Who do you think the B.C. Lions will match up against in the Western Final?Steve Armitage of CBC Sports
What do you think the team's chances are of a repeat at the Grey Cup this year?
This is your chance to talk Lions football with Steve Armitage from CBC Sports.
Click here to send in your question, and check back to read Steve's answers.
Comments: (5)
Q| Why do the Lions play so dirty? Why wont the league come down on that?
A| The Lions will describe the way they play as "competitive" and not dirty. Dirty play in a contact sport is a fine line that is crossed by a number of players at some point, especially those who play the game on the offensive and defensive line where contact is made on every play.
Those who play to gain an edge (border on being dirty) will tell you they are being aggressive attempting to intimidate their opponent. The expression is "trying to get inside his helmet"....if you can gain that edge you can win the one on one battles most of the time.
Some teams encourage this attitude others don't. Some coaches will tell you they want teams and players who play to win but very few if any will say "win at all costs"...
The Lions are a very aggressive team and they win a lot and play under a microscope as a result. This time Jiminez got caught for something he shouldn't have done. A "cut back" block can be very dangerous and certainly was in this case.
I have screened the tape with Wally Buono and the video is not as clear as portrayed but the end result, a break and ligament damage, is pretty conclusive. A one game suspension, if it happens, will put a big hole in the Lions offensive line for either the final of the Grey Cup.
Are the Lions a "dirty" team. In a word NO.
Cheers
Steve A. CFL on CBC
Posted November 13, 2007 03:25 PM
Q| Hi Steve, Leo fan in Sask here. Do you see Dave Dickenson starting the Western final? It personally would not bother me since no one can read defenses better than him.
A| Leo....I would be shocked if Jarius Jackson was not the starter for the Western final on Sunday.
He has earned the start for his play during the injuries to Buck Pierce and Dave Dickenson and I think Wally Buono learned from the experience a few years ago when he had a tough decision to make between Dickenson and Casey Printers. He went with Dave and in hindsight that was not the right move.
I think he'll go with Jarius against the Riders but knows that Dave is ready and able. Dave is the better strategist and tactician...but Jarius is a much more physical player which the Lions might need against the Riders defence.
Cheers
Steve A. CFL on CBC
Posted November 11, 2007 07:42 PM
Q| We attended the Nov 3rd Lions game and were dismayed to see Jason Jimenez ejected from the game. In our opinion, he is a "gentle giant" and unsportsmanlike conduct doesn't seem to us to be his usual demeanor. What became of this incident? Is he to be suspended, fined, or....?
A| There is no question that Jiminez is "giant". As for the "gentle" part I'm not sure.
I sat with Wally Buono last week and screened the Jiminez incident and agreed it was a marginal call but unfortunately for Jason the end result was ugly. An injury that could put the Calgary linebacker on the shelf permanently. Timing is everything and Jason's was not great. A "cut-back block" and a "rollover" is nasty, especially when a 3 hundred pound offensive lineman is involved.
Some will say Jiminez was in the wrong place at the wrong time others will say a player must be responsible for his actions at all times on the field of play. Does he miss the final or the Grey Cup it's up in the air and in the hands of Jiminez and the Players Association vs. the League in terms of the one game suspension.
Whatever game he misses it will certainly be a big negative for the Lions offensive line, which has been very good throughout the course of the regular season.
I still think the Lions will advance to the Cup in Toronto against the Argos and do something that no B.C. team has done in franchise history and that is win "back to back" victories.
Cheers
Steve A. CFL on CBC
Posted November 11, 2007 09:02 AM
Q| Hi Steve,
It seems that the Lions' have been doing just enough to win games. Great teams find ways to win and there is no question this team is stacked. But does it concern you the way they are winning?
A| Mike Lee, you are absolutely right.
The good teams always find a way to win...not always the prettiest of wins...some would say "winning ugly" but a win is a win...and this is what the Lions have done this season.
The big difference all season has been the play of Joe Smith and the Leos' defence. When they need the big play from the front four or from the secondary they always seem to get that play. And when Jarius Jackson couldn't move the offence with the pass, Mr.Smith was always there to find the first down yardage with a timely run.
The Lions are playing with a great deal of confidence...some might say swagger...but that too wins
championships.
They also have solid coaching and that might make the difference between getting to the Grey Cup in Toronto and winning two in a row...something neither Wally Buono nor the Lions have ever done before.
Beating Saskatchewan or Calgary in the Western final won't be easy but playing inside and in front of a large and noisy home town crowd will make it a little easier.
Cheers
Steve A. CFL on CBC
Posted November 8, 2007 12:45 PM
Q| Hey Steve;
Do you think the Riders could win the West this year? If they do, are they likely to win the Cup?
A| The Riders will need a much better game this weekend against the Stampeders than they showed last weekend against the Argos.
They came out very flat in the opening half and it cost them big time...but with nothing riding on the outcome it made little difference.
I've always been a big believer in momentum. It is very difficult to just turn on the switch in sports and the Riders will have the find that switch against the Stamps.
Sask will need a big game from Kerry Joseph. He will not only need to use Wes Cates and find his receivers (they really miss Matt Dominguez) but he'll also have to run the ball himself. When he does that he's a very dangerous player.
All of this won't help the Riders if Henry Burris finds his "A" game. He could do to the Riders' defence what Michael Bishop did...and if that happens the Riders are toast.
And even if the Riders get by the Stamps they will have to beat the Lions in B.C. and that will be very difficult.
I still think the Riders have made huge improvements this season under the guidance of Kent Austin but they are still a work in progress and a year or two away from winning a Grey Cup.
Cheers
Steve A. CFL on CBC
Posted November 6, 2007 09:00 AM