By: Tyler Rabb – OttawaREDBLACKS.COM Staff
Photo: Paul Yates – The Canadian Press
Tedford Takes Over
After losing their last three games of 2014 by a combined score of 120-36, including a 50-17 thrashing at the hands of the Montreal Alouettes in the East Divisional semifinal, Lions GM Wally Buono decided to make a change.
Buono fired then head coach Mike Benevides, and replaced him with former CFL quarterback, Jeff Tedford. Tedford spent six seasons (1983-1988) in the league, making stops in Saskatchewan, Calgary, and Winnipeg. He also served as head coach at the University of California (2002-2012) and was Buono’s assistant coach in Calgary from 1989 to 1991.
Through the first half of the season, Tedford’s team has had a tough go of things. They’re 4-5 and sit third in the West Division, behind the two of league’s best teams, Edmonton and Calgary. They’ll need a much improved second half if they hope to contend for the Grey Cup.
Beck Gets A Shot
On Sunday afternoon, the B.C. Lions won’t have Travis Lulay under centre for the first time this season. The Lions’ QB suffered a strained MCL and could be out for up to six weeks.
In his place will be second year CFLer John Beck. Though Beck may only have two seasons of experience in this league, the 34-year old spent six years in the NFL. He played for the Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, and Washington’s NFL team from 2007-2012 and had seven starts throughout that time.
If you’re a college football fan, you might remember Beck from the 2006 “Holy War” game between BYU and Utah. On the last play of the game John made a miraculous touchdown pass to win it.
He’s seen limited action over the past two seasons in B.C. and will be put to the test in his first start of the season on Sunday.
Losing Leaders
Lions linebacker Solomon Elimimien set a new CFL record in 2014, racking up 151 tackles tackles. He finished the season 54 tackles ahead of the next most (Brandon Smith, CGY) and was also named the 2014 CFL’s Most Outstanding Player, making him the first defensive player to win the prestigious trophy.
Unfortunately for the Lions, not only will they be missing their offensive leader, QB Travis Lulay, but Elimimien will be out as well. The defensive dynamo suffered a torn Achilles tendon in Week 8 against the Ti-Cats and was placed on the six-game injured list, likely ending his 2015 season.
Though he’ll be missed, fellow Lions’ linebackers Adam Bighill and Alex Hoffman-Ellis have filled in admirably. In the two games without Elimimien on the field, they’ve recorded 11 and 14 defensive tackles respectively.
4/20 (TSN Top 50 CFL Players)
When TSN released their list of the best 50 CFL players in late June, four BC Lions were among the top 20. LB Solomon Elimimien (#3), RB Andrew Harris (#15), LB Adam Bighill (#16), and OL Jovan Olafioye (#18) were the highest rated Lions on the list.
The Lions had the most players in the top 20, followed closely by Saskatchewan, Montreal, and Edmonton boasting three players each.
Even with Elimimien on the sidelines, boasting three of the CFL’s top 20 players in nothing to sneeze at.
|
2015 Arrivals |
2015 Departures |
Pacific Time Zone Tussle
The REDBLACKS head out west to take on Lions at BC Place at 4 p.m. EST, Sunday, September 13. You can catch tonight’s game on TSN 1/3/4/5 and RDS2 or listen to all the action on TSN 1200 and 104,7 FM Outaouais.
These two teams last matched up in the REDBLACKS 2015 home opener at TD Place. Ottawa got the best of the Lions defeating them 27-16, while also matching their 2014 win total in only their second game of this season.
Check out the highlights from that game below!
