A few weeks ago this might have been the most anticipated match of the season thus far, the defending Grey Cup Champs up against the rising star of the CFL East, the Bombers in full swagger (as they once said) arriving to announce that the new guard is taking over the CFL.
But all plot lines need a twist and so on cue for the showdown at Molson we find a Bomber team that is reeling a bit after a pair of convincing defeats at the hands of their rivals the Roughriders add on some key injuries to that once dominant Bomber defence and suddenly Winnipeg isn't quite as intimidating.
Health concerns for Buck Pierce also come along for the ride to Montreal, Pierce took a heavy hit against the Riders last Sunday and has had limited practice reps all week, while the Bombers have been closely guarding his status it's expected he'll be in the line up for today's game.
Things are so bad for coach Paul LaPolice these days that he can't even count on the players to make the team flights it seems, the Winnipeg Sun recounts the coach's problems with four Bombers who didn't quite make it to the departure gate, leaving him to wonder aloud if he at times isn't coaching a junior high squad.. ouch, he'll be in a bad mood we suspect.
And Marc Trestman, Anthony Calvillo and the rest of the Als just may make that mood even darker.
The Als bounced back last week against Hamilton, delivering a withering defeat to the Cats, shaking their confidence quite a bit and reminding everyone that watches the CFL that the Als have not been the leagues most dominant team over the last decade by accident.
The Alouettes seem to turn it up a notch when they play at home, Calvillo's passes find their mark more often than not, the running game eats up the yardage at Moslon Stadium and defensively the Als find ways to make offensive coordinators rethink their career plans. While things have been a little less machine like in Montreal these days, of late the Als appear to be getting it all back in place, a bad thing for Winnipeg as beat up and lacking in focus of late as they are.
With Hamilton losing again yesterday, the space between third and first is going to grow, Montreal with a victory can reclaim a familiar spot, while Winnipeg will be wanting to hold on as best they can to what they have laid claim to through the first eleven weeks of the season.
It is a most important game for both, though not quite as much of a marquee matchup perhaps as we all probably thought back before Labour Day.
Game Time 1 PM (2 CT, 10 AM PT) TSN
Pre Game
Winnipeg Sun-- Bombers still team to beat: Als' Bowman
Winnipeg Free Press-- True Blue identity revealed Sunday
National Post-- Grey Cup last on list for Winnipeg's Brown
Canada.com-- Alouettes to target hurting Pierce
Quick Snaps Montreal
Quick Snaps Winnipeg
Post Game
Winnipeg 25 at Montreal 23
Attendance-- 24,642
Winnipeg Sun-- Bombers get their swag on
Winnipeg Free Press-- Bombers beat Als, hold onto East Division first spot
Globe and Mail-- Bombers hold on to down Als 25-23
National Post-- Alouettes' offence falls flat in loss to Bombers
Canada.com-- Bombers regain swagger with win in Montreal
Three downs, a bigger ball, wider field and a lot more entertainment! The world of Canadian Football.
Showing posts with label CFL Regular Season Week 12. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CFL Regular Season Week 12. Show all posts
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
CFL Gameday: British Columbia at Calgary (September 17)
Hall of Fame Day in the CFL and this year the Hall takes to the road as the CFL commemorates those great stars of the past in ceremonies at McMahon Stadium in Calgary.
As part of the celebration the Lions and the Stamps will provide the football entertainment for the day, a Western Division match up that finds the Lions currently back in winning form heading into McMahon eager to test the hot and cold Stampeders.
Calgary is decidedly back in the hot zone, having dispensed with their Alberta rivals the Eskimos last week in Edmonton. The Lions on the other hand collected two weeks of wins for the standings, but perhaps not the greatest of challenges having had a home and home series with the woeful Toronto Argonauts.
Saturday afternoon's game is definitely a better gauge for Wally Buono to determine is his team is indeed back on track after another horrible start to the football season.
The signs are better for Buono and his staff, his quarterback Travis Lulay seems to have come into his own in the last few weeks, the offence is making better use of the CFL's marquee attraction in Geroy Simon and Arland Bruce III is starting to fit into the lineup and showcasing the skills that made him famous in Toronto and Hamilton.
After a stumble on Labour Day against the Esks, the Stamps seem to be preparing to make another run at retaining top spot in the CFL West, an attempt that will mostly depend on which Henry Burris arrives on the field on any given game day.
When Burris is on his game, the Stamps seem unbeatable, when he's struggling to find his comfort zone, the Stamps inevitably seem to go down to defeat.
