Jim Mullin
CFL.ca
A 6-10 record does not a playoff team make.
However, the BC Lions aren’t necessarily a team that resembles that record at this late stage of the season where they are scrambling for a playoff position, but do not have destiny in their own hands.
Lions’ punter/kicker Paul McCallum was asked if the record in the standings represented the team on the field in its current state.
“It’s funny, I was having that conversation with Wally (Buono) yesterday and I found it amazing that with all the talent we have on this team and the way we’ve carried ourselves through the season that the record isn’t far better than what it is,” McCallum told CKNW.
“But now, I think with what we’ve seen in the second half of the season, especially with the win in Calgary, we may be in a position to make a run.”
The numbers would prove that the Lions are a rookie-laden team that is learning on the fly. After their 1-7 start, the Leos are 5-3 in the second half of the season.
The offense, which was last in two-thirds of the CFL’s team categories after their first eight games, has shown the ability to move the ball and complete drives. Through the first six games, the Leos converted on second down 35.6 per cent of the time. Over the last four games B.C. has improved to 46.7 per cent.
Life was made easier on quarterback Travis Lulay in Calgary thanks to the return game and the short field provided by former Vancouver Island Raider Andrew Harris and rookie Yonus Davis. During the Lions disastrous 1-7 beginning, the punt return unit averaged 6.9 yards per return. From game nine forward, they’ve doubled their return average to 14.0. The team’s average starting line of scrimmage is their own 42 in the second half of the year, up significantly from the 33.
All week long, Lions head coach and GM Wally Buono has had his marketing cap on, billing this upcoming game against the Riders as a game that will be as close to a “quarter-final” game as the team and its fans can get.
He has a point.
It’s played on a Sunday. There will be a good crowd and if the Lions lose their post-season hopes turn to dust.
The Lions face a Saskatchewan team that has looked at times confused, unfocused and a step behind the tactical curve in their three game losing skid.
However, Buono wasn’t about to give the Flatlanders any bulletin board material.
“That’s not the way I’d describe the Riders. They’re a solid team who has had their ups and downs just like any of us this year.” Buono said.
“We’re not focused on the Riders. We have to focus on our own mental intensity and execution on Sunday.”
The Riders may be victims of what has turned out to be a two-tier playoff picture in the CFL in 2010.
With the Eskimos convincing win over the Riders last weekend and BC’s win in Calgary, it’s easy to make the argument that the best football being played in Western Canada is from the divisional bottom feeders.
With their playoff positions set, the Riders, Stamps and Alouettes have all served up less than convincing efforts while in regular season limbo. Saskatchewan has stumbled against most of the top three and QB Darian Durant recognizes it’s about execution.
“If you’re out there on the field, you’re out there giving 100 per cent and you won’t hold anything back, but, you also kind of treat it like a pre-season game and hope for the best when you play your starters,” Durant said.
Cornerback Dante Marsh says regardless of the Riders approach or player rotation, they’ll be focused on their first liners.
“They’ve got a great stable of receivers, Wes Cates coming out of the backfield, and Durant who can make some plays. They haven’t been playing lights out over the last few weeks, but I’m sure it’s time for them to bring their “A” game on Sunday.”
GEROY GOES FOURTH
Geroy Simon needs 139 yards receiving to pass Terry Vaughn (13,746) into fourth place on the CFL’s all-time reception list.
EMPIRE STRIKES BACK
This last game of the season marks the 241st game at the Empire Stadium site. That means the Lions will have played one more of their 481 regular season games at the PNE site. The Lions have played 240 games at BC Place Stadium, which is being refitted with a retractable roof, new seating and amenities.
FOLLOWING IN LOO’S SHOES
Through 16 games, Paul McCallum has exactly matched Lui Passaglia’s 2000 CFL record performance, making 40 of 44 field goals in 2010.
