Riders 38 - Lions 25 -- Post Game Comments

[David]

I think Figueroa, Steward, Chungh, and possibly Roy are plenty good enough to play. I think that is obvious. Right tackle? Boyko has had his issues, as a new player to the CFL. Foucault just might not be talented enough. Footwork. Hand skills, etc. Time to go with an INT? Maybe. All the shuffling? Not good. Anyone knows that. Is Bryan Chiu a good enough OL coach? I expect so.

LT - Figueroa
LG - Steward
C - Roy (until Godber returns)
RG - Chungh
RT - Knevel

If management / coaches would quit tinkering and settle on these five with Foucault and Norman as back-up guard and tackle respectively (and Boyko going on an injured list until he learns the Canadian game) this could turn out to be a very decent offensive line. At least one that will give Reilly more than one steamboat before a defender(s) is in his face.


DH

[Toppy Vann]

First off penalties not called on the Riders didn't win them the game.

But the litany of non-calls was brutal including these:

> Marshall on Carter in the first half and in the 4th Q. Noted by TSN callers.

> 4th Q on a long Fajardo run was a major holding on Willis - how the f..k did that get missed.

> 4th Q on the Rider 2 pt, 9 INTs and after the whistle with the ball in #9's right hand a Rider tries to swat it out of his hand.

> the need for the Lions to challenge taking out Reilly - when even Rider green Suitor noted the guy could have stopped.

[WestCoastJoe]

First off penalties not called on the Riders didn't win them the game.

But the litany of non-calls was brutal including these:

> Marshall on Carter in the first half and in the 4th Q. Noted by TSN callers.

> 4th Q on a long Fajardo run was a major holding on Willis - how the f..k did that get missed.

> 4th Q on the Rider 2 pt, 9 INTs and after the whistle with the ball in #9's right hand a Rider tries to swat it out of his hand.

> the need for the Lions to challenge taking out Reilly - when even Rider green Suitor noted the guy could have stopped.

We know there is no point complaining about the refereeing. But, on occasion, one can hardly help it.

Going back decades, calls seem to go the Riders' way in Regina. I guess the referees do not want to get shot after the game. Ha ha

This fan did not much react to the refereeing in that game. Glad they called the roll up into Reilly's leg. Dangerous as hell. Dirty too.

[WestCoastJoe]

I think Figueroa, Steward, Chungh, and possibly Roy are plenty good enough to play. I think that is obvious. Right tackle? Boyko has had his issues, as a new player to the CFL. Foucault just might not be talented enough. Footwork. Hand skills, etc. Time to go with an INT? Maybe. All the shuffling? Not good. Anyone knows that. Is Bryan Chiu a good enough OL coach? I expect so.

LT - Figueroa
LG - Steward
C - Roy (until Godber returns)
RG - Chungh
RT - Knevel

If management / coaches would quit tinkering and settle on these five with Foucault and Norman as back-up guard and tackle respectively (and Boyko going on an injured list until he learns the Canadian game) this could turn out to be a very decent offensive line. At least one that will give Reilly more than one steamboat before a defender(s) is in his face.


DH

It seems we have some ratio flexibility room. It might be Norman's turn at right tackle. But more importantly, game plan to get help vs the pass rush. All the things noted above. Prepared and ready. Dominant rush end? Use a good variety of double teams. Run the ball at him, over and over, when it can be worked in, with some deception. We ... do ... not ... do ... that. Make sure that Hughes gets drilled, especially with angle blocks, on every play. Put him on his backside a large number of times, legally of course.

[Lion Guy]

Total head scratchers for me:

Winston Rose
Anthony Orange
Shawn Lemon
Bo Lokombo
Devier Posey

[Reggiemac]

An idea we have anabundance of non starting National O linemen find tetwo best non starteswithtebest hands and make them into tight ends,we will nevetrowitnto themayway. And convert oneofthem to afulback and keep himin to block. That might keep our QBout of the hospital

[Blitz]

I think Figueroa, Steward, Chungh, and possibly Roy are plenty good enough to play. I think that is obvious. Right tackle? Boyko has had his issues, as a new player to the CFL. Foucault just might not be talented enough. Footwork. Hand skills, etc. Time to go with an INT? Maybe. All the shuffling? Not good. Anyone knows that. Is Bryan Chiu a good enough OL coach? I expect so.

