Lions at Montreal Sept. 6, 2019 - Game Day Thread

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions take their 1-9 record into Montreal Friday to face an Alouettes team that has been rejuvenated under head coach Khari Jones and quarterback Vernon Adams, who is 5-1 in his last six starts. The Als are in second place in the East. Both teams are coming off a Labour Day bye. The Lions have one thing going for them in that they have won seven straight games against the Als.

Most of the focus in B.C. has been on the offensive line, which has given up a league-high 43 sacks, 14 more than the next highest team, Toronto, which is also 1-9. Can new O-line coach Kelly Bates cut down on the mental errors and confusion that have led to many of those sacks? After three games with the same O-line, the Lions have made a couple of changes this week, moving David Foucault to right guard in place of Sukh Chungh, who has battled injuries all year. Hunter Steward returns to the roster in his familiar left guard position. David Knevel is activated from the one-game injured list and is listed as a backup along with Brett Boyko, who has been a healthy scratch in recent games.

The only other change on offence is that Brandon Rutley has been activated to take over at starting running back from John White, who is on the one-game injured list.

On defence, David Menard starts at defensive tackle ahead of Junior Luke. Rookie Hakim Johnson, Shaq's brother, is activated from the practice roster as a backup cornerback. Anthony Thompson has been moved to the six-game injured list, which now includes eight players. Recently signed rookie Oshane Samuels from the Edmonton Huskies, a territorial protection who was cut by the Eskimos in preseason, is activated for the first time and listed as a backup to nickelback Chris Edwards. Here's a link to the Lions' depth chart and roster.

Matt Baker of bclions.com has a good game preview, including quotes from the O-line, here.

[JohnnyMusso]

Weekly Picks in and no one thinks Lions will win:

BC at MTL

To open the week, a pair of teams coming off bye weeks meet in Montreal.

For BC, the one thing that’s held them back the most this season has been their offensive line, which has given up a league-high 43 sacks on quarterback Mike Reilly. They’ve also allowed seven sacks in a game on three occasions — two of those were in Weeks 10 and 11. Offensive line coach Bryan Chiu was relieved of his duties as a result and Kelly Bates now occupies his position.

Vernon Adams Jr. has been carving up opposing defences as of late. He’s had 742 yards and four scores in the Als’ last two games, which they won in comeback fashion. William Stanback should assume full-time duty out of the backfield once again. He was limited in terms of snaps during Week 11, as he was coming off an injury. DeVier Posey, Eugene Lewis, and Quan Bray have been lethal in the passing game for the Als, and the addition of Chris Matthews could take the offence to an even higher level.

With the way Adams is firing right now, a matchup against the Lions’ defence is too tempting to pass on picking the Als.

PICK

Writers: 100% MTL

Fans: 87% MTL

LeoVegas: MTL -7

[maxlion]

Montreal has no owner, no GM, and a rookie interim HC. Their starting QB from last year was banned from the league. They are like the Bad News Bears of the CFL. Even I want to cheer for them.

[don corleone]

Let me be the one to give it the kiss of death by saying Montreal doesn't have an overwhelming defensive line. No disrespect to John Bowman. Mobile LB's and a good secondary though.

Have a feeling Reilly gets the time he needs and the passing game opens up the run. Lions win. Vernon Adams does not make it easy. 50+ points scored.

[SammyGreene]

Did Thompson actually get hurt being moved to the 6-game injured list or is that punishment for his boatload of no yard penalties?
Officially relegated from starting safety, then starting corner and now off special teams and the roster. This after not even being part of their plans back in early June when he was unsigned. The second starter to follow a similar path , joiniing Termanson who has since been released. No wonder this team is in the mess it's in.

[DanoT]

Did Thompson actually get hurt being moved to the 6-game injured list or is that punishment for his boatload of no yard penalties?
Officially relegated from starting safety, then starting corner and now off special teams and the roster. This after not even being part of their plans back in early June when he was unsigned. The second starter to follow a similar path , joiniing Termanson who has since been released. No wonder this team is in the mess it's in.

In addition, I have to point out that the Lions chose Herdman-Reed over Solly at starting MLB and now Herdman-Reed is way down the MLB depth chart . And Solly's leadership and cerebral play are greatly missed along with other vets who were turfed.

Ed and Devone have gutted the team, hired too many inexperienced coaches and are now paying the price for a from the ground up rebuild. The next CFL expansion team will end up with a stronger roster than the current Lions.

I predict a 1-17 finish to the season.

[B.C.FAN]

Ed Willes's five things to watch in the game. His first priority is to contain the run and make Vernon Adams a pocket passer:

Lions Game Day: Alouettes aim to pile on the misery tonight against hapless visitors

[Toppy Vann]

MTL still has a developing QB in Vernon Adams and these guys can and will run into a game where they stall in progress or make errant tosses. I think the BC DEF is looking sharper in practice these days with Claybrooks taking a stronger lead.

MTL players can also have the proverbial collective focus and intensity let down when players individually take the opponent too lightly.

I still think the Lions offensive structure and play calling with Jarius Jackson is an issue and this OC seems not open to new ideas and variation unlike other teams where they'll run reverses and innovate. Players love this stuff and it fires up a team versus the same old Mike Reilly standing in the pocket getting sacked.

This could be a decent BC game but until 4 pm who knows.

[DanoT]

I just don't see J. Jackson play calling getting it done and then we have the No Name, No Game LB corps on D.

I am more interested to see how Bo Lokumbo does playing FS for the Als in the place of injured Taylor Lofler.

[David]

I am in Montreal right now and heading the game tonight (but not before a run to Schwartz's famous deli for a smoked meat sandwich!). Weather right now is partly cloudy, about 20 degrees but clouding over this evening with a 60% chance of showers.

Go Lions!


DH

[B.C.FAN]

I am in Montreal right now and heading the game tonight (but not before a run to Schwartz's famous deli for a smoked meat sandwich!). Weather right now is partly cloudy, about 20 degrees but clouding over this evening with a 60% chance of showers.

Go Lions!


DH

Enjoy the experience! I’ve yet to attend a game in Montreal.

[TheLionKing]

Good opening drive so far

[TheLionKing]

There 's the first sack

[yukonlion]

saved 1 point for 30 yds of field position

[SammyGreene]

saved 1 point for 30 yds of field position

Unreal. Never mind burn more time with the wind at their back. And nice read of the blitz there Carter.