2012 CFL Season
- Thread starter Mowich
- Start date
It was magnificent..........absolutely, completely, wonderfully magnificent. :smile:
I was so happy for Darian. He did what he had to do right up until he had to leave the game. Pleasantly surprised that Drew Willy was able to step in and take over so well - goes to show how well the entire team was playing, IMHO.
Rock on Riders!
Hamilton @ Toronto - Saturday
By Jeff Krever
Last Monday was the final Labour Day Classic ever at Ivor Wynne Stadium, and it was the one many fans will never forget as the Argos and Ticats battled out a 33-30 game with Toronto coming out on top.
The Ticats will look to get revenge on the Argos in this Saturday’s grudge match, as one of the league’s most storied rivalries continues to intensify heading into the third battle of the season.
The Boatmen marched into Hamilton and battled back in the fourth quarter, when Ricky Ray led his offence down the field in the last two minutes of the game to set up a Swayze Waters field goal that would give the Argos the win.
Chris Williams and Chad Owens, two of the league’s most exciting players, dazzled a sold-out crowd of over 31,000 at Ivor Wynne, each making their own highlight-reel, game-changing plays.
They’ll each look to make the difference again this week, just days after Williams broke the CFL record for most kick return touchdowns in a single season.
Last weekend’s game had it all – big plays on special teams, defence, and offence – and as the wins become more important each and every week, expect another thriller back in Toronto.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: HAMILTON @ TORONTO
Game times: 10:00 AM PST/ 1:00 PM EST
Montreal @ BC - Saturday
By Jeff Krever
The Alouettes and Lions meet again this weekend in a battle of the league's top two teams, and after a bold statement by the Alouettes on Friday, the Lions will now look to return the favour as they return home for the rematch.
Anthony Calvillo made it eight straight games with 300 yards passing or more, breaking a CFL record but more importantly, putting 30 points on the board against a Lions defence that's been virtually unbeatable so far this season.
For the 40-year-old pivot it was just another day at the office though, as his late-game offence combined with a clutch defensive stop on a Lions third-and-goal in the final seconds gave the Als a fourth straight victory.
While the Als are flying high and will look to keep their spot atop the East Division, the Lions are left with a sour taste in their mouths following their first loss since mid-July.
The Lions want to be known as the top team in the league, and will get a second shot at the Als back in the comfort of their own home on Saturday to once again stand alone as the top team in the CFL.
It'll be another exciting battle that pits the league's top defence against the top offence, as well as a current legend in Calvillo against a future legend in Travis Lulay in a battle of last year's top offensive players.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: MONTREAL @ BC
Game Times: 1:00 PM PST/ 4:00 PM EST
By Jeff Krever
Last Monday was the final Labour Day Classic ever at Ivor Wynne Stadium, and it was the one many fans will never forget as the Argos and Ticats battled out a 33-30 game with Toronto coming out on top.
The Ticats will look to get revenge on the Argos in this Saturday’s grudge match, as one of the league’s most storied rivalries continues to intensify heading into the third battle of the season.
The Boatmen marched into Hamilton and battled back in the fourth quarter, when Ricky Ray led his offence down the field in the last two minutes of the game to set up a Swayze Waters field goal that would give the Argos the win.
Chris Williams and Chad Owens, two of the league’s most exciting players, dazzled a sold-out crowd of over 31,000 at Ivor Wynne, each making their own highlight-reel, game-changing plays.
They’ll each look to make the difference again this week, just days after Williams broke the CFL record for most kick return touchdowns in a single season.
Last weekend’s game had it all – big plays on special teams, defence, and offence – and as the wins become more important each and every week, expect another thriller back in Toronto.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: HAMILTON @ TORONTO
Game times: 10:00 AM PST/ 1:00 PM EST
Montreal @ BC - Saturday
By Jeff Krever
The Alouettes and Lions meet again this weekend in a battle of the league's top two teams, and after a bold statement by the Alouettes on Friday, the Lions will now look to return the favour as they return home for the rematch.
Anthony Calvillo made it eight straight games with 300 yards passing or more, breaking a CFL record but more importantly, putting 30 points on the board against a Lions defence that's been virtually unbeatable so far this season.
For the 40-year-old pivot it was just another day at the office though, as his late-game offence combined with a clutch defensive stop on a Lions third-and-goal in the final seconds gave the Als a fourth straight victory.
