Lions Need To Clean House

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whatadisgrace
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This team and organization has become a total disgrace, as has this season. Time for Wally, Tedford (entire coaching staff and front office), along with Lulay are all need to go. ******** pathetic.

I can only imagine what The great legendary Bobby Ackles (R.I.P.) must be thinking right now at what's happened to the Lions. All the hard work he did to turn the Lions around has been undone, and Wally is largely to blame for it.

Totally disgusting and disgraceful at the state of this team.
InUrFace
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Just heard LU and the other radio personality on 1410 saying that Wally will assessed if he will step down or look at an extension after 2016 that will be offered to him or has been. Now if he stays and gets an extension ... Im done and I feel season ticket holders will be too. Also Farhan on 1410 said keep Washington he hasnt done anything bad enough to be let go. Wow! is he serious .. does he see the same games we do. Sure there has been improvements
but nothing to jump out your seat over. So everyone what are your thoughts????? Specially season ticket holders on here.
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almo89
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InUrFace wrote:Just heard LU and the other radio personality on 1410 saying that Wally will assessed if he will step down or look at an extension after 2016 that will be offered to him or has been. Now if he stays and gets an extension ... Im done and I feel season ticket holders will be too. Also Farhan on 1410 said keep Washington he hasnt done anything bad enough to be let go. Wow! is he serious .. does he see the same games we do. Sure there has been improvements
but nothing to jump out your seat over. So everyone what are your thoughts????? Specially season ticket holders on here.
If Washington is being influenced by Wally, maybe he deserves a second shot? I rather them let Tedford hire his assistants and Wally step down. Then we can really evaluate Tedford. Wally has been past his due date for a while now. Wally has the benefit of having tons of talent on his teams in the past, but it hasn't been the same since Obie left.
maxlion
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I would be surprised but not shocked if Wally stepped down. I would be more surprised if he signed an extension as I would guess he's taking things year by year at this stage in his career.

As for the coaches:

Washington's body of work as a DC has been below average, but not terrible. The last half of this year was decent, and he seems very engaged and respected by the players. However, I doubt that he gets another year.

Cortez had no qb for the first 2/3 of the year, and managed to develop Jennings into the best young qb in the league. He is not purrfect, but he did his job. Unless there is behind the scenese animosity between him and other members of the organization, I expect him back next year, and think we'd be better for it.

McMann is gone, no need to discuss further.

Tedford had some growing pains but brought a more professional culture to practices, and had a young team rounding into form leading into the playoffs. The last game was a disappointmemt, but I'd give him another chance.
Last edited by maxlion on Sun Nov 15, 2015 7:28 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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The_Pauser
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While I agree that we need to clean house (not a fan of Skulsky's work, and Buono appears to be past his best before date), and we definitely need new coordinators, I do find it amusing how every year people on here call for the coaches heads. Even going back to 2013 people were calling for Stubler to be fired, and look how big of a mistake that was.
Roar you Lions roar!
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CardiacKid
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If the Lions are going to clean house, they better get on it quick because the Rough Riders already have a big jump on lining up replacements. Maybe they should take advantage of the fact they are in Calgary and start interviewing people in the Stampeders organization because it seems all the prominent names for moving up the food chain seem to be located there.

I, for one, would like to see Tedford see out his contract. Maybe Blake Nill at UBC should be making the jump to the CFL; the Lions Special Teams might be a good landing spot. Perhaps Barrin Miles could be tempted to move back west...he flourished when Dave Ritchie was DC, maybe he learned a thing or two that can be imparted upon our defense.

One big plus for whomever is left after the dust settles has got to be the fact our QB situation is clearer now. Travis had a kick at the can to be the hero, to show he still had some gas in the tank to deliver the goods on the football field. But it wasn't to be. If the guy is agreeable, keep him as backup/mentor but clearly state Jennings is the starter and plan from there forthwith!
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cromartie
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I imagine I'll be typing this until my fingers fall off.

When Wally walked in in 2003, he didn't change much of the coaching staff. Buratto was retained, as was Arslanian.

It was after that season that changes were made.

No reason to expect the same thing shouldn't happen here. Head Coach stays. The rest of the house gets broomed.

Do that too often, though and you turn into Winnipeg.
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MikeAK
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All I know is that this past season was my least favorite in a very long time. Far smarter people than me will hopefully have a better idea on what needs to happen. One thing is a sure thing with me though. I love the CFL and the Lions so I need a better product next year. This season was brutal for me.
BakeTEAM1040
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CardiacKid wrote:If the Lions are going to clean house, they better get on it quick because the Rough Riders already have a big jump on lining up replacements. Maybe they should take advantage of the fact they are in Calgary and start interviewing people in the Stampeders organization because it seems all the prominent names for moving up the food chain seem to be located there.

