There was a palpable anger in the B.C. LionsB次元官网网址� locker-room following a last-second loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats two weeks ago.
Wally Buono would like to see a little more of that emotion from his team on the field.
B次元官网网址淎fter the fact, itB次元官网网址檚 too late. Maybe go into the game a little more angry,B次元官网网址� said B.C.B次元官网网址檚 head coach and general manager. B次元官网网址淔ootball is an emotional game played by angry men.
B次元官网网址淭he anger has to come before the game, not after the game.B次元官网网址�
Fresh off a bye week, where all they could do was stew over the crushing 24-23 home defeat that put another major dent in their playoff hopes, the Lions (6-7) sit last in the CFLB次元官网网址檚 West Division as they prepare to host the Ottawa Redblacks (5-9-1) on Saturday.
Even if B.C. sweeps the clubB次元官网网址檚 final five games, it still might not be enough to make the post-season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (7-6) and Edmonton Eskimos (7-6), who sit third and fourth in the West, both holding the tiebreaker over the Lions.
B次元官网网址淵ou wanna be in the playoffs? YouB次元官网网址檙e in the playoffs,B次元官网网址� Buono said in describing his teamB次元官网网址檚 current predicament. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e been here a million times.
B次元官网网址淚 can handle the pressure. Can you?B次元官网网址�
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The good news for B.C. is Edmonton has lost six straight after starting the season 7-0, but the success or failure of the teams ahead of the Lions in the standings wonB次元官网网址檛 matter if they canB次元官网网址檛 figure out their own game.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 playoff football for us right now,B次元官网网址� said B.C. wide receiver Bryan Burnham. B次元官网网址漌e canB次元官网网址檛 lose. We canB次元官网网址檛 rely on other teams. We have to do what we can.
B次元官网网址淓very gameB次元官网网址檚 a must-win from here on out.B次元官网网址�
Lions quarterback Jonathon Jennings showed signs of life in the loss to Hamilton after a dismal performance against the Calgary Stampeders the previous week, but an offence that was supposed to light up the scoreboard has still yet to find its rhythm for a club that has lost two straight and five of its last six.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a tough season for all of us,B次元官网网址� said Jennings, who has just six touchdown passes and an ugly 12 interceptions. B次元官网网址滻t hurts to lose, especially with all the expectations we have for ourselves.
B次元官网网址淏ut we know itB次元官网网址檚 not over. We know our chances arenB次元官网网址檛 lost.B次元官网网址�
Wide receiver Chris Williams, who signed with B.C. following two outstanding seasons in Ottawa, said the LionsB次元官网网址� biggest problem has been a lack of execution in key moments.
B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e just got to go out there and make plays when the opportunities are given,B次元官网网址� said Williams. B次元官网网址漈hereB次元官网网址檚 going to be some opportunities out there. WeB次元官网网址檝e got to sting them. WeB次元官网网址檝e got to make it count.B次元官网网址�
The Redblacks, meanwhile, sit second in the East after two straight losses B次元官网网址� including last weekB次元官网网址檚 18-17 home defeat to Saskatchewan B次元官网网址� but should have star quarterback Trevor Harris, who suffered a separated throwing shoulder on Sept. 9, under centre at B.C. Place Stadium.
Last seasonB次元官网网址檚 Grey Cup champions, seven of the RedblacksB次元官网网址� nine losses have been a combined 17 points in what has also been a frustrating 2017.
B次元官网网址淵ou play football to play football, not to watch it or be on the (injured reserve),B次元官网网址� Harris told reporters in Ottawa before the team flew west. B次元官网网址淓ven just missing three weeks is something thatB次元官网网址檚 an eye-opener.B次元官网网址�
The Redblacks beat the Lions 31-24 in the nationB次元官网网址檚 capital back on Aug. 26. The visitors trailed 31-3 in the fourth quarter before a frantic comeback attempt fell short after quarterback Travis Lulay replaced an ineffective Jennings.
But Lulay suffered a torn ACL in his right knee two weeks later, thrusting Jennings back into the starting role.
Despite his struggles, Buono said the third-year pivot still has a chance to save both his and the LionsB次元官网网址� season.
It just has to start now.
B次元官网网址淎thletes thrive on success,B次元官网网址� said Buono. B次元官网网址淲hen success doesnB次元官网网址檛 happen, everybodyB次元官网网址檚 confidence starts to wane. ItB次元官网网址檚 what your foundation is, itB次元官网网址檚 what your beliefs are, itB次元官网网址檚 what your support system is that helps you to get through it.
B次元官网网址淎t the end of it youB次元官网网址檝e got to pick yourself up. NobodyB次元官网网址檚 going to help you.B次元官网网址�
Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press
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