The baseball season is over for me, I have no interest in who wins the World Series. So now it is back to watching the now waning CFL regular season. Good timing, I will get to see all the play-off games. My Riders are out but my number two team the Hamilton Ti-Cats are top of their division at the moment.
In the East:
Hamilton - 10 and 6 for 20 points
Redblacks - 9 and 6 for 18
Toronto - 9 and 7 for 18.............they got whupped last night by the Als
Montreal - 6 and 10 for 12
In the West:
Edmonton - 12 and 4 for 24 - they play my Riders today
Calgary - 12 and 4 for 24
BC - 6 and 10 for 12
Winnipeg - 5 and 11 for 10
Saskatchewan - 2 and 13 for 4 measly points.............sad.
Ottawa will be in Winnipeg to take on the Bombers. The Redblacks are a good news story for the CFL. In only their second year back in the league they have accomplished what other veteran teams have not - they are in the play-offs. 1992 was the last year that saw an team from Ottawa finish at .500. The success of the Ottawa Redblacks bodes very well for the league as they contemplate expansion.
40-year old Hank has had himself a year to remember. I blow hot and cold on Henry - just as he has at times on the field but he has been truly remarkable this year. Top of the league with 4735 passing yards - his nearest competitor is Trevor Harris of the Argos with 4144. Kudos Smilin' Hank.
Winnipeg is in a 3-way battle with the Als - who are in the cross-over position - and the Lions for the final spot in the Western play-offs. So far, the Winnipeg offense has failed to show up in the first couple of quarters only to bound right back in the final two - though not enough to win consistently. They need a win today to keep their chances alive.
Ottawa is locked into a play-off berth - a loss today would only affect their stats.
There is a second game in the CFL today and it takes place in Mosaic stadium where my Riders will take on the Eskimos.
Here's what's up with my Riders.......
Eskimos provide tough test for Roughriders
by Murray McCormick
REGINA — Some thoughts, musings and notes before the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-13) play host to the Edmonton Eskimos (12-4) today at Mosaic Stadium:
NEXT-YEAR COUNTRY
Today’s contest marks the Riders’ final home game of the 2015 season because they close out the year with road games against the Calgary Stampeders (Oct. 31) and Montreal Alouettes (Nov. 8). Both of the Riders’ wins this season have come at home. They beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 37-19 on Sept. 6 and the Alouettes on 33-21 on Sept. 27. The Riders will be in tough to win their third home game of the season against the Eskimos, who lead the CFL in fewest points allowed (16.1 per game), yards (290.9), rushing yards (65.3), passing yards (243.9) and passing TDs (17)
HOME NOT SO SWEET
The Riders need a win to avoid their first two-victory season at home since 2001 when they were 2-7-0 en route to a 6-12-0 record under then-head coach Danny Barrett. The Riders have finished with two home wins eight times since 1952 when the CFL expanded to a 16-game schedule. There have been worse times. In 1959, the Riders were 0-8-0 at home while finishing with a 1-15-0 record.
YOUTH MOVEMENT
Linebacker Tyron Brackenridge and defensive tackle Tearrius George are both listed on the Riders’ 46-man roster for today’s game, but they are expected to be scratches. The veterans are being sat down to allow the Riders an opportunity to evaluate some prospects. Jake Doughty is to start at middle linebacker and rookie Jeff Knox Jr. at weakside linebacker. Macho Harris remains at strongside linebacker. Rookies Tim Agbaje and Rory Connop are to replace George.
CLARK UPDATE
Riders centre Dan Clark was placed on the one-game injured list on Friday after suffering a setback from the concussion that he suffered on Oct. 3 against the Lions. Clark suffered the setback after practising on Tuesday. Clark’s status for the remainder of the season is game to game. Corey Watman has replaced Clark.
Dawn of Adarius
Eskimos receiver Adarius Bowman is coming off 11 receptions for 198 yards and chipped in a touchdown in Edmonton’s win over the Lions. Heading into Week 16, Bowman was second in the CFL in receiving yards (1,084), third in catches (79) and tied for fifth in touchdowns (six). Bowman (6-foot-3) is a big target and is rolling with quarterback Mike Reilly. Bowman has also feasted on Saskatchewan’s defence. On July 31, he had nine receptions for 111 yards in Edmonton’s 3-5 win over the visiting Riders. Containing Bowman could help the Riders eke out their third win of the season.
............................and a take on the Eskimos
Life of Reilly
Edmonton’s six-game winning streak coincides with Reilly’s return from a knee injury that he suffered during Edmonton’s first game of the regular season. Reilly has completed 135 of 215 passes (62.8 per cent) for 1,508 yards, but has more interceptions (nine) than TDs (eight) over the six-game winning streak. Reilly adds another aspect to Edmonton’s offence. He has rushed for 216 yards on 43 carries with a TD.
mmccormick@leaderpost.com