I, for one, would like to see Tedford see out his contract. Maybe Blake Nill at UBC should be making the jump to the CFL; the Lions Special Teams might be a good landing spot. Perhaps Barrin Miles could be tempted to move back west...he flourished when Dave Ritchie was DC, maybe he learned a thing or two that can be imparted upon our defense.

One big plus for whomever is left after the dust settles has got to be the fact our QB situation is clearer now. Travis had a kick at the can to be the hero, to show he still had some gas in the tank to deliver the goods on the football field. But it wasn't to be. If the guy is agreeable, keep him as backup/mentor but clearly state Jennings is the starter and plan from there forthwith!
I doubt Blake Nill is leaving UBC after one year to coach the Lions special teams. He's made commitments to recruits, and has a long term plan to turn the program around.
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sj-roc
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BakeTEAM1040 wrote:
CardiacKid wrote:If the Lions are going to clean house, they better get on it quick because the Rough Riders already have a big jump on lining up replacements. Maybe they should take advantage of the fact they are in Calgary and start interviewing people in the Stampeders organization because it seems all the prominent names for moving up the food chain seem to be located there.

I, for one, would like to see Tedford see out his contract. Maybe Blake Nill at UBC should be making the jump to the CFL; the Lions Special Teams might be a good landing spot. Perhaps Barrin Miles could be tempted to move back west...he flourished when Dave Ritchie was DC, maybe he learned a thing or two that can be imparted upon our defense.

One big plus for whomever is left after the dust settles has got to be the fact our QB situation is clearer now. Travis had a kick at the can to be the hero, to show he still had some gas in the tank to deliver the goods on the football field. But it wasn't to be. If the guy is agreeable, keep him as backup/mentor but clearly state Jennings is the starter and plan from there forthwith!
I doubt Blake Nill is leaving UBC after one year to coach the Lions special teams. He's made commitments to recruits, and has a long term plan to turn the program around.
Not to mention there's likely a lot more job security in his UBC gig than at the pro level. He could end up lasting out his retirement at Point Grey. Join the Lions and it could be a pretty short tour of duty.
Sports can be a peculiar thing. When partaking in fiction, like a book or movie, we adopt a "Willing Suspension of Disbelief" for enjoyment's sake. There's a similar force at work in sports: "Willing Suspension of Rationality". If you doubt this, listen to any conversation between rival team fans. You even see it among fans of the same team. Fans argue over who's the better QB or goalie, and selectively cite stats that support their views while ignoring those that don't.
Solar Max
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A lot of the problem lies with OBie's departure, then Shivers'. The Lions have lost a ton in the Scouting department.

As for coaching, Wally's paw prints are all over the coaching staff day to day. McMann has no business on a CFL sideline, yet year after year Wally protects "Wally's guy". Benevides was Wally's scapegoat, and there will have to be others, I'm guessing George Cortez even though he had no qb until the last 3 weeks of the season, while McMann soldiers on in ineptitude but Wally's good graces.

There's a solution; get Wally into a non football job in the Front Office, and let Tedford actually coach the team...and send McMann home to Montreal.
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CardiacKid
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Gary Lawless has reported that Neil McEvoy is getting some consideration to move to a different team. And depending on the position, he is ready to do so...
So whether the Lions are prepared or not to cut some umbilical cords, other teams may do the dirty work for the Leos. Just maybe......
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sj-roc
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Sekeres on 1040 right now arguing for Wally to step aside. His tsn1040.ca online poll question for his show today is that very question: should he be dismissed? Still early times but currently running 60% yes.
Sports can be a peculiar thing. When partaking in fiction, like a book or movie, we adopt a "Willing Suspension of Disbelief" for enjoyment's sake. There's a similar force at work in sports: "Willing Suspension of Rationality". If you doubt this, listen to any conversation between rival team fans. You even see it among fans of the same team. Fans argue over who's the better QB or goalie, and selectively cite stats that support their views while ignoring those that don't.
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CardiacKid
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Whether you agree or not that Wally has to go along with a portion of the coaching staff, I think we can all agree there has to be a viable alternative available should it come to that.

I think we have seen too many instances in recent years of the Leos jettisoning players without adequate replacements at hand. I am sure others will argue quite convincingly that the same occured with some of the Leo's coaching staff.

John Murphy, Assistant GM in Calgary, is a name that is being frequently bandied about right now for making the move to GM. The guy's background is personnel....so perhaps a very good potential fit for the Lions. But beyond him? The names that apparently are getting the most exposure with the Riders are Hufnagel and Jones in Edmonton.

Maybe there simply aren't a lot of guys who are flying under the radar who are GM material?
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B.C.FAN
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Interesting poll. I don't believe Wally is the problem so I voted No but if John Hufnagel were available and willing to take on a new challenge I would happily welcome him.

I still think Wally is an asset whose experience and success enhances the value of the organization. If David Braley sells the club next year, the new owner will be free to offer Wally an extension or bring in a new GM. Braley is not going to make any long-term commitments unless they enhance his bottom line in the short term.
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