Official 2012 Canadian Football League thread

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Week 5
Bombers over Eskimos. First home game for the Peg, and it's almost a must-win. I don't like the QB situation. but I have a feeling the D will find a way to create turnovers and give them a chance to win.

Alouettes over Argos. Montreal have looked pretty average so far, but at home they should be good to go against the improved Argos. This could be the most entertaining game of the week.

Ti-Cats over Riders. Both teams get a buy next week. The Cats are out for revenge. The Riders are coming off an epic collapse. I have a bad feeling about this one for the Riders.

Lions over Stamps. i was tempted to go with the home team, but You don't often see Kevin Glenn come up with 2 big games in a row.

I could EASILY be 0-4 again.

[WOLF]

Bombers - because things will really go off the rails if they don't win at home.

Als - because I can easily see them going 9-0 at home, and 0-9 away from home. If the D stinks again, Jeff Reinbold better start looking for US college jobs again.

Riders - because I HATE the f'n Ti-Cats, but fear they are the beast of the east. I just may wear a watermelon on my head for this one.

Lions - because they can't lose again, can they?

Going to the game on Friday. Hope the Als don't torture me like last time - though that outcome was good for me.

[Kid-Wicked]

edmonton(game's over but i'm being honest)

mont

b.c.

sask.

can't believe the bombers won.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

can't believe the bombers won.

That game went from terrible to terrific. I'm not surprised that Jyles puked up a fumble though, he was famous for that when he was in Regina. The Bombers were in their best Ritchie Hall prevent defense, and the Shmoes were gonna win if Jyles just slides. What a maroon.

[WOLF]

Fuck me! I am NOT use to this shit. The Als haven't been mediocre (read: bad) in about a decade. Back to back divisional losses? Ugh!

We would be 1-4 if it weren't for Glenn's brain cramp!

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

After that fucking debacle yesterday, I decided to sleep on it before commenting, but I'm just as pissed off this morning as I was last night. Blame for the Riders second straight 4th quarter meltdown gets spread around to our front seven (who made Hamiltons O-Line look like an all-star outfit) our coodinators, (who made really rreally dumb calls) our quarterback, (who lacks both killer instinct and leadership qualities) and our recievers, who forget how to catch in the second half. we should be 5-0. I wish we could take away the bye week and make these guys practice this week. Fuck.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

week 6
Montreal over Winnipeg
Toronto over BC (Upset? I'm not sure. I guess BC are the favorite but it feels like Toronto should win this)

I am certain the the Riders will not blow a three score fourth quarter lead this week. Next week, no guarantee.

[WOLF]

Montreal
BC

People are in serious panic mode here. The team is relatively calm, and feels it's par for the course with all the changes. Media and fans are all doom and gloom.

Will the real Montreal Alouettes please stand up!

[Kid-Wicked]

montreal

bc.

go lions. fuck everything toronto.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Another Thursday game? How am I supposed to watch the Olympics on tape delay, NFL pre-season, and this all at the same time?

Hamilton over Calgary

Saskatchewan over Edmonton.

[Kid-Wicked]

hamilton

sask

[WOLF]

Hamilton - though I'm cheering for Calgary so we can have a three way tie atop the East.

Edmonton - just got a feeling about their defence coming up big.

[WOLF]

Gentlemen - parity is alive and well in the CFL at the 1/3 mark of the season. 7 of 8 teams within 1 game of the league lead!

Put the names in a hat, pull out two, and that's your possible Grey Cup matchup. I wouldn't be shocked to see two third place, 9-9, teams battle for it all in the 100th Grey Cup.

AWESOME...I think....

[WOLF]

I'm on vacation, out of the country, but glad to see the Ti-cats lost on Thursday. Als might get killed in Edmonton. Brandon Whittaker AND Jamal Richardson out, vs the Esks defence; not good.

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

I would have picked Hamilton last night so I'm 0-1.
Montreal Over Edmonton
Calgary over Toronto
Saskatchewan over BC. (I'll be there! leaving for Vancouver tomorrow morning for a weeks holidays)

Why the fuck do the Lions not have a children's ticket price? I'm gonna have to settle for the cheapest seats in BC place because i have to pay full price for both on my kids.

