Leos/Bombers Keys to the Game

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Blitz
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Our B.C. Lions take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers tomorrow night that matches the CFL''s worst defence against the CFL's worst offence. The big question and perhaps the biggest keys to this game is which unit will be worse.

Here are my KEYS TO THE GAME. Looking forward to reading Lionbackers insight to what our Leos need to do in order to come away with a victory.

OFFENCE

1. PREPARE FOR A SPY ON HARRIS

The Argos adjusted to our Leos targeting Harris in both our run game and passing attack I the first half by putting a spy on him. Harris would still end up with 54% of our offence against the Argos but most of his offence came in the first half. Last week we attacked vertically when the Argos made their adjustments and we were not successful. This week we need to attack the Bombers defense differently if they cheat. Using Lulay on the read option, moving our H Back around, creating more motion, and finding intermediate weaknesses in the Argos defence would all pay dividends.

2. FOCUS ON FUNDAMENTALS

Lulay's mechanics went all to hell in the second half against the Argos and our receivers dropped catchable footballs. Both need to change for this week.


DEFENSE

ATTACK THE QUARTERBACK

Drew Willie is hurting. The Argos backup is inexperienced and has struggled, The Bombers go to receiver Nick Moore is out. We need to get to the quarterback and get pressure. Our sack total is only 3 by defensive lineman this season - none for Westerman - his brother has 3 sacks for Winnipeg who outbid us for his services and he was a non import to boot. Tedord wants more pressure. Hopefully we'll be able to bring more heat. Our defence is on the field way too long and so far we've both bent and broke on defense.

PLAY WITH DISCIPLINE

Too many penalties have extended opposition drives and led to scores. Many of our penalties have been demoralizing. Most of the penalties have not come from aggressive play but just plain dum, undisciplined play.


WRAP

Looking forward to a weekday summer night game on television with a cold beer or two and hopefully two points for our Leos in the standings. :roar: :roar: :roar: :roar: :roar: :roar:
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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i) Discipline, discipline, discipline

ii) Pressure the quarterback

iii) Establish the run

iv) Punt on 3rd and 4 :wink:
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THREE KEYS

1. Establish Andrew Harris: Harris started with a bang last week, scoring three TDs in the opening 15 minutes and 30 seconds of the game, then the Lions overreacted to Argo defensive adjustments and stopped using him. He still produced on the few occasions where he got the ball, but Lions' momentum slipped away in the meantime. Harris still had 129 yards from scrimmage. In his career, he averages 118 yards from scrimmage July, his most productive month by far. Winnipeg's defence ranks seventh overall. They're eighth against the pass and seventh against the run and their linebackers are mismatched against B.C.'s O-line, RBs and H-back/TEs. Ground and pound should pay dividends, with a healthy mix of play action and read-option keepers by Lulay.

2. Contain Clarence Denmark: Ex-Lion Nick Moore, by far Drew Willy's most popular target and best possession receiver, is injured but Clarence Denmark is still a big weapon, especially on deep routes. Denmark leads the CFL in 2015 with 4 receptions of 30+ yards. Since 2013, he is just one 30+ yard catch behind league leader Fred Stamps. B.C.'s inexperienced secondary has given up a league-high 10 pass plays of 30 yards or more despite playing fewer games than Winnipeg and several other teams. Safety Chris Rwabukamba, who is being challenged by Eric Fraser, has been AWOL on most deep passes against the Lions. Having veteran Ryan Phillips back in the secondary should be a huge boost to the Lions but Cord Parks and T.J. Lee don't have a lot of help on the opposite side of the field unless Mark Washington elects to continue to use Adam Bighill as an extra safety in passing situations.

