Jim Mullin
CFL.ca
A turtle derby between the likes of the Edmonton Eskimos and the BC Lions would have been thought of as preposterous just 24 months ago.
But today, the unthinkable has become the ugly truth.
The Eskimos and Lions have combined for a 2-12 record this year. It’s 0-10, if you take the head- to-head games out of the mix.
In the midst of all of this, one of the most interesting lines to come out of the BC camp just before their sixth consecutive loss was from stalwart receiver Geroy Simon.
The man – whose superman pose has been seen on only three occasions this year – noted that the young guys don’t understand just how much work has gone into rebuilding the Lions brand over the last eight years. That a disaster like this season – so far – could wipe out whatever goodwill has been built up in the community for the better part of a decade.
So if the Lions at 1-6 are feeling this, what about their basement counterparts in the Klondike City who share the same dubious record?
The numbers may be the same in the standings, but that’s where the comparison stops between the limping Leos and the egregious Eskimos.
At this stage, the Eskimos are in a much more fragile state than the Lions going into their 11-game playoff drive.
The Stampeders scorched the earth of the Green and Gold with a 56-15 shellacking at McMahon, which resulted in an ill-tempered street brawl, and an exposure of a lack of character.
In the minds of many, the departure of Canadian Football Hall of Famer Danny Kepley as the linebackers coach signaled the severing of the last link to the dynasty years. The unmatched era of excellence, which produced five consecutive championships, which was led by the players in the room.
Depending on who you listen to, there is in-fighting between players and coaches, and between players and players. That is not the case in BC where exiled Edmonton offensive lineman Joe McGrath has landed. Earlier in the week, McGrath noted there was, “no sense of panic” in the BC camp.
Edmonton’s number one quarterback, Ricky Ray has been there to pilot the team to the basement. Disaster. Contrast that to the Lions who have worked without Casey Printers for a full game since their opener. That full game happened to be a win, the Lions only win.
The Lions have their problems on the field for all to see. However, there is no question that Wally Buono is the boss and, regardless of the result of this season, he will hold onto the GM’s role if and when he chooses to fully move upstairs.
In Edmonton it’s a different story and the problems are much deeper. It’s the fumbling of the ultimatum game, where GM Danny Maicoca was fired after a win. It’s two assistants who have found the out door in mid-season. Include Maurice Lloyd defending himself against the statement that he was a ‘cancer’ in the room.
The problems in BC have more to do with injury, inexperience and mismanagement on the offensive line than the soap operatic copy produced in the City of Champions.
Friday night’s game for the Lions against the visiting Calgary Stampeders could provide a turning point. An upset win against the Stamps could start a positive chain of events in a year that has so far been void of those.
If Printers is allowed to play outside of the tackles, run, and make plays, we could see a very different BC offence than what CFL sophomore Travis Lulay executed versus Calgary two weeks back in a 27-22 loss.
Win, and the Lions face the Montreal Alouettes possibly without injured quarterback Anthony Calvillo.
It’s not impossible to think the Lions could be 3-6 at the mid way point.
In the second half they have Toronto at home, Hamilton twice, Winnipeg twice, and Edmonton once. The team who lost four of their games by a combined score of 16 points could – and should be – 6-3 with Printers healthy and starting.
Friday night is the opportunity to get the Calgary gorilla – they’ve lost the last seven versus the Stamps – the losing streak – six games – and the o-fer at Empire off their backs.
The Eskimos have Saskatchewan three times and Calgary twice. The games at Commonwealth may play out like home games for the visitors. With all of their turmoil, it’s hard to see Edmonton going .500 in the last half of the season, especially with Richie Hall fighting to stay on as head coach, not knowing if the first duty for his new boss is to fire him and bring in his own coach.
Count on the Lions to win this Turtle Derby by more than a few hairs.
IF THEY KEEP IT, THEY WILL STAY:
God bless Bruce Allen’s little heart.
Mr. Impresario has elected to lead the civic cause of keeping the collection of pipes, screws and aluminum sheeting known as Empire Field standing for football, concerts, and a back yard stereo system for cranky east enders who charge you 20 bucks to park on their front lawn.
Please, mind the begonias as you exit the car.
You see, Mr. Allen is the manager for Bryan Adams. After the retro rocker gave raves to the facility after playing there last week, Allen led the charge to keep Empire for football and rock and roll.
But as much nostalgia as the site at the Pacific National Exhibition generates, this is only a temporary solution. The folks who run BC Place Stadium planned it that way. The stadium parts are leased and will be broken off into sections sent to various locales around North America.
It may be great to jump into a time machine built from a Meccano set, but it is not meant to last.
When the rains of October arrive, one may find the vast majority of Vancouverites wishing they could find refuge under the cover of a convertible sun roof. The discussion of resurrecting Empire can then wait for another summer Sunday.
