The 2010 Official Canadian Football League (CFL) thread

[WOLF]

@ Wolf: They aired the Rough Riders/Tiger Cats game on NFL network last night.. I actually watched a quarter or 2 of the game.. It was different from the game that I know..

Definately different, but a very entertaining game for various reasons. It's not the NFL, not even close, but if people could get past that they'd realize it's the second best football played on this planet and a great way to spend an afternoon/evening.

[Kid-Wicked]

glad they didn't show the lions fall apart. fuck.

[KillDevilHill]

The lions are a joke. Im taking my anger out on Chapdelaine's kid and hitting him dirty if I get a chance in a couple weeks.

[Kid-Wicked]

don't blame the kid, blame wally.

he took him back after edmonton canned him after one season.

[WOLF]

Predictions for the week:

Montreal over Saskatchewan: Both teams have great offences and are clearly the class of the league thus far. The Als D wants to prove a point after being humiliated in the 2nd half of the season opener. Couple that with the fact that the Als are at home, Durant has been struggling with a stomach ailment, and travel from Regina to Montreal is never easy, and you have a recipe for an Als victory by a good 10 pts.

Edmonton over Toronto: Edmonton are terrible but getting the monkey of their backs last week may help. Toronto isn't nearly as good as their record would indicate and they won't win out west.

Hamilton over Winnipeg: There were high hopes for the Ticats at the beginning of the season and thus far they have not delivered. This is almost a must win for Hamilton. It could be the turning point in resurrecting their season, or solidify their grasp on last in the East.

Calgary over BC: The Stamps are just plain better than the Lions. This will only be close because it's in BC.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Predictions for the week:

Montreal over Saskatchewan: Both teams have great offences and are clearly the class of the league thus far. The Als D wants to prove a point after being humiliated in the 2nd half of the season opener. Couple that with the fact that the Als are at home, Durant has been struggling with a stomach ailment, and travel from Regina to Montreal is never easy, and you have a recipe for an Als victory by a good 10 pts.

Edmonton over Toronto: Edmonton are terrible but getting the monkey of their backs last week may help. Toronto isn't nearly as good as their record would indicate and they won't win out west.

Hamilton over Winnipeg: There were high hopes for the Ticats at the beginning of the season and thus far they have not delivered. This is almost a must win for Hamilton. It could be the turning point in resurrecting their season, or solidify their grasp on last in the East.

Calgary over BC: The Stamps are just plain better than the Lions. This will only be close because it's in BC.

I agree with all of these picks.

I'm interested in the Winnipeg/Hamilton game because both of these teams are still a puzzle to me.

The Riders seem to have a better attitude going into Montreal this year, but i still think the Als stick it to them. I wonder how long Miller will stick with Durant if he's struggling. I wouldn't be suprised to see Dinwiddee (sp?) in the game fairly early, because i'm hearing this morning that Durant is not responding well to the medication he's been given for his stomach problem.
Enjoy the game WOLF.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Another very entertaining ball game, and I'm relatively satisfied with the Riders performance...they just about beat Montreal on the road. Lots of mental errors...Cates stupid penalty, Hughes penalty, the missed field goal returned for a TD. Our special teams need work. I'm happy with how the defence played in the second half.

WOLF, I hope Calvillo isn't out for long...but that said, if he's gonna miss time, better now while youre sitting on a comfy lead in the east, than later in the season.

[MadmanShepherd]

I'm an American that has really gotten into the CFL this year (rather than slow ass NFL). Unfortunately I didn't get to watch the games tonight but holy shit were they both fucking crazy.

Glad to see the Als on top (I'm a Habs fan too as long as they aren't playing Chicago or Ottawa).

Sadly I don't think Hamilton has it in them to win tomorrow. They are my favorite team so far based soley based on their 140 year history and the same colors of the Iowa Hawkeyes, but they have been an embarrassment this year though their game has improved. It certainly is a must win, but Winnipeg has been far more consistent.

After an embarrassing start for Edmonton, I was really pulling for them tonight. They deserved the win.

As for Calgary and B.C....who cares? Though I have to say when I vacationed in Montana, we were very close to driving to Calgary for the opening Canada Day game for the hell of it. We just didn't have enough time.

