Rourke to undergo surgery

[maxlion]

Looking at the remaining schedule, BC and Calgary both have 8 games remaining, and play each other twice. BC has 2 more wins than Calgary, so Calgary would need to win 2 more than BC and both games against BC, or win 3 more than BC if BC takes one of the 2 against Calgary.

The good news is that Calgary has their own quarterbacking issues, though they are probably in better shape than us.

Our defense has been very good this year, which also gives some reason for hope.

I think that it will be difficult to hold off Calgary for a home playoff game. We have gone from perhaps the best QB the CFL has seen in decades to two backups who might not be in the league if BC didn't sign them. That's a significant change in fortune. Still, with our defense and great receivers, there is hope. At least, it will be interesting to see what happens.

I expect that Rourke will still sign with an NFL team in the offseason. He has shown everything he needs to here, and his young age is an asset.

[cromartie]

Well, this means the season ends in Calgary instead of Winnipeg.

Best case scenario is 13-5. Worst and most likely is 11-7.

Cottoy and Butler become critical to the offense now, as we’re going to have to rely on the run and passes between the hashes.

Neither O’Connor nor Pipkin have anything approaching the analytical ability in game of Rourke, nor are they nearly as good at ball placement. So it’s a comparatively rough go ahead with limited upside.

Fortunately neither the Riders nor the Elk are good enough to get to 11-7 and we’ve already won the head to head against both so in that regard we’re ok but this is a real bummer in pretty much every way you can imagine.

He is absolutely not leaving for the NFL.

[Qman]

I must admit that I haven't been following the Lions closely recently, and so I'm wondering what the scoop is on Michael O'Connor. He's a big guy and evidently played for UBC. How much of a drop-off is the offense likely to take with him in for Rourke? They still have some of the best receivers in the CFL. Can O'Connor be expected to keep the pass attack running relatively smoothly? I don't see a QB below O'Connor on the roster than inspires much confidence. Is a trade perhaps a possibility?

Trade …we probably have the two guys that would have been available for trade anyways. VA is hurt. Arbuckle has already been traded.

[KnowItAll]

I dont think the NFL will be interested in Rourke until he can totally recover and continue to play the same for another whole season

[Hambone]

I dont think the NFL will be interested in Rourke until he can totally recover and continue to play the same for another whole season

Also if the recovery takes up to the 5 months the outside end of post surgical recovery that is possible that would take him into mid January. The NFL option window runs from mid Dec to CFL free agency day which would be Feb 7th leaving very little opportunity to work him out at 100%.

[TheLionKing]

I too don't think that Rourke will be bolting to the NFL.

[Walt67]

I too don't think that Rourke will be bolting to the NFL.

The talk about no NFL departure is pretty wide spread, I have even done it myself, but we should feel bad about it as Kid Canada seems a class act and deserves the opportunities that his talent and work ethic warrant. That said, it is understandable Vancouver fans are not keen to lose another young superstar as we did Alphonso Davies.

[PigSkin_53]

Full recovery from the surgery can take more than a year. This should at least squelch talk of Rourke leaving for the NFL next year.

There is a huge difference between a Lisfranc sprain, and a Lisfranc dislocation or fracture!
I have had the misfortune of suffering the latter, a Lisfranc dislocation/fracture in 2007 and required corrective surgery. It takes the normal 6-8 weeks of recovery time any normal fracture would, and for myself an additional 12 weeks of rehab before I could return to work, so it strikes me as odd why the media is reporting this as a "Lisfranc sprain" if it requires surgery, unless its exploratory or the club is downplaying the severity of his injury.

[Walt67]

Full recovery from the surgery can take more than a year. This should at least squelch talk of Rourke leaving for the NFL next year.

There is a huge difference between a Lisfranc sprain, and a Lisfranc dislocation or fracture!
I have had the misfortune of suffering the latter, a Lisfranc dislocation/fracture in 2007 and required corrective surgery. It takes the normal 6-8 weeks of recovery time any normal fracture would, and for myself an additional 12 weeks of rehab before I could return to work, so it strikes me as odd why the media is reporting this as a "Lisfranc sprain" if it requires surgery, unless its exploratory or the club is downplaying the severity of his injury.

yes, the question of why surgery for this sprain is a bit puzzling, especially since reports state the Lions have consulted with medical specialists from other leagues to decide on this course of action.

[squishy35]

Full recovery from the surgery can take more than a year. This should at least squelch talk of Rourke leaving for the NFL next year.

There is a huge difference between a Lisfranc sprain, and a Lisfranc dislocation or fracture!
I have had the misfortune of suffering the latter, a Lisfranc dislocation/fracture in 2007 and required corrective surgery. It takes the normal 6-8 weeks of recovery time any normal fracture would, and for myself an additional 12 weeks of rehab before I could return to work, so it strikes me as odd why the media is reporting this as a "Lisfranc sprain" if it requires surgery, unless its exploratory or the club is downplaying the severity of his injury.

yes, the question of why surgery for this sprain is a bit puzzling, especially since reports state the Lions have consulted with medical specialists from other leagues to decide on this course of action.

