GAME DAY NOTES

 Duke Williams 100+ in 4 straight: Williams' current run of consecutive 100-yard games has reached 4 in a row. With one more this week he can to a level that has been reached only 9 times in CFL history covering 1950 to 2017. The last player to extend that streak to at least 5 games of 100+ in a row was Jamel Richardson in 2011 (6 straight). The Edmonton record is held by Brian Kelly at 5 games in row set in 1983.

 Overall Standings & Parity: Through the first 5 games for all clubs with the byes now having evened out for all but Winnipeg, Calgary has dominated at 5-0 with two teams at 1-4. However, league-wide there are SIX clubs with either 2 or 3 wins in a season of parity in the middle and thus not far from early playoff contention. Every team has at least one victory to date.

 Lack of Win Streaks: There have been only THREE clubs thus far able to win back-to-back games over the first six weeks. Only Calgary (5), plus Hamilton and Saskatchewan have managed to win at least two games in a row.

 Turnovers even more prominent: There has been just ONE team that has been able to overcome a T/O deficit and win their game in 2018. Only Edmonton on June 29th in a 41-22 victory over BC was negative on Giveaways with 3 against the Lions' 2 that day. Overall, teams with fewer Turnovers are at 18-1 .947 in 2018 compared to 55-13 .809 in 2017 and 57-10 .851 in 2016.

Scoring at 46.5 ppg: Games are averaging just 46.5 points in 2018 vs 53.0 over the past two full seasons (2016-17). In 2018, there have been 10 games in which the point total has been 42 or less.

 Rushing up by 17% in 2018: The focus in 2018 has been a return to rushing the football with yards averaging 217 per game, the highest per game yardage since 2010. Teams who have won the rushing battle in 2018 are 17-6 .739. Winnipeg leads the CFL at 173 yards per game which is the best average by any club since Edmonton in 1991 (185.3 per game).

- Montreal Career Rushers: Tyrell Sutton moved up to #4 all-time for the Als last week by passing Brandon Whitaker. He is just 370 yards away from the #3 spot in club history. His per carry average is exactly the same as all-time leader Mike Pringle at 5.6 yards.

Deep passing contrast: Edmonton leads the CFL in throwing deep this year with 16 completions where the receiver was more than 20 yards downfield. By comparison, Montreal is tied for last having just 8 connections of 20+ yards downfield. Six of Edmonton's 9 TD passes have been of the 20+ depth variety.

MTL Roster changes from Week #1 to Week #7 - 42% Turnover: Of the 24 players that STARTED for the Als in their season opener, 10 of them (42%) either did not start last week or have since been traded away including Jamaal Westerman and Chris Williams.

- 14th MTL QB Starter / 25 Week-to-Week changes:The following players have started at QB for Montreal since Anthony Calvillo's last start on August 17, 2012 - Josh Neiswander, Tanner Marsh, Troy Smith, Alex Brink, Jon Crompton, Rakeem Cato, Kevin Glenn, Brandon Bridge, Vernon Adams Jr., Darian Durant, Drew Willy, Matthew Shiltz and Jeff Mathews.

Even more important perhaps, Montreal has been forced to make 25 week-to-week changes in their starting QB in the 89 games since August 2012. Edmonton has changed their QB starter week to week just 9 times over that span.

- 1-15 in the last 16 games / 7 in a row at home: The Alouettes have won just once in their last 16 games - that matches the previous poorest 16-game stretch in their history, 1-15 from Oct 6/51 to Oct 18/52 almost 66 years ago. They come in having lost their last 7 home games - the longest home losing streak in Montreal history.

- Edmonton vs Montreal: The Eskimos have won the last 8 meetings against Montreal, one short of their best run vs the Als. They won 9 consecutive meetings with Montreal across the 1978 to 1983 seasons. The current 8-game streak comes on the heels of exactly the same 8-game winning run that the Als had over Edmonton (2010 to 2013). The last Montreal win over Edmonton? Oct 5/13.

- Slow starts: The Eskimos have scored a total of just 3 points in the 1st Quarter over their last 3 games. They have been behind after the 1st Quarter in each of their last 4 games and come back to win two of them.

- Edmonton scoring: The Eskimos averaged 31.7 points per game over their first 3 contests, but have scored 16 and 15 points in their last two games respectively. Over the last two outings they have just built just 3 TD drives in 23 possessions.

- Mike Reilly: Has been the Esks' #1 QB since 2013 and has now started 48 of their last 49 games. Edmonton has gone 33-16 .673 in that 49-game span with Reilly missing a start only on Nov 5/16 at season's end. Reilly has 300-yard games in 3 of his 5 starts in 2018 (36 career) and in 65% of his starts since 2015. 

