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If there is to be change at the top, and throughout the ranks of the Lions' coaching staff, then it is probably best if we do not squeak into the playoffs, as we did last year.

For me, the state of the Lions is not so much a nightmare, as it is a minor headache. Same old, same old.

Nine years under Buono. One Grey Cup in nine years in an eight team league. Not even average. Ooodles of missed chances. Disappointment for the fans all over the place, going back to our huge missed opportunity in 2004.

I love the CFL. So how could I knock David Braley? He has taken the CFL under his wing. He will not let it fold. He brings stability. So we put up with his overly patient, overly loyal ownership.

If we make the playoffs, it could mean another Mulligan for Wally the "mentor" and his "student coaches." So be it. Even Braley would have to make a move eventually. Or Wally just might get sick of losing and move to another position in Braley's empire. Maybe something to do with the auto parts business?

So how can we make the playoffs?

Beat Saskatchewan. They look eminently beatable. And beat Toronto. They also look eminently beatable. Not likely to win a crossover berth in the playoffs: Winnipeg, Montreal and Hamilton are running away from us. So we would have to win third in the West, and prevent Toronto from crossing over.

And then we get our reward: A new vote of confidence in Wally. Lifetime contracts for all of his student coaches. A mark of a prominent Head Coach is promotion to the top of another franchise for some of his assistants over the years. Jacques almost got his chance with Edmonton. That did not fly. Mike B was offered the Toronto job, but chose the safety of Wally's World. It is not likely we will see another Head Coaching opportunity for Wally's guys, except for with the Lions, his little fiefdom.

Braley is going to have to do some serious thinking. Wally has a lifetime contract. Does Braley develop loyalty to Jim Barker in Toronto, as a sort of fair play for his Head Coaches? Two losing franchises? Two teams failing, stinking out the joint, driving away the fans? Braley will have to apply some his business acumen to solve this double football business problem.

Well, if we have new ownership then we can see the decks swept clean anyway, I do think we need some changes but also think you are always better off winning then losing.

West Coast Blue Fan wrote:

PigSkin_53 wrote: Might as well make him commissioner and board of directors officially then as well (as if he it’s already)

And by the way grammar cop it’s weren’t not wasn’t

Okay, thanks for the correction.

WestCoastJoe wrote:If there is to be change at the top, and throughout the ranks of the Lions' coaching staff, then it is probably best if we do not squeak into the playoffs, as we did last year.

Missing the playoffs coupled with dwindling fan base is the only way there will be significant changes in the organization.

TheLionKing wrote:

WestCoastJoe wrote:If there is to be change at the top, and throughout the ranks of the Lions' coaching staff, then it is probably best if we do not squeak into the playoffs, as we did last year.

Missing the playoffs coupled with dwindling fan base is the only way there will be significant changes in the organization.

Agreed TLK

Turn styles and club coffers are the only way to the bankers heart

PigSkin_53 wrote: ...Turn styles and club coffers are the only way to the bankers heart

OUCH! Very punny of you....

WestCoastJoe wrote:Beat Saskatchewan. They look eminently beatable. And beat Toronto. They also look eminently beatable. Not likely to win a crossover berth in the playoffs: Winnipeg, Montreal and Hamilton are running away from us. So we would have to win third in the West, and prevent Toronto from crossing over.

This looks very possible now. We've got one game on Saskatchewan. We need to beat Toronto so we have the head to head edge in the standings.

However, we beat a dysfunctional looking Regina team. Toronto is also looking dysfunctional. If those are the only teams we can beat, we are not going anywhere in the playoffs.

Can we challenge Calgary, or Edmonton? Not at this time, I would say.

We still have lots of leaks and weaknesses.

Our offence shut down in the second half vs the Riders. Our best defensive player, Korey Banks, is making mistakes. Pass rush pressure is not up to championship standards IMO. Phillips plays like it is touch football. At times we blitzed well. But at other times we slipped back into our prevent mindset: no blitzing, soft zone coverage. We are still predictable quite often both on O and D.

Whatever happens, it is usually a good show in the CFL. Perhaps a changing of the guard at the top. Bombers vs Eskimos for the Cup looks like a possibility.

WestCoastJoe wrote:We need to beat Toronto so we have the head to head edge in the standings.

Head to head doesn't apply in crossover situations. If Toronto wants to crossover, they have to beat us (or sask) outright even if they sweep us in the season series.

I voted yes because I don't think the lions are as bad as most people think, they certainly play entertaining football and in the games i have watched , they were good enough to have won, i do not think the coaching the coaching is too good, but maybe the players can win in spite of that, just rember in football anything can happen.
ken

Despite the win last night, the Lions are still along ways away from being a good consistent team. The offence appear not to have made any adjustments at the half while the Riders defence did. They stopped the Lions' offence in the 2nd half.

TheLionKing wrote:Despite the win last night, the Lions are still along ways away from being a good consistent team. The offence appear not to have made any adjustments at the half while the Riders defence did. They stopped the Lions' offence in the 2nd half.

I think the Lions played more of a controlled, ball-possession game in the second half to protect the lead. The Lions had 8 first downs in the half. Saskatchewan had 9, with an extra possession. Most importantly, the Lions controlled the clock in the fourth quarter and didn't let the Riders mount a comeback.

PigSkin_53 wrote:

TheLionKing wrote:

WestCoastJoe wrote:If there is to be change at the top, and throughout the ranks of the Lions' coaching staff, then it is probably best if we do not squeak into the playoffs, as we did last year.

Missing the playoffs coupled with dwindling fan base is the only way there will be significant changes in the organization.

Agreed TLK

Turn styles and club coffers are the only way to the bankers heart

If you're a fan who needs'em

medalion wrote:I'm voting yes for two reasons, the Lions have not been rely blown out or been outplayed to a drastic degree in the 5 games so far, in fact the Eskischmoe game Was the only one where they looked like a second rate team.
the second reason that they will make the playoffs is that they have not played any of these teams second time yet. they could easily have won 3 or 4 of those games and may do so on the return matches.
its not inconceivable that they could win 4 of the next 5 and be 4 -6 -10 good for third spot in the west behind Calgary and Edmonton (hell its not like we havent been there before lol)

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Ahhh HeMMMM when they say don't jump on the band wagon "either you are with us or against us" I was with us from the start...damn I should a put money on it !

medalion wrote:

medalion wrote:I'm voting yes for two reasons, the Lions have not been rely blown out or been outplayed to a drastic degree in the 5 games so far, in fact the Eskischmoe game Was the only one where they looked like a second rate team.
the second reason that they will make the playoffs is that they have not played any of these teams second time yet. they could easily have won 3 or 4 of those games and may do so on the return matches.
its not inconceivable that they could win 4 of the next 5 and be 4 -6 -10 good for third spot in the west behind Calgary and Edmonton (hell its not like we havent been there before lol)

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Ahhh HeMMMM when they say don't jump on the band wagon "either you are with us or against us" I was with us from the start...damn I should a put money on it !

You could have made a ton of money alright on that prediction alone, you are with them.