June 1, 2023: Preseason Calgary at BC - Game Day Thread

[Robbie]

Lions have taken a quick 7-0 lead midway in the first quarter.

[Coast Mountain Lion]

Adams throwing the ball at will against Calgary's second team defence but not much of a running game going. Calgary with a few good runs but not much else.

[Coast Mountain Lion]

21-3 Lions with 2:32 left in the half, Evans takes the wheel

[SammyGreene]

Pitch and catch for Lions offence entire opening half. Adams gets all receivers involved. Made a terrific throw to Rhymes after rolling away from blitz for huge play.

[B.C.FAN]

The first half was a confidence booster for Adams, even though it was against Calgary’s backups. Adams ran and went through his progressions when he had to. The lack of a running game with the first-unit O-line and running back is a concern though.

[KnightofCydonia]

Calgary's rookie QB Chris Reynolds has been picking apart the Lions D so far.

(As I typed this, Moore snagged a very nice snack though)

[Robbie]

Lions manage to pull off a last second win 25-22 after giving up a 21-0 lead.

Too close for comfort. More improvements necessary in a week from now against the same Stampeders in Calgary.

[Toppy Vann]

Lions manage to pull off a last second win 25-22 after giving up a 21-0 lead.

Too close for comfort. More improvements necessary in a week from now against the same Stampeders in Calgary.

Looked like they had it wrapped up with a Safety but #24 didn't try to rap up Tommy Stevens a big QB, bounced off him and Stevens ran from inside the inside zone after scrimmaging from the 3 yd line for a first down.

I'd not put a lot of stock in that game (nor most pre-season games) but some good play on the D-Line, on the offence (eg Terry Williams) and some bad drops for one receiver.

[Alputt]

It was a fun one from the (mostly empty) stands! I'd say no doubt VA is our man to start...

BIG buzz around LL Cool J lot's of non-regulars asking me how they can get in.

[Alputt]

Noticed Calgary didn't even play Jake Maier. We got no looks for next week.

Still a feel-good win at home in a nail-biter, the crowd that did show up deserved it!

[B.C.FAN]

A few players who had great camps followed up with big games. Justin McInmis had 2 TDs on 50-50 balls in the end zone. Terry Williams made diving catches on the sideline, as he’s been doing for a few weeks. Neither player is expected to start on offence but they can come in and make plays any time.

The biggest question mark remains the running game. Taquan Mizzell showed his shiftiness but the Lions didn’t establish much of a running game until the fourth quarter when Antonio Williams had some successful runs with Andrew Peirson, Tyler Packer and Noah Zerr as the three Canadians in the middle of the line and Phil Norman at roght tackle. All of those players are projected to be backups at best, unless Peirson supplants David Knevel at left guard.

[TheLionKing]

Vernon Adams decision to have a week of bonding with his receivers in Tacoma at his expense definitely paid off tonight. He was decisive, when plays break down he knew exactly where his outlets are.

[Toppy Vann]

A few players who had great camps followed up with big games. Justin McInmis had 2 TDs on 50-50 balls in the end zone. Terry Williams made diving catches on the sideline, as he’s been doing for a few weeks. Neither player is expected to start on offence but they can come in and make plays any time.

The biggest question mark remains the running game. Taquan Mizzell showed his shiftiness but the Lions didn’t establish much of a running game until the fourth quarter when Antonio Williams had some successful runs with Andrew Peirson, Tyler Packer and Noah Zerr as the three Canadians in the middle of the line and Phil Norman at roght tackle. All of those players are projected to be backups at best, unless Peirson supplants David Knevel at left guard.

Antonio Williams looked good. Just at a break he was down injured and to me it sure seemed that Calgary was tackling him to bang him up (and maybe to win jobs). Some of those hits when he was going down with 3 tacklers seemed a bit over the top for a pre-season game but when you're trying to win a job it's expected.

The BC coaching staff and players change in BC but the offensive staff here in BC just don't see the value in the run game. As Wally once said 'it's hard to teach run blocking' so maybe it's written on a wall inside the Lions compound somewhere.

It was ironic that Calgary ran the ball rather successfully with the back-ups and The Moj and Guilio C were suggesting their backups should be given more chances to showcase if they can play in the CFL - that was until Chris Reynolds came in and he looked good despite rookie errors.

I had to miss parts of the game due to not being able to record it but the breaks the broadcast had to take in the 2nd Q IIRC were so frequently all together I could hear Guilio laughing at it's insanity.

I have no issue with the streaming, just not sure why they can't let you see it AFTER the game.

[squishy35]

Adams looked very comfortable running the offence. A good sign for sure. Should be an exciting game next week.

[Belize City Lion]

Noticed Calgary didn't even play Jake Maier. We got no looks for next week.

I was surprised Maier didn't get a few series. He was terrible in the first pre-season game. You'ld think Dickie would want him to get a bit of work in before the season starts. Or maybe not playing him was supposed to send a message about how much confidence the Stamps have in him? I thought Tommy Stevens looked pretty good. Might be a short leash for Maier.