2012 CFL Season

[Mowich]

There was a full moon in Mosaic Stadium yesterday - in, mind you, not over and it was the shiny white butt of Jon Cornish which provided it. He apparently mooned the fans on the East side of the stadium - what a twit. Just when you think Cornish has grown up and stopped his juvenile behavior, he pulls a stunt like this.

"That incident was a mistake on my part,’’ said Cornish, trotted out to address the situation. "I definitely just took it one step too far, or maybe a few steps too far. It reflects poorly on the organization.

"First of all I want to apologize to coach Huf, all the coaches, my teammates, all the Stampeder fans, the Stampeder organization and the Rider fans. They don’t deserve that.


"It was a bad call on my part. It was an extreme lack of judgment.’’

Stamps Jon Cornish apologizes for mooning Roughrider fans

Last week Rider head coach Cory Chamberlain stated that if Calgary Stampeder Jon Cornish ran for over a 100 yards, line changes would be made. Jon was only able to muster 67 yards yesterday and Joe Lobendahn was The Man who held him in check. Joe didn't just hold Jon back, he made 5 defensive tackles and a game-changing interception which resulted in a Weston Dressler TD for the Riders. The team never looked back from that point on.

Darian played well though he didn't run for any yardage yesterday as the coaching staff wanted to make sure his hip-flexor injury last week had more time to heal. He completed 22 of 35 passes for a total of 264 yards.

The one disappointment was Chris Getzlaf who continues to struggle with ball drops. Why they didn't pull him and put TJ Harris in the game is beyond me - since TJ joined the team, I have only seen him in one game.
​

After last week's debacle wherein the Riders wracked up more penalties points than they had all year, the discipline was much better this time around except for a couple of 15-yarders by veterans who should have known better.

The Riders won the game 30 to 25 to sit at 6 wins and 6 losses and in 3rd spot in the Western Division.

 

[Bar Sinister]

Looks like there may have to be a rule change. Two dreadlocks tackles in the same game and there is no rule against grabbing a player by his hair. CFL confirms hair pulling a legal way to make a tackle - The Globe and Mail

 

[Mowich]

Looks like there may have to be a rule change. Two dreadlocks tackles in the same game and there is no rule against grabbing a player by his hair. CFL confirms hair pulling a legal way to make a tackle - The Globe and Mail

Won't happen, Bar.


"Tom Higgins, the CFL's director of officiating, said Monday long hair is deemed a part of a player's equipment and can be used in the making of a tackle. The issue came to light Sunday when Montreal kick-returner Trent Gay was twice pulled down by his long dreadlocks in the Alouettes' 31-10 nationally televised home win over the Toronto Argonauts."

"The incident Sunday marked the first time a CFL player had been recorded grabbing another's hair to make a tackle. But it's an issue that's been front and centre in the NFL since 2003 when the league declared a player could be tackled by his hair."

CFL: Long hair part of uniform; can be used for tackling

 

[Bar Sinister]

Won't happen, Bar.


"Tom Higgins, the CFL's director of officiating, said Monday long hair is deemed a part of a player's equipment and can be used in the making of a tackle. The issue came to light Sunday when Montreal kick-returner Trent Gay was twice pulled down by his long dreadlocks in the Alouettes' 31-10 nationally televised home win over the Toronto Argonauts."

"The incident Sunday marked the first time a CFL player had been recorded grabbing another's hair to make a tackle. But it's an issue that's been front and centre in the NFL since 2003 when the league declared a player could be tackled by his hair."

CFL: Long hair part of uniform; can be used for tackling

Part of the equipment? Really? Sounds like Mr. Higgins is up his backside on this one. After all, the faceguard is part of the equipment and that is off limits. Interestingly, there was a second dreadlocks tackle in the same game. Given the nature of some players I would expect there to be more of these incidents. And can having your head jerked around by your hair be less harmful than using the faceguard?

 

[Kreskin]

Anyone following Khalif Mitchell these days?

It takes some balls to do the "Khalif Cross" to an offensive lineman. He gives bible thumping a whole new meaning.

 

[Mowich]

Part of the equipment? Really? Sounds like Mr. Higgins is up his backside on this one. After all, the faceguard is part of the equipment and that is off limits. Interestingly, there was a second dreadlocks tackle in the same game. Given the nature of some players I would expect there to be more of these incidents. And can having your head jerked around by your hair be less harmful than using the faceguard?

I don't put all the blame on Tom Higgins, Bar, he is simply stating what the current ruling is on hair-pulling. I was more surprised to learn that this was the first incidence of it in the CFL considering the number of players who sport long hair and have done so for many years. And, as was stated in the article, this has been an on-going issue in the NFL for sometime with absolutely no movement on changing the rules for their league.

I do agree that it could be just as harmful as yanking on a player's face-mask. I think this is an issue that should be addressed by the players and if they are worried about possible injuries they could lobby to have the rule changed. Just saying.

Anyone following Khalif Mitchell these days?

It takes some balls to do the "Khalif Cross" to an offensive lineman. He gives bible thumping a whole new meaning.

"Khalif Mitchell is in trouble with the CFL once again.

The league fined the B.C. Lions all-star defensive lineman an unspecified amount Tuesday for multiple "throat slashing" gestures committed in the club's 19-18 win over the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday night.

After the game, Mitchell defended his actions, saying he made a gesture in the form of a cross. But a television replay showed the defensive tackle making a throat-slashing gesture.

Earlier this season, Mitchell served a two-game suspension handed down by the CFL for violently hyper-extending the arm of Edmonton offensive lineman Simeon Rottier in the Eskimos' 27-14 win in Vancouver on July 20.

Mitchell was not penalized on the play but was still suspended by CFL commissioner Mark Cohon. Mitchell launched an unsuccessful appeal.

Saturday night's game was Mitchell's first against Edmonton since the incident with Rottier. Mitchell flattened the Eskimos guard on the first series Saturday night and walked away without incident after quarterback Steven Jyles was sacked."

Lions' Khalif Mitchell fined for throat-slash gestures

A cross..........gimme a break. I watched this piece of work make the throat-slashing gesture time and again during the game, Kreskin and all I could think of was why does a team as good as the Lions keep someone so offensive on the roster.

Adam Bighill is twice the player this creep is and they also have Solomon back so why keep this lose cannon around? IMHO

 

[Kreskin]

To play defensive tackle you need to be the size of Bighill and Elimimian combined. He's got some guts, attitude and determination. Doesn't need to win a popularity contest, just football games.

 

[Mowich]

Montreal at Hamilton

by Jeff Krever

The Ticats and Als meet for round three on Friday night at Ivor Wynne Stadium, in a duel of two of the league’s most explosive offences.

Anthony Calvillo put on another superb display of passing last Sunday, dissecting a skilled Argos secondary in the first half en-route to a 31-10 win over the visitors at Percival Molson Stadium.

The 40-year-old QB finished the day with 315 yards and a pair of touchdowns, leaning on third-year breakout receiver Brandon London for a number of key second down conversions.

Montreal will look for similar success on offence minus running back Brandon Whitaker, as Victor Anderson takes over the reins in the wake of Whitaker’s season-ending knee surgery.

The Ticats will have a little more urgency on Friday, following a loss to the Bombers last weekend at Canad Inns Stadium.

Despite Friday’s outcome, QB Henry Burris remains the league’s highest-rated passer, with 27 touchdowns to just 10 interceptions and 3,520 yards, for a quarterback rating of 104.2.

In two previous meetings this season, the Ticats and Als combined for 123 total points, with the Ticats winning the first meeting 39-24 back in July, and the Alouettes winning 31-29 on a game-winning field goal in late August.

CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: MONTREAL @ HAMILTON

Game times: 4 PM PST/ 7 PM EST

..............................................

Edmonton @ Calgary - Friday

by Jeff Krever

The Battle of Alberta is back for the third time this season, as the Eskimos and Stampeders are set to clash at McMahon Stadium on Friday night for the second half of a double-header.

Both teams are coming off last-minute losses, and will look to take out their frustrations on their hated provincial rival.

The Stamps fell just short in Riderville on Sunday, fighting back from a 27-13 fourth-quarter deficit to get in position to win the game late. But down by five points, it just wasn’t meant to be for Kevin Glenn and co., who scored 12 points in the final frame to make it close.

It might seem like good news that next on tap for the Stamps is provincial rival Edmonton, who the Red and White have already beaten in both meetings this season, but Friday night’s battle won’t be an easy one.

The Esks enter the weekend looking to build on an impressive effort against the defending Grey Cup Champions last week.

Steven Jyles completed 12 straight passes in the first half to give the Esks an early lead, but the Green and Gold couldn’t solve a swarming Lions defence in the second half, losing by just one point.

If the first two meeting this season – both of which came down to a last-play field goal attempt from Esks kicker Grant Shaw – are any indication of what we can expect this time, we could be in for another classic in Alberta.

CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: EDMONTON @ CALGARY

Game times: 7 PM PST/ 10 PM EST
​

 

[Mowich]

The Hamilton Tiger Cats won a decisive victory over their arch rival Montreal Alouttes tonight. The defence held Anthony to just 192 yards, sacking him twice. Most of the points that Montreal scored came off turn-overs that saw them already in Hamilton territory. When given the ball in their own zone, Hamilton's defence ably contained Anthony and his receivers.

Hank threw for 325 yards and had 5 TDs - he was really really great tonight - hats off to ya, Smilin' Hank. Fantuz, Grant and Stala were the main recipients of Hank's passes with Avon doing his share and more on the ground. Chris Williams contributed a couple of great returns.

The night belonged to the Ti-Cats. They came to win the game and did everything they needed to do so. They were fabulous.

Final score: 41 to 28

 

[Mowich]

Another double-header today with Winnipeg taking on Toronto followed by BC at Saskatchewan.

Toronto @ Winnipeg
by Jeff Krever

The Bombers look to win two straight for the first time this season, while the Argos search for their first win without Ricky Ray under centre as two East Division foes meet on Saturday night at Canad Inns Stadium.

With Buck Pierce back in the fold in Winnipeg, the Bombers are looking like a different team, especially after conquering a hungry Ticats team in a convincing 34-12 win.

Pierce had 288 yards and a touchdown in his return, but in the end it was Chad Simpson who stole the spotlight, amassing 192 yards from scrimmage to lead the Blue and Gold to its best all-around offensive performance of the season.

Most impressive, though, might’ve been the Bombers defence, which became the first unit this year to keep the high-scoring Ticats offence out of the end zone.

The Argos will be a hungry team of their own, entering the contest without Ray who left the game with a knee injury.

The veteran passer threw just four times before getting hurt, and will not play in Winnipeg, which means Jarious Jackson will get a rare opportunity to start for the Argos.

Jackson showed some rust in Sunday’s loss, but with first-team reps in practice this week can expect to make a bigger impact in the Argos’ visit to Winnipeg.

CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: TORONTO @ WINNIPEG

Game times: 4:00 PM PST/ 7:00 PM EST

.............................................................

BC @ Saskatchewan
by Jeff Krever

With the series squared at one apiece, the Lions visit Regina looking to take a decisive lead in the West Division standings as they invade Riderville for the second time on Saturday night.

The Lions enter the weekend as the league’s hottest team, with seven wins in their last eight games and a league-best record of 9-3 this season. Part of that success has been the ability to win a game in any possible way, whether it comes down to a low-scoring defensive battle or a thrilling shootout.

Travis Lulay led the Lions all the way back from a 15-3 first-half deficit against the Esks on Saturday night, eventually coming away with a 19-18 win over the Green and Gold on a last-minute field goal from Paul McCallum.

The Riders made an important statement of their own over the weekend, holding off a late surge to win their third game in four tries against a talented Stampeders squad at Mosaic Stadium.

Darian Durant threw for 264 yards and a pair of touchdowns in his first game back from injury, as the Riders moved to within a game of the second-place Stampeders, while showing why they’re a serious contender for the Grey Cup this season.

Saturday presents the Riders a chance to make an even bigger statement, as a win against a gifted Lions squad would put them just two games out of top spot in the West Division.

CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: BC @ SASKATCHEWAN

Game times: 7:00 PM PST/ 10:00 PM EST
​

​

 

[Mowich]

But for a hit on Travis Lulay that caused a bad pass intercepted by Sask's Chris McKenzie, the Riders may not have walked away with their second win of the season over the Grey Cup champs.

After a first period that saw the teams trade the ball back and forth ending with no score for either side, the Riders came alive in the second. Weston Dressler who had never had a TD against the Lions got two in less than 2 minutes to put the Riders on the board 14 to zip. The Lions only point of the half would come from a McCallum punt meant to pin the Riders deep but ending up in the end zone for a BC single point. Sandro DeAngelis would add another 3 to the Rider's count with a 30 yard F.G. The Rider D went to work to keep the Lion out of the end zone and off the scoreboard to end the half 18 to 1.

Early in the second half, the Lions would lose both Simon and Bruce to injuries while the Riders would lose Jock Sanders a bit later in the quarter. The Rider D would limit the Lions to six points courtesy of Paul McCallum F.G.s and Chris Milo added a single of his own off a booming punt. The quarter would end with Sask ahead 19 to 7.

