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.

 

 

 

 

 

 

If the Riders win both against us, they are back in it, weird as that may be.

 

Interesting about Simmons. Wonder what the cost would be on him?

 

Agree on Mo Price.

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.

 

Why would you do that?  The defense has been lights out for a month.  Hurl is doing his job, which is often to take an inside gap and play through there.  The Bombers are playing the 5-1 front a ton, they call it "Cowboy," with Hurl right up at the line.  Bass is making plays from his spot 5 yards back of the line.  Not sure why people are continuing on Hurl.  He's not a problem, actually playing quite well.  Personally I think Bass can cover a lot more ground sideline to sideline so swapping him and Hurl in this defense makes no sense.

 

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.

 

Why would you do that?  The defense has been lights out for a month.  Hurl is doing his job, which is often to take an inside gap and play through there.  The Bombers are playing the 5-1 front a ton, they call it "Cowboy," with Hurl right up at the line.  Bass is making plays from his spot 5 yards back of the line.  Not sure why people are continuing on Hurl.  He's not a problem, actually playing quite well.  Personally I think Bass can cover a lot more ground sideline to sideline so swapping him and Hurl in this defense makes no sense.

 

It's because 2 games in Hurl wasn't playing well and for some reason, people have some agenda with Hurl, even tho i agree with everything you just said. 

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.

 

You've only beat us once by just 4 points and are now coming into labour day without Willy. BC won their first against us in OT and just got cranked against the team who had to pull a comeback against us and are now without their best defensive player.

 

I agree that we need to win a game first, but we aren't wrong for thinking we at least have a chance. Most of us still think it's unlikely.

 

EDIT: Oh, and despite being 0-7, we still have scored more points than BC and Winnipeg. Not being cocky; just stating fact. Our problem though is defence, allowing more points per game than anyone in the league.

How about Neufeld or Greaves for Simmons + a 2nd rounder?

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.

I actually don't mind seeing some blowouts in the CFL as long as it's not a regular occurrence - like 2 out of 4 games week after week.  Separates the wheat from the chaff.  Plus we get to see a well-executed game from one team - few turnovers and great execution.

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.

 

Why would you do that?  The defense has been lights out for a month.  Hurl is doing his job, which is often to take an inside gap and play through there.  The Bombers are playing the 5-1 front a ton, they call it "Cowboy," with Hurl right up at the line.  Bass is making plays from his spot 5 yards back of the line.  Not sure why people are continuing on Hurl.  He's not a problem, actually playing quite well.  Personally I think Bass can cover a lot more ground sideline to sideline so swapping him and Hurl in this defense makes no sense.

It's because 2 games in Hurl wasn't playing well and for some reason, people have some agenda with Hurl, even tho i agree with everything you just said.

Its because people have such a hate on for Canadian MLBs.. Happened when henoc worked his way into starters role..