While the Als are flying high and will look to keep their spot atop the East Division, the Lions are left with a sour taste in their mouths following their first loss since mid-July.
The Lions want to be known as the top team in the league, and will get a second shot at the Als back in the comfort of their own home on Saturday to once again stand alone as the top team in the CFL.
It'll be another exciting battle that pits the league's top defence against the top offence, as well as a current legend in Calvillo against a future legend in Travis Lulay in a battle of last year's top offensive players.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: MONTREAL @ BC
Game Times: 1:00 PM PST/ 4:00 PM EST
WOO HOO!
ROCK ON LIONS - WHAT A ROUT!
43 to 10
ROCK ON LIONS - WHAT A ROUT!
43 to 10
If radio were the only way a person caught the game today, if in addition, they knew nothing about Travis Lulay, they may well have formed the opinion that he was older, more seasoned. They would then be surprised to find out that contrary to that belief, the lad is a mere neophyte in the CFL. He has barely wet his feet in the league in comparison to vets like the man he played today, Anthony Calvillo. Yet, if Travis keeps up this pace, he will be well on track to become a legend in the CFL. The kid is that good. He made Anthony look rusty today. Travis is a natural born QB. He had his 21rst consecutive game with at least 1 TD.
The Lions owned all but the 1st quarter of the game. The offence was sharp. The defence almost unbeatable. The team, for the most part, played a disciplined game. As the saying goes, they were firing on all cylinders. As sometimes happens in games where one team starts to dominate the other, the breaks seem to go their way too. They were the beneficiaries of so much yardage from Montreal penalties, I lost count.
The penalties outlined in the following paragraph were all attributed to Montreal though I may have forgotten one or two - I guess if you are going to break the rules you might as well go for a record - this will be a record for the Alouettes - just not one they will care to remember. Heck, even their coach, Mark Trestman, got into it with a bizarre challenge on an unchallengeable call which garnered him 10 yards for delay of game. (The challenge resulted in one of the more interesting moments in the game as Mike Benevides went absolutely ballistic on the side-lines - it was great TV! :smile
It was a complete meltdown by the middle of the 3rd quarter and things never got better for Montreal.Horse-collar tackle, forward pass interference, pass interference, objectionable conduct - once for taunting, roughing the passer, unnecessary roughness, face-mask, delay of game, time-count violation, 2 many men, illegal formation, holding (several times), off-side (several times) and the one that had the crowd beside themselves, illegal hit on the quarterback - a high hit on Travis. Note that the majority of these are 10 to 15 yard penalties but many of them also were either from the point of contact or from point of foul giving large chunks of real estate to the Lions - at one point they were gifted a total of 47 yards.
Anthony Calvillo had but 7 yards passing in the 2nd Q- 7 measly yards - it boggles the mind. I don't know what his final stats were but for sure his completion rate must be in the single digits - he was that bad. He wasn't helped by his pack of receivers who routinely dropped catch-able passes or fumbled the ball but he also threw a number of passes to an empty field, nary a receiver in sight - and lucky he was that a defender wasn't in the territory. Memory fails me as I try to recall the last time I saw Anthony Calvillo have such a dreadful game.
The rest of the Alouettes weren't much better though Jamal Richardson had some good reps, his first game back after a month away healing from injuries. Bradon Whittaker was the goto guy on rushing plays, Bradon Whittaker and Patrick Lavoie also got some touches.
Without a doubt in my mind, I can say that the BC Lions are the best all-round team in the league today. They stay healthy and keep taking it a game at a time, developing good plays and maintaining discipline - I can well picture them hoisting another Cup this fall.
Rock on Lions!
I didn't either, had a nice lunch on the patio at crown isle with 3 of my 4daughters, and my husband,
beautiful weather, good food and wonderful company.
glad they won, thanks for the good recap mowich, appreciate it.
You are both most welcome.....Kreskin and talloola :smile:
Today 'my' Riders are in Winnipeg for the second game of their back-to-back series. The Bombers will be hoping to revenge their humiliating loss last week in Mosaic while the Riders will be trying to keep on a winning track.
Saskatchewan @ Winnipeg - Sunday
By Jeff Krever
The Bombers might be seeing red this week after last week's Labour Day loss in Riderville, but luckily, they won't have to wait long to get revenge on their hated rival.
