The 2010 Official Canadian Football League (CFL) thread

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Playoff predictions:

Hamilton over Toronto: As much as the Argos running game, and special teams (read: Chad Owens), are to be feared, I can't get over the mismatch at QB. Kevin Glenn is head and shoulders the best player in this game. So long as he plays that way, the Ticats will win. Besides, I want them to get their asses whupped in Montreal. They're a little cocky after beating the Als in a nothing game, 4 days after the Als clinched the division.

Saskatchewan over BC: Yeah, the Lions are hot going into the playoffs, and the Riders are streaky, but still the Riders have played in a lot of big games the last few years. They're also at home - where they're a much better team - and have a lot of weapons. This one will be close, but the favorites will win. Do I smell a Grey Cup rematch?
Also, it didn't take long for Eric Tillman to make his mark in Edmonton. Ritchie Hall is gone. Look for big changes to their squad next year.

Wow. What a game at Mosaic today. Top three highlight of all time for me.
Hard to believe that Jason Clermont has neve had a TD for the Riders until today. That's gotta hurt for BC fans.
I think Montreal are on their way...Toronto cannot possibly pull off an upset next week at McGill Stadium.
The West final...well...the Riders better bring a full 60 minutes or they'll get crushed. That said, you know Burris is going to feel a little tightening around the neck this week...

[WOLF]

Playoff predictions:

Hamilton over Toronto: As much as the Argos running game, and special teams (read: Chad Owens), are to be feared, I can't get over the mismatch at QB. Kevin Glenn is head and shoulders the best player in this game. So long as he plays that way, the Ticats will win. Besides, I want them to get their asses whupped in Montreal. They're a little cocky after beating the Als in a nothing game, 4 days after the Als clinched the division.

Saskatchewan over BC: Yeah, the Lions are hot going into the playoffs, and the Riders are streaky, but still the Riders have played in a lot of big games the last few years. They're also at home - where they're a much better team - and have a lot of weapons. This one will be close, but the favorites will win. Do I smell a Grey Cup rematch?
Also, it didn't take long for Eric Tillman to make his mark in Edmonton. Ritchie Hall is gone. Look for big changes to their squad next year.

Wow. What a game at Mosaic today. Top three highlight of all time for me.
Hard to believe that Jason Clermont has neve had a TD for the Riders until today. That's gotta hurt for BC fans.
I think Montreal are on their way...Toronto cannot possibly pull off an upset next week at McGill Stadium.
The West final...well...the Riders better bring a full 60 minutes or they'll get crushed. That said, you know Burris is going to feel a little tightening around the neck this week...

The game will be played at Olympic Stadium. Almost sold out - 55,000 to 60,000 should be in attendance.

The Als have proven adept at stuffing the run, so if they can force Lemon to throw more, particularly downfield if we get a quick lead, he's sure to throw some untimely picks. The only thing that worries me is special teams. Chad Owens is a monster (with a chip on his shoulder as he use to play for the Als) and the Als return and kicking games have been spotty all year. Als SHOULDN'T lose, but they could.

[WOLF]

Predictions:

Eastern Final: Montreal over Toronto

I'm really sick of people thinking that anyone in the East is even close to being in the same zip code as the Als. The Als clinched early, coasted, and have been disrespected for having their backups beated by other teams' starters. The Argos only hope on Sunday is special teams TDs; otherwise the Als will demolish Toronto.

Western Final: Saskatchewan over Calgary

Why? I don't know. Because the league deserves to have another great Montreal/Saskatchewan game viewed by the masses. In the space of a year these teams have played 3 awesome games; right now there is no matchup in the CFL I'd rather watch. Go Rider Nation!

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Predictions:

Eastern Final: Montreal over Toronto

I'm really sick of people thinking that anyone in the East is even close to being in the same zip code as the Als. The Als clinched early, coasted, and have been disrespected for having their backups beated by other teams' starters. The Argos only hope on Sunday is special teams TDs; otherwise the Als will demolish Toronto.

Western Final: Saskatchewan over Calgary

Why? I don't know. Because the league deserves to have another great Montreal/Saskatchewan game viewed by the masses. In the space of a year these teams have played 3 awesome games; right now there is no matchup in the CFL I'd rather watch. Go Rider Nation!

I concur with your picks.
The Argos are getting far too much love this week around here, but i've been telling everyone pretty much exactly what you're saying...the Als have been coasting but now they'll turn it up and I expect them to crush Toronto.

As for the Riders, I think the difference might be that Saskatchewan have some good Canadian prairie boys all through the roster who won't be phased by the weather. Hughes, Szarka, McCullough, Foord etc might make a big difference in this one. They need to stop the run, though, and that's where it might all go wrong tommorow.

REALLY hoping for another MTL/SK Grey cup next weekend.

