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Yes, it's early for a game thread but this seems like an appropriate place to discuss the sobering news out of Montreal after their loss to the Redblacks in the season opener. According to David Naylor of TSN, Montreal QBs Jonathan Crompton and Dan LeFevour both suffered serious shoulder injuries against Ottawa's fierce pass rush. LeFevour is likely done for the season. Given Travis Lulay's history, the Lions had better take extra care to keep him upright.

David William Naylor
‏@TSNDaveNaylor Mtl QB J.Crompton separated shoulder, day-to-day, unlikely for next week. QB Dan LeFevour dislocated shoulder, likely done for season.#Als

I think Ottawa's performance last night definitely got the Lions' attention. They are a fast moving, hard-hitting defense. We just can't have any protection busts where Travis is blind-sided, 'cause it won't be pretty. That is one thing that scares me with Shaq - I doubt he blocks as well as Andrew. Hopefully our tight end(s) will provide some good protection against blitzing teams.

As for Montreal, they still have Tanner Marsh, who's currently - you guessed it - injured, and one other QB on the PR. Still, I wonder if Travis Partridge will get the call for depth? He definitely showed well there in the ESF.



DH

The league really needs one more team, starting the season on a bye week is balls

The Lions have a huge opportunity to jump ahead of the Esks and RIders in the standings early as a result of these teams' unfortunate injuries to key players. I'm sure that this is not lost on any of them and that they use this as motivation and that we see this right from the opening kickoff in Ottawa. Lions' D is solid, they have what looks to be dependable receivers, an improved O Line, an excellent QB and a no-nonsense coaching staff. I for one am very optimistic about this season.!

OTT gave the Lions fits last year, and after watching their season opener, they are a MUCH better football team. You are quite right to point out the concern over Lulay's health this coming week...the Lion's OLine has NEW people in new positions all over the line, which will naturally lead to miscommunications for a while. Tedford will need to design a game plan that purposefully protects Lulay or I don't think he will make it through the game. I honestly don't see the Lions beating OTT on the road.

There are no surprises in the Lions' depth chart for the Ottawa game. The starters are the same as in the final preseason game at Thunderbird two weeks ago except for Bryan Burnham starting for the injured Courtney Taylor at SB and Craig Roh starting for the injured Zach Minter at DT. Taylor will be one scratch. The other will have to be another international backup.

Game day, baby. I have no idea what's going to happen. Just two words of advice: Go Lions!

What to expect from the Lions? Dunno ...

Could be great. Could be a shambles,. We saw little of note in preseason. But I think Jeff Tedford is the real deal. It might take some time. Or we could come out flying. Who knows?

But Ottawa looks like a serious team to face.

Looking forward to the game. As BCFAN notes, "Go, Lions."

WestCoastJoe wrote:What to expect from the Lions? Dunno ...

Could be great. Could be a shambles,. We saw little of note in preseason. But I think Jeff Tedford is the real deal. It might take some time. Or we could come out flying. Who Knows?

But Ottawa looks like a serious team to face.

Looking forward to the game. As BCFAN notes, "Go, Lions."

Tell me your order of preference for first game opponents? It is going to be an interesting day, but if Lulay can perform a full 60 then I like the Lions chances. Where we begin the season isn't as important as to how we finish the season, so while I won't be happy, I can stand a loss as long as it looks like the Lions are prepared.

Rammer wrote:

WestCoastJoe wrote:What to expect from the Lions? Dunno ...

Could be great. Could be a shambles,. We saw little of note in preseason. But I think Jeff Tedford is the real deal. It might take some time. Or we could come out flying. Who Knows?

But Ottawa looks like a serious team to face.

Looking forward to the game. As BCFAN notes, "Go, Lions."

Tell me your order of preference for first game opponents? It is going to be an interesting day, but if Lulay can perform a full 60 then I like the Lions chances. Where we begin the season isn't as important as to how we finish the season, so while I won't be happy, I can stand a loss as long as it looks like the Lions are prepared.

Hey Rammer,

No preference re first opponent. Who is the weak sister in the league? Is it us? If we play vanilla defence, it might be.

For sure we have a chance. Many unknowns of course. Many, many changes. But good teams absorb the changes.

Jeff Tedford could be a revelation in this league. Or we might find the transition to the CFL is not so easy. Add Tom Higgins to the list of outstanding coaches in the league. Oh yeah, and he has even won a Grey Cup, back in 2003. The much respected Hufnagel loses one. The most capable, but oftentimes underappreciated, Kent Austin loses one in week one. Milanovich has some new fans. Many very good coaches out there. As a fan of the CFL, I love it. As a long time fan of the Lions, I see the challenges we face.

Let's see what happens.

This Lions team was rebuilt in the offseason. The starting lineup bears little resemblance to the one that finished the 2014 season but is almost identical to the one that lined up on the first day of training camp.

Comparing depth charts for the 2015 season opener vs. the 2014 Eastern Semifinal, the Lions have new starters at 16 of 24 positions on offence and defence or 13 new starters overall (Parks, Gore and Arceneaux have changed positions) or 11 new starters if you don't count Lulay and Harris as new since they were injured in 2014 and missed the end of the season.

However, only six of the new starters in 2015 were not with the team in 2014: Rwabukamba, Brooks and Roh on defence and Foster, Draheim and Morrah on offence. I didn't count Collie since he's the fifth receiver, and is usually on the field only when Lumbala goes out. Four of those six new starters play in the trenches, which is where the roster has undergone the biggest overhaul.

Aside from injuries to Matt Norman, Hunter Steward, Courtney Taylor and Zach Minter that forced changes to the roster, only two opening-day starters won their jobs in training camp: T-Dre Player beat out Dean Valli at RG and Michael Brooks beat out fellow rookie Tim Jackson and DT.

Depth chart ...

Interested to see how the D Line and the O Line play.

Two situational players could play a big role today: Collie on offense and Bazzie on defense. Not sure why I think they're going to have big games when they won't be on the field every down, but in the case of Bazzie, he got off to a really hot start last season and I expect it to continue this year. On special teams, I am expecting Shaquille Murray-Lawrence to be their ST player of the game.


DH

Underway with the Leone kickoff. Ott offence starts at their 32.

Very nice start for Burris and Ottawa.