Lions still aren’t sure what went wrong
As B.C. Lions begin inquest on dismal season, there are more questions than answers
There are any number of theories that explain the B.C. Lions’ startling fall from grace in 2017. And if you’ve followed the CFL team, you’re likely familiar with most of them.
There are the familiar: inconsistent quarterback play from Jonathon Jennings and a predictable offence designed by co-ordinator Khari Jones.
There’s the less obvious: a defence which, on the surface, appears to be the team’s strength but is dead last in the league in turnovers created while surrendering too many big plays.
There’s even the esoteric; has the uncertainty over the sale of the team and Wally Buono’s future with the Lions crept into the locker-room?
As with any last-place team, the Lions have provided an endless source of material for their critics. Some are valid. Some are asinine. But when asked Friday about this team’s circumstances, Buono went in a slightly different direction and, by slightly different, we mean another time dimension.
During the course of a freeform, stream-of-consciousness exchange with the media, Buono suggested the Lions took winning for granted this season. As proof, he pointed to a fund the team set up for the wives of Lions players to travel to the Grey Cup. Yes he did.
So for those of you who think this season was about Jennings’ interception ratio or the Lions’ inability to finish games, you now realize how wrong you’ve been.
“You see the mindset,” Buono said. “Now is that arrogance? Is that stupidity? Or did we just expect (to win)?
“When you expect to win sometimes you don’t earn it. Maybe that’s been our downfall. We expected to win and we forgot how to earn it.”
Sure. Why not. Buono knows this team and knows about the psychology of winning. Besides, you have to admit, the Grey Cup fund for players’ wives theorem scores big points for originality.
Tonight, the Lions host the Edmonton Eskimos in the 16th week of a season that will be remembered as the most disappointing of the 14-year Buono era. It started in Kamloops in May with great expectations for what was presumed to be his final season as GM and head coach.
And now, here we are with a 6-9 team that will miss the playoffs for the first time in two decades, trying to make sense of what’s happened and failing miserably at it.
“Not at all, it never crossed my mind once,” receiver Bryan Burnham answered when asked if he saw any of this coming. “I don’t have the answers. It’s been a tough season from the beginning, starting with Jennings getting hurt. Then (Travis) Lulay getting hurt. It’s been crazy.”
OK, over to you Solomon Elimimian.
“That’s the million-dollar question,” said the great linebacker. “If we knew, we’d rectify it. But I don’t think we’re that far away.”
And so it goes. There is no single truth that explains the Lions’ downfall this season, no undisputed certainty at the core of their undoing. Much of it, in fact, defies reason. On Friday, Buono pointed out Lions quarterbacks will throw for well over 5,000 yards this season and the team will finish with about 7,000 yards in total offence. To date, Jennings and Lulay have accounted for more passing yards than the first-place Stampeders. Yet, the offence is perceived to be the reason for the Lions’ woes.
“Every game is a different scenario,” Buono said, before adding: “I’d rather be a pathetic team. At least that way you know you have to get better everywhere.”
But these Lions aren’t pathetic. This year six of their losses have come from seven points or less. Last year, seven of their wins came by seven points or less, including the playoff victory over Winnipeg. The road back to winning isn’t long or rocky for these Lions. At least that is their belief.
“Absolutely, I think we have a very good core group,” said Burnham. “Maybe we need a piece here or a piece there, but it’s not like we’re getting beat down every week.”
There have been bright spots. Kicker Ty Long has emerged as a weapon. Linebacker Micah Awe has made an impact on the defence. Safety Anthony Thompson and receiver Shaq Johnson, both Canadians, have demonstrated promise in their first professional season.
But there will also be changes. Manny Arceneaux, a seven-year Lion, becomes a free agent at the end of the season. He represents the biggest decision faced by management. Lulay, at 34, will be coming off the third major injury of his career and may turn to coaching. Defensive end Craig Roh and most of the secondary are also up at the end of this season, but director of football ops Neil McEvoy doesn’t envision a lot of problems signing veterans.
The problem will be in deciding who to keep and who to jettison.
“We understand the business,” said Elimimian. “You don’t win there are going to be changes. It crosses your mind but, as a professional athlete, you have to block that out.”
As for the elephant in the room, Elimimian said the questions over ownership and Buono’s future are a talking point for the players.
But, “I think Wally’s done a good job of keeping guys focused on what’s important.”
So will he be around next season to oversee a Lions’ resurgence? Hard to say.
But one thing is certain: If he does come back, there won’t be any advance planning for Grey Cup week.