Sutton as a receiver: Tyrell Sutton is on pace for 76 receptions for 659 yards (he has 21 catches for 183 thus far) - that would be more yards and catches than in the last two years combined (71 for 518 across 2016-17).

- Boris Bede 14 FGs in a row: Has yet to miss a placement kick of either type in 2018 - 8/8 FGAs and 6/6 converts. He is just one short of his all-time career long run of 15 in a row set in June-July 2017 and has made 17 consecutive 32-yard converts.

- Montreal flagged: The Als committed 44 penalties over their first 3 games (incl. declined) – in their last 2 games just 14 penalties.

- Sean Whyte: Did not attempt a field goal last week and thus far has been called upon only 9 times. He is 7-of-9 in 2018. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

 

Edited July 27, 20187 yr by Mr Dee

1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

That game was a good example of why a QB who can’t make a throw from the pocket has no chance in pro football no matter how good of a runner he is.

This, and it's why I don't like the OL argument completely when the pressure is coming from extra blitzes.  It was either Drew Willy holding onto the ball too long when facing these blitzes on our team, or Bellefeuille having badly designed outlets that prevented him or his backups from having adequate hot reads in our case.  The Als offense looked like a carbon copy of this last night with a QB who could be effective when given a little time to run around and chuck it downfield, but no trigger pulling on short routes.  No adjustments made by either QB or play caller.

OL is important, but it's only part of the equation.

Nik Lewis‏Verified account @nikel18 14h14 hours ago

More

U as fans see Vernon not playing well. I see preparation. He is not prepared to play better. He hasn't seen blitzes very well and that is all preparation.

Nik Lewis‏Verified account @nikel18 15h15 hours ago

More

Mtl can't pick up the pressure and Vernon isn't seeing where it's coming from. Until late. He should. Be able to slide away and set feet to make throws

54 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

Nik Lewis‏Verified account @nikel18 15h15 hours ago

More

Mtl can't pick up the pressure and Vernon isn't seeing where it's coming from. Until late. He should. Be able to slide away and set feet to make throws

It seems he's been hanging around the wrong QBs too much as of late.

3 hours ago, Blueandgold said:

Adams is so short as well, I doubt he can really see the guys coming in on those quick slants or ins over the middle as well.

He was way too quick to try and leave the pocket. You can't attempt to roll out when the Esks are blitzing seven guys.

Johnny Manziel isn't any taller than Vernon Adams. What happened to Adams awaits Johnny Football every week for the rest of the season. I think Manziel finally realizes just  how badly he screwed his career in Cleveland. Playing in the NFL is a privilege & he just threw it away. There are lots of talented players who should be there who never make it &  now he can take his place at the back of the line. He was given everything to succeed & didn't care by throwing it all away.  You could see that look of resignation on his face every time TSN showed him on the sidelines which was about 300 times last night. . What a hard life lesson as he may never get back.  I wish him well. I think he really is trying but to be dealt to that team. That is a huge blow. 

1 hour ago, TBURGESS said:

Nik Lewis‏Verified account @nikel18 14h14 hours ago

More

U as fans see Vernon not playing well. I see preparation. He is not prepared to play better. He hasn't seen blitzes very well and that is all preparation.

Or coaching as in KJ not preparing him to see. It all comes back to preparation by the players & OC.  Players need help & if his coach can't give it then it's a huge problem. 

1 hour ago, USABomberfan said:

This, and it's why I don't like the OL argument completely when the pressure is coming from extra blitzes.  It was either Drew Willy holding onto the ball too long when facing these blitzes on our team, or Bellefeuille having badly designed outlets that prevented him or his backups from having adequate hot reads in our case.  The Als offense looked like a carbon copy of this last night with a QB who could be effective when given a little time to run around and chuck it downfield, but no trigger pulling on short routes.  No adjustments made by either QB or play caller.

OL is important, but it's only part of the equation.

The Als look like the 2013 Blue Bombers.  That's what I took from that game last night .Just how totally ineffective the Als  were offensively like the Bombers were  that season. 

28 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Or coaching as in KJ not preparing him to see. It all comes back to preparation by the players & OC.  Players need help & if his coach can't give it then it's a huge problem. 

Adams has had plenty of stops and hasn't stuck anywhere, I think if it were simply coaching he wouldn't bounce around so much.

53 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

The Als look like the 2013 Blue Bombers.  That's what I took from that game last night .Just how totally ineffective the Als  were offensively like the Bombers were  that season. 

I blame a lot on the coaching....  Sutton is a beast and I can't believe Jackson & Cunningham both suddenly can no longer play....

