Lions vs. Riders July 27, 2019 - Game Day Thread

[Blitz]

Interesting half time discussion with the TSN panel during the Bombers/Tiger Cats game.

All three (Steggal, Dunnigan, and Burris commented that Jarious Jackson has to make scheme changes.

It was said that Riley can't keep getting pounded as he has been. A two back set was also mentioned as was everyone being on the same page in terms of hot reads.

[BC 1988]

https://www.tsn.ca/radio/vancouver-1040 ... -1.1341769
In his regular weekly spot (but not next week during the bye week) Sekeres did a good job putting the most talked about question to Reilly--why does he insist on staying in? (He tried to do it diplomatically, suggesting there must be times when it's not a good idea). Reilly had a well prepared spiel, talking a mile-a-minute. Both hosts let him control the rest of the conversation.

They attempted to start the segment at 05:33, but poor call quality causes the convo to start at 07:25. During the reconnect period, Sekeres mentions Don Matthews-Calvillo as a similar situation--the starting QB has to be carted off the field before a backup goes in.

While I don't necessarily think Reilly's motivation is a fear of losing his job to a talented backup, it is suspicious that O'Brien was acquired and is very comfortable being merely a career holder for the kicker.

[Blitz]

I completely agree with J.C. Abbotts comments about our offensive line, following last weeks game in Regina and have posted similar comments previously.

Square pegs, round holes

It would not be a 2019 B.C. Lions game if I did not start by talking about the offensive line.

Mike Reilly was once again a man under siege, sacked four times and facing heavy pressure from the fearsome Riders’ front of Micah Johnson, Charleston Hughes, AC Leonard, Zach Evans and Makana Henry. Hughes, in particular, was virtually unstoppable throughout the afternoon, notching ten defensive tackles and three sacks.

It came as no surprise that the Lions’ big men found themselves outclassed by some of the league’s best pass rushers, especially with their two best blockers sitting on the injured list in Joel Figueroa and Sukh Chungh.

Reilly’s protective detail for the game consisted of two backup guards, a guard at right tackle and the often-exploited Brett Boyko moving across to protect the blindside. This was hardly a recipe for success and only got worse throughout the game with injuries to veteran Hunter Steward in the first half (he would return for the second) and centre Jean-Simon Roy late in the game.

It is incredibly easy to pick on the performance by this unit. Tackles David Foucault and Boyko continue to demonstrate that they lack the foot speed required for blocking athletes on the outside without help. The interior, for their part, was devoid of the grit and nastiness that make offensive lines great.

Ultimately, these are professional athletes who are more than deserving of any criticism that comes their way but its high time we addressed the baffling coaching decisions that have put the players in this situation.

It is a coach’s job to put players in a position to succeed. Thus far, the Lions’ linemen have been set up for failure. Two years ago, David Foucault demonstrated in his first CFL season that he could not succeed as a professional tackle. Wally Buono’s staff adjusted, arguably too slowly, and Foucault has become a serviceable guard.

The current coaching staff has rolled back the clock by failing to make the same necessary adjustment with prized acquisition Brett Boyko and doubled down by continuing to give Foucault opportunities at tackle. They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting a different result. The Lions seem to be trying to confirm that theory.

Then there is the curious usage of Phillip Norman. A tackle in college, he finally earned a start at guard in his second year with the team. Why he and Foucault didn’t swap positions is a question in and of itself, but the Lions made the baffling decision to move him to centre when Roy went down. He promptly botched two shotgun snaps.

The decision is made more puzzling by the fact that Hunter Steward, who started the season at centre, was still on the field. Steward is a liability at centre in his own right, but not leaning towards that experience late in game is bizarre.

Whoever is making the decisions along the offensive line clearly needs to re-evaluate. Whether it is OL coach Bryan Chiu determining the starting five, offensive coordinator Jarious Jackson and DeVone Claybrooks adjusting to their preference, or Ed Hervey exerting pressure from above, the line will never succeed if players continue to be forced out of their natural positions.

And, for his part, Hervey needs to bring in players who can fill those spots and it must happen soon. There are a number of quality free agents available who could help this team right now, failure to bring them in borders on negligence.

J.C. Abbott

[Belize City Lion]

What's the big deal if they get a few showers and the roof is open? It's such a small opening fans are hardly going to feel a drop of rain in the seats.

[TheLionKing]

What's the big deal if they get a few showers and the roof is open? It's such a small opening fans are hardly going to feel a drop of rain in the seats.

It's probably for the comfort of the coaches.

[DanoT]

Wally liked to have the dome closed because it tended to amplify the volume of noise made by the fans.

