91裸聊视频淲hy do you want to talk about the line of scrimmage?91裸聊视频� B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell chuckles as he walks away to a media scrum after being notified by this agent that he91裸聊视频檇 like to speak to him on that topic after he91裸聊视频檚 done with the main group.
While the skill players are front-and-centre when it comes to the highlight reels, make no mistake about it, it all starts on the line.
Without winning the battle on the LOS, you91裸聊视频檙e chances of winning are severely impacted and it91裸聊视频檚 something that has not gone unnoticed by Campbell and his team as they get set to take on the Calgary Stampeders Saturday in the Western Division Semi-Final at BC Place Stadium (3:30 p.m. kickoff; TV - TSN / Radio - AM 730).
91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 always big in any football game - especially in the playoffs. Both running the ball and pass protection, it91裸聊视频檚 big. If you can get to the quarterback pass rushing without having to dial up blitzes, that91裸聊视频檚 obviously a huge bonus for the defense. Then the same thing running the ball and trying to get some movement up front and creating space for running backs. It91裸聊视频檚 a huge part of the game,91裸聊视频� explains Campbell.
Winning the battle of the line of scrimmage was one of the reasons why the Lions defense was amongst the CFL91裸聊视频檚 best in the first half of the season, but as pointed out by TSN91裸聊视频檚 Farhan Lalji on 91裸聊视频榅91裸聊视频� this week, the defence has regressed to the bottom of the pack since Aug. 1. The Lions91裸聊视频� defence has allowed 376 yards per game (7th), 29.7 points per game (8th), 265 opponents 1st downs (9th), 52.7% second down conversions (9th), 46 penalties (9th) and has only 15 takeaways (8th).
When the Stampeders visited Vancouver two weeks ago, they rushed for a whopping 213 yards enroute to a 41-16 win.
Not all of the aforementioned statistics are result of losing the battle at the LOS on a consistent basis but it starts there and the Lions are aware of it.
91裸聊视频淎bsolutely,91裸聊视频� responds defensive tackle Josh Banks when asked if he knows about the second half numbers. 91裸聊视频淲e see that. We remind ourselves every chance we get. It91裸聊视频檚 about watching film and learning from it because we91裸聊视频檙e capable. We can91裸聊视频檛 let the season bear down on us like it has. We have to step up and do what we91裸聊视频檙e capable of.91裸聊视频�
As Campbell is quick to point out, stopping the run game is a responsibility of the entire defensive unit. Win up front and then hope that the linebackers and secondary can execute their assignments and make tackles.
For Banks, it91裸聊视频檚 about the defensive unit playing with an edge that they had in the early part of the season 91裸聊视频� and something that they have apparently lost in the last couple of months.
91裸聊视频淲e have to be physical. (Linebackers) coach Travis (Brown) said 91裸聊视频榙on91裸聊视频檛 flinch91裸聊视频�. The first time we met (Calgary), we didn91裸聊视频檛 flinch and the last time we did flinch. I think it91裸聊视频檚 just not flinching and being prepared and knowing what91裸聊视频檚 coming because we play Calgary multiple times a year - every year. We know what they do and what91裸聊视频檚 expected. We91裸聊视频檝e got to execute,91裸聊视频� added Banks.
Asked to define 91裸聊视频榝linching91裸聊视频� Banks said it was playing aggressively and with confidence rather than playing with hesitation.
91裸聊视频淚 would agree about not overthinking. Sometimes you have a tendency to do so. We, especially as coaches in this business, tend to overthink things and overanalyze things. I think he (Banks) is right about knowing your job and playing fast and doing it to the best of your ability. I think we have enough talent that when we got 12 guys doing that on that side of the ball that we91裸聊视频檙e going be pretty good,91裸聊视频� said Campbell when told of Banks91裸聊视频� comments.
It91裸聊视频檚 also about playing complimentary football. When the offense puts points on the board, it helps the defense as opposing teams become one-dimensional. Same goes with special teams. Pin a team deep in their own territory and it91裸聊视频檚 like sharks to blood for a defense. When a team starts a drive at midfield, the defense feels pressure of knowing one first down will probably result in at least three points.
Campbell is hopeful that the defense can regain the form that they showed in the first half of the season but is hoping the two other facets of the team can help them out as well.
91裸聊视频淚 believe so. I do. Number one, it91裸聊视频檚 on the defence. The second part of it is our whole football team making each other look good - our offense, defense and special teams. All three of them can make each other look good. When you91裸聊视频檙e playing a game from behind, all those stats get skewed. If everyone91裸聊视频檚 functioning at a high level, all of a sudden everybody looks really good. It91裸聊视频檚 on the defense to be better and it91裸聊视频檚 on our football team as a whole to be better and help each other out,91裸聊视频� explained Campbell.
EXTRA POINTS
* The Lions practiced at BC Place this week in anticipation of the game.
* Adrian Greene will return from a knee injury and start at safety. That will help defending the run game as Quincy Mauger can now be freed up to help in the box and allow Manny Rugamba to be utilised in passing situations. Running back Smoke Mizzell (maintenance) will also return as the starting running back. The only Lion out due to injury is cornerback Jalon Edwards-Cooper (shoulder), who will be replaced by Mike Jones.
* Defensive end Sione Teuhema is appealing a one-game suspension and the club should know his status within 24 hours.
* Based on the reps at practice, it appears that Justin McInnis will start ahead of veteran Lucky Whitehead at receiver. Ironically enough, it was Whitehead who called a team meeting during the bye week to get everyone on the same page after the season-ending loss to Calgary.
* The club also announced on Tuesday that the upper bowl at BC Place will be open as they crowd is expected to be in the 30,000 range.
Veteran B.C. sports personality Bob 91裸聊视频渢he Moj91裸聊视频� Marjanovich writes twice weekly for Black Press Media.
READ MORE: Vancouver Canucks honour newly minted Hall of Famers Luongo, Sedins
READ MORE: THE MOJ: Taylor give football fandom a Swift kick south of the border
