The BC Lions are on a losing streak, losing their last two by a combined 69-19. Can the return of DeVier Posey provide a turnaround for the offense, starting against the league-leading Blue Bombers?
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As big plays are made, it doesn’t get much bigger.
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Second, on his own 10-yard line. It’s cold. It’s snowing.
It is the CFL championship game.
The snap comes, but you slip and fall. The dual movement route that it was supposed to run is launched. Head down, full sprint.
The ball falls from the dark, snowy sky, just out of reach of the jumping cornerback, towards you. The run to the end zone culminates with a 100-yard touchdown, the longest passing play in Gray Cup history.
That was on DeVier Posey’s résumé when he came to the BC Lions in 2018, along with a Gray Cup MVP badge for the wide receiver’s performance in the Toronto Argonauts’ surprise 2017 win over the Calgary Stampeders.
NEXT GAME
Saturday
BC Lions vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
4 pm, IG field. TV: TSN. Radio: AM730
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Since then, it has been tough. Posey signed in Montreal for 2019, he had 50 receptions for 780 yards and three touchdowns, but the 31-year-old signed in Hamilton for 2020. That season he was eliminated by COVID, and then injuries and a young, emerging receiving body took that. opportunity away.
He’s listed as the wide receiver to Shaq Johnson on the BC Lions depth chart for Saturday’s game in Winnipeg.
Words can’t really describe it. It’s been a tough road, a tough year… but I’m happy to be back here in Surrey, ”Posey told the BC Lions’ Matt Baker this week.
“It has definitely (been) a roller coaster here for me and my family. Being in Hamilton for two years and not playing a game … at the end of the day, that’s football, and as a professional soccer player, things go the way they are supposed to. I am more than happy to be here and excited to have a chance. “
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His big opportunity has been enhanced by the loss of Lions big-play receiver Lucky Whitehead, who is recovering from two fractured fingers on his right hand. Posey was fourth overall in receiving touchdowns in his MVP season, and his career 14.4 yards per catch will help stretch a field seemingly shortened since Whitehead’s injury.
When then-general manager Ed Hervey brought in the 6-foot-2, 210-pound California native who came to BC in 2018, the Lions were poised to embark on a late-season raise that would take them to the playoffs. A 5-6 team coming off a bye week when 5-1 in its next six games, making the postseason as the crossover team.
The Lions (4-5) would like nothing more than to do the same, but a huge challenge awaits them this Saturday in Winnipeg, where they will face the league-leading Bombers (9-1) who have been in a different level than all the other teams this season.
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“I don’t think every year is the same,” Posey said of re-enacting the 2018 surge.
“I think this year is a little different, we have a slightly different path. The season has been a bit due to 14 games so we are just trying to finish strong and finish in this tight Division West.
“Weeks like this require energy and effort. Whenever you have a litmus test against the best team in the league, you must give your best. The sense of offense, the vibes and the moods that I’m getting from being a part of this (offense), I think we’ll be marked for this one. “
FAMILY FACES
The BC Lions boarded a plane and flew east on Friday to prepare to take on… the BC Lions.
Or, at least, he felt that way after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed three former Leos over the past three days. In the event that the rich get richer, the league leaders and defending champions signed defensive back Winston Rose, kicker Sergio Castillo and running back Shaq Cooper.
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The Bombers added two former All-Stars in Rose and Castillo, while an injury to Andrew Harris meant they needed running back depth right away. However, none of the three were on the depth chart for Saturday’s game.
Rose, who debuted with Lions coach Rick Campbell in Ottawa in 2017 before coming to BC, led the CFL in interceptions after initially joining the Bombers in 2019. He was in the NFL with the Cincinnati Bengals, up and down between the active and practice team. , before being released in September.
“Everything that says we’re just trying to win, we’re trying to be the best we can be,” linebacker Adam Bighill told the media. “Obviously we know what Winston can contribute, we know what Sergio can do kicking the ball. We are committed to winning here, so whatever it takes, you can see that we are doing it. “
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Ali Mouinada was the third kicker the Bombers have attempted this season, and he’s been in big trouble. He’s only 4 of 10 total this season and hasn’t done anything over 30 yards. Castillo brings a firm footing and an NFL-caliber leg, having signed with the New York Jets after his time in Vancouver.
DEFENSE OF ALL TIMES
How good is the Bombers defense? It is on its way to making history.
Winnipeg has given up the fewest yards (298.9 per game) and points (12.6 per game), while leading the league in interceptions (12), fumble recoveries (10) and points from turnovers (67).
His average points against is the lowest allowed by any team since 1966, when Hamilton gave up just 11.4 points per game.
The defense has also conceded just nine TDs this season, and their fourth-quarter defense is on track to break the mark for the fewest points allowed, conceding just two field goals in 39 series against.
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They are giving up only 0.6 points in the final Q, the lowest total in history (1958-2021) and in 39 units they have not delivered a touchdown, which would be unprecedented in CFL history if the streak continues in their last four games. .
Of his 12 interceptions, eight have come in the fourth quarter. And five of them, in the final 2:07 of the game.
NOTABLE
• In their first seven games, the Lions averaged 234 yards per game on first downs. But in their 30-9 loss in October, the Bombers held BC to just 22 yards, overall, on the first downs.
“That’s part of good football – winning on the first try and making big plays,” Campbell said. “We have not done it regularly enough. We have shown that we can do it, so we will keep working and we will be better. “
• While both teams are No. 1 and No. 2 in interceptions, both the Lions and the Bombers have been safe on the ball, with 12 turnovers in the CFL.
• Chris Rainey’s 114 yards return last week brought him to No. 5 all-time with 10,990 yards, beating Jason Armstead (10,980).
• The Lions are just 1-5 against teams in the West this year. Only Ottawa’s 0-5 record against divisional teams is worse. Meanwhile, the Bombers are 7-0 and have never had a perfect intradivisional record. The best was 9-1 in 1994.
Reference-theprovince.com