The competitive balance heats up in both the east and the west as Hamilton shows signs of life to perhaps raise a challenge for Montreal and Toronto.
The Tiger Cats finally unleashed all of that football skill in one game last week, taking out a season of frustration on both offence and defence on the Edmonton Eskimos. Their convincing 51-8 victory served a dual purpose, getting the team untracked perhaps and on towards the top of the standings in the CFL East and pushing back the Eskimos who have been stumbling of late, a much needed win that may very well scupper any cross over plans that the Eskimos may have had as Plan B to the playoffs.
The Cats can improve on their fortunes this weekend when they head to Winnipeg to play the struggling Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Calgary continues to nip at the heels of the Lions for first in the West, while the Argos and Als are trading spots on a weekly basis atop the CFL East.
That leaves Saskatchewan to try and figure out where they fit in as the CFL heads down the back nine of the season, so far they are a very secure third place squad in the West, however a few stumbles down the stretch or a bump into winning territory for Edmonton could change all of that.
Week thirteen could help sort out some of that, or murky the playoff waters for all, placement spots still up for grabs for both divisions.
The Lions are in Edmonton to take on a dis-spirited Eskimo squad, a team in for a rough time of it one would think with the league leading Lions in town.
The showcase games of the week could be from Montreal and Regina, the Als are in a showdown with the Argos, hosting the Boatmen with first place a prize still very much in the mix for both teams.
The Riders will be looking to get back on track as the Stamps come to town, Calgary of course still with designs of their own on first in the West, keeping pace with the Lions week by week, ready to strike should the Lions stumble.
Previews and reviews of week thirteen can be found below.
Friday, September 21-- Hamilton 12 at Winnipeg 34 26,577
Saturday, September 22-- British Columbia 19 at Edmonton 18 35,578
Sunday, September 23-- Toronto 10 at Montreal 31 23,209
Sunday, September 23-- Calgary 25 at Saskatchewan 30 33,427
Ten Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
British Columbia
Toronto
Calgary
Weekly Record
1 - 3
Overall Record
26 correct, 26 wrong
Showing posts with label CFL 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CFL 2012. Show all posts
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Can the Cats claw their way back into contention?
The Cats new head coach, steeped in CFL experience with more than a few years of NFL work under his belt has been a fixture in professional football for a number of years, considered one of the great coaching catches in recent CFL history, he arrived in Hamilton to a team that had gone on a signing spree that had brought some high profile CFL and NFL talent onto the Tabbies roster.
From the arrival of Henry Burris and Andy Fantuz from the west and the repatriation of Sam Giguere from the NFL, the offence that the Cats were expected to bring to the CFL East this year was the king of thinking that re-writes record books.
However, as is the case in these things, just because the names on the paper are impressive doesn't mean that the product on the field will shine and such has been the situation thus far in a frustrating 2012 campaign.
The Ti Cats on offence have been a perpetual work in motion, Henry Burris struggling at the helm, his high profile receiving corps the envy of the league at the start of the season having their troubles adjusting it would seem.
The defence, always a fierce thing to face when you travel to Ivor Wynne has had their troubles as well, surrendering points, collapsing in fourth quarters, not the menacing force of CFL legend.
It has been a horrid season so far in the farewell tour of Ivor Wynne, made worse by the fact that the hated Argonauts not only captured both ends of the Labour Day Classics, but now are competing and competing hard for first in the East, the chance to be the home side in this years Toronto hosted Grey Cup a very real possibility.
Dire times indeed for any Hamiltonian, though, perhaps a corner has been turned, last weeks total annihilation of the Edmonton Eskimos just the tonic for what ailed the Cats thus far in 2012.
If ever a game came along that showcased everything that the CFL thought would be the Ti Cats this year it was last weeks 51-8 smoking of the Esks, everything was clicking on the weekend.
Burris was hot, as hot as he's been all year, his receiving corps sure handed and spectacular, a running game that punished the Eskimo defence with every carry, special teams which have been the one real bright spot in Hamilton this year once again had a strong game.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Cats were in full smash mouth mode, the Esks could not gain any traction, each set of downs ending in frustration and surrender, it was as though everyone found the magic potion at the same time.
The Cats who still have an uphill battle ahead of them, they've fallen behind the front runners in the East by four and six points, the prospect of a Western Crossover team is also there, though Hamilton did themselves a major favour by knocking Edmonton off on the weekend.
Some more ground could be made up with the trip this weekend to Winnipeg, the Bombers as woeful as they've been in decades seem very confused and have lost all of that much talked about swagger of last year, they are once again ripe for a shellacking, the Cats having found their game last weekend can get back into the CFL East race with a convincing win on Friday night.
It will tell much about whether their win over Edmonton was the beginning of the climb back into respectability, or just a mirage that quickly passed by.
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats dig deep to stay alive
Hamilton Spectator- Reports of the Ticats' demise greatly exaggerated
Hamilton Spectator-- Ticats special teams play has certainly been, well, special this season
Toronto Sun-- No rest for Tiger-Cats in their quest for CFL playoffs
National Post-- Ticats show brute strength in rout of Eskimos
Friday, September 14, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 12
Standings that are for the most part rather congested make week number 12 a pivotal one for more than a few of the hopefuls with thoughts of a Grey Cup berth on their minds.
With the exception of the cellar dwellers of the east, where Hamilton and Winnipeg are still trying to fathom what has gone very wrong in a season they had high hopes for, the remainder of the CFL's squads are still very much in the mix to claim a first place finish, the Western teams have even more to keep in mind, success through to November could at the worst provide for a cross over berth in the East semi.
So, while the Cats and Bombers work on their fundamentals and avoid the newspapers, the pulling away group get to work at keeping their pace going strong, an eye on a first place finish and hosting duties for a divisional final the interim goal, with of course the Grey Cup still the ultimate destination for all.
Friday night opens up the week 12 schedule with those struggling Bombers trying to find their answers in Calgary, no doubt a pretty large task is ahead of them, the Stamps having swept the Eskimos in the home and home over Labour Day are but two points out of first in the West, challenging the Lions for the top honours of the division.
While one imagines that one day the Bombers may finally find a way not to lose a game, the odds surely would suggest that Friday won't be that day.
The Cats may finally have a break cutting their way this week, the struggling Eskimos, who have found disappointment at their door twice through the Labour Day games will be looking to turn around their fortunes on Saturday, before the losing skid becomes a pattern.