LT - Figueroa
LG - Steward
C - Roy (until Godber returns)
RG - Chungh
RT - Knevel

If management / coaches would quit tinkering and settle on these five with Foucault and Norman as back-up guard and tackle respectively (and Boyko going on an injured list until he learns the Canadian game) this could turn out to be a very decent offensive line. At least one that will give Reilly more than one steamboat before a defender(s) is in his face.


DH

It seems we have some ratio flexibility room. It might be Norman's turn at right tackle. But more importantly, game plan to get help vs the pass rush. All the things noted above. Prepared and ready. Dominant rush end? Use a good variety of double teams. Run the ball at him, over and over, when it can be worked in, with some deception. We ... do ... not ... do ... that. Make sure that Hughes get drilled, especially with angle blocks, on every play. Put him on his backside a large number of times, legally of course.

I agree that our offensive line would look best with a configuration of Figuroa, Steward, Roy (Godber) Chungh, and Kneval (Kneval has looked good whenever he has played). A second option, as also mentioned, would be to start an International at right tackle.

The reality is that we have enough talent to go with an All-National offensive line. That offensive line would look like this:

Steward- left tackle, Godber - left guard, Roy - center, Chungh- right guard, Kneval - right tackle (backups would be Boyko, Foucault, Pierson)

The issue of our offensive line is not playing enough Internationals. Its who we are playing. We have started Foucault for two seasons now with dismal results and Boyko has really struggled in his 5 starts.

Constantly changing our starting five has also been a major issue, especially when we have also been asking offensive linemen to switch positions as well as switching from one side of the line to the other, with all that entails in terms of differnt stance, footwork, punch hand, etc.

That is a big deal. For example, switching one's stance is no easy thing. In pass blocking, changing one's initial drop foot is no easy matter. For example, check to see which foot you lead first to begin walking and then change it to the opposite foot each time you begin to walk. Fun eh?

There are so many problems with our Leos team that its difficult to begin. There are obviously talent issues on defense, at defensive line, linebacker, and defensive backfield. Hervey depleted the defense for 2019. I don't know what he was thinking - perhaps that we would win every game 44-42 because he put most of our SMS on offence.

However, dispite having lots of talent on offence, it has not translated into scoring points. Yes, Reilly has had three 300 yds. plus passing games. But Lulay and Jennings had some good games last season too.

What is more indicative, is that our offensive production this season is eerily similar to last season. Last season we averaged 20.9 points per game and this season we are averaging 21.7 pts per game (helped by that late touchdown drive againat the Riders). In terms of yards per game, last season we averaged 329 yd. per contest and this season we are averaging 330 yds. per contest.

So far, Mike Reilly and all those fancy new, expensive additions on offence have given us an average increase of one yard per game and less than one point more per game.

But one should not expect more. When Reilly played under McAdoo and Jackson in Edmonton, his quarterback efficiency was in the 80's. This season, so far, its sitll in the 80's. Last season, both Lulay and Jennings quarterback efficiency was in the 80's. (By the way, Trevor Harris, Jeremiah Masoli, Matt Nichols, and even Nick Arbuckle and Vernon Adams Jr. have quarterback efficiencies in the 100s.

Matt Nichols presently has a quarterback efficiency of 129.1 compared to Mike Reilly's quarterback efficiency of 89.1. But Nichols, an average quarterback in terms of talent plays in Paul LaPolice's offensive scheme, designed around his players while in B.C. Reilly plays in Jacksons' plug and play RPO scheme.

Some fans think that the RPO offence is a new scheme. Nope, its not. Its still a Spread Offence, with post-snap reads. Jackson has taken the worst of two schemes - the RPO and Buono's Simplified Spread and married them into his new offence.

On first down, we usually go quick hitter RPO, usually with a five receiver set. On second down, we go often go Simplified Spread, with long developing pass patterns, always throwing from the pocket with a five pack set of receivers.

We rarely go two back pro offence of tight end with a four receiver package.

Here is just one example of why Jarious doesn't get it (and no, it is not chipping or using a tight end when the offensive tackle is getting his butt spit out by Charleson Hughes but its another good example of why he doesn't get it).

Jackson likes to use quick hitch screens as a counter to opposing teams stacking the box. However, Jackson most often uses Burnham or Durant, two very unshifty receivers who are not good runners.

Who would be our best receiver to use for a hitch screen.? Shaq Johnson. Second best - Duron Carter. But you can bet that Jackson will keep using Burnham for hitch screens even though it would make more sense to use Burnham, Durant, and Cottoy as htich screen blockers.

Secondly, Jackson continues to develop pass pattern plays that push the football towards Burnham and Durant, to use Carter as a possession receiver, and to use Shaq Johnson and Cottoy as decoys.

Here is our success rate in terms of throwing to our receivers:

Bryan Burnham 28/45 - 62%
Duron Carter 31/48 - 64.5%
Lamar Durant 27/37 - 72.9%
Shaq Johnson 14/20 - 70.0%
Jevon Cottoy 12/13 - 92.3%


Those stats indicate that we would likely be better off by targeting Burnham and Carter less and looking to Cottoy, Johnson, and Durant more often.

Defenses are focused on Burnham and Durant, while knowing we are basically using Carter for short routes as a possesion receiver.

But pointing this kinda stuff out will make no difference. Jarious Jackson can only see what he can see and its a narrow view from his rigid set of binoculars.

Its kinda like, if he changed anything, it would be admitting that what he was doing before needed improvement.

Easier to blame it on things like a quarterback not being smart enough or offensive line play or Duron Carter or the quarterback not getting the football snapped in time (or someone stealing his playbook )

When someone like Jacison thinks they have the answer, no amount of information or stats or anything is going to get them to change. The ego is in charge and it does not allow for adaptation because it is 'superior'.

[CrazyCanuck89]

LT - Figueroa
LG - Steward
C - Roy (until Godber returns)
RG - Chungh
RT - Knevel

If management / coaches would quit tinkering and settle on these five with Foucault and Norman as back-up guard and tackle respectively (and Boyko going on an injured list until he learns the Canadian game) this could turn out to be a very decent offensive line. At least one that will give Reilly more than one steamboat before a defender(s) is in his face.


DH

It seems we have some ratio flexibility room. It might be Norman's turn at right tackle. But more importantly, game plan to get help vs the pass rush. All the things noted above. Prepared and ready. Dominant rush end? Use a good variety of double teams. Run the ball at him, over and over, when it can be worked in, with some deception. We ... do ... not ... do ... that. Make sure that Hughes get drilled, especially with angle blocks, on every play. Put him on his backside a large number of times, legally of course.

I agree that our offensive line would look best with a configuration of Figuroa, Steward, Roy (Godber) Chungh, and Kneval (Kneval has looked good whenever he has played). A second option, as also mentioned, would be to start an International at right tackle.

The reality is that we have enough talent to go with an All-National offensive line. That offensive line would look like this:

Steward- left tackle, Godber - left guard, Roy - center, Chungh- right guard, Kneval - right tackle (backups would be Boyko, Foucault, Pierson)

The issue of our offensive line is not playing enough Internationals. Its who we are playing. We have started Foucault for two seasons now with dismal results and Boyko has really struggled in his 5 starts.

Constantly changing our starting five has also been a major issue, especially when we have also been asking offensive linemen to switch positions as well as switching from one side of the line to the other, with all that entails in terms of differnt stance, footwork, punch hand, etc.

That is a big deal. For example, switching one's stance is no easy thing. In pass blocking, changing one's initial drop foot is no easy matter. For example, check to see which foot you lead first to begin walking and then change it to the opposite foot each time you begin to walk. Fun eh?

There are so many problems with our Leos team that its difficult to begin. There are obviously talent issues on defense, at defensive line, linebacker, and defensive backfield. Hervey depleted the defense for 2019. I don't know what he was thinking - perhaps that we would win every game 44-42 because he put most of our SMS on offence.

However, dispite having lots of talent on offence, it has not translated into scoring points. Yes, Reilly has had three 300 yds. plus passing games. But Lulay and Jennings had some good games last season too.

What is more indicative, is that our offensive production this season is eerily similar to last season. Last season we averaged 20.9 points per game and this season we are averaging 21.7 pts per game (helped by that late touchdown drive againat the Riders). In terms of yards per game, last season we averaged 329 yd. per contest and this season we are averaging 330 yds. per contest.

So far, Mike Reilly and all those fancy new, expensive additions on offence have given us an average increase of one yard per game and less than one point more per game.

But one should not expect more. When Reilly played under McAdoo and Jackson in Edmonton, his quarterback efficiency was in the 80's. This season, so far, its sitll in the 80's. Last season, both Lulay and Jennings quarterback efficiency was in the 80's. (By the way, Trevor Harris, Jeremiah Masoli, Matt Nichols, and even Nick Arbuckle and Vernon Adams Jr. have quarterback efficiencies in the 100s.

Matt Nichols presently has a quarterback efficiency of 129.1 compared to Mike Reilly's quarterback efficiency of 89.1. But Nichols, an average quarterback in terms of talent plays in Paul LaPolice's offensive scheme, designed around his players while in B.C. Reilly plays in Jacksons' plug and play RPO scheme.

Some fans think that the RPO offence is a new scheme. Nope, its not. Its still a Spread Offence, with post-snap reads. Jackson has taken the worst of two schemes - the RPO and Buono's Simplified Spread and married them into his new offence.

On first down, we usually go quick hitter RPO, usually with a five receiver set. On second down, we go often go Simplified Spread, with long developing pass patterns, always throwing from the pocket with a five pack set of receivers.

We rarely go two back pro offence of tight end with a four receiver package.

Here is just one example of why Jarious doesn't get it (and no, it is not chipping or using a tight end when the offensive tackle is getting his butt spit out by Charleson Hughes but its another good example of why he doesn't get it).

Jackson likes to use quick hitch screens as a counter to opposing teams stacking the box. However, Jackson most often uses Burnham or Durant, two very unshifty receivers who are not good runners.

Who would be our best receiver to use for a hitch screen.? Shaq Johnson. Second best - Duron Carter. But you can bet that Jackson will keep using Burnham for hitch screens even though it would make more sense to use Burnham, Durant, and Cottoy as htich screen blockers.

Secondly, Jackson continues to develop pass pattern plays that push the football towards Burnham and Durant, to use Carter as a possession receiver, and to use Shaq Johnson and Cottoy as decoys.

Here is our success rate in terms of throwing to our receivers:

Bryan Burnham 28/45 - 62%
Duron Carter 31/48 - 64.5%
Lamar Durant 27/37 - 72.9%
Shaq Johnson 14/20 - 70.0%
Jevon Cottoy 12/13 - 92.3%


Those stats indicate that we would likely be better off by targeting Burnham and Carter less and looking to Cottoy, Johnson, and Durant more often.

Defenses are focused on Burnham and Durant, while knowing we are basically using Carter for short routes as a possesion receiver.

But pointing this kinda stuff out will make no difference. Jarious Jackson can only see what he can see and its a narrow view from his rigid set of binoculars.

Its kinda like, if he changed anything, it would be admitting that what he was doing before needed improvement.

Easier to blame it on things like a quarterback not being smart enough or offensive line play or Duron Carter or the quarterback not getting the football snapped in time (or someone stealing his playbook )

When someone like Jacison thinks they have the answer, no amount of information or stats or anything is going to get them to change. The ego is in charge and it does not allow for adaptation because it is 'superior'.

