With the Olympics front and center and the Toronto Blue Jays in first place, the surprising performance of the BC Lions has taken a back seat.
Six games are still early for Lions fans to get excited but there are positive signs 1/3 of the way through their regular season.
After going 7-11 under the much maligned Jeff Tedford last year, B.C. is a solid 4-2 under Wally Buono.
That record is even more impressive when one considers the Lions haven’t played a home game in over a month and the team sits 3-1 on the road.
The Lions have the second best winning percentage in the league and the second best net points (+46) only slightly behind the 4-1-1 Calgary Stampeders (+50).
BC has split its two meetings with Calgary with both games decided by three points or less.
The Lions loss to the Stampeders was 44-41 in overtime where B.C blew a 15 point lead late in the 4th quarter. In other words, the Lions are still learning how to win.
Early in the season there were suggestions that Travis Lulay should replace Jonathan Jennings at quarterback after Jennings struggled in a 25-14 loss to Toronto but the critics have been silenced.
Buono made the correct call to go with the mobile Jennings and it is paying dividends.
The 24-year-old second-year signal caller from Columbus, Ohio, and Saginaw Valley State has completed 64.5 % of his passes for eight touchdowns and four interceptions. He has also rushed for 140 yards and three majors.
Jennings is getting better and better and more confident. He may not be the best in the league at his position but it appears he can be a franchise QB for years to come barring injury.
Having that position solidified will keep BC in the hunt long term.
The Lions running game hasn’t missed a beat even though Andrew Harris bolted for Winnipeg in the off-season.
BC is third in rushing yards only 57 behind league leading Ottawa and the 4-2-1 RedBlacks have played an extra game. The Lions lead in rushing touchdowns with seven.
The Lions are also third in time of possession and to the offensive line’s credit they have given up the second fewest sacks in the league with 11. Again only Calgary is better with eight.
Defensively, it’s even more impressive for the Lions who have allowed the fewest points with 135 and are tied with Hamilton for the most sacks with 22.
On special teams the exciting Chris Rainey had the most kick return yards with 359.
There is a bit of doubt with kicker Richie Leone since he has only made 12 of 18 field goals but his punting average of 47.1 yards ranks third.
A good record is generally backed up by good stats. The Lions appear to be the most improved team in the CFL and perhaps Buono is headed for another coach of the year award. He is currently the top candidate.
Attendance remains a concern with the two home games drawing just 21,386 and 18,921 fans but then again they haven’t played at BC Place since July 7th.
The Lions have their first home game in 37 days when they entertain the Tiger-Cats Saturday. The Lions won 28-3 in Hamilton July 1st but the Ti-Cats did not have Zach Collaros at quarterback. Collaros will see his first action in 11 months after recovering from a knee injury.
I’m not sure there is parity in the CFL, but indications are there isn’t one dominant team.
The Lions are just one of four teams with a winning record. They are clearly better than last year, but the question remains, by how much?
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I would bet CBC commentator Elliotte Friedman spent a sleepless night.
The twitter world blew up after Friedman botched the call in the final of the men’s 200M individual medley final.
Friedman, who does an excellent job on Hockey Night in Canada, has the high profile position of calling the Olympic swimming play by play.
Instead of describing a historic Michael Phelps victory, he had another American, Ryan Lochte winning the race.
The translation of his commentary went something like this:
“AND LOCHTE IS FINALLY GOING TO WIN! HE’LL FINALLY BEAT PHELPS, LOCHTE IS GOING TO TAKE THE GOLD! PHELPS MIGHT NOT EVEN MEDAL!”
Several seconds of silence following the finish the embarrassed Friedman came back to the microphone and stated: “I mixed up my lanes, sorry.”
On his twitter account @FriedgeHNIC, Friedman took his lumps stating “I’m sorry everyone. I blew it. No excuses.”
We all make mistakes. This blunder though will stay with Friedman for a lengthy period of time.
As a broadcaster who has made many gaffes I could feel for him in that situation.
Friedman handled his error the best way possible with professionalism by owning his mistake right away and taking full responsibility.
In the greater scheme of things it is not that big a deal.
There will even come a time Friedman will laugh about it and perhaps this might even heighten his popularity.
After all, Steve Harvey announced the wrong winner of Miss Universe and he continues to do just fine.
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The best baseball in Prince George this year will be featured over the next nine days at Citizen Field.
Five out of town teams will play six round robin games in the World Baseball Challenge, with the top two to advance to the final on Saturday, August 20th.
Here’s the complete WBC schedule:
Tonight: (Friday) Opening Ceremonies, 7 p.m.
Tonight: (Friday) Canadian Sidearm Nation vs. Team Japan, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: Kamloops Sun Devils vs. Roswell Invaders, 4 p.m.
Saturday: Thurston County Generals vs. Canadian Sidearm Nation, 8 p.m.
Sunday: Team Japan vs. Roswell Invaders, 4 p.m.
Sunday: Kamloops Sun Devils vs. Thurston County Generals, 8 p.m.
Monday: Canadian Sidearm Nation vs. Roswell Invaders, 4 p.m.
Monday: Team Japan vs. Kamloops Sun Devils, 8 p.m.
Tuesday: Thurston County Generals vs. Roswell Invaders, 4 p.m.
Tuesday: Canadian Sidearm Nation vs. Kamloops Sun Devils, 8 p.m.
Wednesday: Thurston County Generals vs. Team Japan, 4 p.m.
Wednesday: Roswell Invaders vs. Kamloops Sun Devils, 8 p.m.
Thursday: Thurston County Generals vs. Canadian Sidearm Nation, 4 p.m.
Thursday: Kamloops Sun Devils vs. Team Japan, 8 p.m.
Friday: (August 19) Thurston County Generals vs. Roswell Invaders, 4 p.m.
Friday: (August 19) Canadian Sidearm Nation vs. Team Japan, 8 p.m.
Saturday: (August 20) Bronze-medal game, three vs. four, 2 p.m.
Saturday: (August 20) Gold-medal game, one vs. two, 6 p.m.
From the Quote Rack:
Tim Tebow’s first baseball practice is in the books—It’s the first time anyone has seen a baseball wobble.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
Tim Tebow is now hoping to play pro baseball, although he hasn’t played since high school. Even God is thinking Tim doesn’t have a prayer.
Comedy writer Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
Tim Tebow is trying out for Major League baseball. As Bob Uecker would say, “Sorry, we don’t need any second base coaches.”
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver http://alwaysfunny.com/
Pokemon Go arrived in Rio just in time for the Olympic Games. The sad part is that Pikachu had already been sent back to Japan for failing a mandatory drug test.
Comedy writer Jim Barach
And in case you missed it:
TV cameras caught Steve Pearce of the Tampa Bay Rays peeing during a game because he left the dugout
washroom’s door open. It was a relief appearance, but he’s clearly not a closer.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. He also is the 94.3
radio color commentator for P.G. Cougars home games. His column appears Fridays on
myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
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