The Rider offense struggled through the first part of the 4th quarter with only a single by Chris Milo at the 12:20 mark. The Rider defense would help by keeping the Lions off the board until late in the quarter when Lulay would connect with Iannuzzi for the first BC TD of the game, keeping his TD streak alive and cutting the Rider lead to 6 points.

With 2:41 showing on the clock, Darian would find newcomer Greg Carr for a 44 yard catch in the end zone and the Riders would be up by 13. Iannuzzi would again come through for the Lions after a couple of fantastic grabs by Johnson and Paris Jackson, as he caught a Lulay pass in the end zone to get the Lions just 6 points down again.

The Lions would kick an on-side punt and recover the ball giving them yet another scoring chance but two incomplete passes, a bad penalty and the killer interception by Chris McKenzie would end their hopes of a last minute comeback and hand the win to the Riders for a 27 to 21 final.

ROCK ON SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS! WAY TO GO, TEAM!
​

The Toronto Argonauts would prevail over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as the latter once again lost Buck Pierce after a hard hit to the head that saw him initially leave the field for stitches on his chin. He would return sporting a bandage to lead the team down field completing the series with a great TD pass to Terrence Edwards in the end zone. After the play, Buck was seen on the side-lines, his hand shaking as he raised his cup and looking very discombobulated. He would be taken out the game finally and Joey Elliot would take over to finish for the Bombers. It was the 14th time in 26 games that Buck had to leave a game due to injuries.

Jarious Jackson in as starter for Rickie Ray who is sidelined with an injury of his own would lead his team to a 29 to 10 final over the Blue Bombers whose chances of a play-off spot are now almost nonexistent.

 

[Mowich]

With the 100th Grey Cup just three weeks away, the fight is on to see which teams will be competing in the annual classic.

The standing as of today are:

Eastern Division
Montreal - 22 points
Toronto - 18 points
Hamilton - 12 points*
Winnipeg - 10 points



Western Division

BC - 24 points
Calgary - 22 points
Saskatchewan - 16 points
Edmonton - 14 points

*Hamilton was eliminated from the play-offs last night as Swayze Waters booted a 51-yard FG with no time left on the clock to take the Argos to a 43 to 40 win over the Ti-Cats.


Toronto will host either Edmonton or Saskatchewan in the East Division semifinal Nov. 11. Hamilton's loss clinched a playoff berth for the Eskimos, who can finish third in the West by downing Calgary on Friday and having the B.C. Lions beat the Riders on Saturday.
Should Edmonton lose or Saskatchewan win, the Riders will take third and the Eskimos will travel to Toronto and face their former starter in Ray. The Esks were 2-0 this season against the Argos, who obtained Ray from Alberta last December.

Should Edmonton lose or Saskatchewan win, the Riders will take third and the Eskimos will travel to Toronto and face their former starter in Ray. The Esks were 2-0 this season against the Argos, who obtained Ray from Alberta last December.

Waters' FG helps Argos eliminate Ticats from playoff hunt

Calgary @ Edmonton - Friday

By Jeff Krever

The Stampeders roll into Edmonton looking to put an end to their provincial rival this weekend, as the Eskimos could enter this Battle of Alberta needing a win to advance to the post-season.

Some say there’s question as to who the starting quarterback in Calgary might be heading into the playoffs, but in last weekend’s dominant 41-21 home win over the first-place Lions, Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn both showed why having two hot quarterbacks isn’t such a bad thing.

The Stamps surged to a 31-0 first-half lead thanks to some stout defensive play, while Glenn, Tate, and Bo Levi Mitchell had a touchdown pass each as Calgary appears to have full momentum heading into its final regular season game.

The Esks, meanwhile, passed on a chance to lock up a trip east for the playoffs, after falling 27-25 to the Alouettes in a thrilling finish at Percival-Molson Stadium.

The Double E should get plenty of credit for a valiant comeback attempt after being down by 18 at the half, thanks in part to an impressive display of passing from youngster Matt Nichols.

The 25-year-old quarterback prospect threw for 230 yards and three touchdown passes in a quarter’s work, including a 100-yard drive in the final minute of the game that led to a last-play touchdown pass to Fred Stamps.

While Kerry Joseph will likely be back under centre against Calgary, the Eskimos hope they’ll have more of that lightning in a bottle from Nichols should they need it.

http://image.exct.net/lib/feec17767d6d0d/m/1/CGY_EDM.html

Saturday will see a double-header with Montreal in Winnipeg to take on the Bombers and the Riders in BC to meet the Lions.