The Riders awoke from a bit of a slumber last weekend, putting up big numbers on offence while getting a shutout from their defence en route to a 52-0 win over the Bombers, much to the delight of a packed house at Mosaic Stadium.
Both Darian Durant and Drew Willy made an impact at quarterback, while the Riders also got big plays from special teams and their defence in an impressive all-around team win.
But the Bombers are a different team at home, and with recently-hired Tim Burke getting a little more time to prepare for his next challenge, the Blue and Gold are expected to come out looking to get back at the Riders.
With the likes of Chris Matthews and Cory Watson at receiver, and a quick and shifty Chad Simpson at running back, first-year starter Joey Elliott has plenty of dangerous weapons at his disposal heading into Sunday's matinee at Canad Inns Stadium.
Meanwhile, expect a young Bombers defence with plenty of energy and athleticism to come into the game with a big of a mean streak, as it looks to take out its anger on Durant and the Riders' offence.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: SASKATCHEWAN @ WINNIPEG
Today 'my' Riders are in Winnipeg for the second game of their back-to-back series. The Bombers will be hoping to revenge their humiliating loss last week in Mosaic while the Riders will be trying to keep on a winning track.
Saskatchewan @ Winnipeg - Sunday
By Jeff Krever
The Bombers might be seeing red this week after last week's Labour Day loss in Riderville, but luckily, they won't have to wait long to get revenge on their hated rival.
The Riders awoke from a bit of a slumber last weekend, putting up big numbers on offence while getting a shutout from their defence en route to a 52-0 win over the Bombers, much to the delight of a packed house at Mosaic Stadium.
Both Darian Durant and Drew Willy made an impact at quarterback, while the Riders also got big plays from special teams and their defence in an impressive all-around team win.
But the Bombers are a different team at home, and with recently-hired Tim Burke getting a little more time to prepare for his next challenge, the Blue and Gold are expected to come out looking to get back at the Riders.
With the likes of Chris Matthews and Cory Watson at receiver, and a quick and shifty Chad Simpson at running back, first-year starter Joey Elliott has plenty of dangerous weapons at his disposal heading into Sunday's matinee at Canad Inns Stadium.
Meanwhile, expect a young Bombers defence with plenty of energy and athleticism to come into the game with a big of a mean streak, as it looks to take out its anger on Durant and the Riders' offence.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: SASKATCHEWAN @ WINNIPEG
I later watched the Lions game on TSN in its entirety (video on demand) and couldn't believe all the penalties against the Als. It was out of control at one point. I had to chuckle when #33 was arguing to the ref while the ref was making the call, then the ref continued, 'and unsportsman-like conduct #33, another 15 yards..'
That's why I decided to list all the ones I could remember, Kreskin............they were even worse than Winnipeg was last week, unbelievable. I still can't get over the one to Trestman..........how many years has he been coaching??.........what a dumb, stupid penalty to take.
Man oh man, were I am Bomber fan, I'd be on the war-path after Winnipeg's loss to Sask in the Banjo Bowl today. Don't get me wrong, I am soooo glad the Riders won but it might have been very different except for one coaching call that changed everything.
With but 28 seconds left in the 4th, the Bombers were ahead 23 to 22 and well within FG range for Palardy especially with the wind at his back when a call in came from the bench to punt. Renaud came in but instead of pinning the Riders deep, he booted to the end zone for a conceded single. Tim Burke, acting head coach of the Bombers made the call and he will have to answer to the fans this week. The Riders had one more chance and they didn't waste it.
Starting at their 35, Drew Willy connected with with Kory for 10 yards, then Brooks Foster caught a 20-yarder. Drew kept himself on the next play and got 13 yards of his own. Sandro DeAngelis, kicking against the wind, booted one right through the uprights from the 40 and the last seconds ticked off the time clock. Riders win 25 to 24.
Our young rookie QB Drew Willy had himself quite the game today. Darian was injured late in the 1rst Q and Drew's number was called. He would remain at pivot for the entire game and though he made some rookie mistakes, like holding onto the ball too long and getting sacked for a few losses, he came right back and made some solid plays. The coaching staff helped him out with a lot of rushing plays - some worked, some didn't but Drew never got antsy and never gave up. I give the kid a lot of credit - we got the win with him.
