Buono nixes Robert Jordan as returner - Lowell Ullrich

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/Buono ... story.html

Some excerpts from the blog of Lowell Ullrich ...

Buono nixes Jordan as returner

Lowell Ullrich, The Province July 26, 2010

A four-game experiment to find the next great kick returner is about to be declared over by the Lions, who are also about to admit they can't go further without added quarterbacking depth.

Coach Wally Buono did his best to avoid dealing with either topic specifically, but it was clear returner Robert Jordan ran out of chances with the CFL team around the moment he fumbled the opening kickoff against the Toronto Argonauts Friday.

What is that feeling? Ahhh ... the toothache is gone.

Well, it had to happen. Robert Jordanary. Good hands, for the most part. No explosiveness, in 6 games. No threat to go the distance. Not elusive. Easiest player to tackle in the CFL I have ever seen, but then he is listed at only 160 pounds. Quick little steps, but no real speed, often run down by linemen outweighing him by 70 pounds. It's hard to figure what Wally saw in him, unless it came to him through prayer, or the recommendation of his daughter.

How many games did Gary Butler stick around last year? Was it 4 games also?

Two practice roster rookies, Yonus Davis and Darius Passmore, have had work on the return unit, and it's expected one of them will get a chance when the Lions play the Edmonton Eskimos Friday. The club worked out Davis at their Surrey training facility on the weekend.

Davis is worth a look.

Buono said he doesn't believe Printers' knee and quad-muscle injuries will heal in time to play against Edmonton.

"Why don't I bring in an NFL guy who has an upside who next year could be something?" asked Buono. "If we bring somebody we want to evaluate on our own terms."

Good. Another chance to build some experience for Travis Lulay. IMO he played very well, for the most part. Things ground to a halt in the 2nd half, however. One wonders if adjustments by the Argos, and insufficient adjustments by the Lions contributed to that. Hmmmmm

[SammyGreene]

I must admit I have mixed emotions on this one.

Good to know the return game could get a much-needed spark on Friday night.
Disheartening to know it took Wally and the coaching staff five games to figure out what most posters were saying on a fan website after the second pre-season game.

Que the same plot for Gary Butler and even Javy Glatt.

Is it a reflection of why this team is 10-14 in its last 24 meaningful games?

[cromartie]

I must admit I have mixed emotions on this one.

Good to know the return game could get a much-needed spark on Friday night.
Disheartening to know it took Wally and the coaching staff five games to figure out what most posters were saying on a fan website after the second pre-season game.

Que the same plot for Gary Butler and even Javy Glatt.

Is it a reflection of why this team is 10-14 in its last 24 meaningful games?

While, in general, I agree with the tone of your assessment, I've always been of a mind that you give personnel decisions four games to play themselves out. In the case of Jordanary, this is about on schedule.

Doesn't explain Glatt though....

[JohnHenry]

The Lions would do very well by monitoring the Lionbackers forum. Not saying we are always right, but we're usually about 6 weeks ahead of the glacial coaching staff on personelle decisions. It's great to give a guy a chance, but it seemed obvious Jordan was out of his element since training camp. He just had no burst.

I've been pushing for D. Passmore since I saw the video of his NFL combine tests last Fall. He came near the top in several categories. I'd like to see Passmore or Black get an opportunity. Not sure what's wrong with Arseneux, but he hasn't been a reliable receiver this year. O. Wilson has decent hands, but offers little else. I'd like to see Harris, Lee and Messam incorporated in the offence more. P. Jackson has to pull up his socks also.

The Lions are loaded at QB and Travis is only 26, we really don't need another hotshot prospect chomping-at-the-bit for playing time. We may need an emergency backup to sit on the bench for this season (like a K. Parrish-type) or plan for next year when one or both of Casey and Jarious could be gone.

From the Stamps camp: The one major item of interest was the presence of QB Daryll Clark, who worked out after the practice for Stamps coach (and fellow Penn State product) John Hufnagel.
“I thought he had a lively arm, he was accurate, and he showed pretty good feet,” said Hufnagel. “For the first time throwing a CFL football, I was pleased.”

Clark was on the Stamps neg list and demanded a tryout. The Stamps don't really need him at this time and will be forced to release him or Cody Pickett this week.

[Blitz]

The Lions would do very well by monitoring the Lionbackers forum. Not saying we are always right, but we're usually about 6 weeks ahead of the glacial coaching staff on personelle decisions. It's great to give a guy a chance, but it seemed obvious Jordan was out of his element since training camp. He just had no burst.

I've been pushing for D. Passmore since I saw the video of his NFL combine tests last Fall. He came near the top in several categories. I'd like to see Passmore or Black get an opportunity. Not sure what's wrong with Arseneux, but he hasn't been a reliable receiver this year. O. Wilson has decent hands, but offers little else. I'd like to see Harris, Lee and Messam incorporated in the offence more. P. Jackson has to pull up his socks also.

The Lions are loaded at QB and Travis is only 26, we really don't need another hotshot prospect chomping-at-the-bit for playing time. We may need an emergency backup to sit on the bench for this season (like a K. Parrish-type) or plan for next year when one or both of Casey and Jarious could be gone.

From the Stamps camp: The one major item of interest was the presence of QB Daryll Clark, who worked out after the practice for Stamps coach (and fellow Penn State product) John Hufnagel.
“I thought he had a lively arm, he was accurate, and he showed pretty good feet,” said Hufnagel. “For the first time throwing a CFL football, I was pleased.”

Clark was on the Stamps neg list and demanded a tryout. The Stamps don't really need him at this time and will be forced to release him or Cody Pickett this week.

It's actually impressive that the collective wisdom of Lionbackers, in terms of the majority opinion on here, is usually bang on...

Certainly, if Wally had read Lionbackers, he would have moved Javy Glatt out of the middle much sooner, he would have kept Jamal Johnson, he would have started Ryan Phillips over Mark Washington at wide side corner at the time, he would have brought in import tackles in 2005 instead of wating for 2006, he would have signed a free agent wide receiver to compliment Simon years ago instead of waiing until this season to sign an Armstrrong type receiver, he wouldn't have wasted Jordan at returner for 4 games etc.

Right now, we have a good situation at quarterback. Lulay has great promise, Printers stll has talent that needs to be put back together again, and Jarious Jackson knows our offence. The defense looks very promsiing this season. If we could only make some serious modificaions to our offence and get our return game going, we do have the talent on this team to win consistently.

When you look at our receiving talent...Simon, Armstrong, Arsenault, and Paris Jackson, we do have the receivers to get it done. Our offensive line is improving. I wonder why we continue to stick with Wilson...we could use Jamal Lee there and move him around.

This Leo team does have ability. If we could just give our offence some innovation and versatility it would pay huge dividends...

[CatsEyes]

It's actually impressive that the collective wisdom of Lionbackers, in terms of the majority opinion on here, is usually bang on...

Certainly, if Wally had read Lionbackers, he would have moved Javy Glatt out of the middle much sooner, he would have kept Jamal Johnson, he would have started Ryan Phillips over Mark Washington at wide side corner at the time, he would have brought in import tackles in 2005 instead of wating for 2006, he would have signed a free agent wide receiver to compliment Simon years ago instead of waiing until this season to sign an Armstrrong type receiver, he wouldn't have wasted Jordan at returner for 4 games etc.

Right now, we have a good situation at quarterback. Lulay has great promise, Printers stll has talent that needs to be put back together again, and Jarious Jackson knows our offence. The defense looks very promsiing this season. If we could only make some serious modificaions to our offence and get our return game going, we do have the talent on this team to win consistently.

When you look at our receiving talent...Simon, Armstrong, Arsenault, and Paris Jackson, we do have the receivers to get it done. Our offensive line is improving. I wonder why we continue to stick with Wilson...we could use Jamal Lee there and move him around.

This Leo team does have ability. If we could just give our offence some innovation and versatility it would pay huge dividends...

Perfectly said.
I just wish those big 4 receivers would get hungry for the ball!

[TheLionKing]

The fact that it took 5 games speaks volumes about this coaching staff. If Buono or his daughter is reading this, it's time to rid of your so called Offensive Coordinator.

[Hambone]

It looks like Jordan has struggled some with the KO returns but his punt return numbers aren't all that bad. I'm not sure if CFL.ca's stats have been updated to include this weekend's action but Jordan is listed as being 5th overall in punt return average at 9.4 which is generally considered decent. 3 of the 4 returners with a better average have managed to break one for a TD of 83 or longer otherwise he'd be ahead of them in average too. 9.4 a better average than Ian Smart had in 3 of his 4 years with BC.

[DanoT]

Ok if anyone in the Lions brain trust really is listening: One more fumble from Jamal Robertson and he should warm the bench or go to the practice roster. The Lion vets need a wake up call.

[CatsEyes]

Ok if anyone in the Lions brain trust really is listening: One more fumble from Jamal Robertson and he should warm the bench or go to the practice roster. The Lion vets need a wake up call.

Can we afford one more? IMO, the fumbles (2 in 2 games) could likely have been the difference between a 1-3 record and a 3-1 record.

[ed_lunsford]

It looks like Jordan has struggled some with the KO returns but his punt return numbers aren't all that bad. I'm not sure if CFL.ca's stats have been updated to include this weekend's action but Jordan is listed as being 5th overall in punt return average at 9.4 which is generally considered decent. 3 of the 4 returners with a better average have managed to break one for a TD of 83 or longer otherwise he'd be ahead of them in average too. 9.4 a better average than Ian Smart had in 3 of his 4 years with BC.

Wish the man well, to me he was a decent player, but a football decision had to be made, we just were not getting enough out of the Return game.

My quibble would be I'd like to see Jamal Lee/Harris/Messum have a opportunity to return some kicks.

[ed_lunsford]

Ok if anyone in the Lions brain trust really is listening: One more fumble from Jamal Robertson and he should warm the bench or go to the practice roster. The Lion vets need a wake up call.

Can we afford one more? IMO, the fumbles (2 in 2 games) could likely have been the difference between a 1-3 record and a 3-1 record.

And it is not as if there is not talent right behind him looking for playing time, fumbles happen but a Vet, and in key spots?

C'mon Robertson...

[CatsEyes]

And it is not as if there is not talent right behind him looking for playing time, fumbles happen but a Vet, and in key spots?

C'mon Robertson...

He used to scare the crap out of me when he used to play for the Argos. Don't get me wrong, he HAS shown flashes of brilliance, but not that "Uh Oh" factor that he used to have when he gets the ball.

[Solar Max]

Were I the guy....

Robertson would get axed, and Jamal Lee and Messam would carry the rock out of the backfield, with Harris waiting in the wings. That way, you open up an Import spot elsewhere, and less chance of fumbles.

But we all know that a Canadian running back has NO chance with this club anywhere but ST.

[Toppy Vann]

Messam and Lee hold the wrong passports and in the time warp that Wally and his coaches are in they still believe Canadians have a role to play - STs, special situations, etc BUT not kick return and definitely not RB. FB means special teams 95% of the time. Catch a pass and you that's it for that game.

The strange thing is Wally is the best guy in the CFL historically for promoting Canadian assistants and played in an era where Canadians were featured backs - Neil Lumsden for one and there were many others including Don Getty QB for the championship Esks, Russ Jackson QB for top team then the Ottawa Roughriders. Normie Kwong - FB and big ball carrier with the Esks during the champion years - a Canadian.