The Lions will be watching to see which Burris arrives at McMahon on Saturday,
Game Time 5 PM MT (4 PT, 7 ET) TSN
Pre Game
Calgary Sun-- Lions show respect for Stamps' Lewis
Calgary Herald-- Stamps enjoy viewing this Rambo sequel
Vancouver Province-- Saturday showdown a litmus test for Lions
Vancouver Sun-- Lions step up, face best of the West in a true test
Globe and Mail-- Akeem Foster learning on the fly with Lions
Quick Snaps Calgary Stampeders
Quick Snaps British Columbia Lions
Post Game
British Columbia 32 at Calgary 19
Attendance-- 29,929
Vancouver Province-- Sweet win still sour for Lions coach Buono
Vancouver Sun-- Lions ride halftime lead to 32-19 victory over Stampeders
Calgary Herald-- Stampeders fall prey to surging B. C. Lions
Calgary Sun-- Lions lick Stamps
Globe and Mail-- Lions continue roll; Stamps stumble
Canada.com-- B. C. on a roll with fourth straight win
As part of the celebration the Lions and the Stamps will provide the football entertainment for the day, a Western Division match up that finds the Lions currently back in winning form heading into McMahon eager to test the hot and cold Stampeders.
Calgary is decidedly back in the hot zone, having dispensed with their Alberta rivals the Eskimos last week in Edmonton. The Lions on the other hand collected two weeks of wins for the standings, but perhaps not the greatest of challenges having had a home and home series with the woeful Toronto Argonauts.
Saturday afternoon's game is definitely a better gauge for Wally Buono to determine is his team is indeed back on track after another horrible start to the football season.
The signs are better for Buono and his staff, his quarterback Travis Lulay seems to have come into his own in the last few weeks, the offence is making better use of the CFL's marquee attraction in Geroy Simon and Arland Bruce III is starting to fit into the lineup and showcasing the skills that made him famous in Toronto and Hamilton.
After a stumble on Labour Day against the Esks, the Stamps seem to be preparing to make another run at retaining top spot in the CFL West, an attempt that will mostly depend on which Henry Burris arrives on the field on any given game day.
When Burris is on his game, the Stamps seem unbeatable, when he's struggling to find his comfort zone, the Stamps inevitably seem to go down to defeat.
The Lions will be watching to see which Burris arrives at McMahon on Saturday,
Game Time 5 PM MT (4 PT, 7 ET) TSN
Pre Game
Calgary Sun-- Lions show respect for Stamps' Lewis
Calgary Herald-- Stamps enjoy viewing this Rambo sequel
Vancouver Province-- Saturday showdown a litmus test for Lions
Vancouver Sun-- Lions step up, face best of the West in a true test
Globe and Mail-- Akeem Foster learning on the fly with Lions
Quick Snaps Calgary Stampeders
Quick Snaps British Columbia Lions
Post Game
British Columbia 32 at Calgary 19
Attendance-- 29,929
Vancouver Province-- Sweet win still sour for Lions coach Buono
Vancouver Sun-- Lions ride halftime lead to 32-19 victory over Stampeders
Calgary Herald-- Stampeders fall prey to surging B. C. Lions
Calgary Sun-- Lions lick Stamps
Globe and Mail-- Lions continue roll; Stamps stumble
Canada.com-- B. C. on a roll with fourth straight win
CFL Game Day: Toronto at Saskatchewan (September 17)
At this point in the schedule and considering their lack of success thus far, the Toronto Argonauts have no "easy" games, and this afternoons match up with the Saskatchewan Roughriders is probably another one in the long list of games that will prove to be a challenge.
That wasn't the case at the start of the year when the Riders were having their difficulties adjusting to then head coach Greg Marshall's systems and such, but with the departure of Marshall and the return of Ken Miller it's very much a different looking Rider squad the Argos face today.
One which has seemingly found its groove again, added yet another long distance weapon with the return of Andy Fantuz and a team which today will play in front of a Rider Nation faithful who are fully back on board after two convincing victories over the rival Blue Bombers in consecutive weeks.
Yes, there is no worse time it seems for a team to roll into Regina, somehow that just seems to be how the season has gone for the Argos, when a team is struggling and needs to regroup along come the Argos to provide that boost.
It's quickly becoming audition time for 2012 for the Double Blue, as coach Jim Barker runs out of time to turn around the 2011 edition, the Cleo Lemon era now past, Steven Jyles will lead the Boatmen onto the field today, familiar as he is to the Saskatchewan landscape from his days in Winnipeg, he also may remember those crushing tackles from the Rider defence.
If he doesn't remember, we're pretty sure that the Riders will reintroduce themselves and probably at frequent intervals.
Game Time 2 PM ST (4 ET, 1 PT) TSN
Pre Game
Regina Leader Post-- Player's time under Riders head coach Ken Miller
Toronto Sun-- Major problems for Argos
Toronto Star-- Argos full of praise for Steven Jyles' leadership
Globe and Mail-- Argos, Riders QBs renew friendly rivalry
National Post-- Elizondo trying to find Argos' chemistry
Canada.com-- Growth is the key for Riders' defence
Quick Snaps Saskatchewan Roughriders
Quick Snaps Toronto Argonauts
Post Game
Toronto 20 at Saskatchewan 30
Attendance-- 30,048
Globe and Mail-- Surging Riders sink Argonauts
Toronto Sun-- Argos lose another lineman to injury
Toronto Star-- Argos cough up another one on the Prairies
Canada.com-- Miller's magic continues as Roughriders beat Argos, win third straight
That wasn't the case at the start of the year when the Riders were having their difficulties adjusting to then head coach Greg Marshall's systems and such, but with the departure of Marshall and the return of Ken Miller it's very much a different looking Rider squad the Argos face today.
One which has seemingly found its groove again, added yet another long distance weapon with the return of Andy Fantuz and a team which today will play in front of a Rider Nation faithful who are fully back on board after two convincing victories over the rival Blue Bombers in consecutive weeks.
Yes, there is no worse time it seems for a team to roll into Regina, somehow that just seems to be how the season has gone for the Argos, when a team is struggling and needs to regroup along come the Argos to provide that boost.
It's quickly becoming audition time for 2012 for the Double Blue, as coach Jim Barker runs out of time to turn around the 2011 edition, the Cleo Lemon era now past, Steven Jyles will lead the Boatmen onto the field today, familiar as he is to the Saskatchewan landscape from his days in Winnipeg, he also may remember those crushing tackles from the Rider defence.
If he doesn't remember, we're pretty sure that the Riders will reintroduce themselves and probably at frequent intervals.
Game Time 2 PM ST (4 ET, 1 PT) TSN
Pre Game
Regina Leader Post-- Player's time under Riders head coach Ken Miller
Toronto Sun-- Major problems for Argos
Toronto Star-- Argos full of praise for Steven Jyles' leadership
Globe and Mail-- Argos, Riders QBs renew friendly rivalry
National Post-- Elizondo trying to find Argos' chemistry
Canada.com-- Growth is the key for Riders' defence
Quick Snaps Saskatchewan Roughriders
Quick Snaps Toronto Argonauts
Post Game
Toronto 20 at Saskatchewan 30
Attendance-- 30,048
Globe and Mail-- Surging Riders sink Argonauts
Toronto Sun-- Argos lose another lineman to injury
Toronto Star-- Argos cough up another one on the Prairies
Canada.com-- Miller's magic continues as Roughriders beat Argos, win third straight
Friday, September 16, 2011
CFL Game Day: Edmonton at Hamilton (September 16)
Two teams with hot and cold streaks take to the field at Ivor Wynne Stadium on Friday night, both of them, suffering a bit of a thumping last weekend, losses which have added more drama to the CFL east and west standings.
The Eskimos arrive in the Hammer having been spanked pretty badly in front of the largest crowd of the season in Edmonton last weekend, the visiting Stampeders gaining revenge on the Labour Day loss at the hands of their northern cousins.
The Cats also suffered a bit of payback at the hands of the Alouettes, rolling into Montreal feeling pretty proud of themselves over their Labour Day victory, the Cats quickly learned that success and pride is a fleeting thing in the CFL as Anthony Calvillo administered a bit of a clinic for the Tiger Cats in front of the usual throng of Als fans at Molson Stadium.
So, two teams with something to prove, hoping to recapture some of that spark that they have had off and on through the season.
The hometown folk in Hamilton will have souvenirs as well from tonight's game, it's Kevin Glenn bobble head night, where 5,000 lucky and early arriving Tiger Cat fans will have their very own Kevin Glenn statue to take home.
Of course, as Glenn points out, it might be asking for a bit of trouble to provide plastic projectiles to a crowd that no doubt enjoys it's beer and is quick to show their passion.
For the sake of the fans in Ivor Wynne's front rows near the sidelines, you have to hope that Glenn has the kind of night that keeps the Bobble heads as a collectible and not a missile..
