Argos at Lion GDT

[The Zipp]

Didn't watch much of the first BC game...Rourke looked pretty good first drive. 

[The Zipp]

Harris stuffed at the goal line.  2 more chances and Argos fail....

[The Zipp]

Wow. 

Impressive throws by Rourke...

[bludan]

He's looking like a top 3 QB in the league. I'm impressed.

[Tiger]

Wow. 

Impressive throws by Rourke...

I know.  Im pulling for the Lions.

[dd]

Rourke is the real deal for sure and is putting some roar back in the Lions.

First time I ve seen Harris in action, and ya, meh at best. He ain?t the Andrew Harris of old, he just looks old and slow.

[bludan]

Rourke is the real deal for sure and is putting some roar back in the Lions.

First time I ve seen Harris in action, and ya, meh at best. He ain?t the Andrew Harris of old, he just looks old and slow.

Really?  His first few plays made me miss him.  The way he fights for the extra yards and the spin move. We've not seen that with our young guys yet this year.

[Blue In BC]

Really?  His first few plays made me miss him.  The way he fights for the extra yards and the spin move. We've not seen that with our young guys yet this year.

Yes but he has 5 yards on 4 carries. It shows that a good DL can stop a great RB.

[bludan]

Man, this has been the best game of the year so far.  Crazy hits. MBT isn't very good, but this game feels closer than it is.

[Pigskin]

Ah33, 5 carries, 6 yards. Not getting much blocking.

[Blue In BC]

Ah33, 5 carries, 6 yards. Not getting much blocking.

Poor OL play from the Argos and good DL play from the Lions front 7.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Harris with a fumble not good

[northof30]

Toronto looks awful on both sides of the ball.

[Horseman]

The Lions with Rourke may give the Bombers some trouble, they are looking good.

[Pigskin]

BC is just a very good team.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Well?ARBLOWS

Hammy, The Eeks, and Arblows?all really suck!

[PurpleReign]

Been a great night, great to see my friend Nathan Rourke light it up again, and breaking the Canadian passing record.  One of the nicest kid you would ever meet. Nice to see my other friend Dave Mackie originally from Western have a very good game.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Been a great night, great to see my friend Nathan Rourke light it up again, and breaking the Canadian passing record.  One of the nicest kid you would ever meet. Nice to see my other friend Dave Mackie originally from Western have a very good game.

Very impressive start for the Canadian rookie QB!   All time passing yardage record for a Canadian QB.   He was 39 for 45 with 4 TDs!   That's off the charts!    Is TO that bad or is BC that good?   

[PurpleReign]

Very impressive start for the Canadian rookie QB!   All time passing yardage record for a Canadian QB.   He was 39 for 45 with 4 TDs!   That's off the charts!    Is TO that bad or is BC that good?   

I think a bit of both, Toronto is bad and BC is good but those 2 games were against weak opponents.  Toronto blew many pass coverages and Nathan picked them apart finding wide open receivers.  They won't be able to do that consistently against the Bombers. 

[BLUEBOMBER]

Near the end of the game, TSN showed McLeod Thompson and Harris on the sidelines.  They both look like two grouchy old men.  I wonder if Harris regretted going to the Argos yet.

[Sec223]

Near the end of the game, TSN showed McLeod Thompson and Harris on the sidelines.  They both look like two grouchy old men.  I wonder if Harris regretted going to the Argos yet.

Argos should cut him at the end of August to save some cash. Bombers sign him for cheap to finish his career as a Bomber and a 3 peat

[dd]

Argos are in trouble, worst team in the east and the league by far. Harris an absolute non factor in the game.

[PurpleReign]

Argos should cut him at the end of August to save some cash. Bombers sign him for cheap to finish his career as a Bomber and a 3 peat

No thanks to Harris. Will be a nonfactor this year imo.

[PurpleReign]

Near the end of the game, TSN showed McLeod Thompson and Harris on the sidelines.  They both look like two grouchy old men.  I wonder if Harris regretted going to the Argos yet.

