Mike Beamish offers tidbits and observations from the Lions’ 41-18 victory over the Roughriders.
1 Flat tire fixed
Pardon us if we didn’t see this coming: Running back Jeremiah Johnson said he’ll be good to go this week. One of the Lions’ most inspirational players was injured in the first quarter, when he fumbled and had injury added to insult when A.C. Leonard landed on his ankle. Hobbled, Johnson appeared done for the game, if not the season. But Johnson reappeared, finished the game with eight rushes for 40 yards and announced himself ready for Winnipeg. “It felt worse than it really was,” Johnson said. “I felt blessed to get back in. It was a flat tire that just needed some air.”
2 Gore a concern
There are serious concerns for the health of wide receiver Shawn Gore, who appears to have had a relapse of concussion issues that plagued him earlier. His participation in Sunday’s playoff must be considered problematic. Gore was scratched from Saturday’s game, enabling rookie Shaq Johnson to suit up in his place. It was the second time Johnson, a fourth-round draft pick in 2016, has been activated this season.
3 Gaitor aid
The manoeuvre is universally feared by football players — the wipeout block. Brutal but clean, Roughriders running back Joe McKnight laid one on Anthony Gaitor in the first quarter, contacting the B.C. cornerback in the chest. “I got the wind knocked out of me,” said Gaitor, who insists he’ll be ready to play next Sunday. His replacement, Keynan Parker, left the Lions with little to worry about. Parker had a pass breakup in the end zone and finished the night with three tackles.
4 Bridge to the future?
With veteran Darian Durant left behind in Regina — physically unable to perform, according to head coach Chris Jones — the Roughriders employed all three of their backup quarterbacks, Mitchell Gale, G.J. Kinne and Canadian Brandon Bridge. The third option, Bridge was the most impressive of the bunch, completing 10 of 11 passes for 120 yards and engineering two late touchdowns, one in which he did most of the work himself on a 16-yard burst to the end zone.
5 A grounded individual
Maple Ridge realtor Paul McCallum hoped to catch a ride on the Lions’ charter flight to Regina for the farewell game at Mosaic Stadium on Oct. 29. The former Roughrider kicker was prepared to pay $1,000 for a return trip on the Lions’ Air North carrier, but Wally Buono was cool on the idea. A day later, McCallum, who flew commercially, received a phone call from the Lions head coach, seeking his services to replace the struggling Richie Leone. McCallum, 46, went four-for-four on field goal attempts Saturday on his return to the CFL.