Given the way the Lions are playing and fans are not attending, and all the Rider fans that will be present, I think that they should open the dome so as not to amplify the Rider fan crowd noise.

[David]

I was worried about the conditioning of 32-year old Crezdon Butler given that he just arrived and will to be starting today at field corner. But then I noticed that he was released only 17 days ago by the Argos, so I am assuming that he should at least be in decent shape.

Looks like Thompson played himself off the roster with those two bad open field tackling whiffs that kept Rider drives alive. Not sure of his cover abilities but I do know Butler can tackle. 70 defensive tackles, two special teams tackles, and a forced fumble in 26 CFL career games (with the Riders).


DH

[Toppy Vann]

Interesting half time discussion with the TSN panel during the Bombers/Tiger Cats game.

All three (Stegal, Dunnigan, and Burris commented that Jarious Jackson has to make scheme changes.

It was said that Riley can't keep getting pounded as he has been. A two back set was also mentioned as was everyone being on the same page in terms of hot reads.

Interesting comments as the panels on TSN don't normally like to criticize schemes likely so as to not harm team/coach relationships but I suspect players across the league know the tendencies and predictability of Jackson's play calls and you'll likely not see the two back set except for the FB blocking up at the line versus like Andrew Harris where he can behind the QB for a handoff, then move to block or pull out for the safety pass back of the LOS.

The Danny O'Brien comment by the other poster is pretty spot on with the exception of "suspicious" as it's pretty clear why he's in BC. He's here as this the backup Mike Reilly - a friend, colleague who doesn't mind not ever playing versus but kind of acting like a player coach with the offence. These career back up QBs in pro sports exist typically in the NFL where the back up can make a great career and not normally worry about having to play. They may never be famous but they'll retire very well off as typically they're very good career strategists.

I'm a believer in using all your weapons and also with QBs making sure if the main guy goes down that the back up can play. I thought last night Lapo should have left Streveler in the game and hooked the semi-off night Matt Nichols. Streveler totally changes how the Tickets had to defend versus getting their hands up on Nichols passes blocking his sight lines - something less effective if Streveler's in as he'll be running outside while they're still in the air.

Jarius was here when Kruck -Dorazio had great run schemes (I credit Kruck for that though) and it's clear he learned nothing other than that the Receivers of the time hated the runs and lobbied against it.

[B.C.FAN]

The roof is open.

[TheLionKing]

I'm shocked

[B.C.FAN]

Heads up: The programs handed out at the door list last week’s defence. CB Crezdon Butler (29), DT Mackendy Cheridor (92) and DE Charles Wright (96) are not shown.

OL David Knevel is not on the field for warmups. Brett Boyko appears to be the only backup lineman dressed.

[DanoT]

Heads up: The programs handed out at the door list last week’s defence. CB Crezdon Butler (29), DT Mackendy Cheridor (92) and DE Charles Wright (96) are not shown.

OL David Knevel is not on the field for warmups. Brett Boyko appears to be the only backup lineman dressed.

I thought that one of Boyko or Knevel might not make the 44 man game day roster but I had hoped Boyko would sit as I have lost confidence in him. He has so far had a career as a NFL practice player, AAF backup and now CFL backup on a not very good O line. He is likely dressed in an attempt to have the team (Ed) justify his contract.

[B.C.FAN]

According to Farhan Lalji on the pregame show, Boyko told the Lions he is most comfortable at left guard so they have him listed as backup to Hunter Steward there. It appears that Steward will slide out to tackle if anything happens to Joel Figueroa, who is coming off an ankle injury and making his first start in three weeks.

[swervynmerv]

It’s sad and a reflection of the state of the Lions that I’m seriously considering not even watching this game.

Lions games used to be must see tv for me. I think banging my head against the wall may be more enjoyable!

[DanoT]

According to Farhan Lalji on the pregame show, Boyko told the Lions he is most comfortable at left guard so they have him listed as backup to Hunter Steward there. It appears that Steward will slide out to tackle if anything happens to Joel Figueroa, who is coming off an ankle injury and making his first start in three weeks.

Hunter Steward staying on the left side of the line and shifting over to Figueroa's spot when Figueroa got hurt is what this fan had figured made the most sense. Instead the Lions decided to shift everyone around like a game of musical chairs. What pisses me off the most is that this dumb fan figures things out before the supposedly professional coaches.

I think it was Marv Levy who once said, "When the coaches start listening to the fans, they will soon be sitting with them". It looks to me like this Lions coaching staff might get some benefit from sitting with the fans.