CFL news - Week 8

 

Edmonton at Montreal

 

- Matt Nichols and James Franklin split reps this week at QB but Nichols ended up getting the bulk of the work.

- "No regrets" was how it was phrased over the decision to gamble on 3rd and 4 over attempting a 48 yd. FG. Apparently, Shaw starts to get "iffy" in that range. Having said that, it's also reported that Grant Shaw has had a perfect start to 2015 making 15-of-15 field goals. That extends his streak to a career-high 21 consecutive FGs made as he hit his final 6 attempts last year. The Edmonton club record is held by Sean Fleming with the 10th longest streak in CFL history at 22 (Sep-Oct 2001).

- Mike Reilly is still expected to be out another 3-5 weeks 

- No A. Bowman or Chad Simpson for the game - injured

- Edmonton lost last week at BC after holding a 13-point lead and were outscored 9-0 in the final 15:00. The last time Edmonton failed to hold a 13+ point lead and not win was on Sep 28/13 vs Toronto. Last week was only the second time since 2008 the Esks’ have blown a 13+ point lead.

- Edmonton is #1 in the CFL in forcing opponents into 2nd-&-long situations: 95 times in 138 second down situations.

-  Edmonton has forced at least 3 Turnovers in each of their last 5 games. Their defence has allowed no TDs in 49 opponent possessions at home; on the road 7 TDs allowed in 49 drives.

- The Esks have allowed only one punt return of more than 16 yards and one kickoff return of greater than 30 yards all season.

 

Montreal
 

- released 3 players from its roster - kicker Sean Whyte, receiver Dobson Collins and linebacker Bryn Roy.

- Montreal is winless away from home this year and 3-9 since 2014; however they return home this week to where they are 2-1 in 2015 and 8-4 under Coach Higgins (2014-15). All three of their road losses have been by 3 points or less.

- If Rakeem Cato starts this game, that will make it 5 different QB starters for Montreal in each of their last 5 games vs. Edmonton (Calvillo, Neiswander, Smith, Crompton and Cato).

- Rakeem Cato ranks #5 in the CFL in passer rating at 96.9 but his drive success (TD%) ranks only #9. The Als' Red Zone production ranks #9 in the CFL at just 45% (3-of-9 in last 3 games). Cato is 2-0 at home as a starter but 0-3 on the road.

- Montreal is the best at converting on 3rd-&-1 this season making 9-of-11 tries.

- Montreal has yet to record a defensive TD this season in a year where there have been 14 already.

- S.J. Green is the only Montreal receiver in the Top 25 after seven weeks. He is #1 in the CFL with 539 yards on pace for a career-high 1,617 yards. He has 11 second down conversion catches and recorded career reception #400 last week going over the 6,000 yard mark.

- On a per game basis, Montreal has run the ball more times than any other CFL club (21.3 times per game).

- Montreal was +4 on turnovers in their first 4 games; they have been -5 in the last two contests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Definitely something weird going on with Bowman.

Edmonton was the better team. Still wondering why they are wearing their home uniforms.

If Montreal had any offense the game would have been over by halftime. Edmonton repeatedly handed the Als the ball.

Yes if is a key word.

Easy to say Mtl offense is the issue but Edm D makes everyone look silly. This game was billed as two good Ds going head to head, and it sure looked to be the case.

8 - the number of sacks by the Eskimos.

8 - the number of 1st downs by the Alouette Offence.

8 - as in Montreal is 8th place in the league. (Put that in next week's power rankings)

8 - the number of sacks by the Eskimos.

8 - the number of 1st downs by the Alouette Offence.

8 - as in Montreal is 8th place in the league. (Put that in next week's power rankings)

Barring the unexpected, Sask will continue to occupy the basement of the CFL rankings for a while yet.

- That D pass interference better be overturned. No chance...ball gone by..the play was over.

Yes, correct call was made.

- Jordan Lynch...ST sniper and QB sneak extraordinaire. Has his own cheering section. You wanna guess what they're called?

Lynch Mob?

Matt Nichols reminds me of Brohm, while Franklin looks like he has a good future in the league. I'd roll with Franklin at this point if I were the Esks.

8 - the number of sacks by the Eskimos.

8 - the number of 1st downs by the Alouette Offence.

8 - as in Montreal is 8th place in the league. (Put that in next week's power rankings)

Barring the unexpected, Sask will continue to occupy the basement of the CFL rankings for a while yet.

Right. Sask will be 9th or in the basement

Nicholls is not very good. 

Edmonton gives up an int, a fumble for a TD and another int in the first quarter but they hold Montreal to 9 points. Turn it over on downs in the 2nd quarter and end up down by 12. Get a TD back before the half and end up down by 5. Pretty much what we did last week, but we ended up down by 31 at the half. Shows you what a difference a great defence makes.

 

They also miss 3 makeable FG's taking 7 points off the board. Still end up winning the game. Oh yah, that's with 13 players on their injured list including Reilly, Bowman, White, Simpson, Chambers and Coehoorn.

Edmonton gives up an int, a fumble for a TD and another int in the first quarter but they hold Montreal to 9 points. Turn it over on downs in the 2nd quarter and end up down by 12. Get a TD back before the half and end up down by 5. Pretty much what we did last week, but we ended up down by 31 at the half. Shows you what a difference a great defence makes.

