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Wally may not be directly controlling Mark Washington`s defensive decisions but I believe he has had tremendous influence on Washington as a coach, in terms of philosophy and scheme, both directly and indirectly.

When you look at our last four defensive coordinators in terms of philosophy and style -Dave Ritchie, Mike Benevedes, Rich Stubler, and Mark Washington, Ritchie and Stubler were very different in style but both were innovative on defence. Ritchie attacked an offence with pressure most of the time, using zone blitzes but he also used multiple formations and changed up constantly. Stubler focused more on disguising coverages and creating false reads. Both came from the outside.

Mike Benevedes and Mark Washington were Buono hires as defensive coordinators. Both have very, very similar styles of playing straight up zone defense and both have preferred to use a straight up 4 man pass rush with a rotation on the defensive line as their main way of getting pressure on the quarterback. Buono had a tremendous influence on Benevedes. When Benevedes took over our defense from Ritchie, instead of adopting Ritchie`s philosophy and style, instead he ran a Buono style of defense. Washington, when taking over from Stubler, also did not adopt Stubler`s defensive philosophy and style but instead adopted more of a Benevedes or Buono style - both are similar so take your pick.

While Buono may not `control` Washington I believe his influence is profound, in terms of philosophy and scheme. Whether that is direct influence or indirect influence is hard to determine. But Buono, who may have said that he would not directly interfere with the coaching this season, will still have influence and want to exert some type of control. It's who he is. Washington and McMann are here or remain here, in part, for that reason. They are his ears.

Heck, if Wally, as a GM is still the person fining for dead ball fouls, always the Head Coach`s domain, its not like he has let go.

I`m just relieved that I was against the decision to let Stubler go and hire Washington as our DC at the time. This defense is embarrassing right now and its a heck of a lot more than a player personnel problem or execution problems. That much is more than obvious.

Some pre-game info from CFL.ca that is interesting as we prepare for the Eskimos.

Andrew Harris: Recorded his ninth career 100-yard rushing game last week with 117 yards on a career-high 24 carries. It was the first time in his CFL career that he has ever gone above 18 rushes.

1st Quarter shutouts: BC has blanked the opposition in the first 15:00 in 4 out of 5 games and is +20 in the 1st Quarter in 2015. Over the remaining three quarters, opponents hold a 72-103 scoring edge. BC has not allowed any first quarter points at all in any of the last three games.

BC Pass Protection #1: The Lions lead the CFL with only 3 sacks allowed and have given up just one in their last 58 possessions and covering their last 143 pass plays. It is the first time in three years (since Sep-Oct 2012) that they have allowed only one sack in a stretch of 4 games.

Richie Leone: Along with Boris Bede heading into Week 7, Leone and his fellow rookie have yet to miss a FG attempt in their first 12 career tries each. The CFL Record Book does not cover this aspect (yet) but it is believed to be a record.

Courtney Taylor: Since returning from injury, Taylor has gained steadily after his first game with just one catch and three targets. He was targeted 6 times in his second game and 9 times last week with 4 catches for a season-high 59 yards. He has 4 second down conversion grabs in the last two games.

Edmonton Defence: The Eskimos’ #1 defence has allowed only one opponent TD drive in the last three games (45 possessions) and just 4 all season long – all on the road. No visiting team has scored an offensive TD at Commonwealth Stadium this season. Over their last 4 games, Edmonton opponents have averaged only 234 net yards and just 7.8 offensive points per game.

1st down Defence: In their first game of 2015, Edmonton allowed 358 first down yards on 35 attempts to Toronto (10.2 yard average). Since then, they have given up only 557 yards on 123 first down plays - a 4.5 yard average – by far the lowest in the CFL.

In the 2nd half last week: The Eskimos offence of choice last week was the pass as they threw 43 times (a season-high) compared to only 12 runs. In the second half vs SSK, Edmonton passed 22 times and made only 4 rushing attempts.

New record 16 targets: In the last game vs Saskatchewan, Edmonton threw 43 passes, one of which was a “throw away” and thus not assigned as a “target” to a particular player. Of the other 42 passes, a CFL season-high for any player of 16 passes was thrown toward Adarius Bowman. That 16 total “targets” is almost as many as Bowman had in the previous 3 games combined (19).

Matt Nichols Try for 5: Nichols is the first Edmonton QB to win four consecutive games started since Mike Reilly across 2013-2014 (5 straight wins). Other than Reilly, only Ricky Ray has won at least 5 straight starts for Edmonton since 2003 (2011). Nichols is the only undefeated QB starter in 2015 and is now 4-5 for his career. He has never started a game against BC.

Up by a lot: In each of their last 4 games, Edmonton has built a lead of 11 or more points along the way. Edmonton has allowed only one second half point over the last two games with a scoring edge of 48-1 (+47).

Grant Shaw: Shaw has had a purrfect start to 2015 making 12-of-12 field goals. That extends his streak to a career-high 18 consecutive FGs made as he hit his final 6 attempts last year. He has also made his last 9 one-point converts kicks from 32 yards after starting off 2015 hitting only 2-of-5 attempts.

Positive Margin: The Eskimos are the only CFL club this year to hold a scoring edge in each half and in fact they have an edge in all four quarters this season.

Kenny Stafford: Stafford’s role has been of increasing importance this year to Edmonton’s offence. In the last three games, he has 7 second down conversion catches after getting none in the first two games.

YAC leader: Over the last two games, Wallace Miles has made a big contribution with 8 catches for 88 yards. What is really noticeable is his ability to gain yards after the catch. Of his 88 yards, 64% have come after the catch (compare to Stafford whose % of YAC to total yards is only 14% for the season and Bowman’s at 22%).

On the surface, this game might look like a mismatch. The Esks are in first place, they've won four games in a row, they haven't given up a touchdown in two games, they have the league's best defence statistically, giving up an average of 279.2 point per game and they don't have any obvious flaws on defence. The Lions, as documented in numerous threads on this board, have the league's worst defence in most key categories, they've been experimenting with several new starters, they'e made far too many mistakes for their own good and they haven't beaten anyone except winless Saskatchewan.

Still, there is hope for the Lions. The Eskimo offence hasn't been sharp. QB Matt Nichols isn't Mike Reilly, jitterbug RB Shakir Bell is injured, the Esks rank eighth in offence at just 324 yards per game despite having the third most offensive plays (thanks to their defence giving them the ball) and they rank last in second-down conversions.

The Lions are 7-3 in their last 10 games against the Esks (although they lost twice last year), Travis Lulay is 18-2 in career starts at B.C. Place (one of the losses was in the Argo comeback last month), the offensive line has been outstanding, the Lions have given up a league low 3 sacks and the defensive secondary has more experience than at any time this year, with Ronnie Yell and Ryan Phillips both healthy and Cord Parks returning to the halfback spot he played last year.

Here are my keys to the game for the Lions:

1. Establish Andrew Harris. Harris leads the league in rushing with 401 yards and in average yards from scrimmage, 126 per game. He always plays well against the Esks, particularly when matched up against J.C. Sherritt, putting up 100 yards from scrimmage in 6 of 7 games against the Esks since 2012. He represents 37% of the Lions' offence this year. They need him to do well.

2. Score early. The Lions lead the league in first-possession scoring and have outscored their opponents 34-7 in the first 15 minutes, while not giving up any first-quarter points in their three most recent games. It's important for the Lions to score early to gain confidence and set a tone that they can try to carry through the game.

3. Be disciplined. Don't blow coverages and give up big plays, don't take undisciplined penalties and don't turn the ball over. Mistakes are magnified against good teams. The Esks are a good team but they can be beaten.

B.C.FAN wrote:Here are my keys to the game for the Lions:

1. Establish Andrew Harris. Harris leads the league in rushing with 401 yards and in average yards from scrimmage, 126 per game. He always plays well against the Esks, particularly when matched up against J.C. Sherritt, putting up 100 yards from scrimmage in 6 of 7 games against the Esks since 2012. He represents 37% of the Lions' offence this year. They need him to do well.

2. Score early. The Lions lead the league in first-possession scoring and have outscored their opponents 34-7 in the first 15 minutes, while not giving up any first-quarter points in their three most recent games. It's important for the Lions to score early to gain confidence and set a tone that they can try to carry through the game.

3. Be disciplined. Don't blow coverages and give up big plays, don't take undisciplined penalties and don't turn the ball over. Mistakes are magnified against good teams. The Esks are a good team but they can be beaten.

