Finally, it's Thursday...CFL Football is back!

Week 8 starts... most fans are picking Edmonton over Ottawa. Not me.

EDMONTON @ OTTAWA

CFL.ca Staff

Thursday’s contest is the ultimate mid-season test for both squads; injury-ravaged Edmonton faces a long trek east to face a determined REDBLACKS team, while Ottawa would love nothing more than to break its losing trend by handing the Esks their first loss of 2017.

West Division teams have won nine straight games against East Division opponents.

Through seven weeks of football, a mere 36 points separate the Edmonton Eskimos (plus-28) from the Ottawa REDBLACKS (minus-8).

By The Numbers

3 – Interceptions for Edmonton linebacker Kenny Ladler.

11:2 – TD-INT ratio for Edmonton’s Mike Reilly, the best mark amongst all starting quarterbacks.

204 – Completions allowed by Ottawa’s defence, the most in the CFL.

702 – League-high receiving yards for REDBLACKS receiver Greg Ellingson.

GM Marcel Desjardins pointed to turnovers as a major cause for Ottawa’s early-season struggles; protecting the rock will be critical on Thursday against an Esks team that ranks top-two in possession (32:34), sacks allowed (10) and offensive turnovers (6). In contrast, the REDBLACKS have allowed six more sacks and sit last in turnovers (13).

3downnation 

Edmonton visits Ottawa on Thursday night coming off a 33-28 home win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The hard-luck Redblacks lost a 33-30 home decision to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their five losses have been by a combined 13 points. That includes a 23-21 setback in Edmonton on July 14. Edmonton is 6-0 to start a season for the first time since 1961 and is doing it with a depleted roster. But a constant is quarterback Mike Reilly, who stands fourth overall in passing yards (1,945) and third in touchdowns (11).

Dunk: Edmonton can close. Simple. ESKS

Hodge: Ottawa will turn this thing around… but not this week. ESKS

Edwards: Edmonton has been finding a way, Ottawa not so much. ESKS

Gasson: The streak will end eventually but not yet. ESKS

Busby: There’s a desperation in the home side the visitors won’t match. REDBLACKS

Smith: Ottawa needs this. Badly. REDBLACKS

Filoso: Edmonton’s injuries finally catch up with them. REDBLACKS

Totals: ESKS 4 REDBLACKS 3

 

 

 

 

Edited August 11, 20178 yr by Mr Dee

At his best Harris is an average QB.

This is what you get with average QBing.  Competitive, close games but not enough to get you beyond that.

7 hours ago, BigBlue said:

Everyone hated Burris but he was a leader and a difference maker .... he made receivers ... the grit and determination was there .... Harris is not at that level to bring everyone's game up ... Desjardin and Campbell should drag Henry out of his TSN perch, get him into shape, and take another run at that Grey thing ... or they can yawn and we can go back to sleep on thus franchise .... talk about going from heroes to bums .... go Blue Jays!

Not sure how you would expect them to pay for Burris and what you would have to cut.

 

I think Ottawa is close. Two teams in the East are going to make the playoffs. I think you let the team come together and figure things out. Harris is the future and needs experience and reps.

54 minutes ago, Zontar said:

At his best Harris is an average QB.

This is what you get with average QBing.  Competitive, close games but not enough to get you beyond that.

He leads the league in passing yards and passing TDs, has a 4:1 TD/INT ratio, and is on pace for a career season.

How is that average? What ails the RedBlacks has little to nothing to do with the QB.

12 hours ago, Goalie said:

There are no cool bands anymore. They are all auto tune fools. 

completely disagree with the first part.... there is plenty of auto-tuned garbage out there... but also a ton of awesome rock bands that don't get main stream attention...

I am not a huge Shania Twain fan (mostly cuz I'm not a pop-country fan)... but this seems like a safe and popular choice for the CFL... probably not winning over the younger fans with this announcement...

1 minute ago, blue_gold_84 said:

He leads the league in passing yards and passing TDs, has a 4:1 TD/INT ratio, and is on pace for a career season.

How is that average? What ails the RedBlacks has little to nothing to do with the QB.

I wouldn't go so far as to say "nothing to do with the QB." In crunch time, his inexperience showed and the clock management was poor. That's poor coaching and inexperience.

Just now, JCon said:

I wouldn't go so far as to say "nothing to do with the QB." In crunch time, his inexperience showed and the clock management was poor. That's poor coaching and inexperience.

Which is why I said "little to nothing."

No doubt when the game is on the line, he's struggled. I do think he does enough to put his team into a position to win more often than not, though.

Poor starts/finishes and an inability to defend a lead are far more prevalent issues for the RedBlacks than who's chucking the ball, IMO.

Couple of big injuries on the Esks dl. Losing Sewell will really hurt.

Like Nichols gets a tag that he just a game manager/average because he doesn't have the sexy stats, but he wins...leads by example and appears when chips are down you can tie your wagon to him and there a great chance he is going to get you the win, and not make a mental error

Conversely Harris has all these stats, gets all kinds of accolades for them, but what has he won?..He tends to choke...is prone to errors and seems to fade and drop off a cliff each year as the season winds down

Gimme Nichols 10 times out of 10 as my guy at QB.  The guy has heart, guts and fire...has total respect from his team and will do whatever it takes for them, and they feed of it and would do anything for him.