I know the CFL is gun shy about expanding too rapidly, but they really need an Atlantic team. I know they have talked about Moncton or Halifax, but especially when Ottawa joins in 2012, they're going to need to even out the team (which would also throw Winnipeg into the Western division).

What do you guys think?

[WOLF]

Another very entertaining ball game, and I'm relatively satisfied with the Riders performance...they just about beat Montreal on the road. Lots of mental errors...Cates stupid penalty, Hughes penalty, the missed field goal returned for a TD. Our special teams need work. I'm happy with how the defence played in the second half.

WOLF, I hope Calvillo isn't out for long...but that said, if he's gonna miss time, better now while youre sitting on a comfy lead in the east, than later in the season.

Ugh - when is a win not a win? When your team, after a good first half, has 6 "two and outs" and 31 yards total offence in the 2nd half! Good things for the Als defence. They bent, but didn't break, after being on the field for 21 minutes of the second half.

The O-line was really exposed last night and you saw the effects of Brian Chiu retiring. Paul Lamber is a good enough centre, but moving him over caused another big hole on the line that hasn't been adequately filled as of yet. Cavillo, at 38, is about as mobile as an iceberg, so the line MUST protect him. 2nd string Adrian McPherson is already out with a torn knee ligament, and 3rd string Chris Leak does not have enough game experience yet. Cavillo has a clean dislocation of the index finger on his throwing hand. The doctor said it's not as bad as a fracture and can probably play with a good tape job. However, I wouldn't be shocked if they hold him out against Toronto next week and give Avon Coborne a lot of touches. He ran all over the Argos in their last meeting.

The Riders were impressive. Durant pulls a Houdini act time and time again. The receiving corps is just scary, and the D is trickier/better than people give them credit for. Much respect to the Riders for hanging in and almost getting the W.

[WOLF]

I know the CFL is gun shy about expanding too rapidly, but they really need an Atlantic team. I know they have talked about Moncton or Halifax, but especially when Ottawa joins in 2012, they're going to need to even out the team (which would also throw Winnipeg into the Western division).

What do you guys think?

I still don't know if Ottawa is a lock. Something always seems to happen there - be it with ownership, the stadium, or whatever. A team that represents all of Atlantic Canada has been discussed in the past, and MAYBE it could work based out of Halifax, where the Canadian University juggernaut St-Mary's Huskies are based, but I have my doubts, particularly with the level of corporate support tha could be generated. They would need real grassroots support like you see in Saskatchewan, and that doesn't just happen overnight.

I actually think Quebec City would be a better choice than Halifax. There is a lot of football interest in the province, the University of Laval Rouge et Or sell out every game - close to 20,000, there would be some level of corporate support, not to mention a natural rivalry with Montreal.

Like you said, the league is cautious, as they should be after the debacles in Las Vegas, Sacramento, Shreveport, and Baltimore all those years ago.

[MadmanShepherd]

Interesting stuff you mentioned. I obviously don't know much about Canada so this is all pretty interesting to me. I was also reading up on Nova Scotia and heard the economy is not doing great in that province. I didn't realize Quebec City had such a large university.

You're also right about Ottawa not being a lock. From what I understand they were "promised" a team if they can get the financing and stadium in order.

I just hope they don't bring back the Rough Riders name. After the problems they have had with restarting and stopping their team, they need to start anew.

[Kid-Wicked]

won't be the rough riders.

maybe renegades again

[WOLF]

Getting my picks in just under the wire this week:

Sask over BC - easily IMO; BC is terrible so far this year

Winnipeg over Hamilton - the Bombers return the favor in the 2nd half of the home/home

Toronto over Montreal - I hate to say it, but with AC not 100%, Cory Boyd on fire, and Toronto itching to save face after the drubbing the Als layed on them a couple of weeks ago, I smell an upset

Calgary over Edmonton - the West is a two-tiered division this year and these two teams ain't in the same tier

Finally - what the hell is going on in Hamilton? A team with so much history can't be moved. Let's hope sanity prevails here.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Getting my picks in just under the wire this week:

Sask over BC - easily IMO; BC is terrible so far this year

Winnipeg over Hamilton - the Bombers return the favor in the 2nd half of the home/home

Toronto over Montreal - I hate to say it, but with AC not 100%, Cory Boyd on fire, and Toronto itching to save face after the drubbing the Als layed on them a couple of weeks ago, I smell an upset

Calgary over Edmonton - the West is a two-tiered division this year and these two teams ain't in the same tier

Finally - what the hell is going on in Hamilton? A team with so much history can't be moved. Let's hope sanity prevails here.