3. Keep it clean: I'm referring to turnovers but the phrase could also refer to major penalties, which cost the Lions momentum and touchdowns in recent games. As for turnovers, the Lions have committed a league low six giveaways this year. They've gven up the fewest interceptions (two, including Lulay's Hail Mary at the end of the first half last week) and they're the only team that hasn't lost a fumble. They do have four turnovers on downs, though, which is tied with Calgary for the most in the league. Teams that win the turnover battle are 14-3 (.824 winning percentage) this year, which is similar to the rate of previous seasons (.830 last year). The Lions don't have to take unnecessary risks such as last week's third-and 4 gamble against the Argos. Just keep it clean and don't give the game away.
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TheLionKing wrote:i) Discipline, discipline, discipline

ii) Pressure the quarterback

iii) Establish the run

iv) Punt on 3rd and 4 :wink:
If I were HC of this team I'd deliver two messages this week to this team -

1. Disciplined play - no more excuses - Not listening to more of that you can't stop or it's too hard. Other teams can avoid them. Adam Bighill plays the right way and there are few harder players than him. Sol E too so the rest of you STFU with the excuses and do your job on every play, every down.

2. Focus - we've yet to play one full game where all aspects of the game come together. To win this division and a GC means you focus on assignments on every down in practice.

Game day same message: Keep your head in the game from the time you arrive at the stadium, how you warm up and prepare and during the game.

Stay focused on the game for 60 minutes whether you are on the field or on the sidelines.

If you haven't learned that lesson from the Argos game you should tell the HC now so we can get a guy who is ready.

___

In team sports how a team prepares and speaks before the game can tell you a lot. In the room before the warm up - are they focused? are they talking down their opponent (take them too lightly) etc. How warm up is done is a key and in game - where is the focus.

Many coaches hate injured players/PR guys on the sidelines distracting guys on the team. There are 42 but only 12 on the field. Using non-playing players to spot or send in signals is a good way on the DEf that Dave Ritchie used to keep those guys not playing focused. One was a decoy, one had the real signal.

But this BS we were flat might have been picked up quickly in the second half with an eyeball or two on where players heads are at.



1. Discipline ... let the Bombers take the dumb penalties.

2. Pressure the QB - but don't let them establish the run as they have had some decent running games.
But I'm sure they'll try to exploit the misuse of the two key LBs with runs and passing (depending on their QB).

3. BC running and passing attack can't fall into patterns - get more of the Lions REC in the mix. Vary the runs to counter any Harris focus.
"Ability without character will lose." - Marv Levy
Blitz
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In a Province article, posted below, Ullrich says the defence can't stop a beach ball at times and is the worst defense in the CFL, allowing 3 out of every 4 passes to be completed against them, have given up the second most yards in the CFL on the ground, and in the last two games have given up an average of 296 yards of offence in the second halves alone in our last two games. Shocking stuff. So much for Wally jettisoning Stubler for a better option in Mark Washington.

This is a defence that has gotten worse and worse under Washinton's direction. Making personnel changes alone will not get it fixed. Our defence plays the worst offence in the CFL tonight in Winnipeg and Willie is hurting and Moore, their best receiver is hurt. There are no excuses.

Code: Select all

Ullrich: B.C. Lions' coach Jeff Tedford looks ready to mix things up
 
Keola Antolin will return punts against Winnipeg, but signs point to more changes
 
By Lowell Ullrich, The Province July 29, 2015 
 Ullrich: B.C. Lions' coach Jeff Tedford looks ready to mix things up

  The defence can’t stop a beach ball at times and the offence looks as if it is running out of gas in the second half. So naturally, it should come as no surprise that the biggest change for the B.C. Lions this week is on special teams.

The lack of production on the punt return unit has resulted in the replacement of rookie returner Alex Tillman with sophomore Keola Antolin, who has finally found a way back into the lineup of the CFL team for their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Tillman only had one punt return longer than 20 yards and not all of his 13 touches were handled cleanly. Antolin was more productive as a tailback during the four games he played late last season, and coach Jeff Tedford hadn’t forgotten a Pac-12 game he coached at California when Antolin torched his team while playing for Arizona.

“Keola has some explosiveness. He deserves a chance,” Tedford said, hoping he can do on punt returns what Shaquille Murray-Lawrence has produced on kickoffs, with returns in excess of 60 yards in consecutive games.

That’s the only discernible change on the depth chart, but the Lions this week did considerably more self-scouting at practice that could also produce a different look.

It may have been a reaction based on their bottom-feeding status among the CFL’s worst defensive teams, or the fact some players are taking too many penalties, but Tedford and defensive co-ordinator Mark Washington were very much into experimentation in the days following the Lions’ 30-27 loss to Toronto.