The Bombers played a much more disciplined game this week - they had a couple of stupid costly penalties but so did the Riders. The score never got out of sight of either team. The Riders are now sitting at 5 and 5.
Rock on guys.........rock on! :smile:
Did I see the END of the Banjo Bowl...............surely you jest! LOL! I saw every single minute of the game. You can read my thoughts on the call and the game in my previous post. Tim Burke is going to get lots of heat over this one.....you betcha!
With but 28 seconds left in the 4th, the Bombers were ahead 23 to 22 and well within FG range for Palardy especially with the wind at his back when a call in came from the bench to punt. Renaud came in but instead of pinning the Riders deep, he booted to the end zone for a conceded single. Tim Burke, acting head coach of the Bombers made the call and he will have to answer to the fans this week. The Riders had one more chance and they didn't waste it.
Starting at their 35, Drew Willy connected with with Kory for 10 yards, then Brooks Foster caught a 20-yarder. Drew kept himself on the next play and got 13 yards of his own. Sandro DeAngelis, kicking against the wind, booted one right through the uprights from the 40 and the last seconds ticked off the time clock. Riders win 25 to 24.
Our young rookie QB Drew Willy had himself quite the game today. Darian was injured late in the 1rst Q and Drew's number was called. He would remain at pivot for the entire game and though he made some rookie mistakes, like holding onto the ball too long and getting sacked for a few losses, he came right back and made some solid plays. The coaching staff helped him out with a lot of rushing plays - some worked, some didn't but Drew never got antsy and never gave up. I give the kid a lot of credit - we got the win with him.
The Bombers played a much more disciplined game this week - they had a couple of stupid costly penalties but so did the Riders. The score never got out of sight of either team. The Riders are now sitting at 5 and 5.
Rock on guys.........rock on! :smile:
Did I see the END of the Banjo Bowl...............surely you jest! LOL! I saw every single minute of the game. You can read my thoughts on the call and the game in my previous post. Tim Burke is going to get lots of heat over this one.....you betcha!
Winnipeg @ Calgary - Friday
By Jeff Krever
Kevin Glenn and the Stamps will come home looking for a fourth straight win, as they host Joey Elliott and the Bombers at McMahon Stadium on Friday Night Football.
While Calgary's 12th-year pivot is playing some of the best football of his career, it was the defence that carried the Stamps to victory last Friday night in Edmonton, holding the Esks to just one offensive touchdown in a 20-18 win to sweep the Labour Day back-to-back.
Jon Cornish, meanwhile, continues to prove he's a premier runner in this league, coming off a career-best 185 rushing yards on 16 carries, including a fourth-quarter touchdown that broke a second-half shutout and put the Stamps ahead by two scores.
The 27-year-old native of New Westminster, B.C. now has a 147-yard edge in rushing yards over second place Kory Sheets, and will be one to watch for on Friday night.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, will look to capture some momentum despite losing the Banjo Bowl in heartbreaking fashion, led by third-year quarterback Elliot and rookie running back Chad Simpson.
The Blue and Gold bounced back with a strong performance against the Riders, forcing Darian Durant out of the game in the first quarter and holding replacement Drew Willy to just 188 yards passing – but in the end it wasn't enough to stop a last-second drive from the Riders' rookie pivot, and a game-winning 40-yard field goal from Sandro DeAngelis.
This week will be the Bombers' chance to bounce back with a matchup against a good team on the road.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: WINNIPEG @ CALGARY
After a week that saw Tim Burke having to repeatedly answer for his decision to punt rather than try a FG in the dying moments of the Banjo Bowl, it will be interesting to see what the new head coach can come up this week. For sure, he won't be making that mistake again.
Game times; 6:00 PM PST/ 9:00 PM EST
By Jeff Krever
Kevin Glenn and the Stamps will come home looking for a fourth straight win, as they host Joey Elliott and the Bombers at McMahon Stadium on Friday Night Football.
While Calgary's 12th-year pivot is playing some of the best football of his career, it was the defence that carried the Stamps to victory last Friday night in Edmonton, holding the Esks to just one offensive touchdown in a 20-18 win to sweep the Labour Day back-to-back.
Jon Cornish, meanwhile, continues to prove he's a premier runner in this league, coming off a career-best 185 rushing yards on 16 carries, including a fourth-quarter touchdown that broke a second-half shutout and put the Stamps ahead by two scores.
