B次元官网网址淲hy do you want to talk about the line of scrimmage?B次元官网网址� B.C. Lions head coach Rick Campbell chuckles as he walks away to a media scrum after being notified by this agent that heB次元官网网址檇 like to speak to him on that topic after heB次元官网网址檚 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, youB次元官网网址檙e chances of winning are severely impacted and itB次元官网网址檚 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).
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 always big in any football game - especially in the playoffs. Both running the ball and pass protection, itB次元官网网址檚 big. If you can get to the quarterback pass rushing without having to dial up blitzes, thatB次元官网网址檚 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. ItB次元官网网址檚 a huge part of the game,B次元官网网址� explains Campbell.
Winning the battle of the line of scrimmage was one of the reasons why the Lions defense was amongst the CFLB次元官网网址檚 best in the first half of the season, but as pointed out by TSNB次元官网网址檚 Farhan Lalji on B次元官网网址榅B次元官网网址� this week, the defence has regressed to the bottom of the pack since Aug. 1. The LionsB次元官网网址� 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.
B次元官网网址淎bsolutely,B次元官网网址� responds defensive tackle Josh Banks when asked if he knows about the second half numbers. B次元官网网址淲e see that. We remind ourselves every chance we get. ItB次元官网网址檚 about watching film and learning from it because weB次元官网网址檙e capable. We canB次元官网网址檛 let the season bear down on us like it has. We have to step up and do what weB次元官网网址檙e capable of.B次元官网网址�
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, itB次元官网网址檚 about the defensive unit playing with an edge that they had in the early part of the season B次元官网网址� and something that they have apparently lost in the last couple of months.
B次元官网网址淲e have to be physical. (Linebackers) coach Travis (Brown) said B次元官网网址榙onB次元官网网址檛 flinchB次元官网网址�. The first time we met (Calgary), we didnB次元官网网址檛 flinch and the last time we did flinch. I think itB次元官网网址檚 just not flinching and being prepared and knowing whatB次元官网网址檚 coming because we play Calgary multiple times a year - every year. We know what they do and whatB次元官网网址檚 expected. WeB次元官网网址檝e got to execute,B次元官网网址� added Banks.
Asked to define B次元官网网址榝linchingB次元官网网址� Banks said it was playing aggressively and with confidence rather than playing with hesitation.
B次元官网网址淚 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 weB次元官网网址檙e going be pretty good,B次元官网网址� said Campbell when told of BanksB次元官网网址� comments.
ItB次元官网网址檚 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 itB次元官网网址檚 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.
B次元官网网址淚 believe so. I do. Number one, itB次元官网网址檚 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 youB次元官网网址檙e playing a game from behind, all those stats get skewed. If everyoneB次元官网网址檚 functioning at a high level, all of a sudden everybody looks really good. ItB次元官网网址檚 on the defense to be better and itB次元官网网址檚 on our football team as a whole to be better and help each other out,B次元官网网址� 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 B次元官网网址渢he MojB次元官网网址� 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