Some changes are necessary due to the knee injury suffered last week by cornerback Ronnie Yell, which will force the Lions to adjust the defensive secondary.

However it is not lost on the Lions that they remain the most porous defence in the CFL after four games, allowing teams to complete nearly three out of every four passes, on average. It also hasn’t escaped anyone’s attention that only Saskatchewan has allowed more average yards on the ground.

It resulted in a grab-bag of defensive combinations that might suggest the Lions could go in a variety of directions against Winnipeg. Tedford said the rotation work is just how he rolls, but off practice the Lions are also at looking at what might be better fits with Yell out.

Cord Parks will come across the secondary to replace Yell and work alongside T.J. Lee, while Ryan Phillips returns to work with Steven Clarke.

In addition, though, Chris Rwabukamba and Keynan Parker had reps at cornerback, with newly-acquired Eric Fraser given a look at safety. That’s a lot of potential change, which only makes the return of Phillips all the more critical.

“I’ll never forget the one season I had when I worked with four (wide-side) corners,” said Phillips, whose ability to play four different positions has kept him a uniform for 11 seasons.

“(Change) can be difficult because you want to run around and not have to think. But more important than that is, we just have to start finishing games and not let teams gain momentum in the fourth quarter.”

B.C. also continues to devise ways to get linebackers Alex Hoffman-Ellis and Bo Lokombo on the field, even without removing mainstays Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill.

Offensively, John Beck received as many or more reps this week as rookie Jon Jennings, and on Wednesday was moved up to become the backup to quarterback Travis Lulay on the depth chart.

Whoever shows up on the field has to reverse a trend where the Lions don’t seem to be able to stop anyone in the second half, giving up an average of 296 yards in the second halves in each of their last two games.

That usually doesn’t work when generating 42 yards offence in the second half, as B.C. did against Toronto. Antolin had a pair of games last year where he produced more rushing yards by himself. It’s the first big change not brought on due to injuries by the new coach. It remains to be seen if it is change for the better.
"When I went to Catholic high school in Philadelphia, we just had one coach for football and basketball. He took all of us who turned out and had us run through a forest. The ones who ran into the trees were on the football team". (George Raveling)
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Rammer
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Blitz wrote:In a Province article, posted below, Ullrich says the defence can't stop a beach ball at times and is the worst defense in the CFL, allowing 3 out of every 4 passes to be completed against them, have given up the second most yards in the CFL on the ground, and in the last two games have given up an average of 296 yards of offence in the second halves alone in our last two games. Shocking stuff. So much for Wally jettisoning Stubler for a better option in Mark Washington.

This is a defence that has gotten worse and worse under Washinton's direction. Making personnel changes alone will not get it fixed. Our defence plays the worst offence in the CFL tonight in Winnipeg and Willie is hurting and Moore, their best receiver is hurt. There are no excuses.

Code: Select all

Ullrich: B.C. Lions' coach Jeff Tedford looks ready to mix things up
 
Keola Antolin will return punts against Winnipeg, but signs point to more changes
 
By Lowell Ullrich, The Province July 29, 2015 
 Ullrich: B.C. Lions' coach Jeff Tedford looks ready to mix things up

  The defence can’t stop a beach ball at times and the offence looks as if it is running out of gas in the second half. So naturally, it should come as no surprise that the biggest change for the B.C. Lions this week is on special teams.

The lack of production on the punt return unit has resulted in the replacement of rookie returner Alex Tillman with sophomore Keola Antolin, who has finally found a way back into the lineup of the CFL team for their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Tillman only had one punt return longer than 20 yards and not all of his 13 touches were handled cleanly. Antolin was more productive as a tailback during the four games he played late last season, and coach Jeff Tedford hadn’t forgotten a Pac-12 game he coached at California when Antolin torched his team while playing for Arizona.

“Keola has some explosiveness. He deserves a chance,” Tedford said, hoping he can do on punt returns what Shaquille Murray-Lawrence has produced on kickoffs, with returns in excess of 60 yards in consecutive games.

That’s the only discernible change on the depth chart, but the Lions this week did considerably more self-scouting at practice that could also produce a different look.

