Two weeks into CFL pre-season and the Lions look improved under Travis Lulay.
Quick observations on Week 2 of the Canadian Football League pre-season.
The Montreal Alouettes were blown out 57-20 by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, but this was a classic example of the score not being indicative of the play.
The Als were absolutely fluid on offence with starting quarterback Anthony Calvillo playing only long enough to loosen up his arm and then give way to backup Adrian McPherson, who looked impressive completing seven of 10 passes, for 116 yards and a touchdown.
Save for a long runback on a punt by Ticats’ all-purpose player Marcus Thigpen, there wasn’t a heck of a lot Hamilton did until facing most of Montreal’s second- and third-string players, who were given plenty of playing time.
Conversely, the Ticats’ offence failed far too often to finish offensive drives, and were forced to settle for field goals.
If anything, the game gave the Ticats a chance to look at two kickers vying to stick with the team.
GO FIGURE: Maybe it was because it was the pre-season, or maybe Edmonton’s coaching staff wanted to see how well its offence could execute on third down. In either case, the Eskimos failed on two third-down gambles against Calgary. Give credit to the Stamps for shutting down the Eskimos, but this has been an issue for far too long in Edmonton.
And why did the Eskimos do a direct snap on a third-down play?
They clearly could have saved it for the regular season rather than giving it away and allowing future opponents to plan for it. The Eskimos have a new offensive co-ordinator, Marcus Crandell, a new defensive co-ordinator, and a new special teams co-ordinator in Rick Campbell and that as much as anything will take time for the players to adjust.
The game proved to be costly for cornerback Lenny Walls, who was burned on two plays for touchdowns and subsequently cut.
AND SPEAKING OF COSTLY: Calgary’s planning suddenly became complicated by the injury to backup quarterback Drew Tate, who is out indefinitely with a wonky shoulder. That immediately moved up third-string quarterback Brad Sinopoli – a raw rookie out of the University of Ottawa – to backup behind veteran Henry Burris – and began a process of trying to find an immediate replacement.
In the same game, Edmonton backup Kerry Joseph showed flashes of his old form completing seven of 15 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown.
If nothing else, the Eskimos have the comfort of a veteran backup.
THE HUMAN WRECKING BALL: B.C.’s David Hyland had numerous highlight-reel hits, including leveling Saskatchewan’s Stu Foord on a special teams play, although to his credit Foord shook it off.
Hyland proved last year he could play cornerback, defensive back or safety, but it appears the Lions want to begin the season with a non-import at safety, most likely Jason Arakgi, who has been a demon on special teams for three years.
LEMON PASSES TEST: Much-criticized Argo quarterback Cleo Lemon did enough to secure the starting spot with a decent effort in a 30-23 win over Winnipeg.
He maintained ball security and made use of his mobility.
But based on last year, Lemon will probably be scrutinized more than any other quarterback starting off the season.
BOYD STOPPED SHORT: Argos running back Cory Boyd, voted by his peers as the toughest player in the CFL last year, had six carries for only a yard against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, a shocking number at any time of year because he was playing with the first-team offence.
Although he didn’t play in the pre-season opener, Boyd is a monster, but he had some injury issues last year, including two concussions, so his health will be a concern.
Backup Chad Kackert, who resembles one-time Ottawa running back Josh Ranek, has lit it up in the pre-season with 12 carries for 150 yards and one touchdown.
BOMBERS AWAY: One thing became quite clear in the Bombers’ loss: Their passing game with first-string quarterback Buck Pierce consisted of short, intermediary throws, usually with quick releases.
Pierce, who is another player whose health will be watched all season, averaged 7.1 yards on 10 of 14 completions. The Bombers have a solid receiving corps, and with head coach Paul LaPolice specializing on offence, they will need to be more effective stretching the field.
LIONS IMPRESSIVE: Make what you will of pre-season games, but B.C. is looking more cohesive with Travis Lulay at starting quarterback than they were with Casey Printers a year ago.
Don’t expect the Lions to start off as sluggishly as they did a year ago when they had a 1-7 record before putting it all together with Lulay as the starter. And the Lions defence, whether using a new 3-4 alignment or the traditional 4-3, could be the key to the team’s success. Both defensive tackle Aaron Hunt and middle linebacker Soloman Elimimian were absolutely nasty in the 34-6 rout over Saskatchewan.
It says here Elimimian will be the defensive player of the year.
CONCERN OVER DURANT: Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant had interception issues a year ago and he had one pick and nearly another in the loss to B.C. He also had numerous passes dropped.
Durant took a physical beating considering it was a pre-season game, but he needed the reps after sitting out the first pre-season game. Durant will have to adjust to some new receivers and a new centre – the loss of Jeremy O’Day to retirement will be huge – so don’t be surprised if the Riders’ offence endures some early struggles.
PRECHAE DROPS THE BALL: In his limited career so far, receiver Prechae Rodriguez has gone from a highly-impressive rookie to one who struggles with consistency. He dropped an easy catch for a touchdown in the loss to Montreal. It happened far too often in his time with Hamilton, which is why the Ticats gave up on him.
With the Als’ receiving corps still a work in progress due to injuries, Rodriguez managed to survive the cuts and was conveniently placed on the injured list.
SLUR HEARD: During the audio part of the broadcast of the Bombers/Argo game, Winnipeg defensive back Arrington Hicks was nailed 15 yards for unsportsmanlike conduct after using a racial slur.
Perhaps not surprisingly, he was cut the next day.
THE OFFICIALS: Not sure which game they were watching, but the officials missed two obvious horse-collar plays in the Argo-Bombers games.
