2013 CFL Season

[Mowich]

After all the excitement of the first two season openers last week, filled as they were with great aerial displays and fantastic ball returns, it was probably too much to expect that Week 2 would deliver anything similar. The Bombers flew into Montreal hoping to even the score and the BC Lions played host to the TO Argos determined to have a much better showing then last week's dismal display. Both teams got their wishes fulfilled.

The Eastern game was just plain weird. Weird in that Montreal played like a bunch of amateurs while the Bombers played like a bunch of un-coached kids. Winnipeg turned the ball over no less than 3 times in the first Q but uncharacteristically Montreal only managed a 3 pt FG for their efforts to lead 3 to zip by the end of the Q.

In the 2nd, Justin Goltz replaced Buck Pierce on a short-yardage play and kept the ball taking it over the goal line for the Bomber's first major. Around the 7 minute mark, Renaud's kick to the end zone gave the Bombers a 5 point lead as Montreal was forced to concede the single.

Montreal eventually got close enough to the end zone for a Sean Whyte 42-yard FG attempt -the kick was wide and the Bomber's Johnson ran it out but only to the 10 yard line. Then Chad Simposon took over moving Winnipeg out of the shadow of their goal posts though they eventually had to punt with just over 23 seconds left in the half.

The Bomber D harassed, hurried and pressured Montreal's O throughout the 3rd but Winnipeg's O were also under pressure from the Montreal D and once again the Bomber's gave up a TO as Buck was stripped of the ball leaving Montreal in great field position which was instantly wiped out by 10 yard holding penalty.

The most controversial call of the game came with 3:52 left in the 3rd when Goltz was stripped of the ball (for the 5th Winnipeg TO) and Montreal recovered and took the ball to the end zone. However, after review the decision was overturned as the Montreal defender was ruled down by contact - not that the videos showed that - Montreal got the ball but not the TD. The only point the Als managed in the 3rd was a conceded single.

The Bombers added another single early in the 4th to lead 9 to 4. Anthony Calvillo was sacked to total of seven times in the game - great news for the food bank drive but not so good for the Als. Justin Goltz would once again score a major for the Bombers with 6:16 left on the clock giving Winnipeg a 12 point advantage.

It wasn't until very late in the 4th that Montreal finally managed a major thanks to a great catch by SJ Green in the end zone and they might have had another when Winnipeg's Johnson fumbled the kick-off return were it not for Bryant Turner recovering the ball for Winnipeg. Justin Palardy would add another 3 points for the Bombers with a 27-yard FG.

With only seconds left on the time clock, Anthony Calvillo tried the old Hail Mary pass but such were the fortunes of the Als that the ball was intercepted by Winnipeg's Jovon Johnson.

Not a stellar game by either team but a nice win by the Bomber's just the same - too bad they couldn't do it for the hometown crowd. The Bomber D looked like the fabled D of old as they very effectively shut down Montreal's O and Anthony Calvillo with pressure and great man-to-man coverage leaving Tony no receivers and under constant threat of being sacked.

Final score: 19 to 11

BC downed the Argos 24 to 16 in a game that saw the kicker's for both sides doing much of the scoring.

The Riders are hosting the Calgary Stampeders at Mosaic this afternoon - both teams won their season openers and will be looking to make it a trend. The Riders will have their hands full with Jon Cornish - the CFL's Top Canadian of Week 1. Game start is 5:30 PST/8:30 EST.

LET'S GO RIDERS - LET'S GO!

 

[petros]

Well done Riders. Well done!

 

[Mowich]

Who was that team that just beat the Stampeders in one of the best defensive and offensive games of the year.

Jon who? Kory Sheets showed the Calgary pass rusher that he was more than capable of keeping up those rushing yards and he did it with extra effort, skill and determination.

This is the best game I have seen the Riders play in a very long time. They simply owned the second half - offensively and defensively. They owned the clock.

Play after play, possession after possession, Sask moved the ball. Weston got some great catches in early. Getzlaf took over after that with Taj Smith and McHenry filling in for a couple of plays. Darian didn't throw a single interception. He was only sacked once and was poised and possessed in and out of the pocket running for over 19 yards showing that his injury is no longer a problem. I am so happy for Darian - he needed a good game and he came up big.

