Lionbackers.com

LOTS of line-up changes this week as Lions replace some under performing players and get back some national depth too.

FG kicker Nick Vogel will make his BC debut just 4 days after being signed to replace struggling Jimmy Camacho.

As David alluded to, Chris Rainey has been dropped as a returner in favour of former U of Pitt standout Quadree Henderson. This move brings RB Jamal Lyles back on the roster to back-up James Butler.

Cottoy returns as starting SB. This move paved the way for Hardin to return from the injured list and replace national Hakeem Johnson on the corner. I’m sure the coaching staff was concerned at how a couple of Bethell-Thompson over throws prevented a pair of long TDs as Johnson had bit hard on some short routes.

A pair of disappointing RedBlack acquisitions Cioffi and Tavai have also been dropped this week.

Finally, Rourke (shoulder) returns to back-up Reilly.

This may be the strongest lineup the Lions have fielded this season. Michael Reilly has a full arsenal of weapons in the receiving corps. Lucky Whitehead and Dominique Rhymes make their second straight starts after stints on the 6-game injured list and Jevon Cottoy returns after missing last week's game with a calf injury.

New kicker Nick Vogel is being thrown into the fire in a notoriously difficult place to kick (the game-time forecast in Hamilton is for a temperature of 2 C and wind gusts of 26 km/h) but the Lions probably feel they didn't have anything to lose. Jimmy Camacho had lost his confidence after making his first 10 field goals and the team had probably lost confidence in him. It's no coincidence that the Lions have lost all 5 games since his first miss. I can just imagine the cries of "here we go gain" if Vogel misses his first kick, or his last one at the end of the game.

The defence has promising rookie Austin Joyner making his second straight start at SAM, which has been a problem area all season. J.R. Tavai is out with a knee injury but the recently acquired Alex Bazzie steps into the starting lineup and should bring some energy at rush end.

The Lions' season is on the line. Victories in the next two week can put them back in the driver's seat for a playoff berth but there's no more room for excuses.

Lions' depth chart and roster

Arguably the strongest line-up we've fielded in weeks.

* Defensive backfield that was dominant early has been reunited (Sayles now playing half and Edwards-Cooper at safety).

* Speed burner returner

* Eight defensive linemen dressed.

* New kicker (has there ever been a player in recent memory that has enjoyed such early success only to fall completely off the rails like Camacho?).


DH

Poor field goal kicking (64.3%, 8th in the league) is the biggest factor in the Lions' 4-7 record. The B.C. offence has scored 24 TDs (T-4th in the league) and the defence has allowed just 17 TDs (T-2nd). Field goals make up more than half of the scoring allowed by the B.C. defence but less than a third of the scoring by the B.C. offence.

David wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 04, 2021 11:05 am

* New kicker (has there ever been a player in recent memory that has enjoyed such early success only to fall completely off the rails like Camacho?).


DH

Boris Bede. Very good in his first season in 2015, a complete disaster in 2016 with MTL. Doing alright now with TOR.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Bede

I was thinking more of a Lions player here, but I guess Bede would be one (although he has been pretty stellar this year).

Steve Muhammad and Paul LaCoste were Leos in the 90s who had great initial campaigns, then went down to the NFL and weren't the same when they got back up here. But Camacho has been more of an in-season Jekyll and Hyde story. Complete loss of confidence.


DH

Ti-Cats will be without their starting centre Darius Ciraco (back) who's a National and their back-up centre John Yarbrough (ankle) who is an International. This should be an interesting adjustment.


DH

Anyone going to watch?

Lion Guy wrote: ↑

Fri Nov 05, 2021 3:53 pm

Anyone going to watch?

Always!

The Lions have scratched DL Kevin Thurman. They still have 7 DLs dressed.

Good looking opening drive

Nick Vogel's first field goal attempt - good !

Yeah but not by much. That was a very ugly 12 yard FG. If it had started at the 20 it would have been wide.

Good start! Was Burnham animated because it was an uncatchable ball matched up with Lawrence? Seemed that way.

Urrgh. Have they faced a 2nd down since this Ham drive began?