[znuff_fan]

Go Toronto...I am just so sick of Montreal dominating every year. Never liked AC at QB, just something about him.

Wish Winnipeg would finally get back on track, sick of the Bombers sucking all the time.

[WOLF]

Well, glad to see order has been returned to the universe.

I have no idea if this year's Als are good enough to beat a tough Western opponent, in the cold, in Edmonton. However, the notion that Toronto or Hamilton could play with the Alouettes was ludicrous. When push came to shove the Als crushed their opponent. They won on offence; their D was dominating; they even won the special teams battle - Toronto's big strength. Toronto only scored a major against the Als backups and the Als could have put more points on the board had they not eased up. Total domination!

To top it all off, the Habs beat the Leafs 2-0 last night so I'm heading to work on Monday a happy boy!

Now I can crack open a couple of cold ones and enjoy a (hopefully) classic between the Stamps and Riders.

C'mon Fast Eddie - your boys have to give us the rematch we all want.

[Kid-Wicked]

i just CAN'T get behind the riders.
fuck. go calgary i guess.

fuck!

hurts saying that too.

i'd rather see calgary/montreal in the grey cup.


k.w.
-24 with the wind chill in calgary

[WOLF]

i just CAN'T get behind the riders.
fuck. go calgary i guess.

fuck!

hurts saying that too.

i'd rather see calgary/montreal in the grey cup.


k.w.
-24 with the wind chill in calgary

NOW who ya gonna cheer for?!

REMATCH baby!

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Well done Riders. A grind-it-out kind of win today. The western elimination tour is complete...now on to deal with some unfinished business.

We got 2 quarters of solid play from Durant last week, and 3 quarters this week. He's gonna need to be sharp for 60 minutes next week if the Riders are gonna bring the Grey Cup home.

This is gonna be a fun week, WOLF.

[Kid-Wicked]

i just CAN'T get behind the riders.
fuck. go calgary i guess.

fuck!

hurts saying that too.

i'd rather see calgary/montreal in the grey cup.


k.w.
-24 with the wind chill in calgary

NOW who ya gonna cheer for?!

REMATCH baby!

just cheering for a good game now.

[WOLF]

OK - I guess it's prediction time:

The Riders will surely win because the league wants them to and because they had the better hotel. OK, just kidding....

I'm going with the Als in a game that will be less close than last year. The Als were clearly the better team last year, slept, or were outplayed, for 50 minutes, and roared back to life just in the nick of time. I think that experience will prove valuable. Both teams are well coached, both have outstanding QBs, though I'll take Cavillo's experience over Durant's enthusiasm. The receiving corps are both excellent, but a big difference on offence is the running game. I believe Avon Coborne can be more effective than Wes Cates and that will be a HUGE key to the Als success. The D's can both be stellar and both have their lapses, so whoever makes less mistakes just might be the better unit on this day. Special teams are special teams - you never know, but the Als' were finally good last week, so that bodes well.

Nothing would surprise me, at the cold does weigh in Saskatchewan's favor, not to mention the redemption card, but I'll say: MONTREAL 38 SASKATCHEWAN 30

Good luck Rider Nation. I, and all Als fans, have much respect for you. If the Als can't win, there's no community more deserving.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

The Riders are a loose bunch this week, and the distractions have all centred around the Als for a change. I'll give Montreal the edge in the running game and special teams. I think the Riders D has matched up well against Calvillo and those physical recievers, and I have to believe that Durant will be on his game from the opening kick off.
I really don't want this to come down to a field goal...the idea of Keen having to hit a 35 yarder to tie or win terrifies me. I don't think it will though.

Riders 28, Alouettes 22.

Enjoy the game WOLF. May you get a good nights sleep, unlike your team, who apparently are staying in accomodations akin to a Thai prison this week.

[znuff_fan]

Let's go Riders!!!

[WOLF]

The TSN panel was split down the middle. Randorf and Dunnigan are taking the Als; Climie and Schultz are taking the Riders. The TSN Sports Reporters panel, this morning, also spilt 2-2.

Forget the spread. This game is a pick'em. Should be great. Enjoy folks.

[WOLF]

Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you the one-man momentum killer, Damon Duval!

Fuck, I hate kickers! Should have been: Montreal 10; Sask 0; is Montreal 8; Sask 7.

[MurrayFiend]

Enjoying the game so far (though I'm afraid I'll have to be switching back and forth when S.D./Indy comes on). Maybe I'll have to check out some more CFL next season.

I had no clue where that eighth point came from until I did some reading about Canadian football on Wikipedia. I'm not American, just ignorant.

[WOLF]

The Alouettes win it with a stellar defensive effort in the second half, as well as pretty much error free, and very disciplined, football the entire game. The kicking game in the cold gave us fits, but at the end of the day the boys held strong and are bringing the silverware home again.