Move over Bomber D, Sask needs the breathing room. The Sask D allowed the Stamps only 2 - 2nd 1rst downs in the latter half of the game. They learned quickly from their mistakes in the first half and by the second had man-to-man down pat. Jon Cornish was all but shut down.

And where the heck have the Riders been hiding Ricky Schmitt? - the kid has a phenomenal leg. His punts helped pin the Stamps deep or put a point on the board each time he got the call. He's definitely a keeper.

Calgary got off to a fabulous start marching the ball downfield with nary a problem - the Sask D was still in learning mode. At the 11:55 mark they had the first major of the game on the board. Then the first of many deadly penalties by the Stamps gave Sask possession at their own 15. Darian's throw to Getz in the end zone was long and high but Chris Milo got 3 on a chip shot and the Riders were on the board

Calgary would put 7 more up early in the 2nd but the Riders would answer with 8 pts of their own. Weston got the TD and Kory the extra two and Sask pulled w/in 3 of the Stamps. Late in the Q Taj Smith would make a high-light reel catch in the end zone only to see it called back for a Sask off-side penalty one of the few the Riders had on the night unlike the Stamps who gave up huge yards to the Riders. The Riders would come away from the drive tied 14 to 14 after Milo was good on his kick from the 27.

Calgary came roaring back with their second and last best drive of the game to put another 7 on the board and end the first half up 21 to 14.

Sask would pull w/in 4 on the strength of yet another Milo field goal and they never looked back. Chris would give Sask their first lead in the game before Kory Sheets would fight off two tackles while keeping his knee off the ground and bulling his way through then over the goal line. 28 - 21 Sask. Jock Sanders was a big contributor to Sask's field position having some solid returns on the night.

With 6:12 to go in the 4th, fans were provided with some lighter moments and a great chance to razz the Stamps as Calgary drew a 2-many men penalty which effectively gave the Riders a 1rst down after they had been facing 3 D. The sack on Darian came after a bad snap from Sask center Picard. With Sask again looking at 3rd and long, Calgary drew a major foul penalty putting the Riders in excellent field position of which they took full advantage when Darin connected with Getz who danced his way nimbly along the sidelines and over a Calgary defender to put the ball in the end zone - and the Riders up their lead 35 to 21.

Tate had elbow problems in the 4th and Kevin Glen replaced him around the 6 minute mark though he faired little better getting sacked on his second throw of the game.

Ricky Schmitt would add one more point to the Riders score on an outstanding boot to the end zone.

The game ended on a Harris' interception of a Hail Mary by Glenn to the end zone - such were Calgary's fortunes tonight.

Sask 36 - Calgary 21.

I predict this will be the game of the week - easily. ROCK FRICKIN' ON SASK - YOU GUYS RULE! WOO HOO!

Well done Riders. Well done!

Where the heck did those guys come from??? ;-) What a game!

Truly glad for Darian - he was so solid petros. Listening to the panel at half-time, I found myself nodding my head when they discussed the fact that Darian has gone through 5 different offensive coordinators in his time with the team - and I agreed with their thoughts on how that can effect a QB adversely. Maybe Darian's find found his guy in George Cortez cause he sure looked good tonight. And Rob Bagg caught his second toss of the season - wonders never cease!

 

[petros]

Where the heck did those guys come from??? :wink: What a game!

I think the excitement of the 40,000 in the stands rubbed off. Craziest crowd I've ever seen stagger past the house.

 

[Mowich]

I think the excitement of the 40,000 in the stands rubbed off. Craziest crowd I've ever seen stagger past the house.

Could be, petros........it was all but impossible to hear the TSN on-field announcers at times. Should have heard them when Calgary got the 2-many men penalty - it was priceless. :lol:

 

[petros]

I live three blocks from Mosaic, how could I not hear?

 

[Mowich]

I live three blocks from Mosaic, how could I not hear?

