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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Another frickin blow out.  When do the Bombers get their turn?

Littlejohn is playing for Ottawa???  I thought he was on the Bombers roster, what happened?

Littlejohn is playing for Ottawa??? I thought he was on the Bombers roster, what happened?

? I'm pretty sure he's still with us?

 

Littlejohn is playing for Ottawa??? I thought he was on the Bombers roster, what happened?

? I'm pretty sure he's still with us?

 

 

Unless there are two Littlejohn's from ND State, something happened and nobody bothered to tell us. 

 

 

Littlejohn is playing for Ottawa??? I thought he was on the Bombers roster, what happened?

? I'm pretty sure he's still with us?

 

 

Unless there are two Littlejohn's from ND State, something happened and nobody bothered to tell us. 

 

 

http://www.cfl.ca/page/transactions

 

Doesn't show anything about him going to Ottawa... I didn't watch the game so I can't verify if you are crazy or not.

Littlejohn is playing for Ottawa??? I thought he was on the Bombers roster, what happened?

? I'm pretty sure he's still with us?

 

Unless there are two Littlejohn's from ND State, something happened and nobody bothered to tell us.

 

http://www.cfl.ca/page/transactions

 

Doesn't show anything about him going to Ottawa... I didn't watch the game so I can't verify if you are crazy or not.

Carlton Littlejohn

#38

Linebacker

Team:Blue Bombers

HT:6.01

WT: 220

Birthdate: 1992-08-06

Born: Minneapolis, MN

College: North Dakota State

Team: 1

CFL: 1

Status: International

Parity in the CFL? Sure, why not? LOL!!!

WOW. Two horrible blowout games in a row. 

 

Hamilton beat up BC by 30 after going up 21-zip early on. Sound familiar? Is 52-22 better or worse than 38-8? Unless something changes radically, it's either us or BC for the last playoff spot. Nice to see the backup QB's get some reps though.

 

Calgary's back. They looked suspiciously like last years team as did the redblacks. Don't know why Ottawa sat Burris at the half. He wasn't their biggest problem and DeMarco is worse than Brohm.

This week just proves that the playoffs are not out of reach.  Hamilton, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton will be in but the last two spots are wide open.

This week just proves that the playoffs are not out of reach. Hamilton, Toronto, Calgary and Edmonton will be in but the last two spots are wide open.

Last 2 spots will go to:

Winnipeg

Ottawa

BC

Montreal

Sask

Another frickin blow out. When do the Bombers get their turn?

Don't worry we'll get blown out again soon

Another frickin blow out. When do the Bombers get their turn?

Don't worry we'll get blown out again soon

Boom goes the dynamite! LOL!

Another frickin blow out. When do the Bombers get their turn?

Don't worry we'll get blown out again soon

Boom goes the dynamite! LOL!

Arash, is that you?

So, after the game on CFL Horsemen last night a fan posts that linebacker Jesper Simmons & his agent were both going off on twitter. They were extremely critical of the Stamps & John Hufnagel for not playing him at all this season including yesterday & that he wants out. I haven't seen the tweets or know Simmon's agent's name. The guy was a pretty good linebacker in Ottawa in 2014 but can't crack the Stamps lineup. It'll be interesting to see what Huff does now if the guy is that unhappy. I think Simmons is on the 46 man roster & may just play STs. Not sure, though.

What position does Simmons play?

Speaking of Ottawa, WR Mo Price's time as a pro in that city has to be coming to an end. He can't get open as he seems to have lost a step & his production is abysmal. Better to get younger & cheaper at the position than keep paying an overpriced veteran player who has seen better days behind him. On the plus side, not being productive means he isn't getting injured all the time as he's as tough as glass in a china shop.

What position does Simmons play?

MLB or OLB. He can play both. He was Ottawa's best player last year where he played MLB. Came to Calgary when Ottawa traded for Mo Price.

What position does Simmons play?

MLB or OLB. He can play both. He was Ottawa's best player last year where he played MLB. Came to Calgary when Ottawa traded for Mo Price.

Damn. Bring him in to play MLB!!!

What position does Simmons play?

MLB or OLB. He can play both. He was Ottawa's best player last year where he played MLB. Came to Calgary when Ottawa traded for Mo Price.

Damn. Bring him in to play MLB!!!

Bass should be our MLB. Hurl on the outside permanently. But oh no, damn that as MOS is committed to playing a Canadian there.

What position does Simmons play?

MLB or OLB. He can play both. He was Ottawa's best player last year where he played MLB. Came to Calgary when Ottawa traded for Mo Price.

Damn. Bring him in to play MLB!!!

Bass should be our MLB. Hurl on the outside permanently. But oh no, damn that as MOS is committed to playing a Canadian there.

Either way, get him in to replace Hurl.

I love that Bass ...

 

What position does Simmons play?

MLB or OLB. He can play both. He was Ottawa's best player last year where he played MLB. Came to Calgary when Ottawa traded for Mo Price.

Damn. Bring him in to play MLB!!!

Bass should be our MLB. Hurl on the outside permanently. But oh no, damn that as MOS is committed to playing a Canadian there.

Either way, get him in to replace Hurl.

Hurl would probably do well on the outside. I just don't get our coaching staff. Playing guys out of position so they can't do as well as they might because of some stupid philosophy. As in playing a Canadian at MLB. Our coaches are the worst in the league.

Coaching whether it's inexperience or stubbornness, has hurt this team but we are stuck with it at least for this season so we have to hope they start to get it. Putting the best players in a position to win shouldn't be this complicated. We have some good talent so there's hope that somewhere down the line it will be used. Hey at least they started Marve instead of Brohm so maybe there's a bit of a light ...

As far as the ratio goes, what difference does it make if Hurl is moved outside & Bass inside? It's just a lateral move.The same 2 guys play.

It's funny seeing how cocky Roughrider fans are at 0-7 proclaiming that they're still in the playoff hunt. Citing us and the BC Lions as "terrible" football teams. Even though we already beat them this season, and BC has beaten them twice. They should be more worried about winning a single game first.