Lions @ Eskimos -- Blog, Post Game Stats and Comments

[KnowItAll]

The Lions have been using a backup quarterback (often a third-stringer) to run QB sneaks for years. Jarious Jackson did it for years to spare Dave Dickenson and Buck Pierce from hits and because, frankly, he was good at it. Jennings did it as a rookie earlier in the year while Lulay started.

Many teams use their backups in short-yardage situations. Others leave their starters in. Whichever method they use, all teams except the Lions are successful in their short-yardage offence most of the time. Here are the success rates on 3rd and 1 gambles this year:

Edm 15/18 (83%)
Wpg 14/17 (82%
Sas 11/14 (79%)
Mtl 19/25 (76%)
Tor 9/12 (75%)
Ott 11/15 73%)
Cal 9/14 (64%)
Ham 5/8 (63%)
BC 4/10 (40%)

Having an inexperienced centre and QB may be part of the Lions' problem but I think the biggest issue is the play of the offensive line overall. They just don't get a good push. That's been the situation for many years with different O-line personnel and coaching.

interesting to note that 2 of the 3 top teams are just above the lions in this stat.

also, potentially the 3 bottom teams are right under the esks at the top.

go figure

[B.C.FAN]

The Lions have been using a backup quarterback (often a third-stringer) to run QB sneaks for years. Jarious Jackson did it for years to spare Dave Dickenson and Buck Pierce from hits and because, frankly, he was good at it. Jennings did it as a rookie earlier in the year while Lulay started.

Many teams use their backups in short-yardage situations. Others leave their starters in. Whichever method they use, all teams except the Lions are successful in their short-yardage offence most of the time. Here are the success rates on 3rd and 1 gambles this year:

Edm 15/18 (83%)
Wpg 14/17 (82%
Sas 11/14 (79%)
Mtl 19/25 (76%)
Tor 9/12 (75%)
Ott 11/15 73%)
Cal 9/14 (64%)
Ham 5/8 (63%)
BC 4/10 (40%)

Having an inexperienced centre and QB may be part of the Lions' problem but I think the biggest issue is the play of the offensive line overall. They just don't get a good push. That's been the situation for many years with different O-line personnel and coaching.

interesting to note that 2 of the 3 top teams are just above the lions in this stat.

also, potentially the 3 bottom teams are right under the esks at the top.

go figure

Calgary has had a lot of O-line injuries this year. They use their third-string QB to run the sneak. Often he slides down the line in search of a hole because they don't get a good push up the middle. The key to Edmonton's success is to snap the ball quickly, often before the defence gets a chance to stack the box. The Lions tend to run a long count and give the defence a chance to dig in. I still admire the way Henry Burris and the Ottawa O-line surge forward in unison at the snap. He ran the sneak five times last week against Winnipeg, four of them on second down. He easily picked up a first down each time. A well-executed QB sneak can be fun to watch.