It's quite likely that imaging was not necessarily conclusive and the surgery is as much for diagnostic clarification as it is for treatment

[Belize City Lion]

More than anything I feel gutted for Nathan Rourke. Sure, I was starting to think BC was going to host the WDF and possibly win the Grey Cup. Both of those seem impossible now unless both Winnipeg and Calgary collapse in the second half of the season. But for Rourke, who was at least going to get a serious look from NFL teams in the offseason, this is just devastating. Best case (for him) is a full recovery followed by 2 more excellent CFL seasons to prove he’s 100%. But this injury has closed at least one NFL window for him. By the time he’s 26 or 27 he likely gets one more shot at the NFL and then that’s it.

As for the Lions, at 7-1 I think we are in great shape to make the playoffs. If we can pull off at least one (what now would be an upset) victory over Calgary the next few weeks, we might still be on track to host the WDSF. Edmonton is a mess, Saskatchewan is reeling (imagine if they drop both games against Winnipeg?), and a crossover is pretty much assured unless both Hamilton and Montreal somehow get their acts together. What we could do in the playoffs without Rourke is another story, and unless it’s a fairly tale not likely a happy ending.

I’m hopeful the Lions will rally behind O’Connor. We saw times last year when Reilly didn’t have the arm strength and the receivers kept adjusting to bail him out. From all accounts this is a much tighter group with great leadership. Next man up meets us against the world. The Lions might surprise a few people, and even if that only means a couple of upset victories thanks to emotion that could make all the difference on whether we host a playoff game or not.

Regarding a trade…. I think Campbell gives O’Connor/Pipkin about 4 games to prove that they can be effective game managers. If not, don’t be surprised to see big-play VA wearing orange by October.

[squishy35]

More than anything I feel gutted for Nathan Rourke. Sure, I was starting to think BC was going to host the WDF and possibly win the Grey Cup. Both of those seem impossible now unless both Winnipeg and Calgary collapse in the second half of the season. But for Rourke, who was at least going to get a serious look from NFL teams in the offseason, this is just devastating. Best case (for him) is a full recovery followed by 2 more excellent CFL seasons to prove he’s 100%. But this injury has closed at least one NFL window for him. By the time he’s 26 or 27 he likely gets one more shot at the NFL and then that’s it.

As for the Lions, at 7-1 I think we are in great shape to make the playoffs. If we can pull off at least one (what now would be an upset) victory over Calgary the next few weeks, we might still be on track to host the WDSF. Edmonton is a mess, Saskatchewan is reeling (imagine if they drop both games against Winnipeg?), and a crossover is pretty much assured unless both Hamilton and Montreal somehow get their acts together. What we could do in the playoffs without Rourke is another story, and unless it’s a fairly tale not likely a happy ending.

I’m hopeful the Lions will rally behind O’Connor. We saw times last year when Reilly didn’t have the arm strength and the receivers kept adjusting to bail him out. From all accounts this is a much tighter group with great leadership. Next man up meets us against the world. The Lions might surprise a few people, and even if that only means a couple of upset victories thanks to emotion that could make all the difference on whether we host a playoff game or not.

Regarding a trade…. I think Campbell gives O’Connor/Pipkin about 4 games to prove that they can be effective game managers. If not, don’t be surprised to see big-play VA wearing orange by October.

I'm heading down to the game from Kamloops on Friday. I admit I wanted to see Roarke in action but I am still very keen to see how this team adjusts. O'Connor is a capable QB and he is surrounded by incredible talent on offence. Mobility wise, his style will be different from Roarke. The Key to success is to see how the offence adjusts from the elusive scrambling of Roarke to the (what I assume) more pocket style of passing. I am guessing Butler will have some new schemes for receptions coming out of the backfield.

[Ballistic Bob]

The defense gave up 10 points. Nuff said

[squishy35]

Roarke at Post Practice interview today: https://www.bclions.com/2022/08/22/nath ... m-hopeful/

[Hambone]

Regarding a trade…. I think Campbell gives O’Connor/Pipkin about 4 games to prove that they can be effective game managers. If not, don’t be surprised to see big-play VA wearing orange by October.

I honestly don't see that or any other trade being possible. Montreal will be in a playoff battle right to the end with as legit a shot as anybody in the East to advance to the GC. I can't see them moving VA who is very much beloved by his team mates. Can't see them putting themselves in the position of being one hit away from having to ride Dom Davis thru the playoffs and wouldn't want to bet the farm on Harris making to the end of the season without injury. Another factor is the Larks have Adams under contract for 2023. Harris and Davis will be free agents.

It's similar for the rest of the East where even the REDBLACKS aren't out of the playoff. Argos have only MBT and Chad Kelly on the 46 and somebody named Ben Holmes on the PR. Hamilton has a wounded Evans with Shiltz starting and Newman backing him up. Apparently they really like Newman's potential. Ottawa is a mess but are still not out of the playoff hunt. Masoli is out long term. They got Arbuckle but don't seem to have come to a conclusion which of those two give themselves the best chance to win and who knows when or even if Masoli can play again. Hands up how many here get a warm and fuzzy feeling about them as opposed to O'Connor, Pipkin and Thomson?

Overall I don't see a trade especially a late one. If you're into October you're hoping the newcomer can pick up enough of the offense to be effective for what might be their first start in either the season finale or WSF. CFL trade deadline is Oct 5th, 3 days before BC's 15th game and 3 weeks before their season finale in Winnipeg.