Passing Game: Head coach Wally Buono has decided that Casey Printers (sprained thumb) is the least banged up of his quarterbacks and will get the start against his former team. Travis Lulay (shoulder) will be the back-up and Jarious Jackson (shoulder) will dress as the third quarterback. If Printers is at his best, he can be a game-changer. But the injury is a concern.
Running Game: Martell Mallett has been a pleasant surprise for the Lions. Filling the void left by Stefan Logan, Mallett finished among the league leaders with 1,240 yards, averaging almost six yards per carry.
Receiving Game: As per usual, Geroy Simon led the way for the receiving corps and Paris Jackson joined him again in the 1,000-yard club. Newcomer Emmanuel Arceneaux provided some spark with seven touchdowns but the QB situation hampers this area of attack.
Offensive Line: When you have four different quarterbacks injured over the course of the season, it's not a good reflection on the horses up front. Three suffered shoulder injuries after getting knocked around and Printers injured his thumb while scrambling out of the pocket. However, they did pave the way for Mallett to shine in his rookie campaign.
Special Teams: Veteran Paul McCallum found himself on the injured list early in the season and when he came back, local favourite Sean Whyte had taken his job. His request to be released was denied by Wally Buono. A few weeks back, Whyte started to struggle and the former Rider got the call to return.
Tiger-Cats' Defence: Khari Long and Justin Hickman provided the pass rush as the Tiger-Cats registered 36 sacks. Markeith Knowlton led the team with four of their 15 interceptions. When the opposition kept the ball on the ground, they gave up over 120 yards on average. But while they finished in the middle of the pack for most statistical categories, the Ticats only surrendered 24 points per game, which ranks just behind the vaunted Alouettes. That's the definition of a 'bend, don't break' unit.
Jock Climie says the Lions win if... they can find a quarterback healthy enough to give them four quarters. With Pierece, Lulay and Jackson all struggling with injuries to their throwing shoulders, it will be a challenge to get one of these guys healthy enough to throw the ball the way it needs to be thrown in their biggest game of the year.
Printers is struggling with a sprained thumb and even if he is able to start, there is no guarantee he'll finish as that particular injury is a difficult one to protect. Should Printers or Pierce get healthy, they have a chance. However, to win, they will need the long ball. Simon and Jackson will have to come up big down the field.
They are also going to need their spectacular rookie running back to be spectacular and for that, it's up to the offensive line. If they can open big holes for the rumbling Martell Mallett, he'll do the rest. One of the most explosive backs in the CFL, he can control the football game if BC commits to the run early and often.
Schultz Against The World
The Kevin Glenn story is magnificent. He was quiet as Quinton Porter learned and then confident when his time came. My buddy Milt Stegall called it in mid-July, saying 'Schultzie, Kevin Glenn will take the Ticats to the playoffs in November!' And he was right. I have no idea who is going to start at this point but I would be surprised if it is not Casey Printers. And if it is, the Lions have a good chance for an upset win. If not, probably not. Buck Pierce would be taking a career risk if he plays but what else is new? And Zac Champion is not ready. They still have Martell Mallett at running back and, if given enough opportunities, he could rush for well over 100 yards.
More...