Game Time 7 PM ET (5 MT, 4 PT) TSN
Pre Game
Hamilton Spectator-- Time for talented Ticats trio to step up
Toronto Sun-- Medlock makes his mark with Ticats
National Post-- Ticats' Glenn has good reason to keep fans happy
Globe and Mail-- Ticats look to bounce back (again)
Edmonton Sun-- For Esks lately, Ivor Wynne = Rarely Win
Edmonton Journal-- Linebacker shuffle keeps foes guessing
Quick Snaps Hamilton Tiger Cats
Quick Snaps Edmonton Eskimos
Post Game
Edmonton 38 at Hamilton 23
Attendance-- 22,654
Hamilton Spectator-- Eskimos have Cats for dinner
Toronto Sun-- No more home sweet home for Ticats
Edmonton Sun-- Esks' Stamps back in form
Edmonton Journal-- Ticats run down by Eskimos
Globe and Mail-- Eskimos push Tiger-Cats into tailspin
National Post-- Edmonton rolls over Hamilton
Canada.com-- Eskimos rediscover mojo in romp over Ticats
The Eskimos arrive in the Hammer having been spanked pretty badly in front of the largest crowd of the season in Edmonton last weekend, the visiting Stampeders gaining revenge on the Labour Day loss at the hands of their northern cousins.
The Cats also suffered a bit of payback at the hands of the Alouettes, rolling into Montreal feeling pretty proud of themselves over their Labour Day victory, the Cats quickly learned that success and pride is a fleeting thing in the CFL as Anthony Calvillo administered a bit of a clinic for the Tiger Cats in front of the usual throng of Als fans at Molson Stadium.
So, two teams with something to prove, hoping to recapture some of that spark that they have had off and on through the season.
The hometown folk in Hamilton will have souvenirs as well from tonight's game, it's Kevin Glenn bobble head night, where 5,000 lucky and early arriving Tiger Cat fans will have their very own Kevin Glenn statue to take home.
Of course, as Glenn points out, it might be asking for a bit of trouble to provide plastic projectiles to a crowd that no doubt enjoys it's beer and is quick to show their passion.
For the sake of the fans in Ivor Wynne's front rows near the sidelines, you have to hope that Glenn has the kind of night that keeps the Bobble heads as a collectible and not a missile..
Game Time 7 PM ET (5 MT, 4 PT) TSN
Pre Game
Hamilton Spectator-- Time for talented Ticats trio to step up
Toronto Sun-- Medlock makes his mark with Ticats
National Post-- Ticats' Glenn has good reason to keep fans happy
Globe and Mail-- Ticats look to bounce back (again)
Edmonton Sun-- For Esks lately, Ivor Wynne = Rarely Win
Edmonton Journal-- Linebacker shuffle keeps foes guessing
Quick Snaps Hamilton Tiger Cats
Quick Snaps Edmonton Eskimos
Post Game
Edmonton 38 at Hamilton 23
Attendance-- 22,654
Hamilton Spectator-- Eskimos have Cats for dinner
Toronto Sun-- No more home sweet home for Ticats
Edmonton Sun-- Esks' Stamps back in form
Edmonton Journal-- Ticats run down by Eskimos
Globe and Mail-- Eskimos push Tiger-Cats into tailspin
National Post-- Edmonton rolls over Hamilton
Canada.com-- Eskimos rediscover mojo in romp over Ticats
CFL Regular Season Week 12
Summer seems all but done, the cooler air of fall descending across the nation, football weather it is and week twelve brings some interesting matches onto the schedule.
The Friday Night match offers up an interesting look at two teams that need to find some consistency once again, both Hamilton and Edmonton have had some spectacular games this year so far, games that are then followed up by less than impressive face plants, Friday one of them will repeat and rinse.
The Argonauts desperate for a win these days face a pretty big challenge, taking on a rejuvenated Saskatchewan squad which is currently playing at full tilt since Ken Miller returned to the sidelines, somehow you get the feeling Jim Barker is wondering how large an order of Tums he should pick up.
The Lions who have found the winning combination of late (thanks to back to back games with their corporate partners the Argonauts) get a bit more of a challenge this weekend as they head to Calgary, the Stamps another one of the CFL's hot and cold squads of late will try to keep the heat on from last week's impressive victory over the Eskimos.
And the weekend wraps up with what probably five weeks ago seemed like a game of destiny, but with injuries knocking down the Bombers roster spots rather severely of late, the Als most likely are to be considered the favourites. Winnipeg's Swaggerville defensive corps have been a little subdued of late, the Riders having rattled off a fair amount of points over two games, the Bombers D will have to regroup and recommit if they hope to control the success of Anthony Calvillo and his Alouettes offence.
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Montreal
Weekly Record-- 2 - 2
Overall Record-- 22 - 44
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