Hamilton has been living that pattern for the majority of the season, losing games in a baffling manner, unable to close out what should have been victories, instead they are left on the sidelines at the end of the game once again wondering what went wrong.
They have another chance to avoid that fate with their home date of Saturday.
It's a battle of the first place teams in Vancouver this Saturday, the second half of the Saturday double header features the East leading Argos on the coast to take on the Lions. The Argos moved into first last weekend when the Lions dispatched the Alouettes with little difficulty, as impressive a performance as we've seen thus far in the year by the Lions, who very much are coming back into their own at just the right time of the year.
Travis Lulay threw the big numbers up on the board last week, the Lions defence keeping the Als from putting any of their own, crushing the Alouette attack with precision. Ricky Ray could very well have his hands full for most of the afternoon, a day which could see a serious reduction in his output as he deals with a very strong defensive group.
The weekend wraps up with the Saskatchewan Roughriders looking to extend their winning ways against the Alouettes. The Riders who were gifted a Banjo Bowl victory by the stumbling Bombers, will no doubt prefer to think back to Labour Day when they looked like a fearsome CFL machine.
The take on an Alouette team that once again had trouble on the West Coast a place that they're just not very successful at, in the friendly confines of Molson Stadium, the Als will be looking to correct their struggles of last week and move forward towards a showdown with Toronto for first.
Previews and reviews of week twelve can be found below.
Friday, September 14-- Winnipeg 3 at Calgary 44 28,247
Saturday, September 15-- Edmonton 8 at Hamilton 51 (24,162)
Saturday, September 15-- Toronto 23 at British Columbia 28 (28,526)
Sunday, September 16-- Saskatchewan 17 at Montreal 28 (23,147)
Ten Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Calgary
Hamilton
British Columbia
Montreal
Weekly Record
4 - 0
Overal Record
25 correct, 23 wrong
With the exception of the cellar dwellers of the east, where Hamilton and Winnipeg are still trying to fathom what has gone very wrong in a season they had high hopes for, the remainder of the CFL's squads are still very much in the mix to claim a first place finish, the Western teams have even more to keep in mind, success through to November could at the worst provide for a cross over berth in the East semi.
So, while the Cats and Bombers work on their fundamentals and avoid the newspapers, the pulling away group get to work at keeping their pace going strong, an eye on a first place finish and hosting duties for a divisional final the interim goal, with of course the Grey Cup still the ultimate destination for all.
Friday night opens up the week 12 schedule with those struggling Bombers trying to find their answers in Calgary, no doubt a pretty large task is ahead of them, the Stamps having swept the Eskimos in the home and home over Labour Day are but two points out of first in the West, challenging the Lions for the top honours of the division.
While one imagines that one day the Bombers may finally find a way not to lose a game, the odds surely would suggest that Friday won't be that day.
The Cats may finally have a break cutting their way this week, the struggling Eskimos, who have found disappointment at their door twice through the Labour Day games will be looking to turn around their fortunes on Saturday, before the losing skid becomes a pattern.
Hamilton has been living that pattern for the majority of the season, losing games in a baffling manner, unable to close out what should have been victories, instead they are left on the sidelines at the end of the game once again wondering what went wrong.
They have another chance to avoid that fate with their home date of Saturday.
It's a battle of the first place teams in Vancouver this Saturday, the second half of the Saturday double header features the East leading Argos on the coast to take on the Lions. The Argos moved into first last weekend when the Lions dispatched the Alouettes with little difficulty, as impressive a performance as we've seen thus far in the year by the Lions, who very much are coming back into their own at just the right time of the year.
Travis Lulay threw the big numbers up on the board last week, the Lions defence keeping the Als from putting any of their own, crushing the Alouette attack with precision. Ricky Ray could very well have his hands full for most of the afternoon, a day which could see a serious reduction in his output as he deals with a very strong defensive group.
The weekend wraps up with the Saskatchewan Roughriders looking to extend their winning ways against the Alouettes. The Riders who were gifted a Banjo Bowl victory by the stumbling Bombers, will no doubt prefer to think back to Labour Day when they looked like a fearsome CFL machine.
The take on an Alouette team that once again had trouble on the West Coast a place that they're just not very successful at, in the friendly confines of Molson Stadium, the Als will be looking to correct their struggles of last week and move forward towards a showdown with Toronto for first.
Previews and reviews of week twelve can be found below.
Friday, September 14-- Winnipeg 3 at Calgary 44 28,247
Saturday, September 15-- Edmonton 8 at Hamilton 51 (24,162)
Saturday, September 15-- Toronto 23 at British Columbia 28 (28,526)
Sunday, September 16-- Saskatchewan 17 at Montreal 28 (23,147)
Ten Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Calgary
Hamilton
British Columbia
Montreal
Weekly Record
4 - 0
Overal Record
25 correct, 23 wrong
Friday, September 07, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 11
With Labour Day passing us by, the CFL schedule heads into the back nine of the year's efforts, and there's no better way it seems to mark such a thing that to have a replay of all of last weeks games, all be it in the other team's park.
Four games that could provide for much in the way of movement in the CFL standings, or in the case of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers provide for much in the way of letting the folks at home know if they actually have an inclination to score some points.
Last week of course, the Bombers had no such inclination, the Riders totally dominated them, much to the revelry of the Mosaic Field crowd, who perhaps were worn out by the time the score clock clicked 52 for the Green and 0 for the Blue.
There will be a loyal band of Rider fans making the trip to Winnipeg, no doubt more than a little excited at the possibilities of a replay from last Sunday.
The Winnipeg / Saskatchewan game may not be the most anticipated of the week's rematches, but it will certainly provide for some of the most interest, if only to see if the Bombers are truly as bad as they indicated last week.
Week 11 gets under way Friday night with the Eskimos and Stamps renewing acquaintances at Commonwealth Stadium, where a huge crowd is expected, hopeful that the home side will correct some of their troubles from last week.
Also on the schedule for the weekend, the TiCats heading down the QEW to Toronto looking to take back the two points they surrendered last week at home, unaccustomed to losing on Labour Day, the Cats made the usual amount of errors that seem to derail them each week, giving the Argos the momentum to carry forward on to victory. Toronto will be looking to show the home folk that in addition to knocking down the neighbours a peg or two, they are starting to get into sync on the field and set to make their run for the playoffs and the chance to host the Grey Cup as the home side.