I would cut his butt as a coach.  You can't have inmates running the team.  That was just ridiculous and he looked like a fool.

[Blue In BC]

Amazing performance by Rourke and the Lions overall. That said the Argos are a horrible team and might be the worst team overall in the CFL.

The Lions are putting up almost unbelievable numbers. Over 100 points scored and only 18 given up in 2 games. By any definition that is superior level play.

I watched most of the game to see how A. Harris played but my 2nd team is the Lions. I'm happy for my many Lions friends that have suffered for a few years.

It's still early days but the Lions are on the road to a much better season.

Some injuries last night: Butler, Lokombo, Burnham and a couple of others. Short week for them travelling to Ottawa. Hopefully these injuries are not serious or long term.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Argos are in trouble, worst team in the east and the league by far. Harris an absolute non factor in the game.

Harris factored in that he fumbled the first series. 

[PurpleReign]

That was a very physical game.  The hits!!! ouch.

[GOLDMEMBER]

As BLUE NBC stated Lions got pretty banged up. Ottawa
might have a chance just with all lion injuries

[Tee42]

It is a different game when you play outdoors. Hope they keep it up when they play Ottawa.

[Blue In BC]

Canadian QB comments aside, Rourke has been very impressive regardless of his nationality. He has a very good skill set and is reading defences very well this early in his career. I can't think of many QB's making their 2nd start as the # 1QB throwing for over 400 yards.

His OL has given him time to make his progressions, but I don't think their OL is as good as it has looked. If they struggle against better front 7's we'll see how Rourke does under pressure. So far his athleticism has prevailed and it may continue even under better pressure.

It's a small sample size and other new QB's starting for their teams have looked good but not so much as more games have been played: Arbuckle and Evans to name a couple.

Will Rourke be the next to struggle after a few more games or will he be the next Dickerson?

QB's have long development curves and there will be ups and downs. Dunigan mentioned it took him 8 years to feel comfortable and be able to " see " the field.

I do wonder how 8 teams decided to not draft Rourke and how he didn't get picked until the 2nd round? Amazing.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Canadian QB comments aside, Rourke has been very impressive regardless of his nationality. He has a very good skill set and is reading defences very well this early in his career. I can't think of many QB's making their 2nd start as the # 1QB throwing for over 400 yards.

His OL has given him time to make his progressions, but I don't think their OL is as good as it has looked. If they struggle against better front 7's we'll see how Rourke does under pressure. So far his athleticism has prevailed and it may continue even under better pressure.

It's a small sample size and other new QB's starting for their teams have looked good but not so much as more games have been played: Arbuckle and Evans to name a couple.

Will Rourke be the next to struggle after a few more games or will he be the next Dickerson?

QB's have long development curves and there will be ups and downs. Dunigan mentioned it took him 8 years to feel comfortable and be able to " see " the field.

I do wonder how 8 teams decided to not draft Rourke and how he didn't get picked until the 2nd round? Amazing.

The first and last great Canadian QB was Russ Jackson....he had it all....running and passing ability and smarts.   Can't emphasize the smarts enough.    I know it's only two games in but they have the best points spread between O and D in the CFL!    They play on the road next against another revamped Ottawa team.   If they win big in Ottawa then we know they are for real.    Ottawa is motivated to win their first game of the year and wouldn't want to go down 0-3.    But then again it's the East division who have a combine 2 wins in 10 games! 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Canadian QB comments aside, Rourke has been very impressive regardless of his nationality. He has a very good skill set and is reading defences very well this early in his career. I can't think of many QB's making their 2nd start as the # 1QB throwing for over 400 yards.

His OL has given him time to make his progressions, but I don't think their OL is as good as it has looked. If they struggle against better front 7's we'll see how Rourke does under pressure. So far his athleticism has prevailed and it may continue even under better pressure.