Late to the party this week...I would have picked the Riders and Bombers as well...good job outta the Ti-Cats last night.

I've got Calgary over Edmonton and Montreal over Toronto by at least 14.

After Montreal, Calgary and Saskatchewan, there is a BIG dropoff in quality so far. I can see Hamilton pulling it together as the season goes along, but BC, EDM, TO and WPG...who know if any of them can get competitive. I think BC's got some talent, and Wally knows it's not how you start, it's how you finish. I think they'll get third in the west but there will be no crossover from W to E or the other way either.

Sounds to me like Hamilton city council think Young is bluffing about moving the team...I hope they all get their shit together soon and figure it out. It wouldn't be the same CFL to me without the Cats.

[WOLF]

I fuckin' knew it! Despite the Als win streak, they haven't been playing well. Cavillo is playing hurt, the receiving corps is dropping too many balls, the O-line is mediocre, the D is not the stellar squad they were last year, and the team takes too many penalties.

Toronto is a very well-coached, hungry team. The Als need to pay attention.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

What the fucking FUCK, Riders?

[WOLF]

/\

Dude - I was in Regina on business this past week. I'll probably be back in the not too distant future too. I stayed at the Delta, across from the casino and just down the street from Mosaic Stadium. I saw a lot of Rider fans on the way to Edmonton when I was at the airport on Friday. I'm guessing their ride back wasn't as cheerful. I guess we know how the green and white spent their bye week...

Here's hoping my Als can win without AC for a bit. BC, at Molson Stadium, should be OK, but you never know. I'm looking forward to watching Printers run for his life.

[Kid-Wicked]

we need baron myles to un-retire.

amongst other things.


k.w.
printers sucks

[KillDevilHill]

I think there are better O line in the CIS rright now than in BC, and Printers is hearing footsteps every drop back and it shows. Even when the rush isnt close to him he looks like hes forcing it because of an incoming hit.

Whats his nuts at saftey is just brutal, but the D is playing half decent.

I just got my Corey Banks jersey in the mail today and I dont even feel like wearing the thing in public.


Im also pondering if they are for sure going to tear down empire, I heard a rumor that SFU would like to play there instead of the shit feild they play at. Would be an amazing stadium for an NCAA div II school

[WOLF]

We have to get back on this:

BC at Montreal: Despite Anthony Cavillo being out for an undetermined period, the Als should be able to win this one on defence alone. I don't see BC's inexperienced o-line being able to contain the Als pash rush. Chris Leak is no AC, but with time to prepare, a simple game plan, and by using the assets he has, the Als should be OK. AC needs to come back though - next week in Hamilton will be tough if he's not good to go.

Winnipeg at Saskatchewan: This should be a mismatch. The Riders will want to atone for their poor showing in Edmonton last week, the Bombers are reeling, and this has blowout written all over it.

Toronto at Hamilton: The Ticats were probably sorry to see the bye week arrive. They were just hitting their stride. With the home crowd behind them, look for Hamilton to move into a tie for 2nd in the East with a hard fought victory over the Boatmen.

Edmonton at Calgary: It's all fine and dandy that Edmonton is 1-0 in the "new season" as they're calling it. They caught Saskatchewan napping last week but they will have no such luck with a Calgary squad that is starting to look head and shoulders better than everyone else in the league right now. Another squash match here. Stamps in a landslide.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

/\

Dude - I was in Regina on business this past week. I'll probably be back in the not too distant future too. I stayed at the Delta, across from the casino and just down the street from Mosaic Stadium. I saw a lot of Rider fans on the way to Edmonton when I was at the airport on Friday. I'm guessing their ride back wasn't as cheerful. I guess we know how the green and white spent their bye week...

Here's hoping my Als can win without AC for a bit. BC, at Molson Stadium, should be OK, but you never know. I'm looking forward to watching Printers run for his life.

Hope your trip was successful WOLF. Let me know if you need any recommendations for restaraunts etc when you come back.

