The B.C. Lions will be traveling East in the crossover for the second time in hopes of securing their way into a Home Grey Cup game via the back door. In 2009, the 8-10 BC Lions limped into the CFL eastern semi-finals and surprised the 9-9 Hamilton Tiger-Cats 34-27. They then proceed to be destroyed by the 15-3 Montreal Alouettes in a 56-18 lopsided affair. This surprised, no one but it’s different this time around. All three teams in the eastern playoff race finished with identical records of 9-9. This could be the first year in the history of the CFL that a crossover team makes it to the Grey Cup game.
B.C.’s 9-9 record does not tell the whole story of this team. They were without question the stingiest defense in 2014 right up until the final two games, going an unprecedented six games this year without allowing a touchdown. Unfortunately, they also went six games this year without scoring a touchdown themselves. Their frustrating on-again, off-again play showed the lack of a true starter at the QB position.
The Lions finished the season with a dominant ten-sack defensive display against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, securing their playoff appearance; they followed that up with two lackluster losses where they appeared were either playing to get their coach fired or vying for the crossover. How one team can play so well and then so terribly inside of seven days is beyond comprehension to most of their fans, but it’s indicative of their entire season.
Our breakdown of the team is below; also check out our preview of the opposing Montreal Alouettes here.
Offence
Coming into the eastern semi-final match up with the Montreal Alouettes, B.C.’s offense is still on life support. Travis Lulay was activated this week; this is far from a good thing. In practice, Lulay was unable to throw the ball much more than 20 yards. His lack of full motion in his throwing arm offers no strength in his delivery. So why was he activated? Because B.C.’s second-string quarterback John Beck came down with concussion symptoms after Wednesday’s practice. The league’s concussion protocol requires that a player must be symptom-free for seven days prior to playing, ruling Beck out for the first playoff game.
Where else does the team find a QB with any experience, four days before the biggest game of the year? So with a banged up Kevin Glenn, a 60% Travis Lulay and a raw rookie in Travis Partridge, B.C. will attempt to pull off a miracle. Fortunately they’re also seeing the return of Stefan Logan in the backfield and Emmanuel Arceneaux and Ernst Jackson, the league’s hottest receiver going down the back stretch. There could be some hope.
Defence
Defence is where the Lions will shine. The return of Adam Bighill after surgery two weeks ago reunites the suppressive “Team 100”, the record setting duo with Solomon Elimimian who set three league records by week 18, and continued to shatter them for the remainder of the season. Alex Bazzie returns on his rookie crusade with ten sacks on the year and leading the league in tackles for loss. With B.C. on top or close to it in every defensive category, do not expect this to be a high scoring affair for Montreal.
Special Teams
Special Teams is where B.C. really needs to pull up their socks. League-leading returner Tim Brown, lost midway through the season, has never been adequately replaced. Marco Iannuzzi has been respectable but not outstanding in the return game. With Stefan Logan getting double duty, the field may tip in the Lions’ favour if they are able to shut down the Als’ return game. Paul McCallum once again is leading the league with the best field goal percentage at 90.8%, making good on 38 of 42 attempts this year, but rarely sinking anything longer than 40 yards.
Coaching
Mike Benevedes is in over his head. He’s been head coach for three years and each year the Lions drop further and further in the standings. If this is not corrected, do not expect the Lions to make the playoffs next year. It really is not if Benevedes will be replaced, though, but when and by whom.
When B.C. acquired Khari Jones as OC, it seemed like a consolation prize. Four or five other prospects turned down Wally Buono’s offers before he settled on Jones. For the record I think Khari has done a good job this year, considering the amount of micro-managing and all-out interference he’s dealt with from his head coach, but he was ill-prepared for the position. Lack of experience has showed on more than a few occasions. Mark Washington is the shining star on this team; in his rookie year as Defensive Coordinator, he has put together the most dominating and suffocating defence in the league.
Variables
Another huge factor in this game will be the time change. With B.C. chartering into Montreal on Friday night, they only have one day to acclimatize to the three-hour time difference and the three-hour early start for the eastern teams. B.C. will be playing football right after breakfast, throwing off everyone’s game day rituals. Why the playoff games have to start so early is beyond me. With the exception of one nooner, this will be the earliest start to a football game all year and without question the earliest for a western team.
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