ARGONAUTS. CA STAFF
TORONTO – It may have been against a team missing arguably the best player in the league in Anthony Calvillo, but it is tough to argue the importance that last week’s trouncing of the Montreal Alouettes had on the locker room of the B.C. Lions.
PLAYERS TO WATCH:
» QB Casey Printers
» RB Jamal Robertson
» WR Geroy Simon
» WR Paris Jackson
» DB Korey Banks
» CB Dante Marsh
» DL Keron Williams
STORYLINES:
» Who will start at quarterback for B.C.?
» Can the Lions build on their first win since Week 1?
» Can the Leos take advantage of a Toronto team that is coming off a short week?
Yes, their job became significantly easier when they found out that Calvillo was not dressing, but Montreal’s vaunted defence was primarily intact. It made B.C.’s 38 points that appeared on the scoreboard at the end of the game all the more impressive.
The Lions’ offence looked solid, especially in the second half, and Casey Printers was very productive despite leaving the game in the fourth quarter with an apparent leg injury, passing for 235 yards and two touchdowns. The Lions’ starter has struggled to get into rhythm this year, primarily due to an aggravating knee injury that seems to continuously rear its ugly head. He last started against Toronto as a member of the Ticats in 2008 and has only thrown one touchdown pass against the Double Blue in four career starts (two in 2004 with B.C. and two in 2008 with Hamilton). Printers’ status for this week is still unknown.
Regardless of who starts at pivot for the Lions, the man behind centre will be wise to, once again, lean on WR Paris Jackson who has been a big part of B.C.’s receiving corps. Despite a 2-7 record, they remain one of the league’s most dangerous ball catchers. Jackson led the Leos in receiving last week with three grabs for 94 yards.
Perhaps equally as concerning on the injury front for the Lions is the hit that their offensive line has taken. Starting centre Dean Valli went down with what looked like a very serious leg injury against the Als. It will likely be up to veteran, and one-time Argo, Angus Reid to fill the void.
Defensively, the Leos made rookie QB Chris Leak’s day miserable to say the least last Friday. Leak forced two interceptions into the hands of Lions defenders and fumbled the ball once.
Despite having very different records, the Argos and Lions played to a tight finish in their previous meeting. The Lions controlled the play for most of the contest before Argos CB Byron Parker picked off a Travis Lulay pass in the dying moments and returned it for a game-winning touchdown.