SURREY, B.C. — One of the B.C. Lions promotional slogans this year is ’We play for pride.’
That pride has been wounded as the Lions wobbled to an 0-4 start to the CFL season. It’s the worst beginning for B.C. since 1996, when the team started the year 0-5.
The Lions started last season 1-7 before battling back to make the playoffs with an 8-10 record.
Defensive back Ryan Phillips acknowledges the losses have been a burden, but said the team isn’t ready to collapse.
“The lack of success in the win column doesn’t mean we are not prideful,” Phillips said after the Lions practised Tuesday at their training facility.
“It just means we are making mistakes that are killing us.”
The Lions have been blown out just once this year. In three of the losses, B.C. had a chance to win heading into the final minutes.
What has cost the Lions is a dropped pass here, a missed tackle there. Players have taken bad penalties and blown assignments.
“It’s a bunch of little things,” said veteran slotback Geroy Simon. “When we have success we show we can be pretty good.
“But we have to do it on a more consistent basis. A lot of times when we don’t have success, it’s from our own lack of not focusing and not executing.”
Heading into Thursday’s game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Canad Inns Stadium, the Lions are looking to put some legs in their running game and tighten up a defence that has allowed 136 points, second most in the league.
“We have to eliminate the big play,” said Phillips. “We have to eliminate those gains over 20 yards, people making one move, breaking one tackle, and going 50 yards.”
An example of what the Lions don’t want to see happen against Winnipeg came on the first play from scrimmage in Friday’s 39-31 loss to Hamilton.
Tiger-Cat receiver Chris Williams took a simple dump passes, broke a couple of tackles, and ran 71 yards to set up a touchdown. The play was similar to a 61-yard touchdown Calgary’s Nik Lewis scored in a 34-32 win over the Lions earlier this year.
Both plays should have been stopped for short yards.
“Those things are starting to really make difficulties in the game,” said Phillips. “We have to stop allowing them to make more big plays than we are.”
So far this year the Lions defence has allowed the most yards passing and rushing in the league.
One player who might help the Lions’ defence is Tad Kornegay, who played several positions before being released recently by Saskatchewan.
Wally Buono, the Lions coach and general manager, said he has spoken with Kornegay. It’s Kornegay’s versatility which has left Buono scratching his head.
“The big thing with Tad is trying to figure out where he played,” said Buono. “He played linebacker for them. We have bigger, more physical kinds of guys.”
The Lions have found themselves trailing early in games this year. That has forced them to throw more in an attempt to get back into the game.
That has hurt the running game. B.C. has rushed for 267 yards this year, the least in the league.
With running back Jamal Robertson nursing a suspected Achilles injury, Buono may insert speedy kick returner Tim Brown into the backfield against the Bombers to work running back Andrew Harris.
Quarterback Travis Lulay has thrown for over 1,200 yards this season, but his six touchdown passes are just one more than the five interceptions he’s tossed.
He has been the victim of several dropped balls, but also has missed wide-open receivers.
“We have to eliminate mistakes,” said Lulay, whose 54 per cent completion ratio is lowest among starting quarterbacks. “It’s tough to beat another football teams while beating yourself.”
Much of the criticism in Vancouver has been directed at Buono. There have been suggestions from fans and media that the 61-year-old has passed his best-before date.
Owner David Braley says he has no intention of replacing Buono, who leads all CFL coaches with 243 victories.
“It makes me feel good but it also embarrasses me that he has to reinforce that,” said Buono. “We’re not dong the job he expects us to do.
“I appreciate Mr. Braley’s support . . . but I’m embarrassed to be 0-4.”