Matt Cauz
CFL.ca
EDMONTON at BC
(1) I usually gush about the play of RG Patrick Kabongo so I figured I’d go in a different direction and move over one position and talk about RT Calvin Armstrong. Neither Ricky Foley (The CFL leader in sacks) nor Brent Johnson registered a sack and his blocking led to massive holes for Arkee Whitlock. On Whitlock’s first touchdown Armstrong pulled from his tackle position to wipe out Anton McKenzie, clearing a path for an easy score. As a McMaster Grad I am also obligated to mention that LG Kyle Koch just dominated 305 pound DT Stephen Williams on that play. These same guys teamed up again on the exact same play with the exact same result on Whitlock’s 15-yard touchdown run in the 3rd quarter. Again, Armstrong’s mobility and strength got the better of McKenzie and Koch forced Williams out of the play. Just a great game overall for the Eskimos offensive line.
(2) B.C. is going to have to make some major changes with their defensive line. They’re last in rush yards allowed and they consistently put their linebackers in far too many losing situations by allowing offensive lineman like Armstrong to easily get into the second level of the Lions defence. Anton McKenzie and JoJuan Armour rarely had a free lane at Whitlock; instead they found themselves constantly trying to fight off blocks from the Eskimos line. Now it isn’t just about the current personnel. The loss of LBs Otis Floyd and Jamall Johnson has contributed to their defensive shortcomings. Both have made Hamilton a better overall defence. In 2008, the Tiger-Cats were last in yards allowed, giving up over 440 yards per game. This season they have cut that number by over 80 yards per game, allowing a much more respectable 356 yards per game. Time and time again this season B.C. has been pushed around by opposing teams’ rushing attacks.
(3) Give BC credit for making the playoffs considering they had five different quarterbacks take snaps for them this year. I have no idea if that is a record for a playoff team, but it sure feels like it is. I’m guessing most fans are not looking forward to the Zac Champion era. Here’s hoping that Casey Printers is healthy for the playoffs.
(4) Speaking of quarterbacks, I think it’s time that Buck Pierce seriously considers a different occupation. Every time I watch him run I cringe. How many times do we have to see a close-up of Pierce on the sideline all beat up before he gets the message? This isn’t about questioning his toughness; this is about wondering whether or not his body can take this kind of punishment anymore. Watching Buck limp around out there is like watching the Black Knight lose limb after limb in ‘Monty Python and the Holy Grail’.
(5) What a difference the Eskimos offense looks like when Ricky Ray throws the ball downfield. This team can be dangerous if they commit themselves to taking chances deep. They have the WRs to challenge any secondary in the league and a line that can give Ray the time to make those kinds of throws.
(6) You may have missed this, but there wasn’t one holding or block in the back penalty on any of the returns. It was such a joy to watch a game with 378 return yards, several exciting returns by Ryan Grice-Mullen and Skyler Green and not one flag to be found. Long returns, shorter fields, more scoring, good times all around.
(7) Congratulations to Arkee Whitlock who went from a complete disaster for his week two performance against Montreal to Rookie of the Year. His 165 yard, 2 TD game edged him past Martell Mallett and any other competitors. For the season he averaged over six yards per carry, ran for 1,293 yards and scored 12 touchdowns.
MONTREAL at TORONTO
(1) Oh boy you know this isn’t going to be a good game when early on Rod Black is saying this game has the feel of a pre-season game.
(2) Uhhh isn’t the point of having a retractable roof so that you can open it up in good weather? Saturday was just gorgeous in Toronto, this may be the last great day until late April and the roof was closed?
(3) The main lesson from this game … do not have Montreal as your opponent for Fan Appreciation Day. The fans don’t appreciate knowing their team has no chance of winning and is down by double digits before they can find their seats. This game is agonizing to both man and animal alike. Toronto decided to unleash their ‘Bring your Dog to the Game’ promotion for the regular season finale. I’m guessing anyone who brought their dogs does not subscribe to the adage that a dog is a man’s best friend because I, nor anyone I know, would ever have subjected their best friend to Stephen Reaves quarterbacking Toronto to a 42-17 loss. The Argonauts better hope PETA is unaware of this promotion, cause this is just cruel for all those poor dogs.
CALGARY at SASKATCHEWAN
(1) Couldn’t have happened to a better group of fans. I love watching the cutaway shots to the fans between plays. Roughrider fans treat every game like a celebration of sports. It’s like a combination of Halloween, Mardi Gras and a great tailgating party. So much energy.
(2) Andy Fantuz barely beats out Darian Durant as the best player on the field on Saturday night. Fantuz just exerted his will on the Stampeders secondary. He didn’t have any massive gains but he was responsible for keeping just about every important Saskatchewan drive alive. Durant targeted Fantuz eight times on 2nd down, seven of those throws resulted in a Fantuz catch and a first down conversion. The guy never gets tackled by the first man. We talk all the time about how great running backs always fall forward for that extra yard, that same trait is in Fantuz. He is still the greatest Canadian college player I have ever seen, edging out Jesse Lumsden.
(3) The best play of the game is easy: John Chick‘s 4th quarter massive 13-yard sack and loss on Henry Burris. On just a three man rush Chick easily out muscled Jeff Pilon for the sack. This seems like a trend for Pilon, great run blocker, but a liability in pass protection.
(4) A ton of credit has to go to Omarr Morgan, Lance Frazier and the rest of the Saskatchewan secondary for shutting down the best unit of receivers in the West. Jeremaine Copeland and Nik Lewis finished the season with a combined 2,248 yards and Romby Bryant came into the game with 481 yards in his last four games but none of them had a huge impact as Burris was held to 221 yards on the night. Remember Calgary is only behind Montreal offensively in yards, touchdowns and points scored.
(5) The lone bright spot for Calgary was Joffrey Reynolds. Just a great combination of speed and power. Next to Anthony Calvillo, he is the best player in the game today.
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