Most teams that are 3-3 feel they are better than their record indicates. The BC Lions, who are exactly one-third of the way through their 2015 CFL regular season schedule, should consider themselves fortunate they are at the .500 mark.
Statistically, the Lions are dismal on both sides of football. The Lions are ranked 8th out of 9 in total offence yards per game (346.5) and last in the league in total defence yards allowed per game (427.2).
In addition, the Lions passing attack, led by quarterback Travis Lulay, is at the bottom, sitting with just 233.3 yards per game.
With a rating of 86.3, Lulay is ranked just 8th among CFL quarterbacks. He has completed 62.2 % of his passes with 10 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, but to his credit he has performed well under pressure with the game on the line in the 4th quarter during victories against Edmonton and Saskatchewan.
Lulay has also rushed for 9.6 yards per carry, but that is just a tiny sample size with 15 carries.
While the Lions continue to adjust to new coach Jeff Tedford, there are players flourishing. B.C. has the rushing leader in Andrew Harris (519 yards for an average of 5.4) and the top tackler in linebacker Adam Bighill (with 46).
The Lions flaws though will likely become more evident when they play a quality team Saturday in Hamilton. The Tiger-Cats have scored 31, 34 and 38 points during their current three-game win streak.
Hamilton is 9-0 at Tim Horton’s field, allowing an average of just 14 points per game in its new stadium. The Ti-Cats have outscored their opponents 242-126 there, including 77-13 in the 4th quarter.
Yes, stats can be over-rated. After-all, Saskatchewan is 0-7 despite leading the league in total offense with a whopping 440 yards per game.
Nevertheless, the Ti-Cats are favored by 8, which actually may be giving the Lions the benefit of the doubt in a Cat fight that one could argue appears to be over before it begins.
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There’s nothing like competition. The Prince George Westwood Pub Devils found that out first hand at the Canadian Invitational Lacrosse Tournament and Provincial Senior C Championship in Armstrong.
The Devils have coasted without a true rival since the start of the 2014 season. They were the defending provincial champions and entered the competition winners of 42 in a row. That streak was extended by one to 43 games before they finally met their match.
Westwood Pub had it far too easy the past couple of seasons in the local P.G. League. Not only did they go 18-0 in 2015, but they crushed the opposition 89-21 in six playoff games and 202-51 in 12 regular season games.
The Devils were competitive on the weekend, yet they concluded their season with a 2-3 tournament record and a 4th place finish. An opening day 9-8 victory over North Shore was followed by a streak stopping 13-10 loss to Maple Ridge. Westwood Pub recovered from that defeat for a 12-5 triumph over Kelowna.
In the semi-finals, they lost arguably the best game of the tourney, 7-6 to Port Moody in double overtime. With the gas tank empty, the P.G. Team dropped a 14-4 decision to Armstrong in the bronze medal match.
Had the Devils faced this calibre of play all year, possibly the result may have been different, however it is clear the Provincial Senior C Bar has been raised, which only benefits Lacrosse in Prince George and around the province.
Winning is fun but lopsided victories can get boring in a hurry. Losing often isn’t amusing but losses that emphasize learning help teams like the Devils appreciate the next skill level to attain.
From the quote rack:
Colin Kaepernick refuted a report that former 49er teammate Aldon Smith damaged his car. Well, Aldon was a key player.
So now, we have a wild controversy involving Donald Trump and Megyn Kelly of Fox News. With all of that hairspray involved, shouldn’t the NFL also be investigating a helmet-to-helmet collision?
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
The Redskins and Houston Texans ended up in a brawl after their three-day joint practice. Shame most Washington fans didn’t see it, might be the best hits their team will get in all year.
The Houston Texans’ Arian Foster says he doesn’t believe in God. Seems fair, given their 88-120 lifetime record, God doesn’t probably believe in the Texans either.
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
CBS news reports an Arkansas dog, Benno, will survive after swallowing 23 bullets. There is one problem: his hair keeps coming out in bangs.
A Canadian is the 2015 North American Scrabble Champ. Matthew Tunnicliffe credits his victory to studying dictionaries for over three hours a day. He now faces a bigger challenge — getting a girlfriend.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Sidney Crosby was spotted serving coffee at a Tim Horton’s restaurant. How does he sleep at night taking away much needed part time work from current CFL players?
Jets QB Geno Smith will be out 6-10 weeks when his jaw was broken in a locker room fight. An unnamed source said that Geno tried to fight back but three of his punches fell short, and another two were intercepted.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
And in case you missed it:
Broken jaw to force Geno Smith to miss 18—30 turnovers.
SportsPickle.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller