Lionbackers.com

PASSING
Name CP/AT YDS TD INT
B. PIERCE 16/29 262 0 1

RECEIVING
Name REC YDS TD LG
R. GRICE-MULLEN 6 107 0 36
G. SIMON 5 118 0 46
J. CLERMONT 2 18 0 12
S. LOGAN 2 7 0 11
O. WILSON 1 12 0 12

RUSHING
Name ATT YDS TD LG
S. LOGAN 18 130 0 18
J. JACKSON 2 17 0 13
B. PIERCE 2 16 0 14
I. SMART 2 -3 0 0

FUMBLES
Name NO LST REC YDS
J. JACKSON 1 1 0 0

FIELD GOALS
Name FG LG XP PTS
P. MCCALLUM 5/5 35 0/0 15

PUNTING
Name NO AVG NET LG
P. MCCALLUM 4 46.5 155 70

PUNT RETURNS
Name NO YDS AVG LG TD
I. SMART 5 77 15.4 56 0

KICKOFFS
Name NO YDS LG SG
P. MCCALLUM 6 359 65 0

KICK RETURNS
Name NO YDS AVG LG TD
I. SMART 3 64 21.3 26 0

DEFENCE
Name TKL SK INT FF
J. GLATT 7 0 0 0
T. WILLIAMS 5 1 0 0
D. MARSH 4 1 0 0
K. BANKS 4 0 1 0
J. DENNIS 4 0 0 0
C. WAKE 3 1 0 0
B. JOHNSON 3 0 0 0
O. FLOYD 3 0 0 0
B. MILES 3 0 0 0
A. HUNT 2 1 0 0
L. GLOVER 2 0 0 0
R. PHILLIPS 1 0 0 0
O. WILSON 1 0 0 0
R. MURPHY 1 0 0 0
..................

PASSING
Name CP/AT YDS TD INT
H. BURRIS 17/27 236 1 1
Kept Burris in check for the most part.

RECEIVING
Name REC YDS TD LG
N. LEWIS 4 62 0 31
K. RAMBO 4 53 1 22
J. COPELAND 3 43 0 29
J. REYNOLDS 2 11 0 7
B. RALPH 1 23 0 23
R. THELWELL 1 22 0 22
D. SUMMERS 1 12 0 12
T. JOHNSON 1 10 0 10

RUSHING
Name ATT YDS TD LG
J. REYNOLDS 10 43 0 11
H. BURRIS 9 32 1 11
Nice job containing Reynolds.

M. LABINJO 8 3 0 1
We made Labinjo look like Cam Wake.
...................

Wally's post game comments:

"disappointing ... did not capitalize ... missed tackles on STs ... played hard ... 2 very good teams"

We did not score touchdowns when we had excellent chances.

Logan showed his special talents.

Grice-Mullen should be very good next year.

Very nice job stopping the Calgary running game.

Giulio called McCallum the best kicker in the CFL. I agree.

In the second half we had 6 penalties to Calgary's 2. Ughhhh
.................

I would say we underachieved all year. It was expecting a lot to suddenly turn it around and move on through the playoffs. There was overconfidence at times, disinterest at times, goofing around at times.

If a team has not prepared themselves consistently throughout the year, it is not really a surprise if it leaks out somewhere in the playoffs.

As Wally said, it is disappointing. No doubt we will see significant changes next year.

One Grey Cup in Wally's 6 years here is disappointing when you consider that we dominated the win-loss records most years, and the all-star teams quite often.

Still and all, one can't complain too much when one sees the consistency and high level of talent and character on his team that Wally puts together every year.

Thanks westcoastjoe for all your great posts

This is a disappointing day - not much else to say

Congratulations to the Stampeders for claiming a well-deserved berth in the Grey Cup. They finished in first place, beat the Lions four times, kept B.C. out of the end zone today and seized the momentum in the second half to come from behind for the victory.

Congratulations also to the Lions for a hard-fought effort. It was an up and down season by B.C.'s standards, but the team still came within one play of going to the Grey Cup. It was an exciting and rewarding season, and I'm sorry to see it end for the Lions.

This was a game of lost opportunities . You can't expect to win when you can't score a touchdown, especially with so many great chances. Failing to punch it in after Korey Banks' interception return to the one yard line in the third quarter was the turning point.

Many people expected this to be a high-scoring game. It was instead a battle of two great defences. You can't fault the B.C. defence after two outstanding games in these playoffs.