The Lions and Alouettes will round out the schedule, BC hoping to get back on track after last weeks disappointment in Montreal, still holding the top spot in the West, the Lions will look to gain a win to keep their spot in place. Montreal, which has had a very successful August, will be eager to continue on with the winning ways through the early portion of September.
Previews and reviews of week eleven can be found below
Friday, September 7 -- Calgary 20 at Edmonton 18 (39,363 )
Saturday, September 8-- Hamilton 31 at Toronto 45 (23,061)
Saturday, September 8-- Montreal 10 at British Columbia 43 (29,734)
Sunday, September 9-- Saskatchewan 25 at Winnipeg 24 (30,077)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Edmonton
Hamilton
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Weekly Record
2 - 2
Overall Record
21 correct, 23 wrong
Four games that could provide for much in the way of movement in the CFL standings, or in the case of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers provide for much in the way of letting the folks at home know if they actually have an inclination to score some points.
Last week of course, the Bombers had no such inclination, the Riders totally dominated them, much to the revelry of the Mosaic Field crowd, who perhaps were worn out by the time the score clock clicked 52 for the Green and 0 for the Blue.
There will be a loyal band of Rider fans making the trip to Winnipeg, no doubt more than a little excited at the possibilities of a replay from last Sunday.
The Winnipeg / Saskatchewan game may not be the most anticipated of the week's rematches, but it will certainly provide for some of the most interest, if only to see if the Bombers are truly as bad as they indicated last week.
Week 11 gets under way Friday night with the Eskimos and Stamps renewing acquaintances at Commonwealth Stadium, where a huge crowd is expected, hopeful that the home side will correct some of their troubles from last week.
Also on the schedule for the weekend, the TiCats heading down the QEW to Toronto looking to take back the two points they surrendered last week at home, unaccustomed to losing on Labour Day, the Cats made the usual amount of errors that seem to derail them each week, giving the Argos the momentum to carry forward on to victory. Toronto will be looking to show the home folk that in addition to knocking down the neighbours a peg or two, they are starting to get into sync on the field and set to make their run for the playoffs and the chance to host the Grey Cup as the home side.
The Lions and Alouettes will round out the schedule, BC hoping to get back on track after last weeks disappointment in Montreal, still holding the top spot in the West, the Lions will look to gain a win to keep their spot in place. Montreal, which has had a very successful August, will be eager to continue on with the winning ways through the early portion of September.
Previews and reviews of week eleven can be found below
Friday, September 7 -- Calgary 20 at Edmonton 18 (39,363 )
Saturday, September 8-- Hamilton 31 at Toronto 45 (23,061)
Saturday, September 8-- Montreal 10 at British Columbia 43 (29,734)
Sunday, September 9-- Saskatchewan 25 at Winnipeg 24 (30,077)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Edmonton
Hamilton
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Weekly Record
2 - 2
Overall Record
21 correct, 23 wrong
Friday, August 31, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 10
The Labour Day weekend is always the key measuring stick for CFL teams, the mark where teams have a feel for where they are heading into the home stretch of the year and the stacking for playoff berths gets under way.
Beyond the traditional rivalries that always make for entertaining football, the Labour Day weekend dictates that the time to knuckle down and get in gear is at hand.
To that, the BC Lions make the trip to Montreal, anxious to continue on with their winning ways, more than aware that the sleeping giant of the CFL may be starting to rise from what has been a rather slumber filled regular season thus far. The Als finally seem to be firing on both offence and defence, making for an interesting challenge for the defending Grey Cup champs.
The games steeped in rivalry take over the schedule for the rest of the weekend, with the Bombers and Riders renewing their ages old reunion at Mosaic Field. Two struggling teams that need a win very badly, the Bombers with a new coach in charge and to impress, the Riders more than aware that the locals are getting a little anxious at their inability to close the deal in the fourth quarter.
The Argos make the trek down the QEW into Hamilton for the annual Labour day war, the last one of its kind in the old yard at Ivor Wynne, the Cats have been struggling to find the win column over the last few weeks, so will be in even more of a snarly mood than usual, making no doubt for a hard hitting nasty affair in Hamilton.
And the weekend and summer wraps up in Calgary, where the Stamps take on their provincial rivals the Eskimos, the best of Shelbyville vs Springfield, two towns and two teams that don't particularly like each other, with the Eskimos a surprising contender this season, while the Stamps have been struggling to find their pace so far this year. Making the Labour Day Classic a point where perhaps one of the two takes control of their destiny for 2012.
Previews and reviews of week ten can be found below
Friday, August 31-- British Columbia 25 at Montreal 30 (22,239)
Sunday, September 2-- Winnipeg 0 at Saskatchewan 52 (33,427)
Monday, September 3-- Toronto 33 at Hamilton 30 (31,032)
Monday, September 3-- Edmonton 30 at Calgary 31 (32,102)
Twelve men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Hamilton
Edmonton
Weekly Record
1 - 3
Overall Record
19 correct, 21 wrong
Beyond the traditional rivalries that always make for entertaining football, the Labour Day weekend dictates that the time to knuckle down and get in gear is at hand.
To that, the BC Lions make the trip to Montreal, anxious to continue on with their winning ways, more than aware that the sleeping giant of the CFL may be starting to rise from what has been a rather slumber filled regular season thus far. The Als finally seem to be firing on both offence and defence, making for an interesting challenge for the defending Grey Cup champs.
The games steeped in rivalry take over the schedule for the rest of the weekend, with the Bombers and Riders renewing their ages old reunion at Mosaic Field. Two struggling teams that need a win very badly, the Bombers with a new coach in charge and to impress, the Riders more than aware that the locals are getting a little anxious at their inability to close the deal in the fourth quarter.
The Argos make the trek down the QEW into Hamilton for the annual Labour day war, the last one of its kind in the old yard at Ivor Wynne, the Cats have been struggling to find the win column over the last few weeks, so will be in even more of a snarly mood than usual, making no doubt for a hard hitting nasty affair in Hamilton.
And the weekend and summer wraps up in Calgary, where the Stamps take on their provincial rivals the Eskimos, the best of Shelbyville vs Springfield, two towns and two teams that don't particularly like each other, with the Eskimos a surprising contender this season, while the Stamps have been struggling to find their pace so far this year. Making the Labour Day Classic a point where perhaps one of the two takes control of their destiny for 2012.