The 27-year-old native of New Westminster, B.C. now has a 147-yard edge in rushing yards over second place Kory Sheets, and will be one to watch for on Friday night.
Winnipeg, meanwhile, will look to capture some momentum despite losing the Banjo Bowl in heartbreaking fashion, led by third-year quarterback Elliot and rookie running back Chad Simpson.
The Blue and Gold bounced back with a strong performance against the Riders, forcing Darian Durant out of the game in the first quarter and holding replacement Drew Willy to just 188 yards passing – but in the end it wasn't enough to stop a last-second drive from the Riders' rookie pivot, and a game-winning 40-yard field goal from Sandro DeAngelis.
This week will be the Bombers' chance to bounce back with a matchup against a good team on the road.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: WINNIPEG @ CALGARY
After a week that saw Tim Burke having to repeatedly answer for his decision to punt rather than try a FG in the dying moments of the Banjo Bowl, it will be interesting to see what the new head coach can come up this week. For sure, he won't be making that mistake again.
Game times; 6:00 PM PST/ 9:00 PM EST
43 to 3...........that was the final score last night as the Calgary Stampeders shut down the Bombers and left Winnipeg fans wondering what it will take to get a win. The Bombers are probably wishing they could just fold their tent and call it a season. They fired LaPolice because he couldn't get a win so what are they going to do now that Burke can't get them one either? This team is not playing on the same page -whatever book they are using. They play with little spirit and less passion. What a frickin' shame they moved so fast to get rid of Paul..........maybe just maybe with a little more patience he might have turned the team around. As things sit now, the Bombers are all but dead in the water.
Today's games feature the Edmonton Eskimos in Hamilton to take on the Ti-Cats and later Toronto will be in BC to meet the MIGHTY Lions.
Edmonton @ Hamilton - Saturday
By Jeff Krever
The Eskimos and Ticats are set to meet for the first time of 2012 in a Saturday afternoon affair at Ivor Wynne Stadium in a matchup that pits the league's highest-scoring offence against one of the stingiest defences.
The Ticats have had no issue getting big plays from their offence and special teams this season, scoring a league-best 29 points a game and boasting some of the hardest-to-stop weapons in the country, a group that includes the likes of Chris Williams, Chevon Walker, and Andy Fantuz.
For the Esks, Kerry Joseph has shown glimpses of the quarterback who won Most Outstanding Player in 2007, but couldn't quite do enough to come away with a win in each of his two starts against the Stamps – his first in over two years.
Meanwhile, with a plethora of star power in their backfield, including Hugh Charles, Cory Boyd, and recently-returned Jerome Messam, the Esks now find themselves looking for answers in the running game.
Will Burris and co. unleash the full potential of their offence on Saturday, or will the Esks come away with what could be a defining win on the road?
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: EDMONTON @ HAMILTON
Game Times: 12:00 PM PST/ 3:00 PM EST
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Toronto @ BC - Saturday
By Jeff Krever
Saturday's double-header caps off with a marquee matchup between the Lions and Argos at BC Place, as division leaders meet in a battle of two hot teams.
The Lions have won five of their last six, including a statement game last weekend in the form of a 43-10 win over Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes.
For anyone that needed reminding, the defence flexed its muscles in a big way, holding the league's top passer Calvillo to just 16 completions on 26 attempts and 152 yards through the air, putting an end to the future hall of famer's streak of consecutive games with 300 or more passing yards.
Travis Lulay put an exclamation mark on the effort, meanwhile, with four passing touchdowns and 262 yards in one of his most memorable performances of the season.
The Argos come on a high too though, and look like a much different team than the one that fell 18-9 to the same Lions back at the start of August.
Led by Chad Kackert's 239 yards from scrimmage, the Boatmen eclipsed 40 points in a game for the first time since 2007 last weekend, knocking off the Ticats 45-31 at the Rogers Centre.
That gave the Argos the sweep of back-to-back games over the Ticats, and moved them into a first-place tie with the Alouettes.
Can Ricky Ray and the Argos' emerging ground game solve a stiff Lions' defence, or will the Lions continue to fire on all cylinders and handle the Boatmen at home?
