Lions vs. Alouettes Oct. 19, 2024

[B.C.FAN]

For a game that means nothing in the standings for either team, the Lions’ regular season finale means everything for their playoff aspirations.

Rick Campbell’s job is apparently safe for now, but he has acknowledged that the team needs a change, and he’s named Vernon Adams the starting quarterback against his old team to hopefully give the team a spark that could carry them into the playoffs. Campbell suggested that Adams will remain the starter in the playoffs if all goes well. It’s a move that is probably overdue, and it’s drawing positive reaction from many people who have followed the team closely. I echo their sentiments.

Steve Ewen of The Province offers Campbell’s rationale for the switch:

https://theprovince.com/sports/football ... s-jr-is-in

Farhan Lalji offers a 7-minute commentary from outside the Lions’ practice facility:

[JohnnyMusso]

This is a good decision and one in which I feel Campbell had no choice. Will it change Lions fortunes? Maybe against the Als, but chances of the Lions beating the Riders in Regina are highly unlikely. Lions' problems run much deeper than the QB position.

[Blitz]

For a game that means nothing in the standings for either team, the Lions’ regular season finale means everything for their playoff aspirations.

Rick Campbell’s job is apparently safe for now, but he has acknowledged that the team needs a change, and he’s named Vernon Adams the starting quarterback against his old team to hopefully give the team a spark that could carry them into the playoffs. Campbell suggested that Adams will remain the starter in the playoffs if all goes well. It’s a move that is probably overdue, and it’s drawing positive reaction from many people who have followed the team closely. I echo their sentiments.

Steve Ewen of The Province offers Campbell’s rationale for the switch:

https://theprovince.com/sports/football ... s-jr-is-in

Farhan Lalji offers a 7-minute commentary from outside the Lions’ practice facility:

It's the right decision to start Adams for this game. However, no matter how its spun, this 2024 quarterback scenario could have been and should have been handled differently.

Adams should have been returned to his starters position after being injured for two games. Rourke, recently signed and not playing well in those two games (he should not have been pressed to start the first one with only 3 practices and one with his starting receivers), should have been the backup and given practice reps and in game packages.

With Adams as the starter, after his injury, had he not played well and was replaced by Rourke, who came in and played well, then Adams could have felt the decision was at least justified. If Adams had played well, Rourke could have still come into games and played some series, as well as played when the outcome of the game was not in doubt, at the ready as a backup in case of injury or a poor performance by Adams.

Rourke should not have expected to be our starter for the remainder of this season, if Adams played well and used the second half of the season to prepare for a very successful 2025. After all, he had been away from the CFL and our Leos for a season and a half and respect means respecting what has been happening while you were away.

A very frustrating thing to deal with is the knowledge that Adams has not been given practice reps for weeks. First of all, I feel Leo fans were lied to when Cambell said Adams would continue to be an important part of our Leos going forward this season, in response to the Rourke signing. The reality is that Adams was going to be pinned to the practice and game sidelines and its only because Rourke has not shone is he getting this chance.

Secondly, I was a critic of Buono but certainly one thing I regarded highly was that Buono continued with Hufnagel's philosophy, when Huff was the OC in Calgary to give both first and second string quarterbacks a lot of practice reps with the starters. Buono, Benevedes, Tedford, and their OC's continued that philosophy from 2003-2018. They were wise to do so.

Campbell only giving his starting quarterback practice reps is really dumb. Now Vernon gets two practices, and he starts against Montreal, and he has not thrown footballs to our receivers in live practice in weeks. Head shaking stuff.

[Toppy Vann]

Ironically Chase Brice looked good and he gets less practice reps than VA.

The worst interpretation of Rick Campbell's presser is that the team overall and the coaching is underperforming and while QB is not the problem if you watched the film, we'll change QBs and hope it gives us energy and spark.

As Farhan says, right now Nathan is not a difference maker yet he's not the main reason this team can't stop opponents.

is that kind of like changing sparkplugs when your fuel pump is acting up?

I'm still going to the game as I want to support this owner and the team.

I'm not angry at anybody, just kind of perplexed that the coaching staff don't make changes in schemes irrespective of the time in the season.

[DanoT]

Adams needs to get playing time now so both he and Rourke can be available for the playoffs. Whoever starts in the playoff game will know there will be a short leash due to who is backing him up.

[David]

A very frustrating thing to deal with is the knowledge that Adams has not been given practice reps for weeks. First of all, I feel Leo fans were lied to when Cambell said Adams would continue to be an important part of our Leos going forward this season, in response to the Rourke signing. The reality is that Adams was going to be pinned to the practice and game sidelines and its only because Rourke has not shone is he getting this chance.

Agreed, Blitz. We haven't been given the straight goods about quarterbacking and about injuries, many of which turned out to be more serious than Campbell led on for most of the season.