Previews and reviews of week ten can be found below
Friday, August 31-- British Columbia 25 at Montreal 30 (22,239)
Sunday, September 2-- Winnipeg 0 at Saskatchewan 52 (33,427)
Monday, September 3-- Toronto 33 at Hamilton 30 (31,032)
Monday, September 3-- Edmonton 30 at Calgary 31 (32,102)
Twelve men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Hamilton
Edmonton
Weekly Record
1 - 3
Overall Record
19 correct, 21 wrong
CFL 2012 Regular Season Week 9
Away from our post for a couple of weeks, we attempt to catch up with past events while moving ahead to the home stretch of the CFL season.
We'll skip the previews and reviews of the past two weeks, but update the results below and on last week's page, we will however keep our prognostication table updated, as we have kept a record of our picks from the CFL pool we're involved in.
Thursday, August 23-- Hamilton 29 at Montreal 31(22,140)
Friday, August 24-- British Columbia 20 at Winnipeg 17 (29,533)
Saturday, August 25-- Calgary 17 at Saskatchewan10 (33,427)
Sunday, August 27-- Edmonton 26 at Toronto 17 (22,912)
Twelve men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Edmonton
Weekly Record
2-2
Overall Record
18 correct, 18 wrong
We'll skip the previews and reviews of the past two weeks, but update the results below and on last week's page, we will however keep our prognostication table updated, as we have kept a record of our picks from the CFL pool we're involved in.
Thursday, August 23-- Hamilton 29 at Montreal 31(22,140)
Friday, August 24-- British Columbia 20 at Winnipeg 17 (29,533)
Saturday, August 25-- Calgary 17 at Saskatchewan10 (33,427)
Sunday, August 27-- Edmonton 26 at Toronto 17 (22,912)
Twelve men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
British Columbia
Saskatchewan
Edmonton
Weekly Record
2-2
Overall Record
18 correct, 18 wrong
Thursday, August 16, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 8
It's back to work for all of the CFL's teams this week, the August bye weeks a thing of the past, the Labour Day benchmark fast approaching.
Week eight provides the measuring point for a number of teams, some of them having a surprising year thus far, others one that is trending towards potential disaster.
Winnipeg holds the latter category, testing out quarterback number three on the year, awaiting the return of Buck Pierce with Alex Brink giving way to Joey Elliot, raw meat for the visiting Tiger Cats who have some pent up anger to deliver after last weeks disappointing loss to Calgary. Winnipeg's season is fast approaching a meltdown and a quick scan of the Winnipeg papers highlights that sense of frustration set to boil over.
The Eskimos on the other have been the surprise thus far of the CFL season and while Steven Jyles has had a few bumps along the way, he's managed to hold his own heading into week 8, the Esks holding a share of the top of the West thanks to a strong defensive game so far. They take their game to Montreal, where the Als have been having a rather lack lustre season heading to the end of August. Still however within striking range of the top of the east.
The Stamps will be looking to build on Jon Cornish's outstanding performance last week in Hamilton, the Stamps play host to the Toronto Argonauts, a team that while moving forward still appears to be a bit of a work in progress. Ricky Ray who struggled with untimely turnovers last week, will be looking to regain some of his stride when he returns to McMahon Stadium, a familiar haunt for the former Eskimo.
The week wraps up with the Saskatchewan Roughriders heading west to the heatwave in Vancouver, though realistically it probably will resemble nothing more than a particularly warm Saskatchewan day when they arrive. The real heat is in the Rider locker room, where fourth quarter collapses and defensive miscues have been the norm in the last few weeks of play. Will history repeat itself once again, check back after 45 minutes... The Lions coming off their August bye week will be looking to return to the run they had been on before the break, a two week winning streak that had looked rather impressive, whether the week off cools off the Lions to the relief of the Riders will play out on Sunday.
Previews and reviews of week eight can be found below.
Thursday, August 16 -- Hamilton 25 at Winnipeg 32 (27,039)
Friday, August 17-- Montreal 38 at Edmonton 25 (32,760)
Saturday, August 18-- Toronto 22 at Calgary 14 (28,246)
Sunday, August 19-- Saskatchewan 5 at British Columbia 24 (22,912)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
Edmonton
Calgary
British Columbia
Weekly Record
1 - 3
Overall Record
14 correct, 14 wrong
Week eight provides the measuring point for a number of teams, some of them having a surprising year thus far, others one that is trending towards potential disaster.
Winnipeg holds the latter category, testing out quarterback number three on the year, awaiting the return of Buck Pierce with Alex Brink giving way to Joey Elliot, raw meat for the visiting Tiger Cats who have some pent up anger to deliver after last weeks disappointing loss to Calgary. Winnipeg's season is fast approaching a meltdown and a quick scan of the Winnipeg papers highlights that sense of frustration set to boil over.
The Eskimos on the other have been the surprise thus far of the CFL season and while Steven Jyles has had a few bumps along the way, he's managed to hold his own heading into week 8, the Esks holding a share of the top of the West thanks to a strong defensive game so far. They take their game to Montreal, where the Als have been having a rather lack lustre season heading to the end of August. Still however within striking range of the top of the east.
The Stamps will be looking to build on Jon Cornish's outstanding performance last week in Hamilton, the Stamps play host to the Toronto Argonauts, a team that while moving forward still appears to be a bit of a work in progress. Ricky Ray who struggled with untimely turnovers last week, will be looking to regain some of his stride when he returns to McMahon Stadium, a familiar haunt for the former Eskimo.
The week wraps up with the Saskatchewan Roughriders heading west to the heatwave in Vancouver, though realistically it probably will resemble nothing more than a particularly warm Saskatchewan day when they arrive. The real heat is in the Rider locker room, where fourth quarter collapses and defensive miscues have been the norm in the last few weeks of play. Will history repeat itself once again, check back after 45 minutes... The Lions coming off their August bye week will be looking to return to the run they had been on before the break, a two week winning streak that had looked rather impressive, whether the week off cools off the Lions to the relief of the Riders will play out on Sunday.
Previews and reviews of week eight can be found below.
Thursday, August 16 -- Hamilton 25 at Winnipeg 32 (27,039)
Friday, August 17-- Montreal 38 at Edmonton 25 (32,760)
Saturday, August 18-- Toronto 22 at Calgary 14 (28,246)
Sunday, August 19-- Saskatchewan 5 at British Columbia 24 (22,912)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
Edmonton
Calgary
British Columbia
Weekly Record
1 - 3
Overall Record
14 correct, 14 wrong
Thursday, August 09, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 7
The final bye week games take place this weekend, as the Stamps, Tiger Cats, Esks and Riders work the weekend while the rest of the CFL's teams enjoy their mid summer break.