 

[talloola]

it will be interesting to see if 'lulay' plays a bit tomorrow, they say he might play one quarter

to see how he feels, and to help him get sharp for a full game.

his absence in the playoffs could definitely change the outcome, makes

it more interesting for other teams, they can see a big opening for them.

I don't really care if they don't win because he can't play, i'm more concerned

that he heal, even if he doesn't play till next season, he has allready shown all of

us how valuable he is.

 

[Mowich]

it will be interesting to see if 'lulay' plays a bit tomorrow, they say he might play one quarter

to see how he feels, and to help him get sharp for a full game.

his absence in the playoffs could definitely change the outcome, makes

it more interesting for other teams, they can see a big opening for them.

I don't really care if they don't win because he can't play, i'm more concerned

that he heal, even if he doesn't play till next season, he has allready shown all of

us how valuable he is.

Hey talloola ..............so good to hear from you .................how's the puppy? I agree with you about Travis..........if he isn't 100% then bench him...........the game means little to the Lions...........they've clinched their spot. Just the right thing to do. Mind you, I do have an interest in whether he plays or not being that my Riders are the ones facing him, though after watching Reilly..........I'd say that it wouldn't make much of a dif as they are both solid QBs.

Tonight's game between the Esks and the Stamps once again came down to the final secs but saw two big records broken during the game. Jon Cornish broke Normie Kwong's 56-year old record for most receiving yards in a single season for a Canadian player with 1,457 total yards. Rock on Jon! JC Sherritt broke Tiggles 18-year-old record of most tackles in a single season with 130. Rock on JC. The Stamps prevailed with a boot from Rene Paredes as the clock wound down to 00 winning the game 30 to 27. Great game.

 

[talloola]

I watched the last quarter or so of that game, pretty intense, lots of wierd stuff went on,

lucky he had a second kick for that field goal.

so, how does it all go down after the season, if lions win tomorrow or not, can you explain?

That game last night. I felt sorry for henry burris, he gave it his all, only to lose by a
fantastic field goal, thats the way she goes.

puppy doing great, 6 mos old now, and very tall. I have reserved another chocolate
pup for next spring, this one will be one year old then, and he is so smart, lots
of obedience stuff learned now, he will be a great companion, and a good big brother
to the next one.

 

[Kreskin]

i think no matter what, Esks in Toronto and Sask in Calgary for division finals.

 

[damngrumpy]

It all comes down to the Riders must come up with the biggest game of the season and that
could happen. I am a Riders fan but this year, we don't know which Riders team will show up.
I would like to see Edmonton and Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup what a turn of events that
would be.

 

[Kreskin]

I meant semi-finals. Esks will play in Toronto in the crossover.

 

[Mowich]

It all comes down to the Riders must come up with the biggest game of the season and that
could happen. I am a Riders fan but this year, we don't know which Riders team will show up.
I would like to see Edmonton and Saskatchewan in the Grey Cup what a turn of events that
would be.

Now that the Ti-Cats have been eliminated, my hopes of seeing them and the Riders in the Cup are blown out of the water.....ah well........next year - maybe. You are too right about wondering which team will show up today, DG. Maybe it will come down to a FG and then I give us a chance as Sandro is just as reliable as Paul this year.

GO RIDERS, GO TEAM!

 

[Mowich]

Eric Tillman is looking for a a new job. The former GM of the Eskimos was fired today just as the league is entering the final weeks of the 2012 season. Apparently, Tillman had never moved his family from Regina when he joined the Esks - kind of makes you wonder if he didn't have feeling that his tenure with Edmonton would be short lived. Anger still brews in the hearts of Esk fans over the firing of Rickie Ray - who Tillman felt was near the end of his productive days though Rickie's performance in Toronto this year would put that theory to rest. The Eskimos managed to make the semi-finals but their dismal 7 - 11 record on the season certainly played a part in managements decision to get rid of Tillman.

In other CFL news, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers closed out the regular season in fine style with a nice win over the Montreal Alouette's - it was the last game to be played in Canad Inn Stadium and was also the Hall of Fame game. Bomber fans will finally have a brand new stadium in which to cheer their team next year. Of course Montreal aficionados will point to the fact that back-up QB Adrien MacPherson was in pivot while Tony rested up for the semi-final next weekend, but Winnipeg played a solid game with QB Alex Brink in until late in the final quarter. The final score was 19 to 11 for the Bombers.