5 issues the B.C. Lions have to occur to win the Gray Cup

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It was tears after the B.C. Lions misplaced to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers within the 2022 Western Remaining, and willpower the day after that.

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The Leos got here shut to creating the large dance, falling by a single rating to the Bombers at IG Area — a stadium they’ve gained as soon as in since 2015, and are on a present 0-5 run — however have redirected their angst into anger as they purpose to make the Gray Cup this season.

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The items are there, they only need to put all of it collectively.

Listed below are 5 issues the Lions want to handle to make it to the one hundred and tenth Cup in Hamilton on Nov. 19:

1. VA has to make these huge performs

How’s this for crucial and in-depth evaluation: If the Lions hope to win a Cup, they want excellent quarterbacking play. Sure, for this reason I’m a professional sports activities author, and also you’re not.

As my grammy used to say: “Construct a bridge and recover from it.”

After all, that is mere jest, however the premise isn’t a joke.

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The Lions had the No. 1-ranked offence final yr, main the CFL in web yards and common (386.5/6,923), purple zone share (70.9) and passing yards (286.). That is Vernon Adams Jr.’s workforce now, and whereas nobody is anticipating him to smash data like Nathan Rourke, he needs to be each potent and protecting with the ball.

He was excellent in a single half of pre-season work in opposition to the Calgary Stampeders, and within the Recreation 1 regular-season rematch, began 9-for-9 and orchestrated a 95-yard landing drive. Adams made fast reads, becoming balls into tight home windows and scrambling for first-down yardage shortly when he couldn’t discover an open receiver.

It was a marked distinction from his first few appearances in 2022, when he seemed tentative and uber-cautious on the controls of an unfamiliar and sophisticated offence.

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His lone blemish final week was a second-quarter decide by Calgary linebacker Cam Choose.

Final yr, when successful the turnover battle, the Lions had been a CFL-best 9-1. Shield the ball like that once more, and they are often there on the finish.

2. Getting bodied

It was arduous to throw in opposition to the Lions final yr. They averaged the fewest cross yards per sport (236.9) with a defence that ended the yr with the third-best rating within the league.

They bent, however not often broke. And, in the event that they did, it was often on the bottom.

If opposing energy backs may get via the road of scrimmage, they might decrease their pads and run via the speedy however small B.C. secondary.

Six instances the Lions gave up 100-plus yards, and 5 of them had been losses. It took till Recreation 10 earlier than a single participant rushed for 100-plus yards in opposition to them, however Saskatchewan’s Frankie Hickson, a bowling ball with legs, rolled for 129 yards on 15 carries in opposition to a Lions’ workforce with Antonio Pipkin and Michael O’Connor below centre.

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It was the week following Rourke’s damage, and the ‘Riders got here with the ground-‘n’-pound sport plan.

The one different time B.C. let a single participant crack the century mark got here on the worst time — the Western Remaining. Brady Oliveira picked up the slack for Winnipeg QB Zach Collaros (178 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT) with a 130-yard efficiency. The Bombers’ O-line punched large holes for him to run via, and the 222-pound Winnipeg native did the remainder.

If the Lions wish to drink from the Cup, they need to step-up to the (run-defence) plate first.

3. Make particular groups particular once more

First, Sean Whyte is computerized. He can all the time be counted on for giant kicks and pa jokes. Stefan Flintoft has a booming punt, and pinpoint placement, statistically among the best within the CFL final yr.

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However particular groups had been an journey in any other case in 2022. A choose-your-own journey like Black Mirror, besides it felt like everybody died it doesn’t matter what you selected.

No workforce gave up extra huge performs on returns than B.C.

No workforce (save the CFL-worst 4-14 Edmonton Elks) had extra drives begin inside their 20 yard line than B.C. (45).

No workforce gave up extra midfield beginning drives (41-to-54 yard line) than B.C. (58, 10 greater than Edmonton).

The commerce for Terry Williams, an excellent kick-returner, stabilized their return sport and guarded Fortunate Whitehead’s well being, however no halo will assist if you happen to’re consistently surrounded by a number of defenders the second you catch the ball. B.C.’s anemic averages had been Backside 1 or 2, and their common beginning discipline place of 37.1 (third worst) was inflated by the offence’s potential to maneuver the ball.

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Can Mike Benevides, who took over from Dan Yankowsky this yr, change the tradition? Or not less than scheme a return sport?

4. Hold taking pictures your shot

The Lions had been a enjoyable mixture of methodical and impatient on offence in 2022. They had been arduous to cease, jabbing you with first-down performs earlier than going excessive for touchdowns.

There have been no throwaway performs that had been meant to unlock defences. They only blew them vast open.

B.C. led the league in huge performs (46) final season, their 31, 30-plus yard receptions additionally topping the desk.

Verify this: The Lions’ QBs made 95 cross makes an attempt over 20 yards, finishing 52 of them. Of these, 23 went for touchdowns — an ideal 158.3 pivot effectivity.

Adams has proven no qualms in uncorking the deep ball this yr, with Hamilton’s Bo Levi Mitchell the one QB to aim extra in Week 1 (11 to eight), and related with Dom Rhymes for a 30-yard main in opposition to Calgary.

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The high-octane Leos excelled at enjoying from in-front. When main after one, they had been 9-1. They had been unbeaten when main on the half or after the third quarter — each league-best marks.

However when enjoying from behind, they struggled to catch-up. Trailing after one quarter, they had been 2-5. On the half, 3-6.

Offensive coordinator Jordan Maksymic must maintain swinging along with his play-calling, as a result of good issues can come if you happen to don’t wait.

5. Repair Fortunate’s damage mojo

Whitehead was infamously a spectator on the 2021 Western Remaining by watching his former workforce play in it.

He was sadly a fan once more within the 2022 version, when he watched his present workforce play in it.

Accidents have curtailed Whitehead’s big-play methods the previous two seasons. An ankle damage stored him out of the ultimate two regular-season video games and each playoff matchups, together with the aforementioned Western Remaining in opposition to Winnipeg.

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And his secondary-busting potential was sorely missed. Whereas Keon Hatcher had a giant evening (seven catches, 133 yards), Rhymes — the CFL’s second-leading receiver — had one catch for 41 yards as he was blanketed by a number of defenders all evening.

There isn’t any disputing Whitehead’s place as one of many premier pass-catchers and YAC producers within the Canadian sport, however he’s been snake-bitten by accidents. He’ll probably miss this weekend’s home-opener due to a hamstring damage picked up in opposition to Calgary, as he hasn’t practised all week.

With him within the lineup — that will be three WRs with 1,000 yards in 2022 — he unlocks defences, is an over-the-top risk and permits his teammates to keep away from double-coverage more often than not.

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Whitehead wants to remain wholesome; his electrical expertise simply may energy a Cup run.

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