I agree Boyko needs to learn from the bench for a while. Steward and Knevel have proven to be better tackles than Foucault and Boyko.

They also need to start taking advantage of Shaq Johnson's speed. We saw last game that if you get him the ball he will make plays. Their is so much talent in this recieving corps and it's being wasted.

[Pistrinus]

I think Figueroa, Steward, Chungh, and possibly Roy are plenty good enough to play. I think that is obvious. Right tackle? Boyko has had his issues, as a new player to the CFL. Foucault just might not be talented enough. Footwork. Hand skills, etc. Time to go with an INT? Maybe. All the shuffling? Not good. Anyone knows that. Is Bryan Chiu a good enough OL coach? I expect so.

LT - Figueroa
LG - Steward
C - Roy (until Godber returns)
RG - Chungh
RT - Knevel

If management / coaches would quit tinkering and settle on these five with Foucault and Norman as back-up guard and tackle respectively (and Boyko going on an injured list until he learns the Canadian game) this could turn out to be a very decent offensive line. At least one that will give Reilly more than one steamboat before a defender(s) is in his face.


DH

It seems we have some ratio flexibility room. It might be Norman's turn at right tackle. But more importantly, game plan to get help vs the pass rush. All the things noted above. Prepared and ready. Dominant rush end? Use a good variety of double teams. Run the ball at him, over and over, when it can be worked in, with some deception. We ... do ... not ... do ... that. Make sure that Hughes gets drilled, especially with angle blocks, on every play. Put him on his backside a large number of times, legally of course.

Norman at right tackle ? I don’t get it . Is that he is American ? I was at the game in Regina Norman is not a tackle he does not have the length . He built like a guard . It’s obvious that the next option should be Knevel , don’t forget he spent fives years at American school , besides we have seen what Knevel can do he does not seem to have any major problems when he is out there . No big mistakes from him this weekend , give him a chance

[Toppy Vann]

DEEP BALLS

What was interesting was on deep ball attempts when Reilly went deep down the right side line, there were two DBs there and Carter down the left was pretty much open. But when Reilly went to Carter deep down the left, there were 2 DBs there and the Safety not for away - just like on the right side.

Conclusion: Kind of looks like the Riders (and ex-Lions) know the BC calls.

QUARTERBACKING

If there is any consolation for BC Lions, it's how well they helped Cody Fajardo on his learning journey as I suspect even if Collaros comes back, he's their no. 1 QB. There's a lesson here and also one showing with Vernon Adams in MTL - patience and give them chances to play.

BC's backup Danny O'Brien doesn't look to be any sort of runner but it's clear he's not hear to play - like Danny Green to Kawhi Leonard he's just "the other guy" but it'd be nice if BC could get Reilly out of the game for these running types of QB like Fajardo and Streveler - just to mix it up.

But as we're seeing Mike Reilly has a never sit out pass from the coaching staff here.

[WestCoastJoe]

https://www.bclions.com/players/phillip-norman/164146/

https://bcuathletics.com/roster.aspx?rp_id=2242

College:
2014-2017: Phillip appeared in 40 games over a four-year stay at Bethune Cookman. He started all 11 games at tackle as senior in 2017 and earned a third-team All-Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference selection.

We will see what the Lions do with the O Line. More Boyko? More Foucault? Knevel gets an opportunity? Go with an International, Norman, who has played right tackle in college?

It has been musical chairs. Nationals Steward, Foucault, and Knevel and International Norman have backgrounds from college as tackles. It is a mixed up mess, and we are not going to solve it on here.

[B.C.FAN]

We will see what the Lions do with the O Line. More Boyko? More Foucault? Knevel gets an opportunity? Go with an International, Norman, who has played right tackle in college?

It has been musical chairs. Nationals Steward, Foucault, and Knevel and International Norman have backgrounds from college as tackles. It is a mixed up mess, and we are not going to solve it on here.

True. We are not goong to solve it here.