1 hour ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Johnny Manziel isn't any taller than Vernon Adams. What happened to Adams awaits Johnny Football every week for the rest of the season. I think Manziel finally realizes just  how badly he screwed his career in Cleveland. Playing in the NFL is a privilege & he just threw it away. There are lots of talented players who should be there who never make it &  now he can take his place at the back of the line. He was given everything to succeed & didn't care by throwing it all away.  You could see that look of resignation on his face every time TSN showed him on the sidelines which was about 300 times last night. . What a hard life lesson as he may never get back.  I wish him well. I think he really is trying but to be dealt to that team. That is a huge blow. 

I understand his folks are loaded so he doesn’t have much to worry about in terms of living a comfortable life. 

Your right about TSN showing him 900 times on the sidelines, warming up, putting his helmet on, taking his helmet off, looking at the plays on his arm. They missed him grunting pinching a loaf. Saving that for next week. 

However, maybe the Als will have his salary paid by tshirt sales! 

4 hours ago, 17to85 said:

Adams has had plenty of stops and hasn't stuck anywhere, I think if it were simply coaching he wouldn't bounce around so much.

Yet he still bounces so teams may think there is some potential left. I think coaching is a major issue with the Als & has been since Trestman left. 

Adams is basically LeFevour.  Wouldn't mind him as my 3rd string, useful for running ability, can't pass.

6 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Adams is basically LeFevour.  Wouldn't mind him as my 3rd string, useful for running ability, can't pass.

Ehh, more like Dom Davis.  Adams at least has a rocket arm compared to Fever's noodle.

11 minutes ago, USABomberfan said:

Ehh, more like Dom Davis.  Adams at least has a rocket arm compared to Fever's noodle.

Davis isn't mobile at all, he's 6'3, Adams is a rounded up 5'11.  Pretty much the only similarity between Adams and Davis is skin colour and the position they play.  Adams doesn't have much of an arm.  Watch the NFL Network show on the QB's in his draft class.  They run them through a bunch of accuracy drills and he's nowhere near the skill level of the QB's who were drafted, even guys like Cody Kessler and Connor Cook who have already fell out of the NFL.

21 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Davis isn't mobile at all, he's 6'3, Adams is a rounded up 5'11.  Pretty much the only similarity between Adams and Davis is skin colour and the position they play.  Adams doesn't have much of an arm.  Watch the NFL Network show on the QB's in his draft class.  They run them through a bunch of accuracy drills and he's nowhere near the skill level of the QB's who were drafted, even guys like Cody Kessler and Connor Cook who have already fell out of the NFL.

Matt Dunnigan disagrees with this

24 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Davis isn't mobile at all, he's 6'3, Adams is a rounded up 5'11.  Pretty much the only similarity between Adams and Davis is skin colour and the position they play.  Adams doesn't have much of an arm.  Watch the NFL Network show on the QB's in his draft class.  They run them through a bunch of accuracy drills and he's nowhere near the skill level of the QB's who were drafted, even guys like Cody Kessler and Connor Cook who have already fell out of the NFL.

As I said before.... everyone assumes that black QBs are all like Randall Cunningham....   

8 minutes ago, USABomberfan said:

Matt Dunnigan disagrees with this

Dunigan isn't very critical in the booth.

Adams was laughably bad in simple drills with no pads on in that QB show prior to the 2016 Draft, which is basically a hype show with Jon Gruden trying to hype all the guys on there.  Adams was terrible and by far the worst at all the passing drills.

2 hours ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Dunigan isn't very critical in the booth.

Adams was laughably bad in simple drills with no pads on in that QB show prior to the 2016 Draft, which is basically a hype show with Jon Gruden trying to hype all the guys on there.  Adams was terrible and by far the worst at all the passing drills.

In last night's game, Adams threw several longer passes which were darned close and on most of those, the receivers muffed the catches or were in the wrong place.

55 minutes ago, USABomberfan said:

Ehh, more like Dom Davis.  Adams at least has a rocket arm compared to Fever's noodle.

Adams is a much better qb than LeFevour. 

On 2018-07-27 at 4:38 PM, SpeedFlex27 said:

Adams is a much better qb than LeFevour. 

Boomer is a better QB than LeFevour.

1 hour ago, Floyd said:

Boomer is a better QB than LeFevour.

Boomer?

23 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Boomer?

 

25 minutes ago, Floyd said:

 

Mascot, sure. LOL. I thought it was a nickname of some backup qb in the league.

I'm not sure how anyone who watched that game can put the blame on Adams. He played well enough. Made some costly mistakes, but he wasn't getting a lot of help either. I'm also not sure I'd use how a qb does on passing drill for TV as a reason why he sucks lol. There's plenty of other examples to use for Adams!

Als should just cut Adams now...  Sherman blah blahing about how Manziel will get time to work through growing pains and issues - meanwhile Vernon Adams gets one game - ridiculous.