Lions at Bombers Oct. 23, 2021

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions have shuffled their injury-depleted secondary again in advance of their rematch in Winnipeg with the Bombers and Zach Collaros, who torched them for over 400 yards passing two games ago. With Jalon Edwards-Cooper and Austin Joyner on the 1-game injured list, the Lions have moved KiAnte Hardin to safety and Marcus Sayles to field halfback and have reinserted Hakeem Johnson at field corner and Anthony Cioffi at SAM.

On the defensive line, newly signed DE Michael Divinity starts at DE in place of J.R. Tavai, who did not practise this week due to a knee injury and will likely be a game-time scratch.

On offence, the Lions have activates the newly signed DeVier Posey but have chosen to start him ahead of Shaq Johnson at field WR rather than at the more high profile boundary WR position, where Keon Hatcher gets his second consecutive start
with Lucky Whitehead in the 6-game injured list.

The Bombers will be without Andrew Harris (knee) but don’t expect much of a drop in production with Brady Oliveira in the starting lineup. He rushed 16 times for 105 yards as a backup against Edmonton last week. The Bombers are 9-1 in large part because they dominate games in the trenches on the offensive and defensive lines. The Lions are vulnerable in both position groups.

Lions depth chart and roster

[David]

Hmmm, interesting to see Posey to start at field side receiver. Something told me Shaq''s job could be in jeopardy one of these days. This confirms my suspicion. Let's hope the protection holds up this game. A couple of the Bombers starters on the D-line are nicked up.

Once again Collaros gets an injury-depleted secondary. If we can't get pressure on him though, of course he can pick apart a secondary, even with all our starters playing.


DH

[DanoT]

It looks like the Lions have run out of import DBs and instead of starting Thompson (N) at FS, they have Hardin (A) at FS and H. Johnson (N) at CB for what I think is his first start.

Also another rookie starter in Michael Divinity (A) at DE.

The Lions rookie laden starting roster on D has a lot of talented guys with lots of potential, but not enough experience.

[SammyGreene]

Even with the injuries I sense a little more desperation/urgency with these roster decisions which is a good thing given the 3-game slide and the clock ticking on the season.

Good call David on moving Sayles back to the position where he has been an all-star before. Just make some plays at safety Hardin, that's all I ask.
Hopefully Michael Divinity can be a much-needed presence on the d-line. I honestly wouldn't mind seeing Sakir Soto's 6-foot -3 290-pound frame at defensive tackle at some point too. Cioffi needs to be much better at SAM than the previous Winnipeg game.

Telling to see Posey inserted for a national instead of a simple swap with Hatcher. Johnson having an extremely quiet season with just 137 receiving yards. We will get a better idea Saturday is it the scheme or him.

[B.C.FAN]

Telling to see Posey inserted for a national instead of a simple swap with Hatcher. Johnson having an extremely quiet season with just 137 receiving yards. We will get a better idea Saturday is it the scheme or him.

Michael Reilly’s sore elbow could also be a factor in Johnson’s declining production. Wide-side throws are the toughest for a quarterback. Reilly floated two balls that were intercepted on that side last week.

Johnson has 137 yards on 18 catches this year, an average of just 7.6 yards per reception, with his longest catch being just 15 yards. In 2019 he finished with 597 yards on 39 receptions,
an average of 14.3 yards per reception, with his longest catch being 67 yards. Posey can be more of a deep threat than Johnson. It will be interesting to see if Reilly targets him deep to stretch the Bomber secondary.

[Belize City Lion]

Does Manitoba have restrictions on crowd size? Best team in the CFL vs a western opponent and the stadium is half empty.

[Lion Guy]

First play, up the gut for minus 1

[Lion Guy]

Second play, sack.

Here we go.

[SammyGreene]

Perkins turnstiled already. Seriously could blow up this entire line in the off season and wouldn’t be worse off

[Lion Guy]

We have no Offensive line. Haven't had one for years.

[BC 1988]

Does Manitoba have restrictions on crowd size? Best team in the CFL vs a western opponent and the stadium is half empty.

Full capacity allowed but must provide proof of fully vaccinated.

[Lion Guy]

This could get ugly quickly. We need to move the ball.

[SammyGreene]

Surprise 7-0 already. Offence 2 and out and not getting near Collaros

[Lion Guy]

Surprise 7-0 already. Offence 2 and out and not getting near Collaros

Might be over already.

[Lion Guy]

8-0. Can't even catch the ball on a fricken kick off.