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: TORONTO @ BC
Game Times: 4:00 PM PST/ 7:00 PM EST
Today's games feature the Edmonton Eskimos in Hamilton to take on the Ti-Cats and later Toronto will be in BC to meet the MIGHTY Lions.
Edmonton @ Hamilton - Saturday
By Jeff Krever
The Eskimos and Ticats are set to meet for the first time of 2012 in a Saturday afternoon affair at Ivor Wynne Stadium in a matchup that pits the league's highest-scoring offence against one of the stingiest defences.
The Ticats have had no issue getting big plays from their offence and special teams this season, scoring a league-best 29 points a game and boasting some of the hardest-to-stop weapons in the country, a group that includes the likes of Chris Williams, Chevon Walker, and Andy Fantuz.
For the Esks, Kerry Joseph has shown glimpses of the quarterback who won Most Outstanding Player in 2007, but couldn't quite do enough to come away with a win in each of his two starts against the Stamps – his first in over two years.
Meanwhile, with a plethora of star power in their backfield, including Hugh Charles, Cory Boyd, and recently-returned Jerome Messam, the Esks now find themselves looking for answers in the running game.
Will Burris and co. unleash the full potential of their offence on Saturday, or will the Esks come away with what could be a defining win on the road?
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: EDMONTON @ HAMILTON
Game Times: 12:00 PM PST/ 3:00 PM EST
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Toronto @ BC - Saturday
By Jeff Krever
Saturday's double-header caps off with a marquee matchup between the Lions and Argos at BC Place, as division leaders meet in a battle of two hot teams.
The Lions have won five of their last six, including a statement game last weekend in the form of a 43-10 win over Anthony Calvillo and the Alouettes.
For anyone that needed reminding, the defence flexed its muscles in a big way, holding the league's top passer Calvillo to just 16 completions on 26 attempts and 152 yards through the air, putting an end to the future hall of famer's streak of consecutive games with 300 or more passing yards.
Travis Lulay put an exclamation mark on the effort, meanwhile, with four passing touchdowns and 262 yards in one of his most memorable performances of the season.
The Argos come on a high too though, and look like a much different team than the one that fell 18-9 to the same Lions back at the start of August.
Led by Chad Kackert's 239 yards from scrimmage, the Boatmen eclipsed 40 points in a game for the first time since 2007 last weekend, knocking off the Ticats 45-31 at the Rogers Centre.
That gave the Argos the sweep of back-to-back games over the Ticats, and moved them into a first-place tie with the Alouettes.
Can Ricky Ray and the Argos' emerging ground game solve a stiff Lions' defence, or will the Lions continue to fire on all cylinders and handle the Boatmen at home?
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: TORONTO @ BC
Game Times: 4:00 PM PST/ 7:00 PM EST
Talloola, you've got to cheer harder..........the team really needs you........TO's D is giving them a really hard time! LOL! Just over 4 minutes left in the 2nd - score: 7 to 4 for TO.
Scratch that.........Shawn Gore just got a TD! :smile: That's better - 11 - 7 for BC.
The Edmonton Eskimos will have a dreary flight home today after losing 51 to 8 to the Stampeders. Not much of a game as the Stamps had their way every way today.
Scratch that.........Shawn Gore just got a TD! :smile: That's better - 11 - 7 for BC.
The Edmonton Eskimos will have a dreary flight home today after losing 51 to 8 to the Stampeders. Not much of a game as the Stamps had their way every way today.
Toronto looks pretty good. Close game. I enjoyed watching the last 3 plays. The Lions brought the house on first and second downs, then went with a 3 man rush on 3rd. It was quite the chess game.
Shawn Gore looks damn good. I think Geroy's days are numbered. He always seems a step behind, and his stats show it.
Shawn Gore looks damn good. I think Geroy's days are numbered. He always seems a step behind, and his stats show it.
Shawn Gore was great last night, Kreskin...........but I don't agree with you on Geroy. I think he still has a lot to give the team.
"B.C. slotback Geroy Simon, who returned after missing his first game in four years last weekend with a hamstring injury, had a strong night too, leading all receivers with six catches for 117 yards. He made key receptions on B.C.'s last two touchdown drives as the Lions overcame their early deficit."
Lulay extends TD streak to 22 games as Lions beat Argos
The Lions may have won but they had to work for the win. The game could have gone either way several times which made it much more watchable than the previous two CFL contests. Travis must be feeling a bit bruised today - he took some really big hits.
