Lionbackers.com

The Lions have opted not to change the ratio to get Woody Baron onto the roster for Saturday’s home rematch against the Stamps. The free agent acquisition, who missed the first 12 games due to an ankle injury, will make his B.C. debut as a rotational defensive tackle behind rookie national Nathan Cherry. That means he’s not likely to be on the field much during first-down situations when the Stampeders like to assert their league-leading rushing attack.

The B.C. secondary should be stronger for the rematch. TJ Lee returns to the starting lineup after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Loucheiz Purifoy, who filled in for Lee at halfback, moves back to safety. Jordan Williams is listed as starting weakside linebacker ahead of Bo Lokombo. Williams has had the majority of reps at the position in recent weeks, and has had more tackles in the past 4 games (30) than in the first 8 (29).

There are no changes on offence, where Vernon Adams gets his second start at quarterback and Andrew Peirson gets his second start at right guard for the injured Sukh Chungh. Peirson and the O-line played a great game last week in opening holes for running back James Butler, who scored two touchdowns on the ground.

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.net/w ... 16-CGY.pdf

Calgary will use Ricbie Sindani as a third national starting WR to fill out the ratio due to the suspension of national linebacker Cameron Judge.

I guess Purifoy at safety provides us some insight into what the club thinks of Manny Rugamba. Since being inserted into the lineup as a SAM linebacker, he hasn't come out.

Of course, this is not a slight on Loucheiz, as he is a "jack of all trades" player and a valuable part of the defensive backfield. It just speaks to how highly the club regards Rugamba, whom I have to believe is their Top Rookie candidate this year.


DH

I guess DT Cherry rotates out of the lineup when the Lions bring Lokombo onto the field when they go with a 3-4 on D; something we saw quite a bit of in the last game.

How much will Woody Baron see action?

"After recovering from his ankle injury well enough to practice the last two weeks, that changes on Saturday against Calgary. Baron is listed as a backup defensive tackle behind rookie Canadian Nathan Cherry and is expected to feature heavily in the Lions’ rotation."

And TJ Lee. How banged up is he still?


https://3downnation.com/2022/09/23/defe ... -saturday/


Warm-up might be interesting.


Will Lucky Whitehead keep his head while all around him others are wanting to take his off?

Couldn't resist a take off from the first lines of Kipling's "If":

"If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you"


"Saturday, September 24: Calgary Stampeders at B.C. Lions– 10:00 p.m. EDT

It took overtime for the Lions to secure a two-point win over the Stampeders last week but the biggest story took place after the final whistle when Calgary’s Cam Judge sucker-punched B.C.’s Lucky Whitehead for allegedly disparaging remarks made about his family. The result was a heated altercation in the parking lot and a one-game suspension for Judge, adding some extra flavour to the Lions’ shot at a series sweep."


"ABBOTT: It’s nearly impossible to sweep a season series – especially one where you’ve won the first two games by a combined three points.

Straight-up: STAMPS. Against the spread: STAMPS."

https://3downnation.com/2022/09/23/3dow ... n-rematch/

Love the fact the Lions are the consensus underdog for the 2nd straight week despite being back at home. Hell, they even remained #3 in the so called “power” rankings.

Sure the odds say it has to go the other way after 2 close wins at McMahon but:
- Adams another week of reps and building chemistry with his receivers AFTER winning last week.
- Secondary should be better with Lee returning and Purifoy shifting back to safety. 77 of Maier’s 300 yards passing came on 1 play.
- DT Woody Baron making his season debut after looking very good at practice.
- Stamps missing their best national defensive starter and having to go with a 3rd national starting receiver.

Yes, Calgary is essentially in a must win situation or they can kiss goodbye finishing 2nd. But I’m just fine with BC being under appreciated especially their defence

DanoT wrote: ↑

Fri Sep 23, 2022 1:23 pm

I guess DT Cherry rotates out of the lineup when the Lions bring Lokombo onto the field when they go with a 3-4 on D; something we saw quite a bit of in the last game.

Another option could come from how many reps Archibald might be allotted. Earlier in the season they often rotated the 8 dressed DL like 2 units with the 4 "starters" being on the sidelines while the 4 "backups" were out on the field. The way defenses are deployed in this era declaring starters is really just a paperwork exercise. The DL is no longer starters and backups. It's really a 6-8 man unit to be rotated situationally and to keep all members of the DL fresh. With that in mind they can also pull Cherry and Gwachum out and insert Baron and Archibald or have both Betts and Menard on the field. When the dust settles I'd wager Baron will see the field nearly as much as Cherry through your 3-4 scenario or other DL rotation options.

That was cool. Injured receiver Josh Pearson sang "Oh Canada".

Betts was smiling through the singing

Wow we came out of that slow start unscathed

D is bending. Not breaking.

VA needs to go deep

Offencè is strugglingg

Adam’s doesn’t seem to go through his progressions…. Looks like he locks in on primary.

only 2 called run plays so far

Have the Lions had a punt return over 10 yards this season?