Can you sit on your roof and watch the game? Just kidding. :lol:

 

[petros]

Used to, I can only see the south end of the field after the big jumbotron was installed on the north end.

 

[Mowich]

News from around our league

The Saskatchewan Roughrider organization decided to deal with Dwight Anderson in a different manner than did the league which leveled a fine against Anderson for his objectionable conduct in last week’s game against Edmonton. In lieu of a fine, Sask chose to have Dwight do some community service – a give back to the people who pay his salary and whose colors he wears – hopefully with more pride from now on.

Long time Alberta sportscaster and Hall of Fame inductee, Bill Powers and his wife Donna were murdered in their beds last Thursday. Police have charged 35-yeard old Derek Puffer – Donna’s son. Mr Powers retired in 2009 after a 50-year in radio broadcasting and media communications.

Winnipeg's DT Bryant Turner is recovering from an injury suffered in last week’s outing. He had torn chest ligaments and trouble breathing when he was taken off the field. He is questionable for next week’s game but his status could be upgraded in the coming week.

Edmonton and Hamilton will be in Guelph, Ontario today in their first meeting of the year. Alumni Stadium in Guelph will be the temporary home of the Ti-Cats as a new stadium is being built to replace Ivor Wynne. The club hope the new facilities will be ready for the start of the 2014 season. Alumni Stadium has a capacity of just 13,000 seats – shouldn’t be too hard for Hamilton fans to fill something that size. Both teams will be hoping to improve on their losing opener records.

The Ti-Cats will be without Andy Fantuz for their game later today against the Eskimos. Fantuz apparently ‘tweaked’ something in practice and is not quite 100%. Bit of a shame as Burris and Fantuz had some great chemistry going in last week’s game against Toronto.

Game time: 1:30 PST/4:30 EST

 

[petros]

The Ti-Cats will be without Andy
Fantuz for their game later today against the Eskimos. Fantuz apparently
‘tweaked’ something in practice and is not quite 100%. Bit of a shame as Burris
and Fantuz had some great chemistry going in last week’s game against
Toronto.

Sh*tty, I was looking forward to seeing how Hank and Andy were coming along.

 

[Mowich]

Sh*tty, I was looking forward to seeing how Hank and Andy were coming along.

They could have used him from what I saw, petros.

Will never make it to Game of the Week but the fault was not all the players as the weather played a role in this game. It rained so hard that at one point you couldn't see the field for the rain drops on the lens. Shots of the stands seemed taken through a blanket of gauze. Pools of water made the surface hazardous for receivers and QBs alike. It did clear up for a spell but the storm returned with renewed fury in the 4th Q sending the few remaining fans scurrying for the exits.

Edmonton won the game 30 to 20. Reilly redeemed himself from last week's trouncing by the Riders. He threw for 2 TDs and ran one in himself. Hank on the other hand had 1 TD and 2 interceptions. Ed Gant scored one of the Ti-Cat majors after being traded by the Esks to the Ti-Cats earlier this week. The Ti-Cats turned the ball over a total of 3 times the last coming when they failed to convert on a 3rd D. Edmonton got an early lead and kept it throughout the game.

 

[Mowich]

The Riders are in TO tonight for their game with the Argos at 4 PM/PST.

Once again, Geroy will not be in the line-up........but as I overheard one of the TSN panel mention .......if he only catches one ball and it helps them win the Cup, he will have done his job. Don't know if I completely agree with those thoughts as I would like to see Geroy get a few games in before he is put in such a position. He hasn't been letting his down-time go to waste, using it to help coach his fellow receivers and if the performance of Kory, Weston, Chris et al are any indication of his abilities - his time has been well spent.

Having been a Rider fan for close to 60 years now, I have seen my team through the good and the bad. I've seen them hoist the Cup and cry over an extra man. I exult the triumphs and share the pain of the losses. I berate them when they don't execute well and praise them when they do. They own a piece of my heart so I expect a lot of them, actually I expect the best they have to give us.

