The BC Lions had been called the worst team in the CFL but proved that to be hyperbole on Friday night by taking it to the beleaguered Redblacks early and often.
It was a dominant 29-5 victory for the home team, giving fans relief from a disappointing season and giving me my first chance to write about a win since starting at 3DownNation.
Here are my thoughts on the game.
Living in the upside down
After the season that the Lions have had, you’d be forgiven for pinching yourself when the BC offensive line was presented a game ball by Mike Reilly after the victory.
The hogs were physical up front in the run game and held an opponent without a sack for the first time all season. They were insistent in presenting their game ball to new coach Kelly Bates and it was easy to see why. There was a noticeable improvement in the units’ technique during his second game with the team.
Offensive line play is all about the little things. It’s dependent on proper angles, exact length of steps and meticulous hand placement. These are the things that a technician like Bates lives and breaths. You can see the new emphasis in the way that they played.
It is important to remember, however, that just as last week’s improved performance was partly a result of a dismal Montreal defensive line, Friday’s performance was greatly influenced by an Ottawa team with very little talent. With the next three games being against Ottawa, Montreal and then Toronto, we may not be able to fully assess how much this unit has improved until Week 18 versus Edmonton.
Little big men
The biggest change in blocking prowess this week did not happen on the offensive line, but instead among “skill” position players.
The Lions have struggled mightily all season when relying on receivers or running backs to provide extra pass protection or open holes in the run game. Something seemed to have clicked this week and there were some fabulous blocks throughout the night by non-linemen.
Before Lemar Durant took a post route 52 yards for a touchdown on the opening drive, he made two key blocks to open up holes for Brandon Rutley on back-to-back runs. Having him come across the formation to kick out the defensive end was a look that the Lions have not used frequently but he executed it perfectly on multiple occasions.
Jevon Cottoy was also excellent as a blocker throughout the evening, a role he’s struggled to adjust to this year. He seemed to have finally found the physicality he’s been missing, shooting his hips and driving opponents off the ball. That was a key development for the Leos with fullback David Mackie sidelined with injury and unable to play an in-line role on heavy sets.
Perhaps most importantly was Brandon Rutley taking hold of the starting job in John White’s absence, not just as an effective runner but as a far superior pass protector. He was stepping up all game long, making key blitz pick ups and showing the ability to properly read when he was needed to protect, a skill that White has so often lacked this year.
Whatever the Lions coaching staff did this week to trigger this wildly improved blocking should be commended and needs to be continued. The blocking of receivers and backs has frequently been the difference between a win and a loss for BC this season, this week it was a key factor in victory.
The orange blanket
It may have come against a Redblacks’ receiving corps that fielded just one player in the top 25 in receiving, but the smothering performance by BC’s secondary was as dominant as you’ll ever see.
The Lions’ ball hawks were in their element, blanketing any and all down field options. The talent disparity between the two opponents was evident and BC was more than happy to force Ottawa to rely entirely on the swings, screens and short outlet passes that play caller Joe Paopao loves.
While Dominic Rhymes was able to crack the century mark thanks to a couple deep garbage time catches, Ottawa’s second leading receiver was running back Mossis Madu with 10 targets. BC’s defensive game plan allowed Ottawa the underneath options and forced their coverage defenders to come up and make a play with an open field tackle. They almost always did.
The secondary’s ability to read Jonathon Jennings and break on routes was particularly impressive. TJ Lee’s called back pick-six was one of the best examples I’ve seen of a player using film study and reading physical cues to break on a pass. You could see him begin his break at the snap from almost ten yards deep and attack with picture perfect timing.
Branden Dozier’s interception three plays later was almost as pretty, with him reading the route concept and making the receiver’s cut for him. Garry Peters has continued to grow and develop at the boundary corner spot, making yet another athletic interception and keeping Ottawa out of the end zone with a lunging pass break up.
The Lions had five pass knockdowns against the Redblacks. This illustrated the symbiosis between the secondary and defensive line pressure. By providing blanket coverage, the BC secondary allowed the big boys to get into their rushes and generate pressure, at the very least getting a paw up and deflecting the football. In return, that pressure makes the secondaries job exponentially easier by causing rushed and ill-placed throws. It is nearly impossible for one to exceed without the other and, for the first time all season, the Lions had both.
Sophomore surprise
Of all the things that have emerged from the muck of this Lions’ season, perhaps the biggest surprise has been the emergence of last season’s fourth round CFL draft pick.
Throughout the draft process, Isaiah Guzylak-Messam was consistently overshadowed by his Laurier teammate, Godfrey Onyeka, even though many saw him as a more physical and versatile option. He has proved that this year, moving from a depth role in the secondary to the starting WILL linebacker spot.
There has been a learning curve at the new position, but Guzylak-Messam was fantastic against the Redblacks. He made eight defensive tackles, many in space, added another on special teams and had the sack that set up BC’s first half-ending scoring drive.