QB WILLY GETS FIRST START AS RIDERS VISIT ALOUETTES
MONTREAL -- It is Drew Willy's time to show what he can do.
The 25-year-old rookie is to replace the ailing Darian Durant at quarterback when the Saskatchewan Roughriders visit the Montreal Alouettes today at Percival Molson Stadium.
Willy has shown promise while coming on in relief of Durant the last two games, both wins over the woeful Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
"Getting used to the CFL game, I feel better every game," the former University of Buffalo star said Saturday. "This week we have a good opponent in Montreal, so you just go out there and give it all you've got."
The Alouettes (6-4) are coming off a 43-10 loss in Vancouver that ended a four-game winning run. The two-game winning streak for the Roughriders (5-5) followed five consecutive losses.
Willy took over in the third quarter of a 52-0 blowout win over the Bombers when Durant suffered a neck injury two weeks ago and completed 6-of-7 passes for 54 yards.
The six-foot-four pivot went in again when Durant injured his hip in the first quarter of a much tighter game in Winnipeg last week. He went 25-for-33 for 286 yards, with two touchdowns and an interception, as Saskatchewan pulled out a 25-24 win.
Willy took most of the snaps in practice this week, which starting quarterbacks normally do, but coach Corey Chamblin waited until after the team's walk-through Saturday to name his starter. Durant was on the field, but wasn't moving much.
Chamblin said Durant needs to be able to run with the ball as well as throw it to be effective. And the coach has confidence in Willy.
"He did a phenomenal drive on the last drive (against Winnipeg)," said Chamblin. "He's a poised young man.
"When he makes a bad play, he knows it and he comes back and wants to correct it."
He picked a tough place to make his first start. Montreal is 13-3 at home against Saskatchewan since returning to the league in 1996 after a 10-year hiatus. They are 24-8 overall against the Riders in that period, plus 3-0 in the playoffs including wins in the 2009 and 2010 Grey Cup games.
The Riders won 27-24 last season in Montreal when quarterback Anthony Calvillo left the game with an injury.
But as well as Willy has done, facing the Riders' back-up quarterback should be a break for a Montreal team that is still recovering from a one-sided loss in British Columbia.
"We don't want to write anybody else's coming out party story for sure," said Montreal coach Marc Trestman. "But we have a lot of respect for (Willy) and his team believes in him as well."
Calvillo feels it is important for the Alouettes to bounce back, and they have a history of doing so. Since 2008, they are 6-0 in the next game after losing by 17 or more points.
The game in B.C. ended the 40-year-old quarterback's record eight-game streak of throwing for more than 300 yards. He was held to 16 completions for 152 yards. This week, he will be up against another of the CFL's best defences.
"The challenge is to bounce back from something like that, just because of how we performed," said Calvillo. "Too many mental mistakes across the board.
"That's part of our challenge now, to get back to the type of ball we were playing the four previous games. We had a great week of practice and I'm very confident we're going to go out there and do that."
One of his favourite targets, Jamel Richardson, returned from injury last week, but another top receiver, Brandon London, is out.
For the Riders, receiver Weston Dressler needs 17 yards to reach 5,000 in his career.
Another player to watch is former Alouettes linebacker Diamond Ferri, who was cut before the season and signed on with Saskatchewan. He sat out the last game, but the fiery veteran is expected to be on the field looking to make an impact in his return to Montreal, even if Chamblin said it would be a game-time decision whether he plays.
"I'm totally prepared, mentally and physically and I'm really excited to be back," said Ferri. "Especially, if I do play, because it's my homecoming and it's against Montreal.
"There's no bitterness. At the beginning of the season my expectation was to be on the Montreal Alouettes. But things differed because of the system, salary and whatever they were saying. Saskatchewan took me in, treated me well and they have confidence and believe in me. So it's important."
QB Willy gets first start as Riders visit Alouettes on TSN
This will be a real test of Drew Willy's talent. Montreal will be looking to get back on the winning side in a big way - they have all the talent necessary to do so and they are playing at home. Would be nice if we could just keep the score close and give our O a chance.
Rock on Riders - Go, Guys, Go!