Now thats a true leader and a guy you wanna hitch your wagon to, sexy stats be damned...gimme wins and the respect his team shows him (which is all that matters in my books) and he will get his due across the league.

Also...he is also just a likeable and decent guy to boot...no ego...no agenda....all things which are icing on top of the cake

The most important thing Nichols has done is get his team mates to seemingly be willing to run through a wall for him. That means more than anything at the position if you ask me. 

1 hour ago, Zontar said:

At his best Harris is an average QB.

This is what you get with average QBing.  Competitive, close games but not enough to get you beyond that.

Earlier in the season you made a comment about Brett Maher having fine numbers but making mistakes at the worst possible times.  That couldn't have been more true.  He and Trevor Harris are similar in that way.

18 minutes ago, blue_gold_84 said:

Which is why I said "little to nothing."

No doubt when the game is on the line, he's struggled. I do think he does enough to put his team into a position to win more often than not, though.

Poor starts/finishes and an inability to defend a lead are far more prevalent issues for the RedBlacks than who's chucking the ball, IMO.

How many two and outs did they have?  The defence kept giving them the ball back and Harris either completed a 2 yard pass, got sacked, or threw it incomplete.  He was not good.  Maybe that's on the receivers... it's hard to tell on TV.  But if they still had Burris they would not be 1-6-1 and they may have won last night.  Harris just isn't there yet.

34 minutes ago, Atomic said:

Earlier in the season you made a comment about Brett Maher having fine numbers but making mistakes at the worst possible times.  That couldn't have been more true.  He and Trevor Harris are similar in that way.

Maher isnt missed here to say the least.

I stand by my comments on Harris. If stats give one comfort then so be it but he wasnt a winner in TOR and won't be in OTT.

25 minutes ago, Atomic said:

How many two and outs did they have?  The defence kept giving them the ball back and Harris either completed a 2 yard pass, got sacked, or threw it incomplete.  He was not good.  Maybe that's on the receivers... it's hard to tell on TV.  But if they still had Burris they would not be 1-6-1 and they may have won last night.  Harris just isn't there yet.

You're right. When it was crunch time, he was not good. Harris obviously lacks the veteran savvy Burris had but the talent, which is well above average, is there.

Then again, the team as a whole hasn't been good this season when it mattered most, hence the lousy record.

14 hours ago, MOBomberFan said:

I was typing up how great Blatimore was... then Rod started gushing over him... and I deleted everything. At least he hasn't complimented his 'build' yet.

So you got Rod blocked? lol.

Maher has cost them big-time,  the last 2 weeks.  
RedBlack O simply died out, in the late stages.....in other words, Ottawa simply found yet another way to lose a close game.  
Esks not pretty, but unbeaten is....unbeaten.  For my money..... Reilly is the runaway MVP, at this point in time.

Edited August 11, 20178 yr by do or die

1 hour ago, blue_gold_84 said:

He leads the league in passing yards and passing TDs, has a 4:1 TD/INT ratio, and is on pace for a career season.

How is that average? What ails the RedBlacks has little to nothing to do with the QB.

Yea if Nichols wasn't showing so well, I'd take Harris in a heartbeat.   He isn't the issue in Ottawa.  I really don't know what the issue is tbh.   The defense is solid, offense is pretty good when its on.. o-line is a little suspect but otherwise. very baffling.. its like they just can't get it all together... maybe it reall does boil down to coaching.

33 minutes ago, Zontar said:

Maher isnt missed here to say the least.

I stand by my comments on Harris. If stats give one comfort then so be it but he wasnt a winner in TOR and won't be in OTT.

yea I'm glad he didn't stick long here either. hes adequate but thats about it.

2 hours ago, Booch said:

Conversely Harris has all these stats, gets all kinds of accolades for them, but what has he won?..He tends to choke...is prone to errors and seems to fade and drop off a cliff each year as the season winds down

 

This x 100! Been saying since the off season that Ottawa won't be the same team cause Harris can't win. I'm sure losing the talent all over has certainly hurt them. But when you have a QB that can win, the talent around them gets better ie Reilly.

I'm starting to think MTL might win the East this year.

5 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

I'm starting to think MTL might win the East this year.

They appear to be the most complete team in the East.  They beat Calgary and suffered close losses to BC, Winnipeg and Edmonton.  They have a good defence and are pretty solid across the board on offence.  I expect them to come on strong as the season progresses.

With injuries EDM on the road was ripe for the picking. Harris and OTT still couldnt get it done. That's telling.

15 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Did Black just say a "delayed draw"???

Keeping track of Black malapropisms is entirely another game.  

33 minutes ago, Atomic said:

They appear to be the most complete team in the East.  They beat Calgary and suffered close losses to BC, Winnipeg and Edmonton.  They have a good defence and are pretty solid across the board on offence.  I expect them to come on strong as the season progresses.

How could you fail to bring up their most GLORIOUS win of the year?.. Beating the most boring stinkhole province of canada in devastating fashion on a missed field goal.

Edited August 11, 20178 yr by Judd

11 minutes ago, Judd said:

How could you fail to bring up their most GLORIOUS win of the year?.. Beating the most boring stinkhole province of canada in devastating fashion on a missed field goal.

Because beating Saskatchewan doesn't prove anything 

1 hour ago, Fan Boy said:

Keeping track of Black malapropisms is entirely another game.  

And a dangerous drinking game: Rod Blackout.

In Rod We Trust