I’m not entirely convinced that linebacker is his permanent position, he may be a better long-term building block at safety, but his versatility and talent mean he will be a key piece for this team going forward and fans should be excited to watch his development.
Dr. Reilly and Mr. Mike
Back when Henry Burris was standing in the pocket instead of sitting behind the panel desk, fans used to discuss whether they would see Good Hank or Bad Hank on the field for any given game.
That’s never been a dichotomy I’ve associated with Mike Reilly but as the Lions have floundered, he has occasionally forced things out of desperation and developed bad habits. Friday’s performance was a brilliant example of some of his failings this season, as well as what a transcendent talent he is.
On the negative side, both of Reilly’s interceptions were egregious mistakes that fall entirely on his shoulders. On his first interception, courtesy of DeAndre Farris, Reilly held on to the ball just a second too long and then, when pressured, threw in the area of two receivers both being bracketed by defenders. For those doing the math, that is four Redblacks in the general vicinity of that throw. It was a ball that simply cannot be thrown, and especially can’t be thrown late.
The second interception, by Gump Hayes, was simply a poor throw. Reilly badly underthrew Shaq Johnson, giving him no opportunity to make a play on the football. Reilly knows as well as anyone that throw must lead the receiver with a high trajectory.
Despite those two mistakes, the rest of Reilly’s performance was textbook former MOP brilliance. He was elusive with his feet, taking off with a confidence and deceptive shiftiness that we have not often seen this season.
He was sharp on every scoring drive, manipulating the pocket by stepping up and out with authority to avoid any pressure, all while keeping his eyes down field. Several of his passes took your breath away, hitting a receiver in the numbers right as he came open and fully in stride. A couple of other throws he failed to connect on were equally perfect, placed exactly where they needed to be to give his receiver a chance to make a play. It was vintage Reilly and absolutely spectacular.
Seeing the top end talent that the Lions have sold the farm for was truly a treat and believe me the acquisition of Reilly will be well-worth the price tag in the long run. But against a better team those two mistakes could have been the difference. At times this season, that has absolutely been the case.
Reilly’s version of Mr. Hyde isn’t manifested by a lack of talent, the change happens between his ears. He’s still trying to do a bit too much because he is desperate to win, he is just beginning to feel comfortable in the pocket (for good reason), and you can tell he doesn’t have full trust or chemistry with all of his receivers. These are issues that will dissipate with time, so expect a lot more Dr. Jekyll going forward in his BC tenure.
Little known coups
Friday night introduced Lions fans to another player I feel strongly they’ll get to know well over the next few years, even though they might not know it yet.
Canadian defensive back Oshane Samuels had two special teams’ tackles in his second game with the Leos. His signing flew under the radar, but it was a coup d’etat for the Lions front office.
Samuels was a CJFL super star with the Edmonton Huskies and to say his tape was impressive is an understatement. Often viewing a dominant talent in junior can be described as man against boys. In Samuels’ case, it was more god amongst men. He was that much bigger, faster and stronger than his opponent. Watching him lead kick coverage looked like Usain Bolt blowing away the competition in the 100m dash.
As a local junior player, Samuels’ rights were owned by the Eskimos and he was in training camp with them this year. In fact, Edmonton offered him a practice roster spot after the preseason, which he turned down in favour of a college opportunity with the University of Manitoba Bisons.
Edmonton’s loss was BC’s gain, as the green and gold’s refusal to active roster the rookie surrendered their rights to him. Ed Hervey was then able to lure him away from USports and, most importantly, keep him out of a future CFL draft pool. I have faith that Samuels would have been a highly sought-after prospect once scouts got a look at him, and Hervey prevented all other teams from getting that opportunity with decisive action.
For the Lions, Samuels will become a key special teams’ contributor and I think he has legitimate starter potential. He is a name to get familiar with and another reason to be optimistic for the future.
Diversity is strength
On an off-the-field note, the Lions’ “Diversity Night” was a fabulous initiative and should be replicated throughout the league.
To see each announced starter run onto the field under their flag of origin was truly special. To follow it up with the Canadian anthem, with a flag held by newly sworn in citizens, gave me chills.
I was most impressed by a little thing off the field. The Lions printed off “Football 101” pamphlets for fans in multiple different languages in an effort to make the game more accessible. It is a long overdue initiative in my opinion.
The CFL is an immigrant league and will be more so going forward with CFL 2.0. Immigrants of all cultural backgrounds have played football in this country since the sport was invented. The continuation of that proud history is essential to the health of the sport.
At the minor level, football has shrunk noticeably, in part because established coaches and organizations claim changing demographics no longer support it. That is nothing short of dog whistle racism and closed minds.
Football players, and fans, are born all over the world, they just don’t always know it. It’s the job of the game’s stewards to find those people, wherever they are, and make the sport accessible to them. Kudos to the entire BC Lions organization for taking an important first step this week. You made this community very proud and a better place in the process.
