Stampeders vs. Lions Game Day Thread

[TheLionKing]

After last week's dress rehearsal, it's play for real tomorrow. Wally Buono's second stint as Head Coach. Will we see an exciting brand of football as promised by Buono or more of the conservative, play not to lose instead of playing to win mentality ? The torch has officially been passed from Lulay to Jennings. Looking forward to the game.

[B.C.FAN]

It's all or nothing for the Lions in this one. Wally has made it clear the Lions need to win early and often this year to win back the fans. Being entertaining and competitive isn't enough. I expect to see a strong game from the Lions. My main concern is that Jabar Westerman isn't strong enough to stop the run. I hope Zach Minter plays and lines up inside on first downs. The Lions match up well with the Stamps at most other positions.

[David]

Wally has made it clear the Lions need to win early and often this year to win back the fans. Being entertaining and competitive isn't enough.

"Winning" has been the mantra since Day 1 of training camp. Get off to a fast start. Win. Entertain. Win again. Win some more.

That's great, but my concern is that it's become so ingrained in this football club that they're going to be trying too hard. I almost think that's what sank the Argos last night. They got too caught up in the moment and didn't play with discipline. The Leos need to let the game come to them and not lose focus, becoming so desperate to win (at home) that they're trying to do others' assignments as well as their own.


DH

[SammyGreene]

LU has reported all week Minter will not be dressed. Instead Allen will be rotated at DE. To go toe to toe with the Stamps you better be at full strength with both your lines. Lions are not. Minter and Bryant Turner will hopefully both be in that top six at some point but expect a steady diet of Messam tonight.

[JohnHenry]

Here We Go Lions, Here We Go! Bom...Bom

Should be a good one tonight! Stopping the Stamps rushing attack is the key. If Messam rushes for over 100 yds, the Lions opportunity to win will be substantially diminished...even if Jennings plays lights out.

[Rammer]

Wally has made it clear the Lions need to win early and often this year to win back the fans. Being entertaining and competitive isn't enough.

"Winning" has been the mantra since Day 1 of training camp. Get off to a fast start. Win. Entertain. Win again. Win some more.

That's great, but my concern is that it's become so ingrained in this football club that they're going to be trying too hard. I almost think that's what sank the Argos last night. They got too caught up in the moment and didn't play with discipline. The Leos need to let the game come to them and not lose focus, becoming so desperate to win (at home) that they're trying to do others' assignments as well as their own.


DH

Good point as per usual David. Realistically I don't expect the Lions to win, however if the game from the Lions perspective is competitive and the score is close I will be satisfied. I worry most about shutting down the run as that will make the Stamps one dimensional, the only real way the Lions can hang with the Lions. Generally a new coach should help a team with experience get out of the gate fast until teams adjust as they see game film. However this match-up doesn't fall into that category as Wally's game plans are likely on DD's wrist band. So this will come down to student vs teacher, with the student having gone off to college under Huff.

[Blitz]

Good point as per usual David. Realistically I don't expect the Lions to win, however if the game from the Lions perspective is competitive and the score is close I will be satisfied. I worry most about shutting down the run as that will make the Stamps one dimensional, the only real way the Lions can hang with the Lions. Generally a new coach should help a team with experience get out of the gate fast until teams adjust as they see game film. However this match-up doesn't fall into that category as Wally's game plans are likely on DD's wrist band. So this will come down to student vs teacher, with the student having gone off to college under Huff.
Rammmer

Jonathan Jennings has a quick release and quality receivers in Arsenault, Burnham, and Moore to throw to in the slots. Gore lines up as the short side wide receiver and has experience. But the keys to this game are our offensive and defensive lines.

We are going to need to run the football and protect Jennings, even with his quick release and quick read ability. That comes down to our offensive line. On defense, we need to be able to contain Messam and get pressure on the quarterback. To do that, we need good defensive line play.

I'm confident in our receivers, our linebackers, and our defensive backs. The key to success or not for this whole season will be determined by our offensive and defensive line play more than anywhere else on the field. Its going to be an interesting first game to watch.

[B.C.FAN]

I'm confident in our receivers, our linebackers, and our defensive backs. The key to success or not for this whole season will be determined by our offensive and defensive line play more than anywhere else on the field. Its going to be an interesting first game to watch.

Agreed. I questioned the decision to shuffle everyone on the offensive line this year but after watching this unit in training camp and preseason I have more confidence in the O-line than the D-line at this point. It usually takes four or five games before major changes are made on the D-line but major changes are usually made.

[Qman]

Big concern with johnson starting at RT. Will Hughes eat him alive.
I guess they move steward out to LT and bring JO back to RT

Minter not dressing is a concern too. Our D-line was brutal last year with him out of the line up.

[DanoT]

I'm worrying about Mark Washington calling a "safe", play not to loose conservative game with not enough blitzing and too much 3 man D line with everyone else dropping into pass coverage. Against the Bombers last night the Als did a lot of blitzing and had Willy off balance and even in the last few minutes when the Als were protecting a lead they still went with a 4 man rush to at least get some pressure on the QB.

[caobax]

Leone, we were your #! Fans. On a samurai ww! hospital helicopter off the coast. Finding a way to text live midfield may be rough as the tablet is constantly changing aqua-marine, go Leone, hang [it] low.

[Dusty]

I'm confident in our receivers, our linebackers, and our defensive backs. The key to success or not for this whole season will be determined by our offensive and defensive line play more than anywhere else on the field. Its going to be an interesting first game to watch.

Agreed. I questioned the decision to shuffle everyone on the offensive line this year but after watching this unit in training camp and preseason I have more confidence in the O-line than the D-line at this point. It usually takes four or five games before major changes are made on the D-line but major changes are usually made.

I'm eager to have the game start, however I do have concerns with the D-line push. I do not think that we have anyone that the Calgary O-line has to double team and I'm not sure that the concept of "stunt" is in our game plans. But, I'm glad to have the chance to watch and hope for the best.

[B.C.FAN]

As expected, Zach Minter is not dressed so the Lions will try to stop Jerome Messam with two undersized defensive tackles and four defensive ends. Team 100 (including Purifoy in number 0) could be busy.

[Robbie]

Lions allowing several crucial sacks and now giving up a partial blocked punt - lucky to be down just 1-0.

[TheLionKing]

Undisciplined penalty