Lions season opener in Toronto Sunday

[TheLionKing]

Maksymic still doesn't know to neutralize the blitz. No quick slants, draws or screens. Just 5 linemen trying to block 5,6, even 7 rushers.

[TheLionKing]

Games and seasons are won on the O and D lines. Once again this year we have neither.

Yeah, the very first assessment from Coach after the game was that VA was taking too much punishment. I read some of the comments about him fumbling, but geez, TO rushers were in his face at the snap of the ball. Starting at your own 10 and 15-yard-line for the entire 4th quarter didn't help either.
Don't think I heard Covington's name much - did they just stay away from him or was he a non-factor?

Also, the Riders and even the Elks look better than last year (admittedly a low bar), so this season will be a real grind.

Really ? Whose decision was it to use VA on short yardage plays. If he goes down with an injury, your job is on the line

[SammyGreene]

Good to see Betts at the game and his wife wearing a Lions jacket. Hopefully his number is on speed dial if things don’t work out in Detroit.

[OV:54-40]

Maksymic still doesn't know to neutralize the blitz. No quick slants, draws or screens. Just 5 linemen trying to block 5,6, even 7 rushers.

Yep - ultra-limited and predictable offence; even with a good VA reads/passing game and some very good receiver talent; a well timed screen to Mackie, some different run plays, a couple of jet sweeps , Adams rolling out some... could do wonders, but no.

[David]

* Lots of areas to shore up. Adams was under siege way too often, particularly in the 2nd half. Would have kept Mackie in to block or have Stanback chip. Maybe move the pocket more? Either way, 6 sacks is brutal, I don't care how good Toronto is.

* I was surprised how soft our coverage was. Dukes wasn't beating us deep but continually found an open man in the soft underneath routes and crossing patterns. Death by a thousand papercuts.

* Again, I know the Argos have a very good offensive line, but we didn't get enough pressure on Dukes. We didn't stunt like the Argos did or try to confuse him. He looked poised but he wasn't under continual threat like VA was.

* Standouts for me were McInnes and Hollins on O. Teuhema and Rene on D. Covington and Robertson were quiet. VA took a lot of punishment and tries to do too much sometimes but you can't argue with his numbers. 25 or 33 for 363 yards, 2 TD and a pick on a tipped ball. Imagine if he had more time in the pocket?

* Didn't like the decision to punt instead of try a field goal (it sailed into the end-zone for a single), nor the decision to punt at the 1 instead of concede the safety (it was a mediocre punt that set the Argos up with great field position).


DH

[Dusty]

* Didn't like the decision to punt instead of try a field goal (it sailed into the end-zone for a single), nor the decision to punt at the 1 instead of concede the safety (it was a mediocre punt that set the Argos up with great field position).


DH

I also was bemoaning the decision not to concede a safety. Instead, Argos were first and 10 at our 35.... grrrr.

[Toppy Vann]

Clearly lots to fix and if you're going to lose a game make it the first one VS an eastern opponent.

Farhan opened the half panel with the question if VA on short yardage was questionable coaching and got concurrence from Sanchez and Dunigan.
VA took a hard shot on that great run and basically his coaches have to cut that out. Get less yardage and not roughed up.

The OC was fine in the first half but with VA sticking in the pocket in the 4th, it was easy pickings.

Why with 1:34 on the clock didn't they either give up a safety but not a freaking TD. IIRC it was 3rd and 21. On the first down play IIRC VA was having to go over 45 yards when all he needed was 21. Didn't see anything shorter for him.

Unless they get some balance in their offense with a wider mix of plays it's going to be a tough season and more games like this hammering VA is not smart football.

I've said on this forum I believe Cameron Dukes is a CFL starter. His eyes and focus are what impressed me last year when he played and he's got little experience.

I thought VA was getting beaten up foolishly on BCs part (one run was his fault) and that ball started popping out and thought the same with the Argos Cary when they went to the Canadian RB Daniel Adeboboye who ripped some good runs like Argos have done in other seasons under Dinwiddie. Haven't seen possession time stats but that stretch in the second half seemed to keep BC's OFF less active.

[1994]

Lions are outcoached - is that something new?

[DanoT]

It seemed to me that Adams was hanging on to the ball for too long, which lead to some of the sacks.
I wasn't too impressed with the linebackers' play. I'd like to see Hladik moved back to MB and Lokumbo at WILL LB.
It doesn't do a whole lot of good if the price for shutting down the deep ball on D is giving up the short passing game all night.

[tak06]

Maksymic still doesn't know to neutralize the blitz. No quick slants, draws or screens. Just 5 linemen trying to block 5,6, even 7 rushers.

Absolutely 100% I was cursing him for the same reason.
Lions still need a kick return specialist like Grant or Alford Carrie Williams just doesn't cut it, it's been so long since we had a had a great returner like Rocky Long.

[SammyGreene]

Summing up the shortcomings, frustration and highlights from last night, JC Abbott does a wonderful job in about 800 words here.

https://3downnation.com/2024/06/10/lio ... -thoughts/

There certainly was and still is a lot of hype for this team for many reasons. But losing your best player on each side of the ball to the NFL in consecutive seasons are massive losses the Lions are trying to overcome. Time will tell but maybe wishful thinking a homegrown national would step in
and make a similiar impact to Betts after an extended career in the NFL. At 30, there is a reason why the opportunity to stay down south had dried up.

Then there is your best receiver and veteran halfback that you hope are back in early September.

After week one at least this team still relies far too much on all world play from its QB.
Going 25-33 for 368 yds 2 TDs and 1 INT should be more than enough. But not when your running game is no threat, the pass protection is constantly breaking down and you’re not generating enough big plays on the other side of the ball or special teams.

[CrazyCanuck89]

It seemed to me that Adams was hanging on to the ball for too long, which lead to some of the sacks.
I wasn't too impressed with the linebackers' play. I'd like to see Hladik moved back to MB and Lokumbo at WILL LB.
It doesn't do a whole lot of good if the price for shutting down the deep ball on D is giving up the short passing game all night.

Give it time.

Hladik- Woods- Rene, could make for the best linebacking corps in the league.

[Sir Purrcival]

I couldn't watch the game last night but did listen. Same old lions it sounds like. Too much pressure on our QB. A QB who doesn't seem to know when to get rid of the ball quickly, and a team that seems to make deadly mistakes at the least opportune times. Until these problems are fixed, I have small hopes for a championship out of this team.

[Qman]

It seemed to me that Adams was hanging on to the ball for too long, which lead to some of the sacks.
I wasn't too impressed with the linebackers' play. I'd like to see Hladik moved back to MB and Lokumbo at WILL LB.
It doesn't do a whole lot of good if the price for shutting down the deep ball on D is giving up the short passing game all night.

Give it time.

Hladik- Woods- Rene, could make for the best linebacking corps in the league.

LB was terrible. We got slaughtered on crossers. 3-4 yards before contact on runs.

[DanoT]

It seemed to me that Adams was hanging on to the ball for too long, which lead to some of the sacks.
I wasn't too impressed with the linebackers' play. I'd like to see Hladik moved back to MB and Lokumbo at WILL LB.
It doesn't do a whole lot of good if the price for shutting down the deep ball on D is giving up the short passing game all night.

Give it time.

Hladik- Woods- Rene, could make for the best linebacking corps in the league.

I don't know what game you were watching but I thought the LB crew looked like they could be the worst in the CFL, certainly NOT the best, now or in the future.