Can Lions Upset Cats?

The Lions are coming off a loss this past weekend and naturally want to improve on the game in both areas of the field.

The loss of QB Travis Lulay is huge for the team and they have to find that solid ground where everyone can buy into the play calling of any QB they throw into the line-up.

The lions are coming off a loss to the Argo’s by a margin of 40-23 in a game that saw them miss field goals that should have and could have changed the outcome of the game and possibly the score.

The matchup saw the top-ranked passing attack take on the best pass defence in the league, but let’s face it – without the ball the Lions are no match for the Argo’s and QB Ricky Ray.

There is no question that Ray is a future CFL Hall of Fame QB and for anyone watching the game on the tube it goes without saying that he showed the Lions how to play at BC Place Stadium.

He disabled the top-rated passing defence early and threw a pair of TD passes that resulted in sending the Lions limping off the field. – once again.

The week prior saw the Lions win their second straight and getting to within a game of a possible home playoff berth, but the Lions (7-5) literally blew their game in hand on the 6 and 6 Bombers and dropped the game with a 40-23 loss in front of 27,038 solid supporters.

The reason for the loss was simply the play of Ray as well as having Chad Owens back in the line-up played a huge role in the Argos’ fourth win of the season.

This was the first in Vancouver since the 2002 season and it was the lions fourth home loss in seven starts this year, which is hard to swallow for the fans.

This was the first game for Owens since July 5 and the Argos were focused to have him make his mark and establish his mark quickly and early upon his return.

Simply put – BC had no answer for the Argo’s game plan and watching Ray throw a 38-yard TD to LaVon Brazill, beating John Johnson, only to have him connect with Owens for a 20-yard score.

Offensively, the Lions were lost and failed to get anything going until they were down 18-1 in the second quarter, and when they couldn’t got help they failed to get any help from Paul McCallum

He missed on field goal attempts of 32 and 41 yards in the first half, making it three misses in his last four tries that dated back to the game against Winnipeg.

BC did everything to help Kevin Glenn, who eventually found Emmanuel Arceneaux, which was good for a 20-yard’s on a play, but the receiver appeared to be offside.

As for special teams the Lions played second-fiddle as Toronto kicker Swayze Waters played solid and being the league’s top punter he constantly pinned the Lions and hit three field goals that included a career high 53-yarder.

Glenn, who had a four-game streak without throwing an interception snapped early, had to make do with a receiving corps that was clearly missing injured import Courtney Taylor.

BC was without veteran cornerback Dante Marsh to a knee injury in the first half and was to be followed by Tim Brown who suffered a groin pull in the third Quarter.

Maybe next week against the Tiger-Cats is a new start.

Notes:

Linebacker Solomon Elimimian continues to make his case to be named Defensive Player of the Year, even entering the conversation to potentially be named the league’s Most Outstanding Player – an award that has never been won by a defensive player.

He continues to be on pace to break the CFL single season tackle record with 108 to his name so far – an astonishing 45 tackles ahead of second place.