[WOLF]

Why the fuck do the Lions not have a children's ticket price? I'm gonna have to settle for the cheapest seats in BC place because i have to pay full price for both on my kids.

Do the Lions sell out? If not, that's kinda stupid. Since the Als expanded Molson Stadium they've always had "family packs", etc.

Enjoy the family time bud! You have more faith in the Als than I do.

[WOLF]

Too late for predictions this week, as I was traveling for business, but a lot of interesting developments 3 games into the week.

- Als win 3rd in a row, another nailbiter, and defence is rounding into form.
- Riders drop 5th in a row and are reeling.
- LaPolice pays the price for the Bombers poor start, with DC Tim Burke getting a shot in the big chair. I'm not sure what LP could have done, lots of injuries and goings on in the 'Peg.

Would love to see the Eskies upset the Argos and give my Als sole possession of 1st in the East ahead of a tough home game, against BC, next weekend.

[Kid-Wicked]

Why the fuck do the Lions not have a children's ticket price? I'm gonna have to settle for the cheapest seats in BC place because i have to pay full price for both on my kids.

Do the Lions sell out? If not, that's kinda stupid. Since the Als expanded Molson Stadium they've always had "family packs", etc.

Enjoy the family time bud! You have more faith in the Als than I do.

you can get end zone seats at 7-11 for $60 a pair i think it is but you can find them on craigslist for 10 bucks each i think.

what game are are coming for?

they did a preseason thing for kids. they should do it for every game.

The CFL's hardest hitter last season has been released by the Minnesota Vikings.

Linebacker Solomon Elimimian, who helped the B.C. Lions win the Grey Cup in 2011, was among 15 players let go by the Vikings on Saturday.

The six-foot, 230-pound Elimimian spent two productive seasons with B.C. before signing a two-year deal with the Vikings following the 2011 campaign. Elimimian, 25, was named the CFL's top rookie in 2010 before posting 98 tackles with the Lions in 2011.

A native of Nigeria who grew up in Los Angeles, Elimimian was also named the CFL's hardest hitter in a player poll conducted last year.

Elimimian now has 10 days to sign with another NFL team before his rights revert back to the Lions (6-2), who not only sport the CFL's best record but also the league's top-ranked defence with newcomer Adam Bighill replacing Elimimian at middle linebacker.

Elimimian went into the Vikings camp with a hamstring injury but played the first exhibition game against San Francisco, recording two tackles and an interception. He sat out the second game against Buffalo but had two tackles and an assist in Minnesota's 12-10 loss to San Diego on Friday night.

[WOLF]

A lot of interesting games this week.

Montreal over BC: I take the Als VERY sheepishly, as BC has won 4 straight and their defence is on fire. However, AC is also on fire, the Als are on a roll, and the trip out here could not have been easy on the Lions. The teams have a home/home and I can't see the Lions winning both (and the Als NEVER win in BC).

Winnipeg over Saskatchewan: The Riders are reeling, and the Bombers are feeling a little guilty about getting their coach fired. Tim Burke is surely reminding his team that you're never really out of it in the CFL East, so I look for a surprise here - if you can call it that the way Saskatchewan is playing.

Hamilton over Toronto: The Ticats are due to stop their skid, and hosting the Argos, on Labor Day, is just the tonic for them.

Calgary over Edmonton: Home game for Calgary, and I can't see the Esks QBs piloting them to that many victories, early season success aside.

[Kid-Wicked]

FUCK THE LIONS D LOOKED AWFUL.

can't cover. can't tackle.

[WOLF]

Winnipeg over Saskatchewan: The Riders are reeling, and the Bombers are feeling a little guilty about getting their coach fired. Tim Burke is surely reminding his team that you're never really out of it in the CFL East, so I look for a surprise here - if you can call it that the way Saskatchewan is playing.

Final: Sask 52, Winnipeg 0. - Oops, missed that one!

