Stampeders @ Lions - Game Day Thread, July 8, 2011

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.bclions.com/uploads/assets/B ... Wk%202.pdf

Lions' Game Day Notes ...
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http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Wille ... story.html

Ed Willes of the Province weighs in ... (Warning: It's somewhat negative)
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Lowell Ullrich' s picks for the week ...

http://communities.canada.com/theprovin ... vol-2.aspx

Pick 'em apart: Vol. 2

By L. Ullrich Fri, Jul 8 2011 COMMENTS(0) The Fifth Quarter

Shall we just open up the job of Province Picker to auditions right now after last week's disaster? Or should we mention we went 45-27 and led all pickers at the paper last year? (What... there are no other pickers?) If you went 4-0 last week, you're welcome to the job. Before the lineup forms, let's try again, and come back at 2 p.m. today to debate:

FRIDAY

Toronto at Winnipeg, 4:30 p.m.

On the strength of their opening-week work, this one has the makings of being a 4-3 thriller, even if a matchup of Fred Reid vs. Cory Boyd materializes offensively. Winnipeg will be without a key offensive weapon in WR Greg Carr. Toronto has Chad Owens, who ran back a kick for a touchdown every time he played Winnipeg last year, and is 3-1 again the Bombers in their last four road matchups. Province pick: Argos.

Calgary at B.C., 7:30 p.m.

Despite all their first-week offence, the Lions only scored one touchdown, and until they can cash in red-zone chances, there are questions. John Hufnagel has more this week, however, because of injuries and a lukewarm opening act. B.C. needs this one in the worst way to maintain some presence in the local market. Province Pick: Lions.

SATURDAY

Montreal at Saskatchewan, 1 p.m.

Only in Regina can the players not get out of the locker room before Rider Nation starts hollering, which took place not long after Darian Durant threw three interceptions and fumbled in losing to Edmonton. Apparently, Durant was also responsible for the lack of Saskatchewan pass rush as well. The Riders don't need to worry about getting to Anthony Calvillo this week because the ball will be out before they get there. Sure they were lulled to sleep in the second half against B.C. but Montreal still showed they have all the key ingredients again, including a running game. Province pick: Als

Hamilton at Edmonton, 4 p.m.

So, who saw that coming last week? No, not Ticats QB Kevin Glenn getting pulled in the first game of the season, or Buck Pierce when Jamall Johnson played steamroller, but the unrivaled 48-point output by Edmonton for a road win against Saskatchewan. The answer(s) are only Ticats coach Marcel Bellefeuille, who pulled Glenn in favour of Quinton Porter in the home loss to Winnipeg, and Esks counterpart Kavis Reed, who had quietly been suggesting his team was for real. No reason to think Edmonton can't do it again at home. Province pick: Eskimos

Last week: 0-4

[joe kapp22]

Well, I'm not sure if they pull this one out WCJ, Stamps play well in BC, and we did not really show anything v the Al's.

Defense was poorish, the O couldn't cash in for Td's and only Brown showed explosive play ability.

Suspect we either blow out the Stamps or play down to them and lose another close game.

Suspect Geroy and Foster have huge games, and HOPING Stevie Black is the TD Maker we need.

[WestCoastJoe]

Well, I'm not sure if they pull this one out WCJ, Stamps play well in BC, and we did not really show anything v the Al's.

Defense was poorish, the O couldn't cash in for Td's and only Brown showed explosive play ability.

Suspect we either blow out the Stamps or play down to them and lose another close game.

Suspect Geroy and Foster have huge games, and HOPING Stevie Black is the TD Maker we need.

It's hard to say, ed. We sure whomped the Stampeders in the preseason.

I expect our passing game to be good. Lulay, Geroy and the Kiddie Korps. Defence will be the key for us, methinks.

[Lion Guy]

The difference will be McCallum. STamps don't have a kicker

[joe kapp22]

Well, I'm not sure if they pull this one out WCJ, Stamps play well in BC, and we did not really show anything v the Al's.

Defense was poorish, the O couldn't cash in for Td's and only Brown showed explosive play ability.

Suspect we either blow out the Stamps or play down to them and lose another close game.

Suspect Geroy and Foster have huge games, and HOPING Stevie Black is the TD Maker we need.

It's hard to say, ed. We sure whomped the Stampeders in the preseason.

I expect our passing game to be good. Lulay, Geroy and the Kiddie Korps. Defence will be the key for us, methinks.

Normally try to be overly positve so I'm switching things up for this game.

Hmm..Canadian Junior Air Force?

I think also we see a bit more exciting things out of Black then we did from Moore.

[SammyGreene]

Looking forward to this one. Haven't heard anything about number of tickets sold yet. Maybe they will just tarp over the empty seats and call it a sellout

Sure would like to see the offence get off to an explosive start and produce some touchdowns rather than a bunch of 1st downs and fgs. Can't remember the last time we had more than 20 points in the opening half, especially without special teams not accounting for any of them.

