early which takes him out of his game and provides for balls thrown too early or into the turf. To be successful versus Quinton Porter you need to spy him with a big LB, shut down his rushing potential and pressure him in the pocket. I feel hamilton is suscptible to the inside stunt game as well as outside wide nine pressure.

Stop the run, make them throw and bring a constant barrage of physical play and hard tackling.

I also see a huge advantage in coaching, Buono is a far better and more experienced leader of men than Marcel Bellefuielle. BC has a deep and experienced veteran group of coaches while in Hamilton there is a lack of experience and new to the job coordinators. Have your game plan set solidly and your back up adjstment options ready and you should gain an easy advatage here in this critical facet.



Last years late season game at empire was a product of a Tiger-cats team stocked with former Leo's and fired up to thump the Lions, this years Tiger-Cats have don't have that same make up and it's time for BC to be calling the shots and creating a we're more physical than you attitude with a team that may be a future playoff opponent.

I see the Lions winning big versus Hamilton keeping the forward momentum and playoff fire stoked. With edmonton winning this is another key game to win, while your opponent is sliding backwards and has been les than stellar at home. Tabbies don't adjust well, so weather their initial efforts and grind them hard. This is a game that should be a big production win, if the offense can drive the ball and score two early majors I see the TC folding their tents early.

[Rammer]

Hamilton is susceptible to the intermediate and long passing game and creating mismatches with their secondary could be a key to beating them. They depend heavily on man to man coverage and have a very young and inexperienced group of Db's. None has played the full season with injuries and fill in roles and they are learning on the fly under Chamblins system.

The Tabbies linebacking corp and rush ends are very solid although they can be neutrailized with quick hitting routes when facing blitz situations which Hamilton tends to show, not disguising pressure very well. The draw play and flare routes can be very effective in addressing the cats pressure game. I see a key match up being Justin Hickman v the Lions O-line. Olafoye v Hickman could be a NFL preview down the road. Likely a key film match up for both guys and numerous NFL personnel guys.

The interior of the Tiger-cat defensive line is not as skilled and could be a good area for the running game, however I do like the counter type rushing game that creates an against the flow cut back lanes that we see from the fly type Gore rushes.

Lulay should shred the Tiger-cats defense and have solid numbers and long field drives throughout the game.


Defensively for the Lions, pressure and hit Kevin Glenn early which takes him out of his game and provides for balls thrown too early or into the turf. To be successful versus Quinton Porter you need to spy him with a big LB, shut down his rushing potential and pressure him in the pocket. I feel hamilton is suscptible to the inside stunt game as well as outside wide nine pressure.

Stop the run, make them throw and bring a constant barrage of physical play and hard tackling.

I also see a huge advantage in coaching, Buono is a far better and more experienced leader of men than Marcel Bellefuielle. BC has a deep and experienced veteran group of coaches while in Hamilton there is a lack of experience and new to the job coordinators. Have your game plan set solidly and your back up adjstment options ready and you should gain an easy advatage here in this critical facet.



Last years late season game at empire was a product of a Tiger-cats team stocked with former Leo's and fired up to thump the Lions, this years Tiger-Cats have don't have that same make up and it's time for BC to be calling the shots and creating a we're more physical than you attitude with a team that may be a future playoff opponent.

I see the Lions winning big versus Hamilton keeping the forward momentum and playoff fire stoked. With edmonton winning this is another key game to win, while your opponent is sliding backwards and has been les than stellar at home. Tabbies don't adjust well, so whether their initial efforts and grind them hard. This is a game that should be a big production win, if the offense can drive the ball and score two early majors I see the TC folding their tents early.

Thanks Coach. I hope that you are right in the big win, it will set up an interesting game vs Edmonton. Are you confident in the Lions front 7 being able to contain the TigerCats RB's and Porter (who I suspect to see more of this game)? BTW, has Hamilton's starting QB been named yet?

[So Cal Lion]

Rammer,

Kevin Glenn will start....Marcel won't want to damage his mental state so close to the playoffs. Porter will see action by series though. Marcel will hope their early game plan simply works, they atempt to run the ball and throw off the run action imo. I see the Lions setting out to stop the Coborne attack and the run game first, however with porter operating this could be a more difficult and involved deal. Marcel loves the QB zone read and Quinton executes this well, they term it "Sally"

Aaron Hunt should be effective and a key guy to run stop, Coaching wise I like the Leo's front guys over what Hamilton has so I think you get better schemes/adjustments and a front ready to handle their base attack. If Melville had to watch last years game then he'll have plenty of film to prepare.

I think the front seven will be tested but I also think they can effectively handle Porter and the Tabby running game. The key will be to beat your head up man on their offensive line and make good sound tackles. Explosive get off and good physical leverage and sound powerful form tackling gets the job done. Coburne needs to be shut down first and Porter neutralized, .....and i think that will happen.

I feel the Lions should have a very good game v Hamilton in the passing game, good sound coverage packages offset the Tiger-cats "length" or what they term their height advantage. I see their big receivers as being susceptible to have balls sripped after contact. With Chris Williams out they could struggle if they don't get some early success throwing the ball. However they're very used to going two and out early notably with KG in and when under pressure. The front seven must provide some heavy pressure to create doubt in his mind and rush his timing and throws. Porter while more physically stout and mobile has issues reading a progression if his first read is covered and tends to rely on his feet. Keeping him pocket bound is the key there.

Sacks and turnovers could be focal point defensively fueled by the Lions front seven.

[Toppy Vann]

I think the front seven will be tested but I also think they can effectively handle Porter and the Tabby running game. The key will be to beat your head up man on their offensive line and make good sound tackles. Explosive get off and good physical leverage and sound powerful form tackling gets the job done. Coburne needs to be shut down first and Porter neutralized, .....and i think that will happen.

The Lions didn't get your memo espec. the part about tackling.