In the last two games, they have worked hard to do just that. The game against Edmonton had a lot of miscues and missed assignments but what I also noticed was the determination of the team to not repeat their mistakes. It was a learning experience that saw them eventually win the game but not w/o a lot of help by Edmonton's penchant for penalties. I was very pleasantly surprised by the strength and performance of defensive line - much improved over last year's version.

The game against Calgary was an entirely different matter. Slow to start in the first half, Sask owned the second. They clicked on the O and on the D. The game plan worked almost to perfection. I credit and thank George Cortez - our offensive line coordinator. He's done a good job so far. Actually I credit all the coaching staff for a job well done to date.

It will be interesting to see what the coaches have come up with in order to contain and limit Rickie Ray, Chad Owens and Chad Kackert. Am also looking forward to see what Scott Milanovich has planned for team. I like the Argo's coach and though they haven't exactly looked like it in their first two outings, his team are the 2012 Grey Cup Champs so I expect to see a lot of improvement in the team this time out.

Here's to another 'Game of the Week'.

GO RIDERS, GO.....................ROCK THE FIELD SASKATCHEWAN.
​

 

[Mowich]

I think we can safely put our fears about Rob Bagg's dropsy behind us after he not only had a bit part in engineering the Rider's first drive to the end zone of the night but he took the ball in for the TD. Good on you Rob.

Kory Sheets was again the big story of the night going for his third +100 yard night. After getting off to a slow start, Kory somehow began to pick bigger and bigger holes in TO's D and find just the right openings to spring through for down after down. He also had 2 TDs on the night. Taj Smith had an outstanding night, catching some of the best passes Darian threw during the game. Taj went over for 2 TDs.

The Sask D had their hands full with Rickie Ray all night but did manage to hold the TO O-line to just 4 TDs. The final one coming when back-up QB Collaros came in to replace Rickie Ray late in the 4th. For some reason, the Sask D just let Collaros waltz the ball down the field and then go in himself for the major. It was the worst set of plays for the Sask D all night. Other than that disaster, Ricky Foley, John Chick, Tyron Brackenridge, Diamond Ferri and even Dwight Anderson came up big for the team tonight. I should also mention Craig Butler who stopped the TO O cold and a couple of important 3 Ds and Ray Williams added another 2 sacks to his total.

Chad Owens and Chad Kackert were the main recipients of touches on the night coming through for Rickie Ray in tight plays. Dontelle Iman was another dependable receiver for the Argos. The Toronto defence on the other hand were anything but solid allowing the Sask O to march down-field at will for most of the night. The D's best play came when they intercepted a pass from Darian and ran it all the way back for a TD, however; that was wiped out by a TO penalty that saw Sask get the ball back eventually going in for a TD.

Sask led in all categories of the game and remains the least penalized team in the league so far though I thought they took a few too many tonight.

Sask wins 39 to 28.

There must have been quite a contingent of Rider fans in the stands as every time Sask scored all you could hear was cheering from the crowd.

 

[Mowich]

Calgary went into Montreal with back-up QB Kevin Glenn at the helm hoping to make up for their dismal loss to the Riders last week. Montreal, facing numerous questions surrounding their QB and the coaching of late were hoping to put some of them to rest. Calgary got their wish - Montreal faces even more questions about the coaching and performance of the O-line.

Montreal had one really good solid drive of the entire game and it came on their opening series as they ate up 6+ minutes on the clock and marched downfield for a TD. Their only other TD in the game came via special teams play that saw a blocked punt recovered by DB Ed Gainey who ran it into the end zone. After that it was the odd flash but Calgary were able to very effectively shut down the Montreal offense. Tony has now given up 4 interceptions in his first three games and he added a TO tonight after fumbling the ball. The Als were not helped by the major penalties they took - in the 1rst Q alone they gave Calgary close to 60 yards.

Kevin Glenn should be proud of his performance. He was quick thinking and nimble in and out of the pocket delivering some exceptional passes under intense pressure. Jon Cornish started off slow then began to break out in the latter going of the game. (FYI Jock Climie - Kory again beat Jon out for total yards in a game). Brad Sinopoli - the kid from Peterborough, ON and former back-up QB for Calgary - now a receiver for the O-line, had a break out night catching a couple of high-lite reel passes. Nik Lewis will also have high-lite honors with a nice play that saw him reach the end zone. The Calgary D put pressure on Calvillo for most of the night which saw him regularly scrambling to get the ball away - too often w/o success.

