Jim Mullin
CFL.ca
The BC Lions showed potential against the most improved team in the league on paper and more importantly produced a fairly convincing win in a building where wins for visiting teams are scarce.
The Lions’ 25-10 vanquishing of the Edmonton Eskimos provided answers to five questions hanging over the team since the beginning of training camp in Kamloops.
Q: How will B.C.’s free agent signings contribute?
A: Wally Buono knows how to shop for a running back. Jamal Robertson tore off a 168 yard game on only 11 carries. Toronto Argonaut fans were left only to gnash their teeth and mutter expletives about Bart Andrus knowing that Robertson should have got in the neighbourhood of 16-to-20 carries a game while in the double blue.
Former Alouette Keron Williams’s conversion from defensive tackle to end freed up space for tackle Aaron Hunt to make Ricky Ray’s day as miserable as the weather at Commonwealth on Sunday.
Q: How will the offensive line come together with four changes?
A: The o-line was good enough, and at this stage they should be ecstatic with their play. With Sherko Haji-Rasouli absent from the right tackle position, oft-injured Jon Hameister-Ries moved from guard to tackle and looked solid.
However, it’s frustrating to see an athletic talent like Jamall Lee essentially being used as a tight end. He’s a tailback by nature and he should get to touch the ball, not learn blocking assignments on the fly.
Q: Did Buono make the right decision at place kicker/punter?
A: Buono made the right choice in Paul McCallum at the start of the season. The competition with Sean Whyte has obviously lit a fire under his behind.
McCallum was all over the place to start last season and looked less than ready before exiting with an injury. In the 2010 opener, not only did he go 6-for-6 to extend his string to 20 consecutive field goals in the regular season but his first two punts hopped out of bounds at the Edmonton two and four yard lines, which set the tone by pinning the Eskimos deep for the entire half.
Q: Can the defense make the key stops they failed to make in 2009?
A: The Eskimos helped the Lions by shooting themselves in the foot on what looked to be a perfectly scripted eight play, 84 yard drive for a touchdown after taking two consecutive penalties. However, Korey Banks came through when he had the opportunity to rollout Ray like discount carpet and force a fumble on a sack to end the opening drive. Banks has already made his case to be the leading candidate for the CFL’s defensive player of the year.
Yes, the way he is used in Mike Benevides’ defense helps his numbers and profile. But Banks has to make it happen. Is there one player who does more? He produced two sacks, forced a fumble, eliminated pass routes and shut down the run.
Q: Will the real Casey Printers please stand up?
A: Casey Printers has better football in him than what we witnessed on Sunday. However, he showed the ability to manage a game with no turnovers – and no TDs. Considering the “good Casey” of the past was all about sandlot football in the midst of a fire drill, quality game management is a constructive sign of maturity. He needs to commit more to the pocket to keep his feet planted. He’s got a cannon for an arm when he’s not running for his life.
There is still plenty of work to do. The next two games at home feature the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday night and the Montréal Alouettes the following Friday. Both teams will provide a measuring stick for the Lions when they face the two best teams in the Home and Native Land.
But considering the Lions’ youth, this first win was a step toward gaining some confidence and a swagger that Vancouverites haven’t seen here for awhile.
