Not as bad as it looks...

[MiamiBCFan]

Hey guys,

For those of you that dont know I am a Miami Dolphins season ticket holder in Florida. I came up for the game against Calgary. After watching the Dolphins in their dismal years and watching Bill Parcels rebuild the team (it is yet to be seen how good they get), I think I got a pretty good assesment of the Lions and their problems. I say the Dolphins have the EXACT same problems the Lions have now. I didnt believe it until I saw what it took to fix the problems. From what I saw (and it was only one game) the problem is mainly the offensive line. Right from the snap, the quarterback is running for his life. Nobody is going to be productive like that.

I remember one play (forgive me for not knowing players names as they dont air the games here in Florida). In the play the QB pitched the ball behind the line of scrimmage to a running back who was swinging wide to the right. He had a single lineman who was swinging out as well as a blocker for the RB. I thought, finally this is going to be good. Two defenders zeroed in on the RB and the lineman (blocker) didnt pick up either of the defenders. Who was he looking for? What is the purpose of clearing the way if you wont engage the defense. Of course the play resulted in a loss of yards, but it should have been a decent gain instead. It's all about the fight in the trenches. It's all about the pocket for the QB. It's all about the line!!!

I think the defense is even affected by this. The offense cant get in a groove because the QB is running for his life, so they end up 2 and out. the defense is on the field for most of the game. They HAVE to get tired. They also get complacent because they know even if they stop the opposing team, the offense isnt able to score... It's a catch 22.

All of this can be fixed if the offensive line can do their jobs! Now I'm not a coach so I dont know the exact formula to fix that.. Maybe personel, maybe offensive line coach, I dont pretend to have the answers. But I can see the problems and watching the Dolphins rebuild start with the offensive and defensive lines made a world of difference.

So don't lose faith. The Lions will roar again! I had a great time at the game (would have been better with a win though). Everyone was really nice and the atmosphere was great! Elvis really sucked, sorry, but I had a great time. Wish I lived closer and could go to more games, but at leat I got my Phins. Later -Jeff

[joe kapp22]

Same here bro, Dolfinas fan, and I've seen a team go bad same as you have..:D

It strikes me that many people were wrong about the level of talent on the team, including myself.

When was the last time a Wr made an explosive play? meaning 40 yds or more?

How about a Dlineman making a key sack?

The secondary has been good, I do feel when we lost Sol-E we lost more of the explosiveness on Defence.

As for turning things around, rule #1..do not make rash decisions.

Rule #2..hold players accountable on a 1-6 team, no one's job should be safe, or should they think it is safe.

Rule #3..and this will surely draw some yammers, but the Staff has to make coming to the games..fun..otherwise morale tanks and the real death spiral begins, something we have not seen this year, and by that I mean 48-3 blowouts.

As we see happening in Edmonton right now..Calgary is dragging the EE's.

I seriously think a problem in BC is the NFL has drained talent from the roster, and perhaps Wally B was slow to make provisions for what was happening, especially at Rush End.

[B.C.FAN]

Hey guys,

For those of you that dont know I am a Miami Dolphins season ticket holder in Florida. I came up for the game against Calgary. After watching the Dolphins in their dismal years and watching Bill Parcels rebuild the team (it is yet to be seen how good they get), I think I got a pretty good assesment of the Lions and their problems. I say the Dolphins have the EXACT same problems the Lions have now. I didnt believe it until I saw what it took to fix the problems. From what I saw (and it was only one game) the problem is mainly the offensive line. Right from the snap, the quarterback is running for his life. Nobody is going to be productive like that.

I remember one play (forgive me for not knowing players names as they dont air the games here in Florida). In the play the QB pitched the ball behind the line of scrimmage to a running back who was swinging wide to the right. He had a single lineman who was swinging out as well as a blocker for the RB. I thought, finally this is going to be good. Two defenders zeroed in on the RB and the lineman (blocker) didnt pick up either of the defenders. Who was he looking for? What is the purpose of clearing the way if you wont engage the defense. Of course the play resulted in a loss of yards, but it should have been a decent gain instead. It's all about the fight in the trenches. It's all about the pocket for the QB. It's all about the line!!!

I think the defense is even affected by this. The offense cant get in a groove because the QB is running for his life, so they end up 2 and out. the defense is on the field for most of the game. They HAVE to get tired. They also get complacent because they know even if they stop the opposing team, the offense isnt able to score... It's a catch 22.

All of this can be fixed if the offensive line can do their jobs! Now I'm not a coach so I dont know the exact formula to fix that.. Maybe personel, maybe offensive line coach, I dont pretend to have the answers. But I can see the problems and watching the Dolphins rebuild start with the offensive and defensive lines made a world of difference.

So don't lose faith. The Lions will roar again! I had a great time at the game (would have been better with a win though). Everyone was really nice and the atmosphere was great! Elvis really sucked, sorry, but I had a great time. Wish I lived closer and could go to more games, but at leat I got my Phins. Later -Jeff

Great perspective. I agree. The Lions had five new starters on the offensive line to start the season, then two more changes were forced by injury and another was forced by an injury to a backup who replaced an injured starter, and finally another at left tackle due to inconsistent play. Is it any wonder that the offence is struggling?

This team is much better than last year's on defence. If the offence can get some consistency, the season can turn around in a hurry. It all begins with the offensive line.

[Hawkballer 14]

Great perspective. I agree. The Lions had five new starters on the offensive line to start the season, then two more changes were forced by injury and another was forced by an injury to a backup who replaced an injured starter, and finally another at left tackle due to inconsistent play. Is it any wonder that the offence is struggling?

This team is much better than last year's on defence. If the offence can get some consistency, the season can turn around in a hurry. It all begins with the offensive line.

:shakes BC FAN's hand: Beating that drum has been a lonely gig, bro.

I like the improvements made by the D this year from last. If the O (OL in particular) can gel and start to match the D's progress, which I am confident it can, I believe we can push for a playoff berth. Had a couple breaks gone our way (JR's fumbles/Manny's drop), we're 3-4 and several Lionbackers aren't quite as ready to jump.

One game at a time, it starts next week versus Calgary.