[Kid-Wicked]

looks like the "new coach" thing worked well for the bombers

[WOLF]

looks like the "new coach" thing worked well for the bombers

It was a dick move firing LaPolice when the team was riddled with injuries and defections, and the GM hasn't provided him with suitable replacements. The guy is a good, young coach, who led the team to an improbable division win and Grey Cup appearance last year, and he deserved way more rope.

The GM (Joe Mack) wasn't going to fire himself, so I guess he did the next big thing. From the comments I've read, Bomber fans are preparing the tar and feathers as we speak!

[WOLF]

Als shit the bed at BC Place, but that was almost to be expected - they always do! We got Sask at home next weekend, and I'm comfortable with that matchup - we ain't Winnipeg Fast Eddie!

Now - what the fuck was Burke thinking in the Banjo Bowl?! He won't let his kicker try a 43-yarder, with the game more or less on the line?! What a colossal screw up! Just epic! Swaggerville my ass...

[Kid-Wicked]

nice call coach. lol

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

The Riders are whipping out their Willy today in Montreal. The even travelled to Montreal a day early to allow the players to get their lapdance on and then get back to business...the result...we'll stay within 14 on Montreal, but that's it.

At least I got to enjoy watcing the Eskimos get bootfucked this week.

Enjoy the game if you're going, WOLF.

[WOLF]

The Riders are whipping out their Willy today in Montreal. The even travelled to Montreal a day early to allow the players to get their lapdance on and then get back to business...the result...we'll stay within 14 on Montreal, but that's it.

At least I got to enjoy watcing the Eskimos get bootfucked this week.

Enjoy the game if you're going, WOLF.

I was there. Gorgeous day for football.

Als started out great, with AC firing on all cylinders. Riders adjusted very nicely on D at half-time. If Willy isn't off the mark with those picks, and over/under throwing his receivers, Riders would have stayed in the mix longer.

Als Special Teams sucked as usual. Deangelis danced around like an idiot after his two made field goals. Dude, I get it, the Als sat you all year last year, but you might want to save the celebration for when you're ahead.

[WOLF]

Bratton gone long term; Whitaker out for the year. Fuck, and FUCK! That hurts. Victor Anderson has played well in a backup role this year, but don't know if he can shoulder the load long-term. Whitaker can do it all: run, catch, and block. Huge loss for the Als. Bratton is a really versatile receiver as well. He's been invaluable with Richardson and Green dropping a lot of balls this year.

From tsn.ca:

MONTREAL -- It's Victor Anderson's time with the Montreal Alouettes.

The rookie running back is expected to be the starter Sunday when Montreal hosts the Toronto Argonauts in a crucial East Division showdown. Anderson's promotion to the starting lineup comes after incumbent Brandon Whitaker learned Tuesday he's out for the rest of the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.

Whitaker, 27, will require surgery after being injured in Montreal's 28-17 home win over Saskatchewan on Sunday.

Whitaker is fourth in CFL rushing with 631 yards and four touchdowns while adding 516 receiving yards with five TDs. He led the league in rushing last year with 1,381 yards and four touchdowns and also had 638 receiving yards and six TDs.

The five-foot-nine, 188-pound Anderson admits he has big shoes to fill.

"Brandon is the best running back in the league in my opinion," Anderson told reporters. "You have to stay on your best game in practice because he's always going hard so that continues to push all the younger backs.

"We just have to continue to push and play strong for Brandon . . . we've got to do this for him."

Anderson, who played collegiately at Louisville, has seen spot duty in his first CFL campaign, rushing 130 yards on 30 carries (4.3-yard average) and two TDs while also registering seven catches for 64 yards and a touchdown.

Whitaker spent his first two CFL seasons backing up veteran Avon Cobourne before becoming Montreal's starter after Cobourne left to sign as a free agent with Hamilton in 2011. The former Baylor Bear fit into the offence immediately by leading the league in rushing his first season as the starter.

"It's frustrating but it's football, it's one of those things that happens," Whitaker said. "God has a plan for all of us and I don't quite know what it is right now but it's his plan and I just have to follow it."

