Lions @ Eskimos -- Pre Game Odds and Comments

[TheLionKing]

Did I read that Robertson is doing the kickoff returns? What happened to Harris and Johnson?...and is Brown more injured than last week?

Whaaat? That is just bizarre. Robertson is a solid feature back when the O-line is doing it's job. But he doesn't have the explosiveness needed to be a returner.

Neither did Robert Jordan and he lasted 5 games with the Lions. Another one of Buono's questionable decisions.

[TheLionKing]

Rick Ball was just on the Team1040 and was commenting on the predictability of the Lions offense. He said he heard from the field mics that on some occasions, the Bombers would yell out the Lions play before the ball was snapped. One in particular where Ball said he heard one of the Bomber players yell "Draw play" before the snap and next thing you know, Harris gets stuffed.

It's not about schemes or playcalling. It's a lack of player execution.

Cheers,

Wally Buono

[Blitz]

I believe, if we get off to a good start, we will beat Edmonton tonite. We have the talent to beat them handily.

Offensively we have the best offensive tackle in the league last year in Archibald, Newman was a starter on a Grey Cup champion team in his rookie season and Olifoye is the best offensive tackle in the league right now. Reid and Valli need to get the job done on the inside.

At receiver we have one of the best receivers of all time in Geroy Simon and who still has the all the tools, Paris Jackson had 962, 1180, and 1042 receiving yards before last year's injury plagued season of 743 yards, and Arland Bruce has had 6 seasons in which he caught passes for over 1000 yards, including his last two seasons in Hamilton. Gore is presently the top Canadian receiver in the league. Harris and Lee are two blazers at tailback who have the ability to turn any running play into a touchdown if we can open a hole for them.

Chap has more than enough talent on our offence for it to be explosive, dynamic, and powerful.

Defensively, Aaron Hunt is a three time Western All-Star and a Canadian All-Star, Keron Williams is a two time Eastern All-Star and a Canadian All-Star as well as a former Montreal Alloutte choice as Defensive MVP as well as playing in two Grey Cups in 2008/2009 with Montreal. Eliminian may be the best defensive player in the league. Marsh is a two time CFL All_Star and a Canadian All Star, Phillips is a two time Western All-Star and a two time CFL All_Star, and Banks is a 6 time All_Star as well as a two time CFL All-Star and Kornegay was a Western All-Star in 2009 with the Riders,

That is more than enough talent on defense for a defensive coordinator to put together a winning defense.

When you really look at our talent, there is no reason why we are 1-6. Many knowledgeable football people chose our Leos to win the Grey Cup this season. We really should be 6-1.

No wonder Wally is bewildered. He's been around the game long enough to know that our lineup, in terms of talent should be winning more football games.

What he doesn't see is the reason why we are not winning because he believes the schemes we run are good and its just a question of player execution. We've switched to a 4-3 defense, added experience to our receiver lineup in Bruce and Jackson, and are trying to get Chap to run the football more and have a less predictable offence. This should result in an improved football team but unless our Leos talent is given the systems, the structure, and the play calling to allow our talent to flourish, we will still have our struggles.

What is becoming very evident now, which was evident on Lionbackers for much longer, is that the key to a potential victory in Edmonton and future victories is EXECUTION. However, its not the players who need to execute the most. Its up to Wally Buono to execute a team philosophy and to execute good game decisions, its up to Chap to execute a good offensive game plan and good play calling, and its up to Benevedes to create a defensive system that best utilizes our talent, to remain calm and composed, and to put our defence in the right schemes and play calls to make plays.

Its up to our coaching staff to EXECUTE good half time adjustments and to help players, when they come to the sidelines, with advice, rather than yelling at them. Wally has been right all along..our EXECUTION has not been good...only problem is that he has not been looking in the mirror.

[Toppy Vann]

Rick Ball was just on the Team1040 and was commenting on the predictability of the Lions offense. He said he heard from the field mics that on some occasions, the Bombers would yell out the Lions play before the ball was snapped. One in particular where Ball said he heard one of the Bomber players yell "Draw play" before the snap and next thing you know, Harris gets stuffed.

It's not about schemes or playcalling. It's a lack of player execution.

Cheers,

Wally Buono

This is not a surprise but validation that Wally letting Semaphore Chappy send in hand signals is a shocker to me! The opponents aren't stupid. With Chapstick sending in hand signals it is not hard for opposing coaches/spotters and players to see that hey this signal means draw. Not to forget that most teams and coaches know Chapball.

I coached youth baseball and it is not long before you spot an opponents steal and bunt signal and their KEY to make the play operative- and they get yours. You already know the down and yardage and general tendencies in football of the plays your opponent runs in those situations and when the OC won't use the wireless receiver plays will get picked up. Dave Ritchie used as DC two def. players to signal no doubt one of them not active but it would keep the offense thinking. I am sure Dave if OC would have just orally sent a play in as he is not a dinosaur as is JC and Coach WB.