It's a small sample size and other new QB's starting for their teams have looked good but not so much as more games have been played: Arbuckle and Evans to name a couple.

Will Rourke be the next to struggle after a few more games or will he be the next Dickerson?

QB's have long development curves and there will be ups and downs. Dunigan mentioned it took him 8 years to feel comfortable and be able to " see " the field.

I do wonder how 8 teams decided to not draft Rourke and how he didn't get picked until the 2nd round? Amazing.

Not so unusual, the supply of QB's has always come from the US, drafting a Cdn. QB is fairly rare, especially in the early rounds.  Good thing someone in BC saw his potential and took a flyer on him. 

Question is, who is the genius behind BC's resurgence?  I'm guessing it's not Rick Campbell.  I don't know how up to date the Lions website is as it still mentions Ed Hervey as the GM but it looks like Neil McEvoy and Ryan Rigmaiden are probably the architects.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Very impressive start for the Canadian rookie QB!   All time passing yardage record for a Canadian QB.   He was 39 for 45 with 4 TDs!   That's off the charts!    Is TO that bad or is BC that good?   

Waiting for TSN to rebroadcast to watch the full game, but from the highlight package the Argo secondary coverage looked awful, receivers completely uncovered in the endzone!  Bombers get a crack at them in 2 weeks at BC stadium on a short week so less than ideal, but we'll see then how well Rourke fairs against a stout defence.

[Blue In BC]

Not so unusual, the supply of QB's has always come from the US, drafting a Cdn. QB is fairly rare, especially in the early rounds.  Good thing someone in BC saw his potential and took a flyer on him. 

Question is, who is the genius behind BC's resurgence?  I'm guessing it's not Rick Campbell.  I don't know how up to date the Lions website is as it still mentions Ed Hervey as the GM but it looks like Neil McEvoy and Ryan Rigmaiden are probably the architects.

I don't know exactly how much Rourke is earning. However when your starting QB is earning less than $200K ( as an example ) it allows a team to spend more freely elsewhere in free agency. In that sense it's not rocket science as far as a rebuilding tool.

Of course it doesn't always work out that way or teams wouldn't pay top QB's $400K- $550K.

Rourke could be a franchise QB for the Lions for a decade or could leave for another team if he reaches free agency. Ask me in a decade. I hope he becomes a hall of fame QB in Vancouver and doesn't hope from team to team.

[pdirks67]

I should have been cheering for the Argos to beat a team in our division, but just couldn't do it. Rourke is a great story for the Lions and the league. I'm hoping the Lions start to fill up the dome so we can hate them again.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I don't know exactly how much Rourke is earning. However when your starting QB is earning less than $200K ( as an example ) it allows a team to spend more freely elsewhere in free agency. In that sense it's not rocket science as far as a rebuilding tool.

Of course it doesn't always work out that way or teams wouldn't pay top QB's $400K- $550K.

Rourke could be a franchise QB for the Lions for a decade or could leave for another team if he reaches free agency. Ask me in a decade. I hope he becomes a hall of fame QB in Vancouver and doesn't hope from team to team.

It would be a killer for the Lions if the NFL snapped him up next season and he wastes 3-4 years of his young career hopping about between various PR lists.  The NFL is a giant meat grinder, so many players fed in end up with no meaningful action, achievements, or careers.  I wonder when Strev. will finally realize this.

[Pigskin]

It would be a killer for the Lions if the NFL snapped him up next season and he wastes 3-4 years of his young career hopping about between various PR lists.  The NFL is a giant meat grinder, so many players fed in end up with no meaningful action, achievements, or careers.  I wonder when Strev. will finally realize this.

Oh the NFL will snap him up next year.

[Blue In BC]

Oh the NFL will snap him up next year.

Posters probably said that about Arbuckle and Evans too. NFL has never shown much interest in QB's from Canada. Streveler was more of a unique mix of talents but not what you'd call a starting QB. He's bounced around and made some money but currently a free agent.