Congrats to Rider Nation. One break and the Riders could be hoisting the cup. Incredibly these two teams have played 4 times in the last year and the COMBINED margin of victory has been eleven points!

Woo-hoo! I'm so happy...

[Kid-Wicked]

too bad they both couldn't have lost.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

The Riders lost to the better team...congratulations and full marks to Montreal for the repeat.

It was frustrating that in the second half they couldn't get Calvillo off the field, and then when they did get the ball, our offence couldn't put any drives together. As gassed as our D was in the second half, they kept us in it by not giving up majors.

I hope that Calvillo's cancer treatment goes well and that he can come back next year for one more run...I would love to see SK/MTL part three next November.

There are people that are throwing Durant under the bus around here, but this loss isn't even remotely on him. He knew he couldn't take a sack on that play, and his effort to break the tackle and try to get the ball out of bounds was the right play on his part.

Good season. Lots of ups and downs. I hope the Riders don't lose guys to the NFL again this offseason. If they can keep this core together they'll be in good shape next year.

[KillDevilHill]

Montreal im happy for you, and imma let ya finish, but the edmonton eskimos had one the great dynastys of all time


I was going to feel bad, and then I remember Rider fans and all the shit talk from rider fans about BC, and the sympathy goes out the window.

Riders pass D looked like Poo, Durant couldnt play a full game, and getzlaf seemed to hear footsteps more than once.

[WOLF]

Montreal im happy for you, and imma let ya finish, but the edmonton eskimos had one the great dynastys of all time

I grew up a CFL fan fearing those Edmonton squads. They were awesome, and IMO a dynasty that will never be equalled. They are the CFL equivalent of the Montreal Canadiens of the late 1950's or late 1970's. In this day of free agency, salary caps, and misplaced loyalty, I can't see any squad winning 5 in a row. Already the Als are facing losing their coach, a great number of significant free agents, and guys in their option year eyeing a shot at the NFL.

[WOLF]

The Riders are sniffing around the Als for their next head coach. Personally, I'd hate to lose him and think he's a better candidate than any of the others mentioned. However, the CFL is often a "buddy buddy" type of league that loves to recycle coaches, so I wouldn't be shocked to see Milanovich passed over for Berry, Hall, or Marshall. In any case, Milanovich knows he's the heir apparent in Montreal, once Mark Trestman goes south. The question is does he want to follow Trestman and inherit a team without Cavillo, Cahoon, et al?

From TSN.ca:

The Saskatchewan Roughriders would like to talk to Montreal offensive coordinator Scott Milanovich about their vacant head coaching position.

The Alouettes on Wednesday gave permission for the Roughriders to contact Milanovich, although it's not clear whether the former NFL and CFL quarterback is interested in pursuing an opportunity with Saskatchewan.

A year ago, Milanovich was offered the head coaching job with the Toronto Argonauts but turned it down to return for a fourth season in Montreal. During his three seasons working alongside Als' head coach Marc Trestman, Montreal has finished either first or second in points scored.

If Milanovich chooses to speak with the Roughriders, he will be up against current Saskatchewan offensive coordinator Doug Berry, former Edmonton Eskimos head coach Richie Hall, Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive coordinator Greg Marshall and Calgary defensive backs coach Corey Chamblin for the position vacated by Ken Miller on December 3rd.

Chamblin has a connection to Taman when the two were with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the 2007 season and is also believed to be a candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator position in Winnipeg. He has been with the Stamps for each of the past three seasons when their defensive secondary has consistently been among the league's best.

While Chamblin's name is not well known by the public, the 33-year-old is considered an up-and-comer in the CFL coaching ranks and it is believed he will get serious consideration for the Saskatchewan job.

Milanovich, unlike the other candidates, has no ties to either Taman or Miller, who is now the Riders vice-president of football operations.

No announcement about Saskatchewan's head coach is expected before next week.

[Kid-Wicked]

lots of talk aboot dave dickinson becoming the head coach in b.c. after next season.

[WOLF]

Former Montreal Alouette Tony Proudfoot lost his battle with ALS earlier today. There are no words for the sadness this brings to the CFL community and to the people of Montreal. Mr. Proudfoot was a great Alouette, an accomplished broadcaster and coach, and hero of the Dawson College shootings a few years ago - where he worked as a Phys Ed teacher before being struck down by ALS.

Until his dying day he helped to raise awareness for ALS, and shared the thoughts of his very intelligent/active mind. He was a picture of grace and dignity. God bless a true hero. May he rest in peace.

Story on his passing:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Former+A ... story.html

His final message via the Montreal Gazette, which he shared a couple of weeks ago:
http://www.montrealgazette.com/mikeholm ... id=3979831