Considering the deep hole the B.C. Lions dug themselves out of last year it’s not surprising that the defending Grey Cup champions are not ready to hit the panic button after suffering back-to-back losses early this CFL season.
That doesn’t mean there isn’t some concern as B.C. prepares for Saturday’s game in Calgary against the Stampeders. The Lions haven’t played particularly poorly in losing to the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos but the team hasn’t performed to the level it’s capable of.
“I’m not happy and I don’t think the general consensus is we are happy,” said veteran centre Angus Reid after the Lions practised on a muggy afternoon at their training facility in Surrey, B.C.
“We know we are better than our record but the reality is we’re 2-2. It’s one thing if you know you are a .500 team in terms of talent. We know we should be better than this right now. It’s frustrating as a unit and you have to do a lot of searching within to realize what the issues are.”
| Defence tries to tighten up |
|---|
“On defence we have to start playing fast again, stop thinking too much, being hesitant,” he said. “We can’t miss assignments. We have to create turnovers, do more two-and-outs and stop the run better.” – BC Lions LB Anton McKenzie |
The Lions are moving the ball but not always ending drives with touchdowns. Too often they have been forced to settle for Paul McCallum field goals. The 12 field goals McCallum has attempted this year is tied for second most in the league.
“Even in our wins we weren’t playing great football,” said workhorse tailback Andrew Harris, who leads the league with 536 yards from scrimmage.
“If you look at our yardage and our stats last game, we are putting the yards up but we’re just not scoring.”
Giving up big plays has proven to be a thorn in the Lions’ claw.
Last weekend Edmonton cornerback Joe Burnett had two interceptions. The second was a pick off a tipped ball at the goal line which Burnett returned 108 yards to lay the foundation for a 27-14 Eskimo win.
The previous week Saskatchewan’s Tristian Jackson returned a missed 40-yard McCallum field goal attempt 129 yards for a touchdown in the Riders’ 23-20 victory.
Both game-changing plays came in the fourth quarter when the Lions were threatening to score. Each left head coach Mike Benevides shaking his head in frustration.
“Those kind of plays don’t occur every day,” said Benevides.
“There are four or five plays in the last two weeks that really hurt us. If we can minimize that, and find a way to improve some of the other elements, we will be in good shape.”
During the last two weeks the Lions often started drives deep in their own territory. That forced the offence to cover a lot of ground just to get into scoring position.
“It’s hard to do that in the CFL when your offence starts inside the 20 so often,” said Benevides. Shortening the field is a must.”
Quarterback Travis Lulay has thrown for over 700 yards and two touchdowns in the losses. He also has been intercepted four times.
“We’ve lost the turnover battle in the last couple of weeks,” said Lulay, the league’s most valuable player last year.”That’s something I have to do a better job of.
“Both of those games were decided in the fourth quarter. They were games we had good chances to win. We were in position to win. We have to find ways to make the play.”
Heading into this weekend the Lions defence has recorded 11 sacks, the second most in the league, and allowed just two touchdowns in the last two games. That same defence has managed just two interceptions, one forced fumble and given up some big plays.
Linebacker Anton McKenzie said there’s plenty of room for improvement.
“On defence we have to start playing fast again, stop thinking too much, being hesitant,” he said. “We can’t miss assignments. We have to create turnovers, do more two-and-outs and stop the run better.”
The Lions were winless after four games last year, although three of those losses were by eight points or less. The B.C. defence had allowed 136 points and the offence scored 106.
The Lions have scored 106 points so far this year but the defence has given up just 102.
Lulay has thrown for 1,116 yards this year and is the team’s second-leading rusher with 152 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. He has thrown the same number of touchdowns (six) and interceptions (five) compared to the same time last year.
The Lions will face a Stampeders team still riding an emotional high after overcoming a 17-point deficit for a 41-38 overtime victory against Saskatchewan.
“That’s a big win,” said Lulay. “That’s gut-check time for them.
“They showed a lot of grind and a lot of determination. You have to admire that.”
Lions cornerback Dante Marsh was back at practise this week after dislocating his shoulder against the Eskimos. He is expected to play against the Stampeders.
The Lions will also have defensive lineman Khalif Mitchell in the lineup. Mitchell is appealing a two-game suspension handed him for hyperextending the arm of Edmonton offensive lineman Simeon Rottier.
Mitchell was careful when talking about his decision to appeal the suspension.
“Everything will speak for itself,” he said.”I love to play the game hard, I love playing the game fair.
“I play with a lot of emotion and passion.”
Reid said the Lions need some minor tinkering, not a major overhaul.
“It’s not like teams have come in the last two weeks and beaten us across the board,” he said. “We haven’t done enough to win the games. It’s on us.”
Harris believes the Lions are close.
“Once everything comes together it’s going to be a scary sight,” he said.
Benevides said the change better happen soon.
“We have to win this week,” he said. “The time is now. We can’t wait any longer.”
