If there was any one thing that will stand out as the Achilles heel for the BC Lions in Montreal Friday night, it will be the suicide by turnover circus they inflicted upon themselves. The bungling not only handed the game to their opponents but time and again snuffed out Lion offensive drives and gave up precious field position.

The Als graciously accepted the seemingly endless gifts and put up 20 points in response, to show their appreciation.

 

In spite of their “5" giveaways and crippling penalties, the Leo’s undeservedly still had a chance to take away the spoils of war but they were instead poked in the eye by the fickle finger of fate, and will now be forced to think on this one for the next week while biting their lips ‘til they bleed.

 

We can’t lay this loss entirely at the feet of Lion’s coaching, but when the game was on the line, and it came time to show leadership and shepherd their team to the win column, it can be argued that they (coaching) absolutely blew their chance to assert themselves by over-complicating a simple one freekin’ yard plunge on 3 straight attempts. It’s as if a lobotomized brain was guiding the right and left hands of coach Buono’s lieutenants, and it’s clear in watching the side show at the bench to end the game, Wally wasn’t near finished letting these guys know how he felt.

 

Anthony Calvillo who entered the game with 20 TD’s and only 5 interceptions, along with his RB Avon Cobourne (who gave Lion’s middle linebacker Javier Glatt fits with his speed and off the chart moves through the BC defense) had their way with Lion defenders and were a two man wrecking crew for much of the night, demonstrating why they both may just have to “share” the league MVP honors at season’s end.

 

Momentum seemed to be setting itself in stone in favor of the Al’s before much of the game was played...... that is until QB Buck Pierce reported to work.

 

The Lion’s field general put on a passing display which was by any measure something to behold, and the likes of which hasn’t been seen around these parts for all of this season. He finished the game with a 79% passing clinic going 37 of 47 and 390 yards. The team was clearly buoyed by his performance, and to his fans it was ice cream.

If he can deliver on the consistency piece, we may just have someone who can carry the mail in that job.

 

Lion’s offensive guard Kelly Bates was reported to have been critical of his team’s

game preparation this week, as the practices had too much of a party atmosphere to them.

I want so badly to like this team. They have the horses but have been an emotional roller coaster thus far, managing to underwhelm their fans while they haven’t looked at all like they cared.

That said, it’s not clear if the players involved were read the riot act, but the level of commitment in this one, after a shaky start was open to little doubt. They played with attitude and that old nasty edge again. There is reason now for cautious optimism if they can just carry this over to their next game.......

 

 

 

QB Buck Pierce not only moved the ball tonight but did it in style at times that were crucial. Pierce took it from his own 10 to the major and a 2 point conversion to put his team ahead with 3:30 to go. Montreal returned the favor only to have the BC QB march his team down the field once again to the Montreal one yard line, where the Als drove in the dagger to end the game.

 

Rob Murphy is reported to have clarified expectations with coach Buono this week. Result.... he was like a dog on a pork chop, as he played his best game of the 08 season. He’s a behavioral model, and when he’s not going, the team is without his strong presence and team leadership qualities. Those qualities again showed through in spades against the Als.

 

Jason Clermont f-i-n-a-l-l-y became relevant once again as a key to the Lion’s offensive game plan. How could this great talent have been virtually ignored thus far?