Frankly I'll be surprised if Rourke ends up in the NFL in 2023. A new team in the CFL maybe but the Lions will offer him more money if he continues to do well.

[dd]

It would be a killer for the Lions if the NFL snapped him up next season and he wastes 3-4 years of his young career hopping about between various PR lists.  The NFL is a giant meat grinder, so many players fed in end up with no meaningful action, achievements, or careers.  I wonder when Strev. will finally realize this.

Strev has made more money in his time on the PR in 2 years than he would have made in a career in the cfl, he?s too busy planning what he?s going to do after football/ retirement life. He s never coming back to the cfl, why would he?? Risk injury for chump change!?! Not likely

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Posters probably said that about Arbuckle and Evans too. NFL has never shown much interest in QB's from Canada. Streveler was more of a unique mix of talents but not what you'd call a starting QB. He's bounced around and made some money but currently a free agent.

Frankly I'll be surprised if Rourke ends up in the NFL in 2023. A new team in the CFL maybe but the Lions will offer him more money if he continues to do well.

I think Jeff Garcia was the last CFL QB to succeed in the NFL, if so that was over 20 years ago.  Dave Dickenson went after him, but he never made it past 3rd string on any of the NFL teams he played for.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Strev has made more money in his time on the PR in 2 years than he would have made in a career in the cfl, he?s too busy planning what he?s going to do after football/ retirement life. He s never coming back to the cfl, why would he?? Risk injury for chump change!?! Not likely

You could be right, but why pursue a football career in the first place?  Surely the allure is more than just a way to make money?

[blue_gold_84]

Strev has made more money in his time on the PR in 2 years than he would have made in a career in the cfl, he?s too busy planning what he?s going to do after football/ retirement life. He s never coming back to the cfl, why would he?? Risk injury for chump change!?! Not likely

He's currently a free agent, so he's not making any money right now. He could certainly return to the CFL and it wouldn't be necessarily be "chump change" considering what he brings to the table.

How do you know he's planning what to do after football?

[Pigskin]

Rourke has the size and all the tools the NFL likes. Very good arm, quick release, runs very well, and he makes good decisions with the ball.

[bluebeard]

I don't know exactly how much Rourke is earning. However when your starting QB is earning less than $200K ( as an example ) it allows a team to spend more freely elsewhere in free agency. In that sense it's not rocket science as far as a rebuilding tool.

Of course it doesn't always work out that way or teams wouldn't pay top QB's $400K- $550K.

Rourke could be a franchise QB for the Lions for a decade or could leave for another team if he reaches free agency. Ask me in a decade. I hope he becomes a hall of fame QB in Vancouver and doesn't hope from team to team.

As far as I know, Rourke is making the basic low end entry salary.  That is one reason BC could pick up and pay good players.  Next season will be a different story and the Lions will have to pay him much more.  Now the SMS will make keeping other high end players questionable.

[Blue In BC]

Rourke has the size and all the tools the NFL likes. Very good arm, quick release, runs very well, and he makes good decisions with the ball.

Him and 50 QB's that will be available in the 2023 NFL draft. It's been 2 games. Relax and see how things work out.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Oh the NFL will snap him up next year.

BLM could not get a sniff in his absolute prime.

[dd]

I hope he stays put, the league needs him. That said, if the dough is right, and it will be, can?t blame him for giving it a go

[bomb squad]

Bethel-Thompson's behavior on the sidelines after being pulled (when the game was clearly out of reach, no less) was appalling. Getting in the face of the head coach in front of the whole team and the nation during a game? What is the matter with this guy? IMO he's fortunate to be given the reins of a pretty talented offence in TO. He certainly hasn't done enough in this league to have earned any "oh he's just competitive" latitude. Very selfish and very stupid. I think the Argos have a problem.

[dd]

Oh the Argos have a problem alright. MBT is a headcase and isn?t going to last there

[Blitzer]

B.C. Lions have new ownership so it looks like they have a different attitude also. They'll be tough to play this year.

