B.C.FAN wrote:The Moj replayed a bit of his coach's show interview with Mike Benevides on Team1040 tonight. I didn't catch the original interview, but the clip he played focused on pass protection. Benevides said there were a couple of times that the Ticats brought more players than the Lions had available to block but most of the pressure on Lulay was the result of guards, running backs or fullbacks missing assignments. He also agreed with the Moj's contention that the loss of Angus Reid's experience and calming influence in making pre-snap reads and calling the blocking schemes is a huge factor in the difference in line play between last year and this year. He said there's no substitute for that experience. Benevides also said pressure defences are coming into vogue throughout the league and the Lions will have to adapt to pressure on offence and provide pressure on defence to succeed in the final eight games of the season.
I don't really like to hear him hanging out the guards, running backs, and fullback for missed assignments. That is a lot of guys missing assignments. And I don't really like to hear him blame Norman by saying they miss Reid. There is drafting, developing and coaching that has to go on to build continuity and effectiveness. If all those guys are unprepared long term or short term, I put that on the staff. Like Chapdelaine admitted, the staff has to put the players in position to succeed.
No wonder there is some bad morale on the team.
But ...
Benny: Pressure defences coming into vogue. Agree. Yes, brought in by innovative coaches. On other teams.
Benny: Lions' O needs to adapt to pressure. Agree. Have we got that covered? Test #3 coming up. Two dismal failures so far. Now that we know there is a problem, can we find an answer? We will see.
Benny: Lions need to apply pressure on D also. Agree. IMO it is the best way to counter high powered passing attacks. And to shame a Gridlock offence.
Hallelujah.
Hallelujah.
My headache is gone, just like that. For now. Can significant scheme and philosophical changes be made mid season? Sure.
Benny faces reality. Schemes adjustment coming. An admission that the coaching staff has been behind the 8 ball in terms of what has come into vogue, as we were caught unprepared. Out coached in other words. Our OC and DC need to adapt to the times. And our O Line coach needs to build a program of continuity with his charges. Wally's guys (his loyal, familiar coaches club) are getting a dose of harsh reality. You can be made to look like poor amateurs by innovative coaches. How can professionals be fooled by such an old tactic, right there in front of them? Sleeping. Complacency. Self satisfaction. Arrogance. Hubris.
A shameful debacle against Montreal. And a shameful debacle against Hamilton.
Not on the players.
One advantage of football, unlike hidden business reports, is that the evidence is all on the tape.
Were we prepared for this "new" tactic, newly in vogue, pressure D, the all out blitz? No. We were deceived. Fooled. We were fooled. The Emperor, and the Generals, have no clothes. And the players paid the biggest price.
Were we utilizing this "new" tactic, pressure D, ourselves? No.
One can understand the rage of MexicoLionFan. Support for the players. Trapped. Keep your mouths shut. Watch what you say to the media (It will look bad for the coaches). You guys have to execute our beautiful schemes. Go out there, in harm's way, with our fully effective plans. We know what we are doing. We'll be here on the sideline. Out of harm's way. Execute.
And the players are probably saying: Thank the Lord. Freedom from an antiquated system. At this point, it is a maybe ...
IMO ...
(Moved from the post game thread since issues with the offence affect more than one game.)