For the B.C. Lions, being undefeated is sweet. So is thrashing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. However championships aren’t gained within the first three video games of the season.
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Warning, calm, even keel … these have been the buzzwords for the B.C. Lions this week.
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“The Gray Cup isn’t gained in Week 3,” was the quote on repeat from, effectively, all people after their satisfying and confidence-boosting 30-6 demolition of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers final week.
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No staff is aware of that lesson higher than their opponents this week: the Toronto Argonauts.
The Argos got here into B.C. Place in Week 2 final season and had been torn to shreds by Nathan Rourke (436 yards and 4 touchdowns) in a 44-3 loss. They had been outplayed, outscored and outclassed.
“Completely embarrassed,” Argos coach Ryan Dinwiddie stated after that loss. “It was a horrible show of soccer and the coaches had their hand in it as effectively. All of us should discover a technique to look within the mirror and discover a technique to get higher. That was a tricky loss, it sucks, I hate it, however we will’t let it wreck our season.
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” … We’ve bought to search out methods to get higher. The nice factor is that it’s Week 2, however we’re not taking part in good soccer proper now. We’ve to return to the drafting board. It’s humbling. Perhaps we’re not so good as we expect we’re and perhaps this can be a good studying lesson for us.”
Lesson realized, as a result of on the finish of the season, the Argos had been the final ones standing, knocking the Bombers from their champion’s perch in a blue-collar Cup victory.
The Leos are 3-0, identical to they had been final yr earlier than a 20-point loss to Winnipeg in Week 4, and any point out of the phrases “Gray Cup” are surrounded by qualifiers like “lengthy season” or “it’s a good distance away.”
Monday’s sport in Toronto (4 p.m. PT, TSN, AM730) towards the undefeated Argos (2-0) is only one extra rung in a really excessive ladder to climb.
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“We talked about being assured however not comfy,” stated Lions head coach Rick Campbell. “And you need to by no means be comfy, no matter what your file is. Any staff can beat any staff on this league.
“The factor I belief with our guys is that they’ve proven up on daily basis to work from the start. They’ve understanding that numerous work must be put in every week to win video games. They perceive that our first three wins weren’t simply because we confirmed up and it simply occurred; there was numerous work that was put into them. So long as we now have that mindset … then we’ll be OK.”
Worry issue
You’ve heard of Christmas in July. How about Halloween in July?
The Lions’ receiving corps is tougher to cease than Jason Vorhees or Michael Myers. And it isn’t even absolutely wholesome but.
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There hasn’t been a sport this yr when Dominique Rhymes, Keon Hatcher and Fortunate Whitehead — three receivers who all cracked 1,000 yards final yr — have all been wholesome and energetic.
Whitehead didn’t practise this week, and will miss his second sport to harm this yr. Hatcher was activated off of the six-game checklist this week, and Rhymes is again within the lineup after lacking final week towards Winnipeg.
So what is going to it appear to be once they’re all wholesome?
“Oh, man, we name them Scary Hours. After we all on the market … it’s simply scary,” stated Rhymes. “What are you gonna do as a defence? Who’re you gonna cowl? Any man can go for 100 yards, any man might go for a number of touchdowns.
“That’s powerful … You look across the league, some groups may rely closely on sure (particular person) gamers. We legitimately have 5, seven receivers.”
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When their four-digit pass-catchers have been out, others have slotted in: Justin McInnis, Ayden Eberhardt, Jevon Cottoy and Alex Hollins.
Hollins leads the league in receptions with 19, filling in for Rhymes with an eight-catch, one landing and 84-yard efficiency.
“This receiver College,” stated Rhymes. “We bought two-minute receivers over right here, man. Anybody who comes over, they dominate, they present you they are often thought of among the finest.”
Operating mates
Massive-bodied and heavy runners have had some success towards the Lions lately, however B.C. has been capable of keep away from the results by taking part in from in entrance. Brady Oliveira had 47 yards within the first half final week, however, with the Bombers trailing, they needed to abandon the run and Oliveira solely had 5 extra yards.
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The downhill duo of A.J. Oulette and Andrew Harris have the Argos on high of the CFL’s offensive ladder early on, averaging extra dashing yards (152), web yards (399), factors (37.5) and TDs (10 general) than anybody else.
“Over the previous couple of years, positively the run sport has been a weak spot,” stated Lions linebacker Bo Lokombo. “We’ve to play as a gaggle. It’s not simply the linebackers who’re designated to cease the run sport; it’s the entire unit. It’s the execution. It’s the performs that go in.
“And never taking something away from Toronto as a result of they’ve an excellent run sport — that’s one factor we all know going into this sport. The run sport is basically good, with No. 34 and Corridor-of-Famer Andrew Harris. However I believe that if we play collectively as a unit, it’s not gonna be an issue. And that’s with any staff, not simply Toronto … That’s the way you play defence. Yeah, as a staff and as a unit.”
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On the Lions’ aspect, Taquan Mizzell didn’t practise Thursday, with fullback David Mackie and newcomer Shaun Shivers taking the first-team reps. However Campbell stated he expects Mizzell to be able to go on Monday.
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