181 penalty yards! Don't know where we stand as far as stats go, but for sure we are no longer the least penalized team in the CFL! It wasn't Anthony and the Als who defeated us yesterday it was our own lack of discipline that did us in and gave Montreal the win. Cory Chamberlain better lay down the law to each and every player who committed an offence yesterday - they are the ones who should be blamed for the loss, IMNSHO!
Drew Willy still needs more reps to be the starter for the Riders, but he is learning and that gives me some hope. Our D, when they were getting penalties managed very well to contain Anthony and the Al's O-line but for every step forward they took a step back with major fouls, unnecessary roughness calls and objectionable conduct.
One very disappointed Rider fan here.
Drew Willy still needs more reps to be the starter for the Riders, but he is learning and that gives me some hope. Our D, when they were getting penalties managed very well to contain Anthony and the Al's O-line but for every step forward they took a step back with major fouls, unnecessary roughness calls and objectionable conduct.
One very disappointed Rider fan here.
Hamilton @ Winnipeg - Friday
By Jeff Krever
The Bombers return to the friendly confines of Canad Inns Stadium this weekend, as they look to cool down a Ticats team that seems to be just hitting its stride coming off an impressive home win over the Esks.
Buck Pierce gets the call at quarterback for the Bombers, in what will be his first game action since a Week 3 loss to the Eskimos.
The shifty gunslinger will look to lead the Blue and Gold out of a four-game slump with help from explosive weapons Chad Simpson and Chris Matthews, with hopes of rebounding from a 44-3 loss in Calgary a week ago.
Both of the Bombers' wins this season have come at home, which bodes well for a team in search of a mid-season momentum swing.
The Ticats, meanwhile, might have started their own momentum swing last weekend in the form of a 51-8 win over the Eskimos at Ivor Wynne, as Henry Burris threw for 418 yards and three touchdowns en-route to the team's highest-scoring game this year.
It was the most dominant win of the season for the Ticats, who now sport the East Division's only positive point differential despite currently sitting out of a playoff spot.
Key points are up for grabs, as veterans Burris and Pierce clash for the first time in hopes of vaulting their teams closer to playoff positioning.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: HAMILTON @ WINNIPEG
By Jeff Krever
The Bombers return to the friendly confines of Canad Inns Stadium this weekend, as they look to cool down a Ticats team that seems to be just hitting its stride coming off an impressive home win over the Esks.
Buck Pierce gets the call at quarterback for the Bombers, in what will be his first game action since a Week 3 loss to the Eskimos.
The shifty gunslinger will look to lead the Blue and Gold out of a four-game slump with help from explosive weapons Chad Simpson and Chris Matthews, with hopes of rebounding from a 44-3 loss in Calgary a week ago.
Both of the Bombers' wins this season have come at home, which bodes well for a team in search of a mid-season momentum swing.
The Ticats, meanwhile, might have started their own momentum swing last weekend in the form of a 51-8 win over the Eskimos at Ivor Wynne, as Henry Burris threw for 418 yards and three touchdowns en-route to the team's highest-scoring game this year.
It was the most dominant win of the season for the Ticats, who now sport the East Division's only positive point differential despite currently sitting out of a playoff spot.
Key points are up for grabs, as veterans Burris and Pierce clash for the first time in hopes of vaulting their teams closer to playoff positioning.
CFL Field Pass - Scouting Report: HAMILTON @ WINNIPEG
It was a cold, windy and drizzly night at Canad Inn Stadiums but Winnipeg fans were finally rewarded for their continuing loyalty to the Blue Bombers with a 34 to 12 win over the Hamilton Ti-Cats.
It was the Buck Pierce and Chad Simpson show most of the night for the offence while Muamba and Hall impeded smilin' Hank for the defence. The Bombers had not scored a TD since Aug 20, 2012 and it took them until late in the 3rd Q to end the drought as Alex Brink took the ball into the end zone for the team's first TD of the night.
Hamilton was hampered by penalties finishing the night with 16 for 131 yards - you don't win games that way.
ROCK ON WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS!
It was the Buck Pierce and Chad Simpson show most of the night for the offence while Muamba and Hall impeded smilin' Hank for the defence. The Bombers had not scored a TD since Aug 20, 2012 and it took them until late in the 3rd Q to end the drought as Alex Brink took the ball into the end zone for the team's first TD of the night.
Hamilton was hampered by penalties finishing the night with 16 for 131 yards - you don't win games that way.
ROCK ON WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS!