A Positive View on Things

[ik17]

I know it's hard to be positive when we're 1-3 to start the season.... but consider this.

- Our defense, considering it's littered with rookies, has been unbelievable and has HUGE potential. Had it not been for the injuries during the last game maybe things end differently. On a side note, do we really have any use for Anton McKenzie other than depth? The good news is that Elimimian and Henderson are too small to make an impact in the NFL... our LB core looks really good for the future. Add to that the fact that Reddick looks solid as a Nickel and that Banks still has mileage.

- Our offensive play calling was actually better this last game... still not purrfect, but a lot better. Jamall Lee is getting some touches.

- Sherko will be back soon... slide him in at RG, leave Hameister-Ries on RT, Angus at C, Valli at LG... all of a sudden we have some experience again. Again, not the purrfect line, but better than hat we've had the first few weeks.

- Eventually, the receivers have to start catching balls... and evetually, the team has to realize it's beating itself with bad penalties.

I honestly think we're just a kick returner and a few healed injuries away from being a really dangerous dark horse team. Once this team gels around the half-way point of the season... we could be very hard to beat. Especially considering our defense is ahead of schedule.

[ed_lunsford]

Well, 1-3 IS 1-3.

However, the team has gelled, save for Qb play.

Once that settles into a rhythm, we will go on a winning streak in my view anyway.

[WestCoastJoe]

I honestly think we're just a kick returner and a few healed injuries away from being a really dangerous dark horse team. Once this team gels around the half-way point of the season... we could be very hard to beat. Especially considering our defense is ahead of schedule.

Keep the faith, ik17. Keep the faith.

Change and turnover is the name of the game in the CFL, for all the teams, IMO. I don't necessarily subscribe to the idea that our Lions will make greater improvements than the rest of the teams, over the rest of the schedule.

I like very many of the new players we have this year: Henderson, Elimimian, Riddick, Franks, Armstrong. I like what I see with Lulay. The defence has been making many, many great plays. The offence showed some signs of life last game. But we still found a way to lose a game we should have had in the bank.

What concerns me is this one issue: IMO the level of coaching in the CFL has taken great upward strides with the influence of Kent Austin, Ken Miller, John Hufnagel and Marc Trestman. IMO that higher level is beyond the reach of Wally's previously tried and true methods. And IMO, it shows in the lack of confidence shown by his team, the mental mistakes, and the breakdowns, in the crunch.

But I give the loyal fans credit for their faith and support.

I will always be a fan of the CFL and the Lions, but will also be critical, as I see it.

[Centrum22]

Hey, at least we're not Edmonton. That's something.

[Larry Key]

Imagine that, EDM 0 - 4! Would have never thought that was possible. As for the Leo's, as many of you have stated, we are very close to becoming a good team. I see improvement all over the field except the ST. Once PJack is 100% and Manny learns how to catch the ball, we will become better. Should Manny sit one game and give Black or Passmore a chance? Why not?!! I like Robertson as our back as he has demonstrated he has ability but what concerns me is his lack of ability to hang on to the ball at crucial moments. Kind of reminds me of David Toloumo from the late '80s, a very good runner but cannot secure the ball. QB position is Casey's to lose. I was impressed with Travis, very methodical and precise.... just like that guy that's walking around with a headset on the Stamps sideline
Travis has the brains and athletic ability to be as good as or better the DD if he's given a shot and I'm sure he'll be pushing Casey all year. I've been a huge Casey fan since his '04 season but hey, what have you done for us lately? He hasn't looked like the old Casey, seems like he has lost some mobility and his throwing technique/motion looks awkward. I hope this is all due the bumps and bruises of the first 1/4 of the season.

Bring the the 0 - 4 Eskies!

[B.C.FAN]

Yes, 1-3 is 1-3 but this team is much closer talent-wise to the 2004 team that started 1-3 and finished 13-5 than the 2009 team that started 1-3 and finished 8-10. The Lions let winnable games slip through their fingertips in the second halves of the past two games. They could have been 3-1 and tied for first. There's still lots of time to make up that ground. The talent is there. The key is in their heads. They need to play with confidence and discipline.

[Rammer]

Hey, at least we're not Edmonton. That's something.

Yes, but you can always say that in any season.

[B.C.FAN]

Wally Buono put it best in describing the season so far to Lowell Ullrich:

“What do I have [with the Lions]? I have a 3-1 team that is 1-3,” he said. “We had a *poop* day [against Toronto] and we still had 400 yards offence. There's too much good going on to be losing.”

Link

[Rammer]

Wally Buono put it best in describing the season so far to Lowell Ullrich:

“What do I have [with the Lions]? I have a 3-1 team that is 1-3,” he said. “We had a *poop* day [against Toronto] and we still had 400 yards offence. There's too much good going on to be losing.”

Link

Then he is only fooling himself. Funny when he was told that the Lions had a top D, he said that we didn't, that the D needed to take the ball away. Well frankly, the D has been the only positive attribute about the 2010 Lions, IMO, regardless of takeaways. Lions are a 1 - 3 team that will be lucky to become a 2 - 3 team as the Esks who imploding are up next.

[David]

Yes, 1-3 is 1-3 but this team is much closer talent-wise to the 2004 team that started 1-3 and finished 13-5 than the 2009 team that started 1-3 and finished 8-10. The Lions let winnable games slip through their fingertips in the second halves of the past two games. They could have been 3-1 and tied for first. There's still lots of time to make up that ground. The talent is there. The key is in their heads. They need to play with confidence and discipline.

Time for visit from Dr. Frank Lodato!

DH

[ducepot]

Good to see there are alot of positives on this lions team,but "ChapBall"is killing them,where was the balanced play calling in the second half (especially when you are leading) you can only go to the wells so much ..eventually the "DEFENCE" will figure you out and wait to pounce..way to predictable :the lions have some very talented offensive players,they need to bring in an OC that knows how to design plays to their strengths....move the pocket ..draw plays..play action,more motion,and pass down field,at least 10 yards!!!! BRING BACK BURRATO..."CHAP BALL" has to GOOOOOO!!!

[Gary]

Yes, 1-3 is 1-3 but this team is much closer talent-wise to the 2004 team that started 1-3 and finished 13-5 than the 2009 team that started 1-3 and finished 8-10. The Lions let winnable games slip through their fingertips in the second halves of the past two games. They could have been 3-1 and tied for first. There's still lots of time to make up that ground. The talent is there. The key is in their heads. They need to play with confidence and discipline.

I completely agree. Two of the three losses were by four points, in games where the Lions made many mistakes. At the risk of oversimplifying, we could argue that the two Robertson fumbles are the difference between being 1-3 and 3-1. Not to blame him too much, there are plenty of others making mistakes. But, mathematically, if he hangs onto the ball, and turns those two possessions into majors...

The point is, in the last two games, the Lions have beaten themselves. They were not outplayed by vastly superior teams. They made costly mistakes. Those tendencies can be corrected without throwing everything they're doing out the window. They're close; they just need to take that next step. And we all know, it's better to get on a roll in September than in July...

[TheLionKing]

A loss is still a loss whether you lose by 3 points or 30 points. I agree with other posters that the defence is much improved from last season. Their philosphy have changed from a conservative to an attacking one. (thanks to Stubler). The offence is still the same, unimagative and predictable. The kick returns needs improving.

[ed_lunsford]

Wally Buono put it best in describing the season so far to Lowell Ullrich:

“What do I have [with the Lions]? I have a 3-1 team that is 1-3,” he said. “We had a *poop* day [against Toronto] and we still had 400 yards offence. There's too much good going on to be losing.”

Link

Then he is only fooling himself. Funny when he was told that the Lions had a top D, he said that we didn't, that the D needed to take the ball away. Well frankly, the D has been the only positive attribute about the 2010 Lions, IMO, regardless of takeaways. Lions are a 1 - 3 team that will be lucky to become a 2 - 3 team as the Esks who imploding are up next.

Well, sort of, and I agree with Wally on this one, we are 1-3, no one is playing particularly well in the big picture.

For example the Argos did score the game winning TD on a take away, why can't our "D" do that for us?

That is a Coaches mentality if you are not winning, everything is all wrong, if you win, even by 1 pt, everything is much better.

That is just a coach being a coach...