 

They also miss 3 makeable FG's taking 7 points off the board. Still end up winning the game. Oh yah, that's with 13 players on their injured list including Reilly, Bowman, White, Simpson, Chambers and Coehoorn.

 

Or how much playing a team with no offence at all helps.

The bloom is off the Cato.

 

When is Crompton back?  May be wise for the Als to spell Cato while he further develops, turns out the rookie miracle is not to be.

Edmonton gives up an int, a fumble for a TD and another int in the first quarter but they hold Montreal to 9 points. Turn it over on downs in the 2nd quarter and end up down by 12. Get a TD back before the half and end up down by 5. Pretty much what we did last week, but we ended up down by 31 at the half. Shows you what a difference a great defence makes.

They also miss 3 makeable FG's taking 7 points off the board. Still end up winning the game. Oh yah, that's with 13 players on their injured list including Reilly, Bowman, White, Simpson, Chambers and Coehoorn.

Or how much playing a team with no offence at all helps.

How can you tell which it is?

wheres sam and why no bowman? trade brewing?

My guess is there was some type of conflict/fight between the two of them. I'd love it if the Bombers traded for Bowman. Bryant Turner for Bowman?

Can't believe John Bowman is a healthy scratch, his replacement must be something else.

Pretty sure there's more to this story...

7h7 hours ago

John Lu ‏@JohnLuTSNMtl

2/2 #Alouettes Tom Higgins decided that Bowman "needed a break" with Mtl playing 3 games in 13 days. Discussed move with Bowman last Sunday.

wheres sam and why no bowman? trade brewing?

My guess is there was some type of conflict/fight between the two of them. I'd love it if the Bombers traded for Bowman. Bryant Turner for Bowman?

Can't believe John Bowman is a healthy scratch, his replacement must be something else.

Pretty sure there's more to this story...

7h7 hours ago

John Lu ‏@JohnLuTSNMtl

2/2 #Alouettes Tom Higgins decided that Bowman "needed a break" with Mtl playing 3 games in 13 days. Discussed move with Bowman last Sunday.

And in other news. Girlfriends are 'fine' when they say 'everything's fine'

 

 

Edmonton gives up an int, a fumble for a TD and another int in the first quarter but they hold Montreal to 9 points. Turn it over on downs in the 2nd quarter and end up down by 12. Get a TD back before the half and end up down by 5. Pretty much what we did last week, but we ended up down by 31 at the half. Shows you what a difference a great defence makes.

They also miss 3 makeable FG's taking 7 points off the board. Still end up winning the game. Oh yah, that's with 13 players on their injured list including Reilly, Bowman, White, Simpson, Chambers and Coehoorn.

Or how much playing a team with no offence at all helps.

How can you tell which it is?

 

Other than extreme cases, it's usually a mesh of both that explains why things happened the way it did. E.g., 21 plays were a result of good defensive play. 19 plays were a result offensive poor execution. 

 

Edmonton gives up an int, a fumble for a TD and another int in the first quarter but they hold Montreal to 9 points. Turn it over on downs in the 2nd quarter and end up down by 12. Get a TD back before the half and end up down by 5. Pretty much what we did last week, but we ended up down by 31 at the half. Shows you what a difference a great defence makes.

 

They also miss 3 makeable FG's taking 7 points off the board. Still end up winning the game. Oh yah, that's with 13 players on their injured list including Reilly, Bowman, White, Simpson, Chambers and Coehoorn.

 

Or how much playing a team with no offence at all helps.

 

 

this. Fairly sure hamilton had more first downs in their first drive then montreal did the entire first half.

wheres sam and why no bowman? trade brewing?

My guess is there was some type of conflict/fight between the two of them. I'd love it if the Bombers traded for Bowman. Bryant Turner for Bowman?

Can't believe John Bowman is a healthy scratch, his replacement must be something else.

Pretty sure there's more to this story...

7h7 hours ago

John Lu ‏@JohnLuTSNMtl

2/2 #Alouettes Tom Higgins decided that Bowman "needed a break" with Mtl playing 3 games in 13 days. Discussed move with Bowman last Sunday.

And in other news. Girlfriends are 'fine' when they say 'everything's fine'

Well yea.. I always thought so anyway..

Often got me a camp out night on the couch too! Winning!

Reports out of montreal say sam is stepping away from football

Reports out of montreal say sam is stepping away from football

Apparently his long-term relationship fell apart and he took it very hard to the point where his head wasn't in football any more.

Reports out of montreal say sam is stepping away from football

Apparently his long-term relationship fell apart and he took it very hard to the point where his head wasn't in football any more.

Buh bye. Take a hike.

Geeze, either play football or don't play football. Can't keep taking leave over and over again.

 

I doubt Montreal takes him back.

 

EDIT: He cites mental health as a reason for leaving. Could be more serious than we think.

Geeze, either play football or don't play football. Can't keep taking leave over and over again.

 

I doubt Montreal takes him back.

 

EDIT: He cites mental health as a reason for leaving. Could be more serious than we think.

Or it could be an excuse that he can't play at the CFL level. 

He had his 15 minutes and has come to realize that he is not as good as he thinks he is in the pro game. He career might be on permanent hold.

If he wasn't openly gay, there'd be no story at all. He'd just be another guy that couldn't make the jump from college to the pros. He'd have been cut when he left the Als the first time around and that would be it. If you want equality, which I do, then judge the man simply on how he can play football.