Week seven gets under way on Thursday night as the Stamps travel to Hamilton, a chance for Henry Burris to renew acquaintances with the Red and White and perhaps offer up a serving of How do yo like me now, Burris has been on fire in recent weeks for the Cats, while the Stamps are struggling their way through the early portion of the CFL season.
The Stamps have turned the ball over to Kevin Glenn, who returns to his old stomping grounds of Ivor Wynne no doubt hopeful to show the TiCats supporters that there is still a bit of life left in his arm and legs.
Hamilton stumbled out of the gate in 2012, but since their opening week has been evolving into the solid, hard nosed squad that many anticipated as the season began. Burris has quickly found the strengths of the Ti Cat offence and made good use of his offensive options, while defensively the Cats have once again made a trip to Ivor Wynn about as welcome as a drop in to have a root canal taken care of.
The second half of the weekend's work week features the Esks and the Riders getting together for another of their border crossing affairs. The Riders who at one point were flirting with the concept of an undefeated season have had some serious Defensive lapses over the last few weeks, blowing incredible leads to lose in the dying moments, it will no doubt be to that which the Riders will be seeking to address over the break.
Consistency is the key for the Eskimos, who have shown flashes of progress this year only to have a stumble or two along the way. Untimely errors and turnovers have provided for the bulk of the Eskimo woes over the first six weeks, however, overall the Esks management must be pleased that their team is starting to get things together as quick as they have.
The off season trade of starter Ricky Ray is still a sore point with many of the Eskimo faithful, but Steven Jyles has had his moments of success (followed of course with a few glaring moments in the other direction) perhaps not to be the long term replacement for Ray, but providing enough of his work to keep the Eskimos in the hunt for playoff success and in a transition year that may be just what the Eskimos needed.
Previews and reviews of week seven can be found below.
Thursday, August 9-- Calgary 31 at Hamilton 20 22,635
Friday, August 10-- Saskatchewan 20 at Edmonton 28 43,178
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
Saskatchewan
Weekly Record
0 - 2
Overall Record
13 correct, 11 wrong
Week seven gets under way on Thursday night as the Stamps travel to Hamilton, a chance for Henry Burris to renew acquaintances with the Red and White and perhaps offer up a serving of How do yo like me now, Burris has been on fire in recent weeks for the Cats, while the Stamps are struggling their way through the early portion of the CFL season.
The Stamps have turned the ball over to Kevin Glenn, who returns to his old stomping grounds of Ivor Wynne no doubt hopeful to show the TiCats supporters that there is still a bit of life left in his arm and legs.
Hamilton stumbled out of the gate in 2012, but since their opening week has been evolving into the solid, hard nosed squad that many anticipated as the season began. Burris has quickly found the strengths of the Ti Cat offence and made good use of his offensive options, while defensively the Cats have once again made a trip to Ivor Wynn about as welcome as a drop in to have a root canal taken care of.
The second half of the weekend's work week features the Esks and the Riders getting together for another of their border crossing affairs. The Riders who at one point were flirting with the concept of an undefeated season have had some serious Defensive lapses over the last few weeks, blowing incredible leads to lose in the dying moments, it will no doubt be to that which the Riders will be seeking to address over the break.
Consistency is the key for the Eskimos, who have shown flashes of progress this year only to have a stumble or two along the way. Untimely errors and turnovers have provided for the bulk of the Eskimo woes over the first six weeks, however, overall the Esks management must be pleased that their team is starting to get things together as quick as they have.
The off season trade of starter Ricky Ray is still a sore point with many of the Eskimo faithful, but Steven Jyles has had his moments of success (followed of course with a few glaring moments in the other direction) perhaps not to be the long term replacement for Ray, but providing enough of his work to keep the Eskimos in the hunt for playoff success and in a transition year that may be just what the Eskimos needed.
Previews and reviews of week seven can be found below.
Thursday, August 9-- Calgary 31 at Hamilton 20 22,635
Friday, August 10-- Saskatchewan 20 at Edmonton 28 43,178
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
Saskatchewan
Weekly Record
0 - 2
Overall Record
13 correct, 11 wrong
Friday, August 03, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 6
Thinking that perhaps Canadians will be gathered around the TV watching the Olympics, or more likely that TSN is so clogged with Olympic programming that the CFL may have been too large a burden to bear, the CFL has gone into its summer vacation mode.
Splitting up the usual four games a week into two games per week over the next two weeks, the first week split by the long weekend.
Week six gets underway in Winnipeg, where the Blue Bombers still savouring their successful staving off of the Eskimos last minute drive last week, will put their winning streak of one on the line tonight against the struggling Montreal Alouettes.
It's a good test for both teams, for the Bombers to see if they have solved a few of their trouble spots of the first four weeks and for Montreal to determine if they can reverse a worrisome trend that has highlighted some of the cracks in the Alouettes line up.
A win for the Bombers would offer up some evidence to the home crowd that all is not lost in the 2012 season, bringing the Bombers even with the Als in the East standings, still within striking distance of first place.
Likewise the Als could improbably find themselves tied for first place in the East with a victory of their own. More importantly though, a win for the Als would serve to quiet some of the concern starting to percolate in Montreal from both the press and the fans.
The weekend wrap up game comes on Monday, when the Argonauts hope to see all those cottage exiles return in time to see them take on the British Columbia Lions. The Argos have played more consistent football as the season moves forward this year, growing more confident by the week as Ricky Ray begins to get a better understanding of what he has to work with on the Argo offence.
Defensively the Argos are holding the fort, making life difficult for opposing offensive units, as good a test for the Argos defence as they may get comes this weekend with the Lions. Travis Lulay finally unleashed his offence last week in Calgary, a session we're sure the Argos viewed with much interest.
Previews and reviews of both games can be found below
Friday, August 3-- Montreal 36 at Winnipeg 26 29,533
Monday, August 6-- British Columbia 18 at Toronto 9 22,841
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Winnipeg
British Columbia
Weekly Record
1 - 1
Overall Record
13 correct, 9 wrong
Splitting up the usual four games a week into two games per week over the next two weeks, the first week split by the long weekend.
Week six gets underway in Winnipeg, where the Blue Bombers still savouring their successful staving off of the Eskimos last minute drive last week, will put their winning streak of one on the line tonight against the struggling Montreal Alouettes.