That's going to be on the coaches almost as much as on the players. As in, I don't think anybody wants to see an ill-timed 3rd & not-so-short gamble tonight before or unless it gets to do-or-die. Another fail on 3rd & 2, 3, 4, whatever: if it comes too early it's gonna bring the boo birds out. Yeah, you look like a genius when it works but this team has already burned too much good will with the fans on these calls to get away with another fail. We've got the best punter in the league — Long-distance Leone — and as Blitz mentioned his FG kicking isn't too shabby either, so let's use him to kick us out of trouble and live to fight another day.

I'm also curious to see how long a leash Lulay gets tonight after 44mins of 6pt ball to end two weeks ago and 51mins of 6pt ball to end last week. If the O looks equally flaccid tonight do we sit him for at least a series or two or just keep riding him as far as he takes us? Which too often lately has been to the wrong side of the first down marker and not past it. With Lulay's shoulder history we ought to be getting our relatively inexperienced backups as many meaningful reps as possible anyway, regardless of our record. If someone back in May had said how many QBs would be getting banged up or missing long stretches of action in the first third of the season I would have thought, "yeah, that's not impossible," but I probably would have been shocked if you had mentioned in the same breath that Lulay wouldn't be among them.

Here are my keys to the game...

On Offence be prepared to EXPLOIT a Defence that likes to blitz to create mismatches. Remember, for every mismatch created against the Offence, a hole is created against the Defence. These must be found and exploited. How did Dan Marino TORCH the undefeated CHI Bears during their attempt at a purrfect season? He confidently found his smurf receivers and got rid of the ball quickly before the Bears could get to him. Again, remember, EVERY SINGLE DB is taught to defend in coverage during a blitz by protecting against the deep ball, ANY RECEIVER can simply break off his route inside and "sit down" and be WIDE OPEN! Exploit this...have Lulay take snaps out of the shotgun with Harris and make quick throws after faking a spread option handoff! KEEP EDM GUESSING, instead of allowing Defences to simply KNOW what we are going to do. Line up in PRO Style formations, power formations and run RIGHT AT THE BLITZ! The obvious weakness to this "new age" of CFL defences is their sacrifice of size for speed. Keep AC Leonard either in on the Line, or in the backfield and expose this obvious defensive weakness. Suddenly we have a good OLine, TRUST IN IT to give Lulay enough time to make quick throws and dissect EDM's blitz apart.

Defensively, the EDM Offence is anything but intimidating. Put pressure on their inexperienced QB, mix up schemes and coverage to keep him guessing. Do what it takes to keep him from getting confident in the pocket. Do this, and he will make lots of mistakes and we can win.

Finally, if Chuck McMann can find a way to stop his S Ts players from taking so many penalties (his job) then we will have a huge advantage in S Ts week in and out. This can be a huge help to both our Offence and Defence. Ultimately, the Lions have the necessary talent to win this game, but our Coaches must direct this talent into positions to succeed, instead of playing to lose!

[quote]Here are my keys to the game

1. Establish Andrew Harris. Harris leads the league in rushing with 401 yards and in average yards from scrimmage, 126 per game. He always plays well against the Esks, particularly when matched up against J.C. Sherritt, putting up 100 yards from scrimmage in 6 of 7 games against the Esks since 2012. He represents 37% of the Lions' offence this year. They need him to do well.

2. Score early. The Lions lead the league in first-possession scoring and have outscored their opponents 34-7 in the first 15 minutes, while not giving up any first-quarter points in their three most recent games. It's important for the Lions to score early to gain confidence and set a tone that they can try to carry through the game.

3. Be disciplined. Don't blow coverages and give up big plays, don't take undisciplined penalties and don't turn the ball over. Mistakes are magnified against good teams. The Esks are a good team but they can be beaten.

B.C. Fan[/quote

Thanks B.C. Fan. Here are mine. W

1. USE PLAY ACTION

Our Lions have proven the following on offence this season. We can block effectively for the run and Harris can run the football. We've also shown that we can pass block for Lulay in the pocket....and Lulay has not had to do much escaping for our offensive line to lead the league in protecting our quarterback - lowest sack total in the CFL - and we have given Lulay lots of time to throw most of the time.

The only problem is that it has not lead to a consistent, effective passing attack. The Eskimos will key on Harris in both the running game and his release out of the backfield in the passing attack. To counteract that, we need to use play action and not just on second down. Getting Lulay moving on semi-boots will also help get his mechanics back and Lulay is at his most accurate throwing the football off movement. He is most accurate throwing the football that way and it will also help get us out of a too vertical passing game with Lulay throwing exclusively from the pocket.

When Lulay does throw from the pocket we need quick hit passes to primary targets. Use motion to get the best matches and use motion to get our tight end into space with a matchup on a linebacker. With the attention that will be paid to Harris, if can use Leonard more effectively he could be the anti-dote to the attention the Eskimos will give to Harris.

The Eskimos blitz too well to use a quarterback in one way...whether in the pocket or rolling out. We'll really need to mix it up this game, moving Lulay around more often as well as throwing from the pocket if we want to hear the singing of Lulay, Lulay, Lulay again. And Lulay needs to get his game back. His quarterback efficiency in his last two games of around 64. has been terrible. Play action would help him big time.

GAME PLAN FOR THE ESKIMOS BLITZ

Our offensive line has been great so far this season, especially with three new starters - amazing really. Cheers for Malone and Dorazio we don't miss you.

However our offensive line has not faced a defense like the Eskimos. They line up all over the place and show multiple fronts and blitz from a lot of different spots with various blitz schemes.

That means blocking inside out and good comuniation for our offensive line and it also means that Harris will need to block smart and well when we keep him in. Lumbala will also play an important role at times in our blocking scheme. This would be a game to use Leanord more as a tight end or additional fullback who can both pass block and release.

But pass protection can't just be the focus of our players. It will also need to be schemed and play called. Anti-blitz strategies from screens, hot reads, quick slants and quick seam patterns, quick outs, hitch screens, as well as offensive formation will be important and that is on Cortez and Tedford.

SCORE LATE AND DEFEND LATE

Not to counteract B.C. Fan but our offence and defense have both enjoyed very good first quarters this season. Only problem is that our offence and defence have had more than their struggles in too many games in the second half. This stat shows that we are prepared well for the start of games but our coaches are poor at making in game and especially second half adjustments and that needs to change.

Exactly Blitz, and the thing that is very, very sad is that it's not rocket science, this is football 101. As I have stated before the more football changes the more it stays the same. Just look at the Stamps, Seahawks and Patriots (recent league champions)...you want to win a championship? CONTROL THE LOS, Don't commit many turnovers and create a lot yourself. For all the passing yards that Tom Brady generates why is it that he steadfastly commits to a running game that is average at best? Because it opens up all sorts of possibilities in the pass game! And how about the offensive formations per game that these three teams operate out of??? They keep you off balance and guessing...the Lions however open up the twin doors to the all you can eat buffet!

Play a full 60 minutes for a change, offence, defence and special teams.

Expect a lot of blitzing and stunts from the Esks D. Imperative to run the screen to Harris to prevent them from pinning their ears back. Draw the D in and let Harris scamper for a long one. Also, want to see more rollouts, delayed draws and sweeps. One thing Travis doesn't seem to do a lot of is the pump fake. That can also be effective against an aggressive D like Edmonton's.

This game will largely come down to Travis's throwing accuracy. Tedford wants more "chunk" yards which tells me he wants to go more vertical, but that is predicated on Travis being more accurate on his longer throws (and throwing to the right shoulder). Fans are going to lose a bit of patience if they continue to see balls sail 10 yards over the head of open receivers.


DH

The Lions match-up pretty well with the Esks, this game is a toss-up. If Lulay bogs down again perhaps they should insert the backup QB for a series or two. Travis watching from the sidelines might help regain his focus...like in Game #7 vs the Bombers in 2011. After his benching, Travis played lights out for the rest of the season.

10 minutes before kickoff, not many bums in the seats. Sad

Heard lots of love and togetherness from Coach Tedford in the papers. Not too much on what they will do differently. Let's hope that his 'give love a chance' mantra lulls the Esks into complacency.

That is the key to the game in my view. Esks come out flat and expecting to kick the togetherness of the Lions but collectively dial it down.

Having totally missed last Thursdays collapse, I bit hard on my tongue to keep from saying anything negative about the lions performance...let hope we are rewarded with a victory tonight!

Liona forces a punt

Good start. Lions1st down