Watching the Lions take it to your Als on TV right now. Didn't see that coming at all. I wonder if Kerry Joseph might be getting a call from the Als this week...He's gotta be better than Leak and Santos.

Riders bounce back and beat the Bumblers, but it'll be closer than I'd like I think. There's some tightening of the neck muscles happening in Riderland right now and I think the Bombers see an opportunity to take advantage.

Argos over Hamilton. I have no insight on this prediction, other than that I've been getting the Argos wrong all year. (As much as I love the Labour Day game at Taylor Field, I'd love to attend the Cats/Argos Labour Day game sometime...great rivalry)

Calgary throttles the Eskimos, leading to obnoxious Stamps fans becoming an even bigger bunch of insufferable pricks, at least until the Riders and Durant get it together and beat them later in September.

Enjoy the best regular season week of CFL football!

[WOLF]

Wow, I've never actually left a game with two minutes to go in the 3rd quarter, but I just couldn't bare to watch anymore. That crash you heard was the end of Chris Leak's career. Even the Als radio team, when I got in the car, where talking about how some guys are a product of their school/system and not all they're hyped up to be - and the radio crew are unabashed homers!

Santos at least moved the ball a bit, but he's no long term solution. Adrian McPherson is back from the 9-game inactive list, so look for him to get the start in Hamilton next week. He looked good in a late season start last year, but there's more pressure now. If he lays an egg too I fully expect to see Kerry Joseph in Montreal. They can't take any chances with AC - he still can't take deep breaths and everyone will be gunning for him.

Finally - if anyone lays this on the Als defence, they're nuts. They were gassed and continually starting from midfield!

[KillDevilHill]

YEEEEEEEEEEEEEAH BOOOOYE

[WOLF]

This has just NOT been a good year in Als land. Here's the latest. Spencer is apparently doing way worse than this article lets on:


MONTREAL - Montreal Alouettes linebacker Walter Spencer was taken to hospital early Monday morning after being stabbed in a bar.

A CFL source who requested anonymity said Spencer got into an argument with another person when he was "attacked" and stabbed twice, with one hitting a lung.

The source called it a "blindside" attack that Spencer did not see coming and that he was lucky not to have been killed.

Police say the incident happened at 2:50 am ET at a bar called Koi on St. Laurent blvd.

The club released a statement Monday night saying Spencer's condition is currently listed as stable but serious, and that police are investigating the incident.

Spencer, a Detroit native, currently leads the Alouettes for most special team tackles this season. He's played seven season in the CFL, including stints with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Calgary Stampeders.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

That sucks. I met that guy a couple of times while he was a Rider...good guy. I hope he pulls through and can resume his career next season.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Week 11

-Calgary bootfuck Edmonton AGAIN...lets say 70-9
-Montreal bounce back and beat Hamilton in a close one.
-BC get on a little roll by taking down Toronto.
-Winnipeg get even at home and beat the Riders by a touchdown in the Banjo Bowl.

[WOLF]

Week 11

-Calgary bootfuck Edmonton AGAIN...lets say 70-9
-Montreal bounce back and beat Hamilton in a close one.
-BC get on a little roll by taking down Toronto.
-Winnipeg get even at home and beat the Riders by a touchdown in the Banjo Bowl.

Calgary - because they are just boat lengths better than Edmonton

Hamilton - I like McPherson, but I don't see him just walking off the 9 game injured list and winning against a hot team on the road

BC - they go their confidence back up against the Als and should be amped up at home

Saskatchewan - Bombers are nothing without Pierce at the helm

[WOLF]

Nice to see the Als D step up and play like their they're capable of playing. McPherson showed a lot of poise and he adds an element with his feet that is night and day different from what AC brings. Loved what I saw from the Als today!

[Royal Dudeness]

You guys have to watch the Lions/Argos highlights from today's game. An Argos player was running it in for a sure touchdown, and he fumbled the ball mere inches before crossing the goal line and a lions player ended up recovering it. Absolutely hilarious

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

I sure hope our OC doug Berry is installing a whole new offence, and it's all gonna come together by week 15 or so...otherwise, the Riders are fucked with a capital fuck.

Today's performance was reality slapping us in the face...we're overrated.