[gobombersgo]

Oh the Argos have a problem alright. MBT is a headcase and isn?t going to last there

This is the same guy who got into an altercation with a TSN camera man last December.  Guy has anger issues.

[GOLDMEMBER]

This is the same guy who got into an altercation with a TSN camera man last December.  Guy has anger issues.

he is not a quick whip!

[The Zipp]

Doesn't help MBT when you look across the field and see a rookie doing stuff you know you can't do. 

[TecnoGenius]

Not much carryover in terms of BC attendance from week 1 (concert) to week 2... I'm a bit disappointed: I thought with that huge week 1 win they would have enticed more to come for week 2.

The non-camera side was pretty dead, and the cameras tried very hard to stay super low to hide it.  The couple of shots of the camera side (via on-field cams) showed it pretty well populated.  Not sure what the final numbers were.

The "home" sides always seem to be the camera sides meaning the less-desirable side is always what is shown on TV.  It's really backwards to what they should be aiming for as an on-screen product.  You want to show the full side!!

It's really noticeable in TOR, BC, OTT.  Even WPG is always more-full on the West (camera) side.  I don't know why they design the stadiums this way.

[TecnoGenius]

AH was brought into TOR to do a few things.  One of those is to hammer the ball in from the 1 or 2 yard line.  That early play where AH and TOR failed to hammer in a TD was huge for the game.  They might have lost it right there.  No morale after that.

If AH can't do what he was brought to do, he may be benched or canned.  Ya, we all know it was 50% OL's fault (or more).  But AH needs to make that play no matter what.  We'd forgive him here, but not in a new town with high expectations.

That said, AH did have some runs where he was stopped at LoS but got 9-10 yards YAFC anyhow.  That's what we're missing with BO/JA (so far).  It's funny, we'd probably have more success with AH here, and AH would probably have more success here.  The current arrangement is lose-lose.  Oh well.

[Pigskin]

AH33: 3.9 yard rushing avg. longest 11 yards. 1 fumble, 0 TD's. Receiving 2/19 yards, 11 longest. 35 years old. 
BO20: 3.7 yard rushing Avg. longest 10 yards. 0 fumbles, 1 TD.  Receiving 1/9 yards.  24 years old.

Numbers are very close.

[TecnoGenius]

AH33: 3.9 yard rushing avg. longest 11 yards. 1 fumble, 0 TD's. Receiving 2/19 yards, 11 longest. 35 years old. 
BO20: 3.7 yard rushing Avg. longest 10 yards. 0 fumbles, 1 TD.  Receiving 1/9 yards.  24 years old.

Numbers are very close.

Like the other guy said, we're not talking the numbers.  We're talking the ability to shed 2-4 tacklers and make something out of nothing.  AH had a great example of that in the last game.  There's one run he was caught in backfield and got 9-10 yards anyways, shedding tacklers the whole way.  Basically what we know AH can do.

And that good gain where he spin-moved the D to get another 7 or so yards.

BO simply doesn't do that; not yeat anyway.  He's even said "I don't spin" (paraphrasing).

[Pigskin]

Like the other guy said, we're not talking the numbers.  We're talking the ability to shed 2-4 tacklers and make something out of nothing.  AH had a great example of that in the last game.  There's one run he was caught in backfield and got 9-10 yards anyways, shedding tacklers the whole way.  Basically what we know AH can do.

And that good gain where he spin-moved the D to get another 7 or so yards.

BO simply doesn't do that; not yeat anyway.  He's even said "I don't spin" (paraphrasing).

 Your man love for AH is cute.

[TecnoGenius]

Your man love for AH is cute.

You better believe it!!   

Funny thing is, it's not so much my super fandom for AH as it is I hate how we (in my eyes) let him down and ruined the grand story.  I'll do my wee tiny part to make up for it.

