Lions season opener in Toronto Sunday

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions have added defensive linemen Nathan Cherry and Francis Bemiy to the 6-game injured list and offensive linemen Chris Schleuger and George Una to the 1-game injured list in advance of Sunday's season opener in Toronto.

The offensive depth chart shows Michael Couture starting at centre, backed up by Tyler Packer. There are no changes to the first-team offence that was intact throughout training camp.

On defence, national DB Patrice Rene starts at SAM and Manny Rugamba at HB. Rookie Jordan Perryman starts at CB. Fellow rookies Ronald Kent and Christophe Beaulieu back up the secondary.

That gives the Lions 9 national starters, including 4 on defence, giving them the flexibility to bring in extra Americans at DL, LB or DB in certain packages. They don’t need a national DL to rotate with Christian Covington.

Depth chart and roster

[maxlion]

Ciante Evans wearing Dane Evans' old #17, didn't even need to change the nameplate.

[David]

While I want VA to test an Argonaut secondary that features a lot of new faces, I would like to see more of a commitment to the running game to try and wear down that Argo front four and control the clock (there is a chance of showers at game time). I would think that Stanback knows this Argo team pretty well have played them in the East.

Defensively, we are going to have our hands full with Ka'Deem Carey who is always a threat to break a carry for 15-20+ yards. Fortunately, we have committed to stopping the run this year (adding size), so this will be an interesting match-up on first down or second and short.

I would be fining any player this week caught talking about next week's home opener (50 Cent/50K). We can't look past the Argos just because Chad Kelly is not playing. I am looking forward to seeing how Covington and Robertson perform against a very good Argo Oline. I am expecting big things from Tuehema this season. Hopefully RP can give Dukes some different looks and disguise coverages to confuse him.

9 starting Canadians. That is incredible!


DH

[SammyGreene]

Hard to believe Pierson would accept a practice roster salary at this stage of his career or if this is more of a paper work move to protect Una from being scooped up by another team. Pierson seems like a great team guy and his starter experience from last season is valuable but barring injury his days could be numbered here if he has been surpassed by Packer and Una.

Wonder how long they have been planning to shift Rugamba to Lee’s boundary side HB spot? Renee is turning into a terrific story as a former Bomber 2022 draft pick they released at the end of his rookie season. Have we ever started a national at SAM? Rugamba, Renee and Greene all on the final year of their entry level deals so huge seasons for them as B.C. goes much cheaper in the secondary.

[B.C.FAN]

Rugamba and Rene are both versatile and played several positions in camp. Rugamba played SAM and HB. Rene played safety and SAM. Ryan Phillips had lots of options in putting his lineup together. With this option, he avoids starting a rookie at HB.

[Hambone]

While I want VA to test an Argonaut secondary that features a lot of new faces, I would like to see more of a commitment to the running game to try and wear down that Argo front four and control the clock (there is a chance of showers at game time). I would think that Stanback knows this Argo team pretty well have played them in the East.



9 starting Canadians. That is incredible!


DH

Some cautions in there. Rider fans have been salivating over the addition of A.J. Ouelette. He was pretty much neutered yesterday with only 40 yards on 18 carries. After starting with a 5 yard carry and adding carries of 5, 7 & 11 the majority ranged from 3 down to -3. He also fumbled twice.

Starting 9 Canadians somewhat haunts me. They started out with either 9 or 10 to open the 2019 season. That excited me back then but excitement quickly turned to disappointment as some of them proved to be lacking. However I do feel much better about this group being capable of performing well than my 20/20 hindsight view of the 2019 group provides. The 4 on defense is crucial due to the injury status of Cherry and Bemiy. Having both Greene and Rene in the back 8 will allow Campbell to freely rotate his 8 DL. He won't need to do a double-switch to rotate Covington out.

[CrazyCanuck89]

While I want VA to test an Argonaut secondary that features a lot of new faces, I would like to see more of a commitment to the running game to try and wear down that Argo front four and control the clock (there is a chance of showers at game time). I would think that Stanback knows this Argo team pretty well have played them in the East.



9 starting Canadians. That is incredible!


DH

Some cautions in there. Rider fans have been salivating over the addition of A.J. Ouelette. He was pretty much neutered yesterday with only 40 yards on 18 carries. After starting with a 5 yard carry and adding carries of 5, 7 & 11 the majority ranged from 3 down to -3. He also fumbled twice.

Starting 9 Canadians somewhat haunts me. They started out with either 9 or 10 to open the 2019 season. That excited me back then but excitement quickly turned to disappointment as some of them proved to be lacking. However I do feel much better about this group being capable of performing well than my 20/20 hindsight view of the 2019 group provides. The 4 on defense is crucial due to the injury status of Cherry and Bemiy. Having both Greene and Rene in the back 8 will allow Campbell to freely rotate his 8 DL. He won't need to do a double-switch to rotate Covington out.

It shouldn't haunt you at all. Be proud, that your team is starting more Canadians.

[David]

The 4 on defense is crucial due to the injury status of Cherry and Bemiy. Having both Greene and Rene in the back 8 will allow Campbell to freely rotate his 8 DL. He won't need to do a double-switch to rotate Covington out.

I would expect to see a lot of Marcus Moore. Not sure what Covington's strength and conditioning is like. Not only coming from NFL (no big deal, most the Americans aren't used to the speed of the Canadian game and the play clock) but I am not sure what his conditioning is like. Missed quite a lot of camp and only played part of the 2nd preseason game.

Ouellette had an inauspicious debut for the Riders (didn't break a lot of tackles, potentially costly fumble near the end of the game) but run blocking looked to be an issue for the Riders.


DH

[Robbie]

Lions give up a sack on their first possession and couldn't make a sack of their own.

[Hambone]

It shouldn't haunt you at all. Be proud, that your team is starting more Canadians.

i'm proud when they prove to be worthy of starting. I'm not as proud when they continue to start when they are showing they shouldn't be.

[SammyGreene]

Phillips awful zone defence getting shredded.

[don corleone]

Has anyone said "oh oh" yet?

[TheLionKing]

Running back vs defensive lineman. Mismatch. Argos 7 Lions 0

[Clash Dance]

Oh oh

[Hambone]

Not sure what Covington's strength and conditioning is like. Not only coming from NFL (no big deal, most the Americans aren't used to the speed of the Canadian game and the play clock) but I am not sure what his conditioning is like. Missed quite a lot of camp and only played part of the 2nd preseason game.

DH

Probably lacking a bit in actual game shape. BCF reported him being back taking practice reps on May 23rd which means he's been able to participate fully in practice for over 2 weeks now and as you said played in the 2nd preseason game. He also worked hard in the offseason to drop 15 pounds in preparation for the quicker CFL game and bigger field. He probably showed up at camp in better shape than in his NFL days.