The way I see it, Management had two options to try and breathe life into this moribund football club. Replace Rourke or fire the Head Coach (who will likely be let go in the off-season anyway, IMO). Since Campbell IS Management, this move makes sense. But as Farhan acknowledges, Rourke wasn't the problem. Was he playing lights out? No. But the change at QB will get everyone's attention and hopefully inspire others. Vernon is very much liked and respected in the locker room.


DH


Totally agree David. At this stage of the season, its desperation time to turn this ship around although cromartie likley has it nailed that all that is happening is switching chairs on the ship before it hits another iceberg.

In looking back, it seems like Campbell and Company thought signing Rourke mid-season was just the ticket to lead Rich to the Promised Land, where they would drink milk and honey and champagne out of the Grey Cup in front of a huge crowd. No need to coach or adapt...just give the ball to Nathan and on defense, just sign Mathieu Betts and watch him sack opposing quarterbacks.

There put up some b.s. optics about Vernon Adams being important to the team but essentially, they shunted him to the side as if he was a boxed salad with a case of listeria. They were so cocksure they even threw Rourke out there with less than a full week of practice, after being away from the CFL for 1 and 1/2years.

On September 24th, it was announced that The BC Lions are sticking with Nathan Rourke as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season as they seek a third consecutive playoff berth". Head coach and Rick Campbell told reporters after practice on Monday that the team is "going to go with the continuity," at the position.

Well, how did that all work out? That statement was less than a month ago and now they are looking for a spark. Now, instead of Campbell and Company's vision of at least one home playoff berth and possibly two, then a berth in the Grey Cup, instead they are bringing hand warmers and heading to Riderland to play on the frozen tundra and who knows, maybe without Rourke as their starting quarterback.

I'm wondering what Doman is thinking right now.

One thing about this Leos brain trust is that there has been no shortage of brain farts that happen so quickly they get messy real fast. I'm wondering what Doman is thinking right now.

Certainly, while Adams deserves this opportunity, he did not deserve to be thrown out the back of the truck while already trying to heal from an injury, Nathan Rourke, while certainly not playing as he has in the past, and sometimes not playing well at all, is not the main reason our Leos have been losing. There are issues everywhere and while there are some areas which are a direct result of personnel, this has mostly been a poorly coached team for too many games this season.

All we can hope for, is that our Leos will play well against Montreal and create some momentum for our Semi-Final playoff. We won a Grey Cup with an 8-10 team so it's possible but there were other factors in that turnaround that do not exist with this 2024 edition.

But it's never over until it's over as the old saying goes.

[almo89]

If we run the same schemes, VA will be a sitting duck back there and continued to be sacked and forced to make bad throws. QB change isn't going to change much since we know the coaching staff is stubborn to do any changes.

[don corleone]

Adams needs to get playing time now so both he and Rourke can be available for the playoffs. Whoever starts in the playoff game will know there will be a short leash due to who is backing him up.

As long as they don't turn the ball over they will be okay. It will be up to the D to keep the game close. Coincidentally applies to both teams.

A good game vs Montreal will go a long way to resetting the outlook for the playoffs. An optimist might see hope.

[cromartie]

Listen, I know the boat is sinking, and backing the boat up and repeatedly ramming it into these icebergs may not be the best strategy, but wouldn't swapping out the red deck chairs for blue ones look great on the aft deck right about now?

[Dusty]

Listen, I know the boat is sinking, and backing the boat up and repeatedly ramming it into these icebergs may not be the best strategy, but wouldn't swapping out the red deck chairs for blue ones look great on the aft deck right about now?

Well said..... you get the 'Morning Chuckle' award!!!

[Rammer]

It should have been stated that both Rourke and Adams would get a half each. Let the offence sort itself out that way. Lions biggest problem is on a D that can’t pressure the QB and doesn’t cover within 5 yards of receivers. Mix in the lack of second and long opportunities and they are lucky to be in the playoff mix, where anything can happen.

[Toppy Vann]

It should have been stated that both Rourke and Adams would get a half each. Let the offence sort itself out that way. Lions biggest problem is on a D that can’t pressure the QB and doesn’t cover within 5 yards of receivers. Mix in the lack of second and long opportunities and they are lucky to be in the playoff mix, where anything can happen.

BC is too often second and long yet allow others to be 2nd and 2 consistently. Being able to toss a TD pass into the end zone is another pre-req to getting Ws. VA gives BC that chance if he can get his form back in the practices they have this week.

I too am in the camp that VA should have gotten decent practice reps so when he was tossed in that game earlier he was ready.

I'm not sure it'd be wise to say each get a half as if VA is shooting the lights out but the game is still close, maybe you don't want to make that change at the half in case you mess up. I've always been fine with two QBs getting situational reps but with BC there's no differing play packages for these two.

