ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
Despite their 2-4 record, the B.C. Lions are one of the most intriguing teams in the CFL right now, based solely on the fact that when opponents enter games against the black and orange, it is often uncertain which British Columbia team is going to show up.
Will they see the Leos squad that has uncharacteristically dropped four of their first six contests this season? Or is it the club that, in its two wins, has outscored the opponent 75-42?
The Lions offence, led by quarterbacks Buck Pierce, Jarious Jackson and NIP receiver Paris Jackson, have ammased 1,518 yards in the air in six games so far this season.
After critics questioned almost every position on the field, from the quarterback, to the offensive line to the head coach, the Lions showed up last week at home and looked like the club that has been near the top of the CFL west for the last number of years by handling a resilient Saskatchewan team 35-20.
One thing that is almost certain for those wondering which B.C. Lions will hit the field at Rogers Centre on Friday night to take on the Argos, is that the Argos defence should see a healthy dose of rookie RB Martell Mallet who has more than impressed the Lions brass early this season, carrying the ball 73 times for 438 yards in six games. Mallet will get a strong test on Friday, facing an Argos defence that ranks second among CFL clubs against the run.
Staying with the offence, the Lions, who have had arguably the most depth at the quarterback position, once again have relied on their passing game to open up the ground game. They are led behind centre by their two veteran pivots, Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson, who have combined for 1,518 yards and 10 touchdowns so far in 2009.
Pierce and Jackson have often relied on veteran WR Geroy Simon to get the offence moving however, this season, it has been another Jackson that is taking the spotlight in the receiving corps. Vancouver-born SB Paris Jackson has been the Leos’ go-to receiver, leading the club and ranking third in the entire league in receiving yards 418 yards on 33 catches and three touchdowns.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Lions have seen some changes along their front seven but have made up for it in their secondary. An experienced secondary that features the likes Korey Banks, Dante Marsh and Ryan Phillips have established a speedy group in the back half of the defence that loves to jump balls and looks to add to their often high interception tally.
The glue that holds the defence together is future Hall of Famer Barron Miles, who added another record to his already impressive resume last week when he passed Gerald Vaughn on the CFL’s all-time blocked kick list.
The Lions make their only visit to Toronto this season on Friday night at 7:30 p.m. For tickets, please call 416-872-5000 or CLICK HERE to purchase online.
» QB Buck Peirce
» RB Martell Mallet
» WR Paris Jackson
» WR Geroy Simon
» KR Ryan Grice-Mullen
» S Barron Miles
» DE Brent Johnson
» DB Ryan Phillips
» Can Martell Mallet continue his solid play against one of the league’s top run-stoppers?
» How will the Argos defend the pass rush of veteran defensive linemen Brent Johnson and Aaron Hunt?
» Can the Lions build on the success of last week after starting slow out of the gate this season?