It may have been a reaction based on their bottom-feeding status among the CFL’s worst defensive teams, or the fact some players are taking too many penalties, but Tedford and defensive co-ordinator Mark Washington were very much into experimentation in the days following the Lions’ 30-27 loss to Toronto.

Some changes are necessary due to the knee injury suffered last week by cornerback Ronnie Yell, which will force the Lions to adjust the defensive secondary.

However it is not lost on the Lions that they remain the most porous defence in the CFL after four games, allowing teams to complete nearly three out of every four passes, on average. It also hasn’t escaped anyone’s attention that only Saskatchewan has allowed more average yards on the ground.

It resulted in a grab-bag of defensive combinations that might suggest the Lions could go in a variety of directions against Winnipeg. Tedford said the rotation work is just how he rolls, but off practice the Lions are also at looking at what might be better fits with Yell out.

Cord Parks will come across the secondary to replace Yell and work alongside T.J. Lee, while Ryan Phillips returns to work with Steven Clarke.

In addition, though, Chris Rwabukamba and Keynan Parker had reps at cornerback, with newly-acquired Eric Fraser given a look at safety. That’s a lot of potential change, which only makes the return of Phillips all the more critical.

“I’ll never forget the one season I had when I worked with four (wide-side) corners,” said Phillips, whose ability to play four different positions has kept him a uniform for 11 seasons.

“(Change) can be difficult because you want to run around and not have to think. But more important than that is, we just have to start finishing games and not let teams gain momentum in the fourth quarter.”

B.C. also continues to devise ways to get linebackers Alex Hoffman-Ellis and Bo Lokombo on the field, even without removing mainstays Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill.

Offensively, John Beck received as many or more reps this week as rookie Jon Jennings, and on Wednesday was moved up to become the backup to quarterback Travis Lulay on the depth chart.

Whoever shows up on the field has to reverse a trend where the Lions don’t seem to be able to stop anyone in the second half, giving up an average of 296 yards in the second halves in each of their last two games.

That usually doesn’t work when generating 42 yards offence in the second half, as B.C. did against Toronto. Antolin had a pair of games last year where he produced more rushing yards by himself. It’s the first big change not brought on due to injuries by the new coach. It remains to be seen if it is change for the better.
Amen, the D has to step up. We have always been told that defense wins Championships, the current D isn't putting the Lions in the playoffs. So far the two wins are against the Riders who haven't won a game. The Lions record is better than their compete level.

Tedford was suppose to come in and have a disciplined team, not so much to this juncture. I expect that to correct itself as the season unfolds given the hangover from Benevides and lots of new starters that are unfamiliar with the league rules.

Watch Hufnagel or Austin deal with a careless penalty as the player comes to the sidelines, rare is the case for a repeat performance.
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MexicoLionFan
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Excellent info Blitz, thanks. The LU article is only calling things as they are and change has to come in the form of coaching, particularly on defence. I liked BCFAN's reminder of Andrew Harris. Just because he will have a spy doesn't mean you can't use him...the Lions must force WPG to shut him down and then decoy him and take advantage of what they are giving...and if they watch any Lions game film at all, they will challenge Lulay to go deep and as a professional, Lulay must make them pay!
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Devil's advocate keys ...

Worst offence, them, vs worst defence, us.

So this might be a good training exercise for Drew Willy. Here is how you attack a soft zone.

Make your reads. In all likelihood you will have loads of time in the pocket. Hit the receivers in space.

With Bighill and Sollie backpedaling and chasing, there will be opportunities for screen plays.

With those 2 LBs playing pass, they will not be in ideal position to stop the run. Work some good running plays in there.
.............

Defensively vs the Lions

Spy Harris of course.

Spy Lulay of course.

Pressure Lulay. Try to keep him in the pocket. Put your best DB, preferably with some size, on Manny, their "deep threat." He is not a tricky receiver. Run with him. Collie and Taylor have not shown the ability to get open deep. Nor do they present run after catch threat.

Pay attention to Leonard on intermediate routes.
............

So if Harris and Lulay are slowed down on the ground, the Lions do not seem like one of the most dynamic offences in the league.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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squishy35
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I would really like to see Bryan Burnham have a breakout game. If he gets some catches early, I feel his confidence can make him a game breaker.
Qman
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Blitz wrote:In a Province article, posted below, Ullrich says the defence can't stop a beach ball at times and is the worst defense in the CFL, allowing 3 out of every 4 passes to be completed against them, have given up the second most yards in the CFL on the ground, and in the last two games have given up an average of 296 yards of offence in the second halves alone in our last two games. Shocking stuff. So much for Wally jettisoning Stubler for a better option in Mark Washington.

This is a defence that has gotten worse and worse under Washinton's direction. Making personnel changes alone will not get it fixed. Our defence plays the worst offence in the CFL tonight in Winnipeg and Willie is hurting and Moore, their best receiver is hurt. There are no excuses.

Code: Select all

Ullrich: B.C. Lions' coach Jeff Tedford looks ready to mix things up
 
Keola Antolin will return punts against Winnipeg, but signs point to more changes
 
By Lowell Ullrich, The Province July 29, 2015 
 Ullrich: B.C. Lions' coach Jeff Tedford looks ready to mix things up

  The defence can’t stop a beach ball at times and the offence looks as if it is running out of gas in the second half. So naturally, it should come as no surprise that the biggest change for the B.C. Lions this week is on special teams.

The lack of production on the punt return unit has resulted in the replacement of rookie returner Alex Tillman with sophomore Keola Antolin, who has finally found a way back into the lineup of the CFL team for their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Tillman only had one punt return longer than 20 yards and not all of his 13 touches were handled cleanly. Antolin was more productive as a tailback during the four games he played late last season, and coach Jeff Tedford hadn’t forgotten a Pac-12 game he coached at California when Antolin torched his team while playing for Arizona.

“Keola has some explosiveness. He deserves a chance,” Tedford said, hoping he can do on punt returns what Shaquille Murray-Lawrence has produced on kickoffs, with returns in excess of 60 yards in consecutive games.

That’s the only discernible change on the depth chart, but the Lions this week did considerably more self-scouting at practice that could also produce a different look.

It may have been a reaction based on their bottom-feeding status among the CFL’s worst defensive teams, or the fact some players are taking too many penalties, but Tedford and defensive co-ordinator Mark Washington were very much into experimentation in the days following the Lions’ 30-27 loss to Toronto.

Some changes are necessary due to the knee injury suffered last week by cornerback Ronnie Yell, which will force the Lions to adjust the defensive secondary.

However it is not lost on the Lions that they remain the most porous defence in the CFL after four games, allowing teams to complete nearly three out of every four passes, on average. It also hasn’t escaped anyone’s attention that only Saskatchewan has allowed more average yards on the ground.

It resulted in a grab-bag of defensive combinations that might suggest the Lions could go in a variety of directions against Winnipeg. Tedford said the rotation work is just how he rolls, but off practice the Lions are also at looking at what might be better fits with Yell out.

Cord Parks will come across the secondary to replace Yell and work alongside T.J. Lee, while Ryan Phillips returns to work with Steven Clarke.

In addition, though, Chris Rwabukamba and Keynan Parker had reps at cornerback, with newly-acquired Eric Fraser given a look at safety. That’s a lot of potential change, which only makes the return of Phillips all the more critical.

“I’ll never forget the one season I had when I worked with four (wide-side) corners,” said Phillips, whose ability to play four different positions has kept him a uniform for 11 seasons.

“(Change) can be difficult because you want to run around and not have to think. But more important than that is, we just have to start finishing games and not let teams gain momentum in the fourth quarter.”

B.C. also continues to devise ways to get linebackers Alex Hoffman-Ellis and Bo Lokombo on the field, even without removing mainstays Solomon Elimimian and Adam Bighill.

Offensively, John Beck received as many or more reps this week as rookie Jon Jennings, and on Wednesday was moved up to become the backup to quarterback Travis Lulay on the depth chart.

Whoever shows up on the field has to reverse a trend where the Lions don’t seem to be able to stop anyone in the second half, giving up an average of 296 yards in the second halves in each of their last two games.

