The B.C. Lions already have the top ranked offence in the CFL. This week, they inch a little closer to their Grade-A version of that unit.
Keon Hatcher (Achilles injury), who was B.C.’s leading receiver last year, is slated to make his season debut Thursday when the Lions (5-2) visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-6).
As well, centre Michael Couture (back injury), who hasn’t played since the season-opener, is set to return.
Going into this week, B.C. leads the league in scoring (29.4 points per game); net offence (406.6 yards per game); passing yards (342.1 per game); and average yards per play (7.24).
There’s an argument, too, that a little boost would suit them well right now. The Lions are coming off a bye week and the B.C. offence had its most lacklustre showing of the campaign in the squad’s last game, producing a season-low 274 yards of net offence in a 25-24 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on July 21.
Hatcher, 29, brings even more of a history of chemistry with quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. back into the lineup. Hatcher was second in the CFL last season in receiving yards (1,226), tied for fourth in catches (78) and tied for fifth in touchdown catches (six). He was a CFL all-star.
He hasn’t played since getting hurt in the Western Division Final in Winnipeg last November. Defensive back T.J. Lee (Achilles) was injured that same game and he made his season debut in the loss to Calgary.
“As a receiver, he’s what we’d call a ‘dawg.’ He’s a feisty guy, competitor, physical type player,” Lions head coach Rick Campbell said of Hatcher, a fourth-year Lion originally from Tulsa, Okla. “I know he’s super-excited to go and the guys are excited to have him back.
“We’re still going to run our offence how we do it. But it’s another experienced guy who’s been a very productive player for us and we want to continue that.”
Adams Jr. added: “He brings a lot to the table, a lot to the team. His leadership, his dawg mentality, he’s of course an all-star receiver. He brings a lot. We’re just happy to have him back.”
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B.C. Lions add firepower to top-ranked offensive arsenal with return of Keon Hatcher
Feisty receiver Keon Hatcher will make his season debut Thursday in Winnipeg, marking his first game since he suffered an Achilles injury there in the Western Final last season
Author of the article:Steve Ewen
Published Jul 30, 2024 • 3 minute read
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Keon Hatcher snags a touchdown
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher makes a touchdown reception as Calgary Stampeders’ Kobe Williams watches during the CFL Western Semifinal at Vancouver in November. PHOTO BY DARRYL DYCK/CP /PNG
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The B.C. Lions already have the top ranked offence in the CFL. This week, they inch a little closer to their Grade-A version of that unit.
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Keon Hatcher (Achilles injury), who was B.C.’s leading receiver last year, is slated to make his season debut Thursday when the Lions (5-2) visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-6).
As well, centre Michael Couture (back injury), who hasn’t played since the season-opener, is set to return.
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Going into this week, B.C. leads the league in scoring (29.4 points per game); net offence (406.6 yards per game); passing yards (342.1 per game); and average yards per play (7.24).
There’s an argument, too, that a little boost would suit them well right now. The Lions are coming off a bye week and the B.C. offence had its most lacklustre showing of the campaign in the squad’s last game, producing a season-low 274 yards of net offence in a 25-24 loss to the Calgary Stampeders on July 21.
Hatcher, 29, brings even more of a history of chemistry with quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. back into the lineup. Hatcher was second in the CFL last season in receiving yards (1,226), tied for fourth in catches (78) and tied for fifth in touchdown catches (six). He was a CFL all-star.
The Lions point to the sky after a touchdown.
B.C. Lions’ Keon Hatcher, from left, Justin McInnis, quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., Dominique Rhymes and Jevon Cottoy celebrate Adams Jr.’s third touchdown against the Calgary Stampeders during the CFL Western Semifinal. PHOTO BY DARRYL DYCK/CP /PNG
He hasn’t played since getting hurt in the Western Division Final in Winnipeg last November. Defensive back T.J. Lee (Achilles) was injured that same game and he made his season debut in the loss to Calgary.
“As a receiver, he’s what we’d call a ‘dawg.’ He’s a feisty guy, competitor, physical type player,” Lions head coach Rick Campbell said of Hatcher, a fourth-year Lion originally from Tulsa, Okla. “I know he’s super-excited to go and the guys are excited to have him back.
“We’re still going to run our offence how we do it. But it’s another experienced guy who’s been a very productive player for us and we want to continue that.”
Adams Jr. added: “He brings a lot to the table, a lot to the team. His leadership, his dawg mentality, he’s of course an all-star receiver. He brings a lot. We’re just happy to have him back.”
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B.C. receivers Justin McInnis (780 yards) and Alexander Hollins (663) enter the week first and third, respectively, in the CFL in receiving yards. Hatcher joining the fray is bound to divide the defence’s focus even more and open up opportunities for them.
McInnis, 28, had that monster 14-catch, 243 yard showing two games ago against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He had three catches on eight targets for 55 yards against Calgary.
Hollins, 27, had a single catch on four targets for seven yards versus the Stamps. His big showing so far this season came June 22 against Winnipeg, when he went off for 215 yards on eight catches.
“We need to be better on first down. We need to be more productive on first down,” Adams said when asked about what the offence can improve on coming out of that Calgary game. “We need long drives and to give our defence a rest.
“This is a good (Winnipeg) team. They didn’t give up any touchdowns last week against a good (Toronto Argonauts) offence. We have to do our best, have fun and play our game.”
Couture, 30, meanwhile, has been back in the middle of the offensive line at practice this week. He was one of B.C.’s key free-agent additions before last season after six seasons with the Blue Bombers.
