While if there is any need of proof of the offensive scheming you need only look at the Buck Pierce stats in two games with the Bombers including hits he has taken. Granted he says he has healed and was hurt last season but at the same time his offensive schemes in the 'Peg seem to keep defenses more honest than BC's does. If the Bombers had the Lions defensive ST coverage Pierce's stats would have been in the blow out range even with one of the 8 quarters he played a bit of a disaster (one fumble, one Int).Blitz wrote:The focus, after a poor offensive performance will focus on the quarterback position as it always does and on the offensive line, if the quarterback(s) were under too much pressure.
Casey Printers has looked both sharp and out of sync so far this season. Lulay yesterday showed his potential on a couple of plays but also struggled. The offensive line, with its cast of members having such little CFL game experience, will have its struggles but also played well at times.
The big problem is the problem we've had offensively since 2004. The problem is an offence that can be easily bltized and does not have the anti-blitz strategies to hurt blitzing teams. We've overcome it, at times, in the past with superior talent. We've overcome it in the past because Dickenson would take the brutal hit to make the throw or Printers would escape to make a huge play or a Jarious Jackson would heave one deep downfield. However, it has always required great plays by individuals, to overcome the opposition blitz, and that's impossible to do, all the time.
So, instead, we had a Dickenson swarmed, a Printers running for his life, a Buck Pierce taking a bashing, and a Jarious Jackson who couldn't deliver the big play often enough. The quarterbacks took the heat, the offensive line was consistently criticized for giving up the most sacks in the league, and the same old continues.
However, until our offensive structure and play calling learns how to combat the blitz. we'll continue to see it and continue to struggle. Every CFL defensive coordinator knows our offence and they know that blitzing it often is the key to making it difficult for us. We've got the same recipe for years and years and still we keep doing the same old things that don't work and continue not to use screens and other anti-blitz strategies.
Sad, frustrating, etc. and no quarterback or offensive line can overcome it by themselves.
There have just been too many changes with the Lions some of them in recent years not needed and for little reason. Any time an O line has this many players in new positions you have to believe it is a huge uphill battle. All this has changed the culture of the team and others with more stability like the Riders keep building and despite Tillman moving on, the Riders keep going in the same direction.
There seems to be good potential with the new players but that all takes time to get to wins. This will be a tough year in a year they need to be marketing their team for a return to the dome.
