Saturday, September 10, 2011

CFL Game Day: Toronto at British Columbia (September 10)

The last dance at Empire Fields takes place this afternoon, the Lions no doubt anxious to bid farewell to a stadium which while pleasing to the eye with its magnificent vistas in the distance, hasn't exactly provided much of a home field advantage.

The Lions weren't able to turn Empire into a Thunderdome kind of place, visiting teams finding that they liked the east end location so much that it seemed to even up the odds, bringing success more often than not, the Lions "home" record at Empire is a rather disturbing 5-10.

Today the era of football's return to Empire comes to an end, the Lions destined to return to a renovated and remarkable BC Place (soon to be renamed with the obligatory branding) by the end of the month.

To mark such an occasion, the Lions should benefit from what is surely a guaranteed win day, as the disorganized and befuddled Toronto Argonauts arrive to help close out the pasture on Vancouver's east side.

Toronto which surely hit rock bottom last week with their loss to these same Lions, will bring a new quarterback to the Lions den for Saturday's get together.

Steven Jyles recently returned from the Injured list will make his debut as the next great hope for the Argos, a move seemingly pushed forward by Cleo Lemon's outburst in front of his team and more importantly his coach last week, Lemon it seems was not happy to have been replaced in that game and made his feelings known at half time.

Whatever he said, however he said it, clearly it was the wrong approach, Lemon was gone by Tuesday, Jyles tapped as the next guy to take the snaps.

With but a week to get back into the groove and try to take charge of a disillusioned Argos offence, we suspect that the Lions will close out Empire with a win.

If all goes as the Lions might hope the final record for their Empire Field experience should be 6 - 10, though as we've seen on numerous occasions since the temporary relocation in 2010,  desired results don't always translate into final results.

Game Time 1 PM PT (4 ET)  TSN

Pre Game

Vancouver Sun--  Lions veteran pass catchers Simon, Bruce make for a dynamic duo
Vancouver Province-- Lions more than ready to get out of Empire Field
Toronto Star-- Argonauts give coach Barker vote of confidence
Toronto Sun-- Jyles time for Argos
Globe and Mail-- Argos' QB Jyles might fear to enter the Lions' den
National Post-- Lions set to bid farewell to Empire Field

Quick Snaps British Columbia Lions
Quick Snaps Toronto Argonauts


Post Game


Toronto 6 at British Columbia 28
Attendance-- 25,263


Vancouver Province-- Defence and sunshine make Lions' final game at Empire Field a winner
Vancouver Sun-- Simon scores historic TD as Lions end reign at Empire FIeld...
Toronto Sun-- Lions chew up Argos
Toronto Star-- New quarterback, same old result as Argos fall 28-6 to Lions
Globe and Mail-- Lions shut down Argonauts
National Post-- Plenty of room for improvement in Lions' win

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