That usually doesn’t work when generating 42 yards offence in the second half, as B.C. did against Toronto. Antolin had a pair of games last year where he produced more rushing yards by himself. It’s the first big change not brought on due to injuries by the new coach. It remains to be seen if it is change for the better.
fyi
Roar Report ‏@RoarReport 23h23 hours ago
Punter returner stats thru week 5:
Logan 10.6 yds/return
Brown 9.7

Tillman 7.9
#bclions
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squishy35 wrote:I would really like to see Bryan Burnham have a breakout game. If he gets some catches early, I feel his confidence can make him a game breaker.
he's not on the 46 for tonite
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Qman wrote:
squishy35 wrote:I would really like to see Bryan Burnham have a breakout game. If he gets some catches early, I feel his confidence can make him a game breaker.
he's not on the 46 for tonite

Guess he is going to need a break in game then LOL
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WestCoastJoe wrote:Devil's advocate keys ...

Worst offence, them, vs worst defence, us.

So this might be a good training exercise for Drew Willy. Here is how you attack a soft zone.

Make your reads. In all likelihood you will have loads of time in the pocket. Hit the receivers in space.

With Bighill and Sollie backpedaling and chasing, there will be opportunities for screen plays.

With those 2 LBs playing pass, they will not be in ideal position to stop the run. Work some good running plays in there.
.............

Defensively vs the Lions

Spy Harris of course.

Spy Lulay of course.

Pressure Lulay. Try to keep him in the pocket. Put your best DB, preferably with some size, on Manny, their "deep threat." He is not a tricky receiver. Run with him. Collie and Taylor have not shown the ability to get open deep. Nor do they present run after catch threat.

Pay attention to Leonard on intermediate routes.
............

So if Harris and Lulay are slowed down on the ground, the Lions do not seem like one of the most dynamic offences in the league.

We better have a moderator delete the above post because if any bomber coach reads this and follows it, then game over for the Lions. :wink:
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WestCoastJoe
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DanoT wrote:
WestCoastJoe wrote:Devil's advocate keys ...

Worst offence, them, vs worst defence, us.

So this might be a good training exercise for Drew Willy. Here is how you attack a soft zone.

Make your reads. In all likelihood you will have loads of time in the pocket. Hit the receivers in space.

With Bighill and Sollie backpedaling and chasing, there will be opportunities for screen plays.

With those 2 LBs playing pass, they will not be in ideal position to stop the run. Work some good running plays in there.
.............

Defensively vs the Lions

Spy Harris of course.

Spy Lulay of course.

Pressure Lulay. Try to keep him in the pocket. Put your best DB, preferably with some size, on Manny, their "deep threat." He is not a tricky receiver. Run with him. Collie and Taylor have not shown the ability to get open deep. Nor do they present run after catch threat.

Pay attention to Leonard on intermediate routes.
............

So if Harris and Lulay are slowed down on the ground, the Lions do not seem like one of the most dynamic offences in the league.

We better have a moderator delete the above post because if any bomber coach reads this and follows it, then game over for the Lions. :wink:
Thanks for the chuckle, Dano. LOL

As they say, football ain't rocket science. "So, Grasshopper, you can do some Xs and Os in football, but can you get a spacecraft back from the moon?" (Apologies to Kung Fu)
.........

They ignore Gore. Cover him of course, but look for safe opportunities to help out in coverage. With Gore not involved it becomes virtually 11 on 11, maybe 11.5 on 11.

With Collie and Taylor hardly being threats to run after catch, some routes might be jumped. Here are some examples from tape. And reminder of preferred approach and technique in jumping a route. It is risky, but worth a shot at opportune times.

Take away the primary target. Lulay is much less effective if he has to go through some reads.

Gang tackle Harris. Always. Wrap him up. Arm tackles no good. Body block tackles no good.

Take Manny out of the game early. He seems to lose interest.

Do not hit Lulay if the ball is gone, or if he goes into the slide. Automatic penalty.
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.

Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.

Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
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mod's can we merge this this with GDT we have to many threads going. Also, why do we always have a post-game thread too. can't we just have one GDT. its just painfully to be writing on one and everyone has gone over to other.

Thanks your all your time and work.
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