Let's talk CFL

[islandgirl]

Hey, how about them Lions! Still came out with a 14-3-1 season despite having to rely on the third string QB for the majority of the season


http://www.bclions.com/index.php?mod...play&nid=21169

Sunday, November 4, 2007
Fourteen wins is B.C.'s best-ever finish ... now the playoffs beckon

By Lowell Ullrich,
Vancouver Province

What, you were expecting another Picasso?

The Calgary Stampeders had seven starters either hurt or on the sidelines. And the Lions? Evidently they were of the impression that an opening-drive touchdown pass and setting a few personal milestones was their only reason for showing up at B.C. Place Stadium for the first half of their CFL game Saturday.

But the Lions long ago gave up on the idea that it was necessary to look good on the way to their fourth straight regular season title. All they did was fumble and stumble to a 25-24 win.

In a game in which only a referee could love, the Lions had to watch the Stamps elect not to try a field goal by Sandro DeAngelis in B.C. territory with 1:52 left, then stand back when a 52-yard attempt on the final play of the game hit the goal post.

Neither possible opponent in the Nov. 18 West Division would be quivering as a result of what the Lions did much of the way.

Yet in a game in which they may have lost slotback Jason Clermont to a shoulder injury and right tackle Jason Jimenez to possible suspension for a questionable tackle, they also still turned in several highlights for the 32,242 on hand.

n With 210 yards, Geroy Simon won the CFL receiving title with the first, 200-yard game by a B.C. pass-catcher in nearly four seasons.

n Joe Smith became the club's first 1,500-yard rusher and Clermont established a career high for receptions in a season.

n Dave Dickenson put together a 13-play drive on his opening series.

However, Dickenson's protection steadily broke down and by halftime, the Lions had become totally come unglued.

With Rob Murphy out resting a sore knee, Jimenez was ejected when he elected to cut down Stamps lineman Anthony Gargiulo on the last play before intermission, a move that left the Stamps furious and could result in additional league sanctioning.

It was not a good end to the day for Jimenez, who was also reportedly involved in a minor car accident Saturday.

And the defensive secondary was completely nowhere to be found much of the night.

Stamps starter Ben Sankey, who got to know the Lions a little during his whistle stop in September, embarrassed the defensive backfield, four of whom had been honoured as division all-stars earlier in the week.

Coach Wally Buono tried benching Korey Banks after his receiver torched him for two long gains, but the Lions short-side defensive back came back only to be beaten twice more with backups on either side of him in the secondary.

It was like that most of the first half until linebacker Otis Floyd and the front seven decided to take the game seriously.

"We're not playing with any emotion," Lions defensive end Brent Johnson said as he left the field at the break. "We're having our asses handed to us."

B.C. had no rhythm with three of its offensive line starters playing out of position, and it affected the entire attack. Slotback Paris Jackson failed to reach the 1,000-yard receiving mark despite a strong start.

Special teams penalties were killers, too, but the Lions somehow managed to win a game much like many of the others on the way to a 14-3-1 finish.

Just don't expect anyone to call it a classic.

"We found a way to win, just like we did all year," Buono said.
Related Links

• Buy Tickets to West Final

[islandgirl]

sorry, interupted before I could finish my last post. So, any predictions for the playoffs/Grey Cup?