Whitaker has often credited Cobourne for helping mentor him when Whitaker was a rookie adjusting to a new game in a different country. While speaking of Cobourne, Whitaker has called him a "big brother."

This year, Whitaker assumed the role of mentor with Anderson and believes Montreal's high octane offence -- spearheaded by CFL passing leader Anthony Calvillo -- will be just fine with the rookie in the backfield.

"I'm always trying to help the next guy because I've been in that position before," Whitaker said. "Victor is a great running back and he's going to do very well.

"I don't feel like we're going to skip a beat back there. With more reps and more experience he's going to get better and better. He's always prepared like a starter every week. You never know in this game and that's something I learned in the past being behind one of the great running backs in this league (Cobourne)."

Alouettes general manager Jim Popp said while it's not known just how long Whitaker will be out, he believes Whitaker's long-term prognosis looks good.

"With today's technology and the doctors, he'll have every bit of a chance to recover 100 per cent and be right back with us next year," Popp said. "I know he's disappointed but it's part of the game and we can't control it and just have to deal with it and move on.

"Victor is a solid, quality person let alone a great football player. He's able to do a lot of different things in our offence and help us in other areas like special teams. He'll be the guy now and we'll give him every opportunity along with anybody else we bring in."

The loss of Whitaker comes at a bad time for Montreal (7-4), which leads second-place Toronto (6-5) by just two points in the East standings heading into this week's crucial matchup.

But Argos head coach Scott Milanovich, who spent the five previous seasons as an assistant with Montreal -- the last four as the club's offensive co-ordinator -- wasn't taking any satisfaction knowing his defence won't have to contend with the versatile Whitaker.

"That kid has worked so hard to get his job and how well he has played and he's a great young man," Milanovich said. "I don't see him interviewed very much, he doesn't seem to get a lot of media publicity but that one hurts me.

"I had a special relationship with him and I feel badly for him."

Veteran Argos cornerback Jordan Younger echoed his coach's sentiments.

"I feel bad for him because he's a competitive guy and I have a tremendous respect for the way he plays and how well-rounded he is," he said. "Unfortunately, injuries are a part of football and now they have to have their backup step up."

[WOLF]

Where all my boys at? All our teams won last week - we should all be happy.

This week's games:

Hamilton over Montreal: Hate to say it, but the Als recent history in Hamilton ain't so great. On top of that, the Ticats are coming off a full week of rest, and the Als played Sunday. Hamilton takes it, and it won't even be that close. Hope I'm wrong. Ticats need to work to avoid a crossover too.

Calgary over Edmonton: Stamps, though coming off a loss, should handle the Eskies at home, with Edmonton starting their number 3 QB (if you can call Jyles and Joseph a 1-2). Calgary takes the battle of the 3rd stringers. Curious to see if Cornish can behave himself... classless prick.

Winnipeg over Toronto: At home, I have a feeling the Bombers can win 2 in a row, with Rickey Ray sitting this one out for the Argos.

BC over Saskatchewan: No team has blown more hot and cold this year than the Riders. How else would they follow-up a big home win, but with a home loss? BC is still the class of the league if you ask me.

WOLF's power rankings:
1.) BC
2.) Montreal
3.) Calgary
4.) Saskatchewan
5.) Toronto
6.) Edmonton
7.) Hamilton
8.) Winnipeg

[Fast_Eddie_Schenker]

Hamilton needs to get their shit together or Winnipeg is going to catch them quick. Hamilton in an upset, but not by much.

Calgary over Edmonton. Edmonton's QB situation is a mess. (Rumour surfaced this week that Tillman is on his way to Winnipeg next year.)

Winnipeg over Toronto. If Buck Peirce is upright, the bombers are a WAY different team. The Argos will miss Ray like you said WOLF.

I have had no confidence in the Riders since August. two wins over Winnipeg didn't change my mind, but last week I saw something encouraging.
Riders win in a Saturday night thriller, getting some revenge for the shit-show in BC a few weeks ago that I attended. Sadly, I won't be at Taylor Field but I'll be watching.