We won't know who was truly right until the end of the season and we sum all the RB stats.  One thing we all should have learned by now: don't count out AH.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Like the other guy said, we're not talking the numbers.  We're talking the ability to shed 2-4 tacklers and make something out of nothing.  AH had a great example of that in the last game.  There's one run he was caught in backfield and got 9-10 yards anyways, shedding tacklers the whole way.  Basically what we know AH can do.

And that good gain where he spin-moved the D to get another 7 or so yards.

BO simply doesn't do that; not yeat anyway.  He's even said "I don't spin" (paraphrasing).

Sean Thomas-Erlington does a pretty good imitation of that move, spins 360 and keeps truckin' upfield.

[blue_gold_84]

Burnham reportedly out for a while with broken ribs.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

As far as I know, Rourke is making the basic low end entry salary.  That is one reason BC could pick up and pay good players.  Next season will be a different story and the Lions will have to pay him much more.  Now the SMS will make keeping other high end players questionable.

Rourke will earn much more on his next contract, instead of employing 4 high-end vet. receivers the Lions will have to drop back to 2 or 3 and find a couple of middle of the road possession receivers or rookies as replacements.  Not a big deal and not unlike what every other CFL team faces on almost a yearly basis.  A receiver like Wolitarsky could fit in well on almost any team and wouldn't be a liability.  Speaking of which Petermann is currently listed on their roster as a backup to Cottoy.

Rourke being Natl. also allows the Lions to employ 3 imports on the O-line which helps resolve a problem area they've had for many years.

[Blue In BC]

Rourke will earn much more on his next contract, instead of employing 4 high-end vet. receivers the Lions will have to drop back to 2 or 3 and find a couple of middle of the road possession receivers or rookies as replacements.  Not a big deal and not unlike what every other CFL team faces on almost a yearly basis.  A receiver like Wolitarsky could fit in well on almost any team and wouldn't be a liability.  Speaking of which Petermann is currently listed on their roster as a backup to Cottoy.

Rourke being Natl. also allows the Lions to employ 3 imports on the O-line which helps resolve a problem area they've had for many years.

If he continues to do well and hits free agency we could see the Elks make an offer he can't refuse. If they have a bad season and Arbuckle is a wash out they will need to find a better QB.

[Pigskin]

I can see Rourke leaving BC to go to Edmonton. Home town boy loves playing in front of his family. Then there's the Jones factor.

[M.O.A.B.]

I can see Rourke leaving BC to go to Edmonton. Home town boy loves playing in front of his family. Then there's the Jones factor.

He's from Victoria, BC though. Grew up in Ontario.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

If he continues to do well and hits free agency we could see the Elks make an offer he can't refuse. If they have a bad season and Arbuckle is a wash out they will need to find a better QB.

That would be terrible for the league, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.  The Elks already have 3 young QB's on the roster including Cornelius backing up Arbuckle, surely Jones can find a decent solution in house.

[Blue In BC]

That would be terrible for the league, but I wouldn't be surprised if it happened.  The Elks already have 3 young QB's on the roster including Cornelius backing up Arbuckle, surely Jones can find a decent solution in house.

Jones hasn't found the solution yet. I see he's made one trade this week shipping out an OT. Today he's released 5 players including at least a couple that played in games in 2022.

Moral in Edmonton must be falling quickly.

[Pigskin]

I am wondering what Lawler is thinking right now? Or is he just counting his money.

[M.O.A.B.]

I am wondering what Lawler is thinking right now? Or is he just counting his money.

He already got his $120k bonus so he is probably happy.

[Jesse]

I am wondering what Lawler is thinking right now? Or is he just counting his money.

He knew he was going to the last place team.

I doubt he has any regrets.

[kkc60]

I would cut his butt as a coach.  You can't have inmates running the team.  That was just ridiculous and he looked like a fool.

i really hope you didn?t actually mean to call him an ?inmate?.

[Blue In BC]

I am wondering what Lawler is thinking right now? Or is he just counting his money.

As a business decision he made the right call in the short term. You can't blame him for that. Winning is important but football careers are short.