It's a good test for both teams, for the Bombers to see if they have solved a few of their trouble spots of the first four weeks and for Montreal to determine if they can reverse a worrisome trend that has highlighted some of the cracks in the Alouettes line up.
A win for the Bombers would offer up some evidence to the home crowd that all is not lost in the 2012 season, bringing the Bombers even with the Als in the East standings, still within striking distance of first place.
Likewise the Als could improbably find themselves tied for first place in the East with a victory of their own. More importantly though, a win for the Als would serve to quiet some of the concern starting to percolate in Montreal from both the press and the fans.
The weekend wrap up game comes on Monday, when the Argonauts hope to see all those cottage exiles return in time to see them take on the British Columbia Lions. The Argos have played more consistent football as the season moves forward this year, growing more confident by the week as Ricky Ray begins to get a better understanding of what he has to work with on the Argo offence.
Defensively the Argos are holding the fort, making life difficult for opposing offensive units, as good a test for the Argos defence as they may get comes this weekend with the Lions. Travis Lulay finally unleashed his offence last week in Calgary, a session we're sure the Argos viewed with much interest.
Previews and reviews of both games can be found below
Friday, August 3-- Montreal 36 at Winnipeg 26 29,533
Monday, August 6-- British Columbia 18 at Toronto 9 22,841
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Winnipeg
British Columbia
Weekly Record
1 - 1
Overall Record
13 correct, 9 wrong
Thursday, July 26, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 5
Will Week Five be the lucky week for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers? That's one of the plot lines for the final weekend of July as the Bombers still looking for a win in 2012, take on the Edmonton Eskimos in their home debut at Canad Inn Stadium.
Winnipeg's troubles provide for a recurring theme so far in 2012, injuries taking their toll on the defending Easter champions, who have suffered a rather severe change of direction from last November's Grey Cup appearance.
Toronto will seek to make the concerns in Montreal grow a little, Ricky Ray who is starting to mesh with his offence options heads into a gunslingers showdown with Anthony Calvillo with the Als, Montreal's problems however are more to the defensive and on special teams, two areas the Argos will seek to exploit on their trip.
The showcase game of the weekend could fall on Saturday as the rejuvenated Tiger Cats, who have looked good the last two weeks as Henry Burris hits his stride travel to Saskatchewan, facing a Rider team that is still smarting from last weeks late game collapse against the Stampeders. Add into the mix a return of one time Rider Burris and the forecast is for a hard hitting, possibly shoot out the lights kind of day.
BC rounds out the weekend schedule heading off to Calgary, the Lions struggling of late have suffered losses mainly of their own making, turnovers proving to be a costly thing sliding them down the Western standings. Calgary will seek to build on last weeks character win over the Riders to continue the Lions troubles for another week.
Previews and Reviews of the weeks action can be found below:
Thursday, July 26-- Edmonton 22 at Winnipeg 23 (29,533)
Friday, July 27-- Toronto 23 at Montreal 20, (22,773)
Saturday, July 28-- Hamilton 35 at Saskatchewan 34 (32,898)
Saturday, July 28-- British Columbia 34 at Calgary 8, (27,968)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Edmonton
Toronto
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Weekly Record
2 - 2
Overall Record
12 correct, 8 wrong
Winnipeg's troubles provide for a recurring theme so far in 2012, injuries taking their toll on the defending Easter champions, who have suffered a rather severe change of direction from last November's Grey Cup appearance.
Toronto will seek to make the concerns in Montreal grow a little, Ricky Ray who is starting to mesh with his offence options heads into a gunslingers showdown with Anthony Calvillo with the Als, Montreal's problems however are more to the defensive and on special teams, two areas the Argos will seek to exploit on their trip.
The showcase game of the weekend could fall on Saturday as the rejuvenated Tiger Cats, who have looked good the last two weeks as Henry Burris hits his stride travel to Saskatchewan, facing a Rider team that is still smarting from last weeks late game collapse against the Stampeders. Add into the mix a return of one time Rider Burris and the forecast is for a hard hitting, possibly shoot out the lights kind of day.
BC rounds out the weekend schedule heading off to Calgary, the Lions struggling of late have suffered losses mainly of their own making, turnovers proving to be a costly thing sliding them down the Western standings. Calgary will seek to build on last weeks character win over the Riders to continue the Lions troubles for another week.
Previews and Reviews of the weeks action can be found below:
Thursday, July 26-- Edmonton 22 at Winnipeg 23 (29,533)
Friday, July 27-- Toronto 23 at Montreal 20, (22,773)
Saturday, July 28-- Hamilton 35 at Saskatchewan 34 (32,898)
Saturday, July 28-- British Columbia 34 at Calgary 8, (27,968)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Edmonton
Toronto
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Weekly Record
2 - 2
Overall Record
12 correct, 8 wrong
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 4
The fourth week of the 2012 campaign provides for two teams on a very different path thus far, on one hand we have the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in a worrisome tailspin for the fans of River City, seeking their first win of the season, wrapping up the last of a four game road trip to open the season, a trip planned last year with the thought that they would have a new home to call their own upon their return.
Alas, the best laid plans do tend to go astray.
Across the line in Saskatchewan, the Rider Nation is thrilled beyond their wildest dreams, the home side is undefeated heading into week 4 and finally the stadium issue has been settled with a new park destined for Saskatchewan in 2017.
The Bombers will seek to get that elusive W in Toronto to open up week 4, while the Riders are off to Calgary to try to keep that streak alive.
The week also features the Lions hosting the Eskimos and the Tiger Cats seemingly back on track after a victory over Toronto last weekend will face the Alouettes at Ivor Wynne.
If one were to offer any advice to the Alouettes for Saturday, it might be don't send the ball in the direction of Chris Williams, the Ticats kick return specialist was a one man wrecking crew for Hamilton last weekend, providing for a number of spectacular runs which are helping to build his legend in the CFL for 2012.
Previews and Reviews of the weeks action can be found below.
Wednesday, July 18-- Winnipeg 22 at Toronto 25 (22,485)
Thursday, July 19-- Saskatchewan 38 at Calgary 41 (32,228)
Friday, July 20-- Edmonton 27 at British Columbia 14 (28,335)
Saturday, July 21-- Montreal 24 at Hamilton 39 (23,392)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Toronto
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Hamilton
Weekly Record
2 - 4
Overall Record
10 correct, 6 wrong
Alas, the best laid plans do tend to go astray.
Across the line in Saskatchewan, the Rider Nation is thrilled beyond their wildest dreams, the home side is undefeated heading into week 4 and finally the stadium issue has been settled with a new park destined for Saskatchewan in 2017.
The Bombers will seek to get that elusive W in Toronto to open up week 4, while the Riders are off to Calgary to try to keep that streak alive.
The week also features the Lions hosting the Eskimos and the Tiger Cats seemingly back on track after a victory over Toronto last weekend will face the Alouettes at Ivor Wynne.
If one were to offer any advice to the Alouettes for Saturday, it might be don't send the ball in the direction of Chris Williams, the Ticats kick return specialist was a one man wrecking crew for Hamilton last weekend, providing for a number of spectacular runs which are helping to build his legend in the CFL for 2012.
Previews and Reviews of the weeks action can be found below.
Wednesday, July 18-- Winnipeg 22 at Toronto 25 (22,485)
Thursday, July 19-- Saskatchewan 38 at Calgary 41 (32,228)
Friday, July 20-- Edmonton 27 at British Columbia 14 (28,335)
Saturday, July 21-- Montreal 24 at Hamilton 39 (23,392)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Toronto
Saskatchewan
British Columbia
Hamilton
Weekly Record
2 - 4
Overall Record
10 correct, 6 wrong
Thursday, July 12, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 3
Week Number three offers up a number of themes for consideration, chief among them the second guessing that Eric Tillman is suffering in Edmonton these days.
While Mr. Tillman reconsiders his past decisions, Game Time arrives for the Eskimos on Friday, where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers continue their marathon road excursion, which we imagine was created so as to enjoy the ambiance of the new stadium in the fall, a plan which of course has been tossed as the stadium won't be ready until next year. So the road warriors will make one last road game before a journey home, Friday's game yet another attempt to ruin Mr. Tillman's day once more.
Before that tough, the Stamps and Als will kick off the week with a Thursday night game, the Stamps without Drew Tate, who is out for five to six weeks, leaving Kevin Glenn in charge and no doubt anxious to show that perhaps the East gave up on him just a little bit too soon.
Saturday provides a showdown of the Western leaders as the league's two undefeated teams thus far take to the field at Mosaic, the Green Riders riding the fun of a two game winning streak, though no doubt with memories of last weeks offensive struggles still on their minds. For the Lions, it's an opportunity to keep the good vibe rolling along, knocking down a Western rival in the process.
The wrap to week three takes us to Hamilton where the rivalry of Southern Ontario resumes, as the Argos travel to Hamilton to take on the Cats, always an entertaining affair and this one steeped in the history of Ivor Wynne and the countdown to closing time.
Thursday, July 12-- Calgary 32 at Montreal 33 (21,074)
Friday, July 13-- Winnipeg 10 at Edmonton 42 (32,607)
Saturday, July 14-- British Columbia 20 at Saskatchewan 23 (32,080)
Saturday July 14-- Toronto 27 at Hamilton 36 (24,264)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Montreal
Winnipeg
British Columbia
Hamilton
Weekly Record
2 - 2
Overal Record
8 correct, 4 wrong
While Mr. Tillman reconsiders his past decisions, Game Time arrives for the Eskimos on Friday, where the Winnipeg Blue Bombers continue their marathon road excursion, which we imagine was created so as to enjoy the ambiance of the new stadium in the fall, a plan which of course has been tossed as the stadium won't be ready until next year. So the road warriors will make one last road game before a journey home, Friday's game yet another attempt to ruin Mr. Tillman's day once more.
Before that tough, the Stamps and Als will kick off the week with a Thursday night game, the Stamps without Drew Tate, who is out for five to six weeks, leaving Kevin Glenn in charge and no doubt anxious to show that perhaps the East gave up on him just a little bit too soon.
Saturday provides a showdown of the Western leaders as the league's two undefeated teams thus far take to the field at Mosaic, the Green Riders riding the fun of a two game winning streak, though no doubt with memories of last weeks offensive struggles still on their minds. For the Lions, it's an opportunity to keep the good vibe rolling along, knocking down a Western rival in the process.
The wrap to week three takes us to Hamilton where the rivalry of Southern Ontario resumes, as the Argos travel to Hamilton to take on the Cats, always an entertaining affair and this one steeped in the history of Ivor Wynne and the countdown to closing time.
Thursday, July 12-- Calgary 32 at Montreal 33 (21,074)
Friday, July 13-- Winnipeg 10 at Edmonton 42 (32,607)
Saturday, July 14-- British Columbia 20 at Saskatchewan 23 (32,080)
Saturday July 14-- Toronto 27 at Hamilton 36 (24,264)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Montreal
Winnipeg
British Columbia
Hamilton
Weekly Record
2 - 2
Overal Record
8 correct, 4 wrong
Friday, July 06, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 2
For the eastern based teams week number two is a hopeful bounce back week, with week one a sweep by the West, the second week of CFL play finds a few eastern teams looking to prove that they're ready for prime time after all..
The Alouettes will hope to show that they actually do have a defence this season when the host the Bombers, the Blue once again facing questions as to the survivability of their Quarterback Buck Pierce, injured in the season opener, but a possible starter Friday.
The Ti Cats travel West to face the Lions, eager to showcase their rejuvenated offence, of Burris, Fantuz, Giguere, Cobourne et al, an offence that sputtered out of the gate in their season debut last week at Ivor Wynee.
The Stamps having vacated McMahon for Stampede week are in Toronto for the Argos home opener, a familiar face to meet them on the offensive side of the ball for the Double Blue as Ricky Ray renews his acquaintances from his days with the Esks and Stamps.
The week wraps up on Sunday with a home opener for the Roughriders, as the Eskimos make the trek into Saskatchewan. The Riders were the toast of week one with an impressive display over the Ti Cats, Rider fans are no doubt hopeful for an encore against the Esks to bring week two to an end.
Friday, July 6 -- Winnipeg 30 at Montreal 41 (21,016)
Friday, July 6 -- Hamilton 36 at British Columbia 39 (25,109)
Saturday, July 7 -- Calgary 36 at Toronto 39 (20,682)
Sunday, July 8 -- Edmonton 1 at Saskatchewan 17 (31,459)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Montreal
British Columbia
Calgary
Saskatchewan
Weekly Record
3 - 4
Overall Record
6 correct, 2 wrong
The Alouettes will hope to show that they actually do have a defence this season when the host the Bombers, the Blue once again facing questions as to the survivability of their Quarterback Buck Pierce, injured in the season opener, but a possible starter Friday.