I still can't see any firing of Rick Campbell or potentially pressure to give up HC. I don't see any on his staff I'd like as HC.
Recylcling a CFL HC is fine but it'd have to be done a la Danny Macioca who himself learned much during his time away in Cdn college ball and in his hire of Jason Maas. Maas is not the same person he was the y ear before last as OC with the Riders and he is very definitely not the HC he was with Edmonton.
He's not ranting and raving. He's focused in games but he's built a team culture of performence and expectations. That's the kind of HC teams need.

[SammyGreene]

Farhan’s indirect way of saying there is much more wrong with this team other than QB was jokingly asking VA yesterday if he could play halfback with his very first question.

One of the many questions about this horribly performing defence is Ciante Evans now missing his 3rd straight week for a non football related manner. His absence coincided with the return of Edwards-Cooper.
Evans had been playing field corner much of the season even though he started at field side halfback for the Alouettes last year. For whatever reason we have watched Rugumba (last year’s starting SAM) and rookie Kent Jr struggle of late at the HB positions in Phillips ridiculous revolving door that is the B.C. secondary .

[DanoT]

Farhan’s indirect way of saying there is much more wrong with this team other than QB was jokingly asking VA yesterday if he could play halfback with his very first question.

One of the many questions about this horribly performing defence is Ciante Evans now missing his 3rd straight week for a non football related manner. His absence coincided with the return of Edwards-Cooper.
Evans had been playing field corner much of the season even though he started at field side halfback for the Alouettes last year. For whatever reason we have watched Rugumba (last year’s starting SAM) and rookie Kent Jr struggle of late at the HB positions in Phillips ridiculous revolving door that is the B.C. secondary .

Phillips seems to have too many players playing their less than best, least experienced positions, including T. J. Lee, who while he is playing very well at SAM, isn't he needed more at DB?

[Blitz]

Blitz wrote: ↑
Tue Oct 15, 2024 8:34 pm
A very frustrating thing to deal with is the knowledge that Adams has not been given practice reps for weeks. First of all, I feel Leo fans were lied to when Cambell said Adams would continue to be an important part of our Leos going forward this season, in response to the Rourke signing. The reality is that Adams was going to be pinned to the practice and game sidelines and its only because Rourke has not shone is he getting this chance.


Agreed, Blitz. We haven't been given the straight goods about quarterbacking and about injuries, many of which turned out to be more serious than Campbell led on for most of the season.

The way I see it, Management had two options to try and breathe life into this moribund football club. Replace Rourke or fire the Head Coach (who will likely be let go in the off-season anyway, IMO). Since Campbell IS Management, this move makes sense. But as Farhan acknowledges, Rourke wasn't the problem. Was he playing lights out? No. But the change at QB will get everyone's attention and hopefully inspire others. Vernon is very much liked and respected in the locker room.


DH

Totally agree David. At this stage of the season, its desperation time to turn this ship around although cromartie likley has it nailed that all that is happening is switching chairs on the ship before it hits another iceberg.

In looking back, it seems like Campbell and Company thought signing Rourke mid-season was just the ticket to lead Rich to the Promised Land, where they would drink milk and honey and champagne out of the Grey Cup in front of a huge crowd. No need to coach or adapt...just give the ball to Nathan and on defense, just sign Mathieu Betts and watch him sack opposing quarterbacks.

There put up some b.s. optics about Vernon Adams being important to the team but essentially, they shunted him to the side as if he was a boxed salad with a case of listeria. They were so cocksure they even threw Rourke out there with less than a full week of practice, after being away from the CFL for 1 and 1/2years.

On September 24th, it was announced that The BC Lions are sticking with Nathan Rourke as the starting quarterback for the remainder of the season as they seek a third consecutive playoff berth". Head coach and Rick Campbell told reporters after practice on Monday that the team is "going to go with the continuity," at the position.

Well, how did that all work out? That statement was less than a month ago and now they are looking for a spark. Now, instead of Campbell and Company's vision of at least one home playoff berth and possibly two, then a berth in the Grey Cup, instead they are bringing hand warmers and heading to Riderland to play on the frozen tundra and who knows, maybe without Rourke as their starting quarterback.

I'm wondering what Doman is thinking right now.

One thing about this Leos brain trust is that there has been no shortage of brain farts that happen so quickly they get messy real fast. I'm wondering what Doman is thinking right now.

Certainly, while Adams deserves this opportunity, he did not deserve to be thrown out the back of the truck while already trying to heal from an injury, Nathan Rourke, while certainly not playing as he has in the past, and sometimes not playing well at all, is not the main reason our Leos have been losing. There are issues everywhere and while there are some areas which are a direct result of personnel, this has mostly been a poorly coached team for too many games this season.

All we can hope for, is that our Leos will play well against Montreal and create some momentum for our Semi-Final playoff. We won a Grey Cup with an 8-10 team so it's possible but there were other factors in that turnaround that do not exist with this 2024 edition.

But it's never over until it's over as the old saying goes.