I was really impressed with Gore last week and Foster too. As LU wrote the other day, I'm beginning to wonder if P. Jackson and Peterson's days are numbered. Bittersweet for sure, especially #19 who have enjoyed through the years.

What has happened to our receiver core reminds me a bit of how they blew up the o-line at the end of the 09 season, with the exception being 1 legendary receiver. Hard to beleive Gore and Foster never stepped on the field last season but now are starters. I think this one is going to have a better ending than last year's experiment.

[WestCoastJoe]

The Lions look much improved and aren’t likely to struggle out of the gate like they did last year. After a 1-7 start, the Lions went 7-3 to finish out, and that included two road wins against the Stamps.

There was friction during the first one, when Nik Lewis sat out with an injury and had a post-game yelling match with Lions defensive backs.

There hasn’t been much heat on the rivalry this week, but Lewis expects a battle on the field.

“I would like to think I have a rivalry with somebody important like Korey Banks,” Lewis said. “I like going against Korey. I’ve always felt he is one of the better players in the league in terms of talent.

“He knows he has his hands full. I know I have to come with my best game against him. I have to be the best Nik Lewis. The most important part about playing B.C. is neutralizing Korey.”

http://www.calgarysun.com/2011/07/07/st ... -confident

Helluva battle. Korey Banks vs Nik Lewis.

[notahomer]

Todays BLitz was okay. Sanchez admitted this will be his last season. We'll see at the end of the year. Sounds like the 'fab five' are having a blast.

I have friends that have never been to CFL games coming out to the game tonight. I think it will be a big crowd tonight IF it looks like it will stay dry. Really think it will be a close game. I just do not see BUrris laying another egg like he did, IMO, last week. So, Lions win a close one 34-31.

[LFITQ]

GAME DAY! Home Opener.

and guess what? It's raining cats and dogs. So much for not raining on game days and not needing a roof!

oh wait? You mean it doesn't count when it is pouring down rain in Prince George and sunny in Vancouver? Damn.

Scream and yell those of you going. I'll be listening on the TV to see if I can hear each and every one of you screaming (hmmm how about a "Lionbackers" chant?) LOL

As for analysis, my concern this year is the defence after that first game against the Als. Granted it was AC picking them apart, but if Smilin' Hank is on his 'A' game it can be pretty similar (let's not forget AC was without his #1 target Ben Cahoon). Poor Lulay, had a great game but was too busy coming back from waayy behind. The defence needs to make Calgary do it's first punt WELL before the 3rd quarter (I'd like to see it early in the 1st quarter myself).

anyhow, first home game, 2nd game of the season, let's see what the defence does and then I can do a good analysis. But it does disconcert me as defences are usually ahead of the offences at this point in the season, and ours looked waaay behind the Als O last week!

[B.C.FAN]

As for analysis, my concern this year is the defence after that first game against the Als. Granted it was AC picking them apart, but if Smilin' Hank is on his 'A' game it can be pretty similar (let's not forget AC was without his #1 target Ben Cahoon). Poor Lulay, had a great game but was too busy coming back from waayy behind. The defence needs to make Calgary do it's first punt WELL before the 3rd quarter (I'd like to see it early in the 1st quarter myself).

anyhow, first home game, 2nd game of the season, let's see what the defence does and then I can do a good analysis. But it does disconcert me as defences are usually ahead of the offences at this point in the season, and ours looked waaay behind the Als O last week!

Having starters return to the secondary this week should help the coverage. I hope LaRose and Franks are up to speed. They will be tested.

[LFITQ]

As for analysis, my concern this year is the defence after that first game against the Als. Granted it was AC picking them apart, but if Smilin' Hank is on his 'A' game it can be pretty similar (let's not forget AC was without his #1 target Ben Cahoon). Poor Lulay, had a great game but was too busy coming back from waayy behind. The defence needs to make Calgary do it's first punt WELL before the 3rd quarter (I'd like to see it early in the 1st quarter myself).

anyhow, first home game, 2nd game of the season, let's see what the defence does and then I can do a good analysis. But it does disconcert me as defences are usually ahead of the offences at this point in the season, and ours looked waaay behind the Als O last week!

Having starters return to the secondary this week should help the coverage. I hope LaRose and Franks are up to speed. They will be tested.

LaRose still wearing the cast? Franks, well I'm still not 100% sold on him from last year, but hoping that changes tonight!

[Rammer]

I thought that Frank's acquitted himself very well last season given the position and field size difference he had to adjust to. So I am not so worried about him, but remember that the O doesn't want anything to do with KB's side of the field.

[Lionheart]

calgary stumperders = chicago black hawks ... know what I'm sayin'?....

[the-real-hugo]

Hoping there's a little more offense in the Lions game to make up for the struggling offenses in the Toronto - Winnipeg game:)

[PigSkin_53]

If our defensive pursuit cannot contain or get to Burris early and often it will be a long night for us tonight.