BC Lions Non-Playoff Seasons Comparisons
Posted: Sun Nov 05, 2017 12:12 pm
In light of the fact that the BC Lions have missed the playoffs for the first time in 21 years and obviously there's a lot of disappointment and resentment over this, exactly how does this season compare to the other seasons that the Lions missed the playoffs in recent memory - i.e. the last 5 times the Lions missed the playoffs. Would you say this season is the worst or would other seasons are much worse?
I'll give my thoughts on each since 1989, as well as immediate changes afterwards.
1989: 7-11
After the 1988 Grey Cup appearance, high expectations were given to the team. Unfortunately the Lions started off 0-5 and after the 4th loss then-head coach Larry Donovan was fired and Joe Galat took over as head coach. At the halfway point, the Lions went 4-5, but in the latter half the team faltered and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1982. Matt Dunigan and the Lions offence actually set a then-record of 521 PF and statistically Dunigan performed better than 1988. But it the loss of several defensive players to Edmonton from the completion of the Dunigan trade resulted in several close losses. Changes to the team occurred shortly afterwards from the new owner Murray Pezim who fired Joe Galat as well and brought in new coaching and leadership. As good as he was, Matt Dunigan would be traded away in the off season.
1990: 6-11-1
A different management staff was brought in with new GM Joe Kapp and HC Lary Kuharich, and several new QB competing for the starting QB job. However, Doug Flutie had not yet adjusted to the CFL game yet and the team was not able to accommodate all the players who came and left, so the team was still in turmoil. In mid-season, both HC and GM were fired and Bob O'Billovich was brought in for a new fresh start.
1992: 3-15
In 1991 obviously with the help of league MOP Doug Flutie, offence was great but the defence was still terrible and as a result, the Lions lost several close blowout games including the WDF. With the loss of the only offensive weapon in the form of Doug Flutie, then both offence and defence were terrible as Danny Barrett was absolutely no replacement whatsoever and fittingly, the team suffered a humiliating 3-15 season. Owner Murray Pezim abandoned the team mid-season, and at the end of the season Bob O'Billovich was dismissed as well as new owner Bill Comrie brought in a new coaching staff in the form of GM Eric Tillman and HC Dave Ritchie and the team became championship caliber in just two years.
1996: 5-13
When owner Bill Comrie decided to sell the team to Nelson Skalbania, lots of management changes came effect as well with a new HC Joe Paopao and future hall of famers like Danny McManus and Darren Flutie all left for free agency. Andre Ware was brought in as the new starting QB and was totally ineffective, paving the way for Damon Allen who eventually became the second-longest Lions QB to date. David Braley became new owner and would be the start of 20 seasons of playoff appearances.
2017: 7-11
This season has been discussed in several threads so I won't go into detail now other than ask you....compared to 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1996 how does this season rank relatively in terms of anger, disappointment, and frustration?
I'll give my thoughts on each since 1989, as well as immediate changes afterwards.
1989: 7-11
After the 1988 Grey Cup appearance, high expectations were given to the team. Unfortunately the Lions started off 0-5 and after the 4th loss then-head coach Larry Donovan was fired and Joe Galat took over as head coach. At the halfway point, the Lions went 4-5, but in the latter half the team faltered and missed the playoffs for the first time since 1982. Matt Dunigan and the Lions offence actually set a then-record of 521 PF and statistically Dunigan performed better than 1988. But it the loss of several defensive players to Edmonton from the completion of the Dunigan trade resulted in several close losses. Changes to the team occurred shortly afterwards from the new owner Murray Pezim who fired Joe Galat as well and brought in new coaching and leadership. As good as he was, Matt Dunigan would be traded away in the off season.
1990: 6-11-1
A different management staff was brought in with new GM Joe Kapp and HC Lary Kuharich, and several new QB competing for the starting QB job. However, Doug Flutie had not yet adjusted to the CFL game yet and the team was not able to accommodate all the players who came and left, so the team was still in turmoil. In mid-season, both HC and GM were fired and Bob O'Billovich was brought in for a new fresh start.
1992: 3-15
In 1991 obviously with the help of league MOP Doug Flutie, offence was great but the defence was still terrible and as a result, the Lions lost several close blowout games including the WDF. With the loss of the only offensive weapon in the form of Doug Flutie, then both offence and defence were terrible as Danny Barrett was absolutely no replacement whatsoever and fittingly, the team suffered a humiliating 3-15 season. Owner Murray Pezim abandoned the team mid-season, and at the end of the season Bob O'Billovich was dismissed as well as new owner Bill Comrie brought in a new coaching staff in the form of GM Eric Tillman and HC Dave Ritchie and the team became championship caliber in just two years.
1996: 5-13
When owner Bill Comrie decided to sell the team to Nelson Skalbania, lots of management changes came effect as well with a new HC Joe Paopao and future hall of famers like Danny McManus and Darren Flutie all left for free agency. Andre Ware was brought in as the new starting QB and was totally ineffective, paving the way for Damon Allen who eventually became the second-longest Lions QB to date. David Braley became new owner and would be the start of 20 seasons of playoff appearances.
2017: 7-11
This season has been discussed in several threads so I won't go into detail now other than ask you....compared to 1989, 1990, 1992, and 1996 how does this season rank relatively in terms of anger, disappointment, and frustration?