The Ti Cats travel West to face the Lions, eager to showcase their rejuvenated offence, of Burris, Fantuz, Giguere, Cobourne et al, an offence that sputtered out of the gate in their season debut last week at Ivor Wynee.
The Stamps having vacated McMahon for Stampede week are in Toronto for the Argos home opener, a familiar face to meet them on the offensive side of the ball for the Double Blue as Ricky Ray renews his acquaintances from his days with the Esks and Stamps.
The week wraps up on Sunday with a home opener for the Roughriders, as the Eskimos make the trek into Saskatchewan. The Riders were the toast of week one with an impressive display over the Ti Cats, Rider fans are no doubt hopeful for an encore against the Esks to bring week two to an end.
Friday, July 6 -- Winnipeg 30 at Montreal 41 (21,016)
Friday, July 6 -- Hamilton 36 at British Columbia 39 (25,109)
Saturday, July 7 -- Calgary 36 at Toronto 39 (20,682)
Sunday, July 8 -- Edmonton 1 at Saskatchewan 17 (31,459)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Montreal
British Columbia
Calgary
Saskatchewan
Weekly Record
3 - 4
Overall Record
6 correct, 2 wrong
Friday, June 29, 2012
CFL 2012 Regular Season: Week 1
The CFL kicks off the quest for the 100th Grey Cup on the Canada Day weekend, providing a number of changes that could see some shifting of power in both the East and West Divisions.
The season offers up a farewell to an ancient yard of memories in Hamilton and a return to one in Winnipeg, where delays have resulted in the Bombers retiring to Maroons Road for one more year after all.
The rivalry of Alberta seemingly has shifted to Southern Ontario, where Ricky Ray and Henry Burris hope to transplant the success of the marquee franchises of Edmonton and Calgary into the football success starved locales of Toronto and Hamilton. The Tiger Cats dipping into a variety of western fields to gobble up what could be the CFL's most impressive offence on paper heading into 2012/
The Als, Bombers and Riders seek to reverse their fall back year of 2011, the Stamps and Esks look to rebuild and rejuvenate taking the challenge to the BC Lions, who heading into the 2012 season still would be the team to beat, a solid lineup, a Grey Cup champion and looking just as dangerous for this season as they did in the last half of the last one.
In Ottawa, another season arrives without a team to cheer on in the national capital, but there too progress is being made, with movement forward on the rebuild of Lansdowne Park and the prospect of the CFL's return in two years, fingers crossed and all of that.
While perfect symmetry might have seen the 100th anniversary celebrations as the logical return season for Ottawa, the occasionally meandering ways of official approval and bureaucracy in the home town, didn't quite coincide with the local ownership groups ambitions.
Still with a shovel to come to the ground shortly one hopes, the plans for a CFL return is in place, for now however, CFL fans in Ottawa will have to find another team to cheer on in 2012.
They can start the audition process this weekend.
Friday, June 29-- Saskatchewan 43 at Hamilton 16 (25,682)
Friday, June 29-- Winnipeg 16 at British Columbia 33 (29,351)
Saturday, June 30-- Toronto 15 at Edmonton 19 (35,538)
Sunday, July 1-- Montreal 10 at Calgary 38 (26.387)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
British Columbia
Edmonton
Calgary
Weekly Record
3 - 1
The season offers up a farewell to an ancient yard of memories in Hamilton and a return to one in Winnipeg, where delays have resulted in the Bombers retiring to Maroons Road for one more year after all.
The rivalry of Alberta seemingly has shifted to Southern Ontario, where Ricky Ray and Henry Burris hope to transplant the success of the marquee franchises of Edmonton and Calgary into the football success starved locales of Toronto and Hamilton. The Tiger Cats dipping into a variety of western fields to gobble up what could be the CFL's most impressive offence on paper heading into 2012/
The Als, Bombers and Riders seek to reverse their fall back year of 2011, the Stamps and Esks look to rebuild and rejuvenate taking the challenge to the BC Lions, who heading into the 2012 season still would be the team to beat, a solid lineup, a Grey Cup champion and looking just as dangerous for this season as they did in the last half of the last one.
In Ottawa, another season arrives without a team to cheer on in the national capital, but there too progress is being made, with movement forward on the rebuild of Lansdowne Park and the prospect of the CFL's return in two years, fingers crossed and all of that.
While perfect symmetry might have seen the 100th anniversary celebrations as the logical return season for Ottawa, the occasionally meandering ways of official approval and bureaucracy in the home town, didn't quite coincide with the local ownership groups ambitions.
Still with a shovel to come to the ground shortly one hopes, the plans for a CFL return is in place, for now however, CFL fans in Ottawa will have to find another team to cheer on in 2012.
They can start the audition process this weekend.
Friday, June 29-- Saskatchewan 43 at Hamilton 16 (25,682)
Friday, June 29-- Winnipeg 16 at British Columbia 33 (29,351)
Saturday, June 30-- Toronto 15 at Edmonton 19 (35,538)
Sunday, July 1-- Montreal 10 at Calgary 38 (26.387)
Twelve Men Prognostications: Predicted Winners
Hamilton
British Columbia
Edmonton
Calgary
Weekly Record
3 - 1
Saturday, May 05, 2012
A new season is just around the corner
As we prepare to follow another season of Canadian Football, we prepare to dust off the Twelve Men blog, digging around the corners, looking in the attic and wandering down to the basement to make ready our look at the 2012 season.
In the weeks to come we'll rebuild our team data base, review some of the developments in a very busy off season and gear up for the year ahead.
We plan on offering up some of the more familiar of items of the last few years, while reviewing those things that worked and those that perhaps didn't, changing the tone a bit and offering more commentary over the listing of content for the sake of content.
We also, aware as to how social media seems to be driving the sports agenda at times, will work to build up a catalogue of links and sites that offer up the best experience for the Canadian football fan.
It will be an evolving work in progress in the early going, if you have ideas you might wish to see on the pages of Twelve Men feel free to drop us a line and we'll see what works and what might not.The training camps are set to open, confidence as always high heading into the training camp phase, followed by the cold reality that some teams will obviously be better prepared than others.
And such it has been through the 100 years of Canadian football, kickoff beckons on the Canada Day weekend, we have plans to be fully back on track well before that ball gets placed on the tee.
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