I don’t know why the current coaching staff doesn’t seem to have a high opinion of Knevel as a tackle. I thought he did well in brief service last year. He seemed to be in a four-way tryout for right tackle in camp and came out third on the depth chart behind Foucault and Boyko. American Cassidy Curtis got a lot of reps at both tackle positions and looked as good as any of the nationals, if not better, but he was released at the end of camp. Norman, who was used exclusively at second- or third-team guard, was the only American lineman kept on the practice roster. It’s a head-scratcher.

[WestCoastJoe]

We will see what the Lions do with the O Line. More Boyko? More Foucault? Knevel gets an opportunity? Go with an International, Norman, who has played right tackle in college?

It has been musical chairs. Nationals Steward, Foucault, and Knevel and International Norman have backgrounds from college as tackles. It is a mixed up mess, and we are not going to solve it on here.

True. We are not goong to solve it here.

I don’t know why the current coaching staff doesn’t seem to have a high opinion of Knevel as a tackle. I thought he did well in brief service last year. He seemed to be in a four-way tryout for right tackle in camp and came out third on the depth chart behind Foucault and Boyko. American Cassidy Curtis got a lot of reps at both tackle positions and looked as good as any of the nationals, if not better, but he was released at the end of camp. Norman, who was used exclusively at second- or third-team guard, was the only American lineman kept on the practice roster. It’s a head-scratcher.

To quote Casey Stengel: "Can't anybody here play this game?"

513S7QviXTL__SX322_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg

[Sir Purrcival]

DEEP BALLS

What was interesting was on deep ball attempts when Reilly went deep down the right side line, there were two DBs there and Carter down the left was pretty much open. But when Reilly went to Carter deep down the left, there were 2 DBs there and the Safety not for away - just like on the right side.

Conclusion: Kind of looks like the Riders (and ex-Lions) know the BC calls.

QUARTERBACKING

If there is any consolation for BC Lions, it's how well they helped Cody Fajardo on his learning journey as I suspect even if Collaros comes back, he's their no. 1 QB. There's a lesson here and also one showing with Vernon Adams in MTL - patience and give them chances to play.

BC's backup Danny O'Brien doesn't look to be any sort of runner but it's clear he's not hear to play - like Danny Green to Kawhi Leonard he's just "the other guy" but it'd be nice if BC could get Reilly out of the game for these running types of QB like Fajardo and Streveler - just to mix it up.

But as we're seeing Mike Reilly has a never sit out pass from the coaching staff here.

I remember another QB by the name of Calvillo who was very much the same way. Play every down without regard to development of the backup. When he retired, look at the mess they inherited in Montreal. You could say they are still looking for that replacement and how many QB's have they gone through? Maybe Adams is the guy. He is starting to look more comfortable. But the Calvillo saga is a cautionary tale for the Lions and Reilly. Never use your backup at your own peril. Not that it matters much anymore this season.

[cromartie]

I've seen enough of Boyko. There's a reason he's been on the bench or in a box at every other professional stop. Go home and move on to your next venture in life, please.

As always, I love reading the feedback and ideas for improvement. But the reality is that this team is venturing into 1996 territory with the play on the field, and = there are so many problems here that the entire football side of the operations needs an overhaul.

Firstly, the coaching. Jackson isn't working, and at this point that should be obvious. I think JC Abbott's work does a nice job of what's gone wrong with the defense; a complicated scheme with guys playing out of position and so mentally focused on scheme that fundamentals go by the wayside.

Special Teams return units are an unfocused disaster.

The front office hasn't recruited Americans well for a few seasons now. I'm trying to have patience with Hervey but there are GMs in this world that understand how to let guys go at the right time but not really have a good grasp on how to replace them. One of them was named Matt Millen, and if that doesn't scare you, it should. That was my fear with Hervey and it appears it's manifesting themselves.

At the end of what, as of right now, looks like a long fruitless, miserable season it's probably going to be time for someone on the business side to clean house on the football side. All we can do is wait, suffer, and hope that Mike Reilly makes it out alive.

One thing's for sure, Wally isn't walking through that door to save the franchise, and he hasn't been a savior for quite a few years anyway.