Final score: 22 -14 Calgary

Next up Winnipeg will be in Guelph to play the Ti-Cats tomorrow at 3:30 PST/7:30 Eastern

 

[Mowich]

Andy Fantuz will once again grace the side-lines as his lower-body injury is still troubling him - Burris will surely miss the big hands of his receiver. However, the big question for me is whether or not the Ti-Cat's coaching staff have managed to instill some mental discipline. Hamilton currently sit second in overall penalties with 199 yards given up. You don't win games by giving up easy yards to the opposition.

Another factor in play is the Bomber D who lead the league in QB sacks with 11 - they have also allowed the fewest TDs so far in the season.

Hopefully the weather won't be a factor in this one and we get to see a hard-fought game by both sides with the Ti-Cats emerging victorious. Go Cats Go!

 

[Mowich]

Smilin' Hank shone bright last night. He did everything he possibly could to move the ball forward every chance he got. From running for his own downs to scrambling away from the Bomber D to complete a pass. He may have been sacked several times but so was Buck and Goltz - who filled in for Buck on short yardage plays - but it was Hank who showed his athleticism and strong throwing arm eventually leading the Ti-Cats to a 25 - 20 win over the Bombers.

The Food Bank was the other big winner last night as a total of 12 sacks were recorded. That'll put a smile on Schultzie's face.

Rock on Ti-Cats - nice win guys.




The final CFL game saw the Lions meeting the Eskimos in yet another sloggy game - wonder if those rain clouds are following the Esks around? Besides being a drippy affair, it was a bit of a snooze-fest too - unless you are a die-hard Lion's fan. Half-time score was 3 to 1 for the Esks - not much action other than from each of the D's. Two and outs were the order of the night but the Lions rallied in the latter half managing to pull off a 17 - 3 victory over the water-logged Edmonton team.

 

[Kreskin]

I watched some of the first game and the second half of the Lions game.

First of all, why is Rod Black still announcing football? He injects baloney melodramatic superlatives, like last night. He called Burris "The Gunslinger". I had never heard Burris called the gunslinger before but since I haven't followed his career I assumed he had that for a nickname. Two minutes later he's calling Pierce "The Gunslinger". Of course Pierce couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but according to Black it was caused by a "timing issue". It couldn't be "The Gunslinger", of course, it was all the fault of "timing", which apparently he has no control over.

You can only listen to Black and his baloney for so long.

 

[Mowich]

I watched some of the first game and the second half of the Lions game.

First of all, why is Rod Black still announcing football? He injects baloney melodramatic superlatives, like last night. He called Burris "The Gunslinger". I had never heard Burris called the gunslinger before but since I haven't followed his career I assumed he had that for a nickname. Two minutes later he's calling Pierce "The Gunslinger". Of course Pierce couldn't hit the broad side of a barn, but according to Black it was caused by a "timing issue". It couldn't be "The Gunslinger", of course, it was all the fault of "timing", which apparently he has no control over.

You can only listen to Black and his baloney for so long.

TOO RIGHT, KRESKIN! I have actually written and emailed TSN numerous times over the years pleading that they send Rod back hoping he will go back to Africa so he can save more children. I have asked them repeatedly to take him off all CFL and Canadian Figure Skating hosting duties. The guy makes me cringe every time he starts to talk.......I always wonder what more he can say to make himself look like a complete and utter idiot. I don't know how often I have heard the ever-patient Duane Ford - who seems to have been the one paired with Black the most - correct him about some of the remarks he makes. I personally think Rod is trying to audition on air for a job with an American network as his 'style' of chatter much more resembles what I hear on US sports broadcasts.

So glad to hear someone else share my view of the guy. Thank you.

 

[Kreskin]

Chris Cuthbert is great.

 

[talloola]

Chris Cuthbert is great.

well, as my husband says about rod black, he must have seen his bosses 'screwing the cat'.