The key to the game was Calgary's success at taking away the long ball on the outside. Paris Jackson was held without a catch. Geroy Simon ran a couple of good post patterns but the only deep pass caught against the Calgary cornerbacks was Grice-Mullen's contested catch in the dying minutes. If you can't beat Calgary deep, you can't expect to win.

mightybuck wrote:Thanks westcoastjoe for all your great posts

I ALWAYS go out for dinner after the Western Final with the friend I go to Lions home games with. We whined a bit about the game. Both these playoff games were weird. I mean the Eastern Final had a bunch of special teams TD's.

But obviously the Western Final is the one I care about. I think both Defences (Calgary/BC's) played well enough to win. I don't think Calgary's offence played well enough to win. Special teams and Defence are what Calgary used to punch their ticket. I wish the Stamps the best but their offence is going to have to play A LOT BETTER or the Grey Cup will be over by halftime, IMO.

mightybuck wrote:Thanks westcoastjoe for all your great posts

This is a disappointing day - not much else to say

notahomer wrote:

mightybuck wrote:Thanks westcoastjoe for all your great posts

mightybuck, notahomer: Thank you.

B.C.FAN wrote:Congratulations to the Stampeders for claiming a well-deserved berth in the Grey Cup. They finished in first place, beat the Lions four times, kept B.C. out of the end zone today and seized the momentum in the second half to come from behind for the victory.

Congratulations also to the Lions for a hard-fought effort. It was an up and down season by B.C.'s standards, but the team still came within one play of going to the Grey Cup. It was an exciting and rewarding season, and I'm sorry to see it end for the Lions.

This was a game of lost opportunities . You can't expect to win when you can't score a touchdown, especially with so many great chances. Failing to punch it in after Korey Banks' interception return to the one yard line in the third quarter was the turning point.

Many people expected this to be a high-scoring game. It was instead a battle of two great defences. You can't fault the B.C. defence after two outstanding games in these playoffs.

The key to the game was Calgary's success at taking away the long ball on the outside. Paris Jackson was held without a catch. Geroy Simon ran a couple of good post patterns but the only deep pass caught against the Calgary cornerbacks was Grice-Mullen's contested catch in the dying minutes. If you can't beat Calgary deep, you can't expect to win.

Excellent summary B.C. Fan!!

Here is the game recount by the Canaqdian press. Interesting that our defence held Calgary to 3 first downs and 60 yards offence until the last Calgary play of the first half--that was phenomenal.

Offensively, we were inside the Calgary 3o yard line four times in the first half but failed to score a touchdown. In the second half we only scored 3 points and those three points came off the field goal when we failed to convert from the one yard line after Banks interception. Our defence did their job....our offence didn't...plain and simple!!!!



CALGARY -- The Calgary Stampeders advanced to the Grey Cup for the first time since 2001 with a 22-18 win over the B.C. Lions in Saturday's West final.

The Stampeders will meet the host Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup on Nov. 23. The Als downed the Edmonton Eskimos 36-26 in the East final Saturday.

Calgary finished the regular season with the best record in the CFL at 13-5, but the Stampeders were under pressure to win a playoff game because their last post-season win was that Grey Cup victory in 2001.

B.C. finished third in the West at 11-7 and upset Saskatchewan Roughriders in last week's semifinal.

Calgary quarterback Henry Burris threw for 236 yards and one touchdown and ran the ball in for a touchdown. CFL receptions leader Ken-yon Rambo also scored a touchdown in front of an announced sellout of 35,650 at McMahon Stadium.

Calgary's Sandro DeAngelis kicked field goals from 42 and 27 yards out in the third quarter and missed from 48 yards out late in the fourth.

The Lions had stellar defence in the game, but didn't muster one touchdown. Paul McCallum kicked six field goals from 23, 20, 35, 32, 30 and 12 yards.

Calgary defensive end Mike Labinjo had two sacks, forced a fumble and made two consecutive tackles to prevent a B.C. touchdown early in the second half. Cornerback Brandon Browner's interception with 1:19 remaining was key as it gave the Stamps the ball on their own 25-yard line.

Lions head coach Wally Buono challenged a no-catch call by the officials with a minute and a half remaining and won the review. They ruled receiver Ryan Grice-Mullen didn't let the football touch the turf under pressure by Browner.

DeAngelis was wide on a 48-yard attempt with 1:38 remaining.

After trailing for three quarters, Burris gave the Stamps a 22-15 lead at 3:42 of the fourth when he punched the ball in from the one-yard line. B.C. kept the pressure on with McCallum's sixth field goal of the game at 6:24.

With the Stamps on the Lions' seven-yard line late in the third quarter, Burris fell victim to B.C.'s front four and he was tackled for losses by Cameron Wake and Tyrone Williams. DeAngelis tied the game 15-15 from 27 yards at 13:36 after kicking a 42-yarder at 9:29.

B.C.'s Korey Banks intercepted Burris early in the second half and ran the ball to the one-yard line. It was Calgary's defensive line stepping up to prevent a TD with Labinjo twice stopping ball carrier Ian Smart, and the Lions settling for a fifth field field goal at 6:03.

The B.C. offensive and defensive lines dominated the first half and the Lions emerged from it with a 12-9 lead.

The Lions held the No. 2 offence in the CFL to under 60 yards and just three first downs until Burris's 22-yard touchdown pass to Rambo with nine seconds remaining in the first half.

Pierce had time and space behind his offensive line, but B.C. failed to score a TD from inside the 30-yard line four times in the first half and settled for field goals by McCallum.

The Lions' offence had the ball for 20:01 minutes in the first half compared to Calgary's 9:59.

Demetrious Summers set the stage for Calgary's TD with a 53-yard punt return. It was his second 50-plus return of the game. Rambo caught Burris's pass two steps before he ran out of room in the end zone.

Its a shame they lost and I am quite distraught actually. But as a Vancouver fan I am used to disappointment

I am however coming out of this season with some great optimism. Stephan Logan is a great find and hopefully will have some great years here. I look forward to having an explosive run game for a full year. Grice-Mullen[sp], other than a couple dropped balls, has looked very impressive since joining us and I think we'll see him next year. Araki and Pottinger really stepped up on special teams. McCallum is his usual amazingly consistent self.

Finally Buck Pierce, showed he can be the starter and got his first taste as a starter in the playoffs this year. Wake up and smell the roses people, he isn't going to play like Dave Dickenson or anything in one year, give him time. Hearing people here rat on Buck makes me think of one thing.... Canucks fans and how they have treated goalies in the past. They have had no patience and after one mistake "ship him out," "he's useless," etc. Buck has made some great strides this year, has proved he isn't made of glass like many predicted and can fight through an injury. I still believe he has a great future ahead of him as a Lion.

Ok, we didn't win the Grey Cup, there will be some negatives
Wake, you will be missed, thanks for the 2 years, I am still praying you decide to stay for whatever reason
Chapdalaine[sp] proved again to be futile in the red zone and ineffective in playoffs. I say we need to FOR ONCE AND FOR ALL get rid of him. Much has been discussed about him on these forums so no need to get into more detail. Our secondary proved to be porous this year some revamping needs to be done. Glatt....... why you made the CFL All-Star team I will never know.

That is all, thanks for the year Lions and see many of you at the locker sale

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say we really missed joe smith in this game. Logan is awesome and had a great game, but just someone reliable that can get that tough yard (more so on the goalline) was something we truly lacked. That an an efficient play caller. Oh well, (Roughrider mantra) there's always next year.

Blitz wrote: ...Lions head coach Wally Buono challenged a no-catch call by the officials with a minute and a half remaining and won the review. ...

This was a booth review, not a challenge by Buono. I always thought a late review (booth review) was to review the important calls that are made late in the game to make sure all the late calls are the right calls. BUT, Suitor claimed it's also in part due to stopping challenges as a momentum slowing strategy..... Anyway, I agreed with broadcast crew at the time, this call is exactly why we need Replay.

Wakesbetterthanyou wrote:I'm gonna go out on a limb and say we really missed joe smith in this game. Logan is awesome and had a great game, but just someone reliable that can get that tough yard (more so on the goalline) was something we truly lacked.

It's clear that Logan is the tailback of the future, but the Lions need another option for those short-yardage plays. They tied for the league lead in rushing touchdowns last year, but were seventh in the league this year. Smith was the difference. Roberts is better than Logan at those situations but I doubt that he'll be back. The Lions need to develop Lumbala, Bwenge or Green as a ball-carrier for those short-yardage situations.

Wakesbetterthanyou wrote:I'm gonna go out on a limb and say we really missed joe smith in this game. Logan is awesome and had a great game, but just someone reliable that can get that tough yard (more so on the goalline) was something we truly lacked. That an an efficient play caller. Oh well, (Roughrider mantra) there's always next year.

We really don't have a true fullback. Rolly Lumbala is the next closest thing but he's a rookie and it's pretty obvious Chappy had no use for the kid as he never implemented a short yardage play. Crap, it's only a yard or two to get acroos the line and into the endzone! You'd think Chap would be a little more creative after the loss in Montreal. Green and Bwenge are (or were tailbacks in college) underutilized. I recall the Stamps always had a reliable fullback.... Duane Ford and Andy McVey come to mind.

Spud387 wrote:
Finally Buck Pierce, showed he can be the starter and got his first taste as a starter in the playoffs this year. Wake up and smell the roses people, he isn't going to play like Dave Dickenson or anything in one year, give him time. Hearing people here rat on Buck makes me think of one thing.... Canucks fans and how they have treated goalies in the past. They have had no patience and after one mistake "ship him out," "he's useless," etc. Buck has made some great strides this year, has proved he isn't made of glass like many predicted and can fight through an injury. I still believe he has a great future ahead of him as a Lion.

I think the jury is still out on Buck, and there is reason to be optimistic, but also reason for concern. He has some limitations, and I'm not sure he has shown much progress since 2006. More time may be the answer, or it may be more of the same. Look at the goalies the fans thought were useless - Potvin, Cloutier, Auld - more lunchmeat than a Subway. More opportunity didn't do any of them any good, and patience by management held the team back. Some guys never come around. The tough thing is figuring out when a guy has reached a plateau.

Tighthead wrote:

Spud387 wrote:
Finally Buck Pierce, showed he can be the starter and got his first taste as a starter in the playoffs this year. Wake up and smell the roses people, he isn't going to play like Dave Dickenson or anything in one year, give him time. Hearing people here rat on Buck makes me think of one thing.... Canucks fans and how they have treated goalies in the past. They have had no patience and after one mistake "ship him out," "he's useless," etc. Buck has made some great strides this year, has proved he isn't made of glass like many predicted and can fight through an injury. I still believe he has a great future ahead of him as a Lion.

I think the jury is still out on Buck, and there is reason to be optimistic, but also reason for concern. He has some limitations, and I'm not sure he has shown much progress since 2006. More time may be the answer, or it may be more of the same. Look at the goalies the fans thought were useless - Potvin, Cloutier, Auld - more lunchmeat than a Subway. More opportunity didn't do any of them any good, and patience by management held the team back. Some guys never come around. The tough thing is figuring out when a guy has reached a plateau.

You left out more goalies from your list. Sean Burke, went on to become NHL all-star, Garth Snow continued to have success after leaving the nucks. Johan Hedberg also has great talent and is a great backup.

Also keep in mind this was Buck's first year as a starter. And your comment about him having 4 years to mature isn't accurate. Sure he may have been on the roster for 4 years but was he playing? Cory Schieder has been with the canucks 3-4 years now he should be ready to be a bonafied starter right?? BUT he hasn't been on the canucks, he has been with the Manatoba Moose (ie. practice roster). That is not experience or time to mature... that has to take place when u are in the big show, as the main guy.

All i am saying is we cannot judge yet. This is year #1 as the starter.

WestCoastJoe wrote: RECEIVING
Name REC YDS TD LG
R. GRICE-MULLEN 6 107 0 36
G. SIMON 5 118 0 46
J. CLERMONT 2 18 0 12
S. LOGAN 2 7 0 11
O. WILSON 1 12 0 12

notice what's missing here? P JACKSON.... oh yeah, him....

Belize City Lion wrote:

WestCoastJoe wrote: RECEIVING
Name REC YDS TD LG
R. GRICE-MULLEN 6 107 0 36
G. SIMON 5 118 0 46
J. CLERMONT 2 18 0 12
S. LOGAN 2 7 0 11
O. WILSON 1 12 0 12

notice what's missing here? P JACKSON.... oh yeah, him....

Maybe this is why he wasnt voted to be top canadian.....houdini aka paris jackson, musta missed the flight right? Oh...no, he just was invisible. Buck has zero field vision. I hope we can upgrade at QB, buck is alright, and he may be a great guy, but he inspires no confidence, his consistancy is not better than jj game to game. Wally should have gone to jj after the first half. He should have learned from Millers mistake the week prior.