Pat Steinberg
CFL.ca
While races atop the CFL’s two divisions are still very much alive and kicking, the dash to the 2011 postseason seems to have lost another runner.
Combining Saskatchewan’s blowout loss to Calgary on Saturday with the Hamilton win that followed shortly thereafter and a BC victory the night before, the Riders now find themselves three games back of both third in the West Division and of a potential crossover out east.
With just five games to go, the math just doesn’t favour their chances.
No questions here
The Lions 33-24 win over Edmonton to christen the brand new BC Place showcased all of the reasons why they are such a force in this league. Now tied for second in the division, BC beat the Eskimos by winning both battles on the line all night long.
Defensively, there is not a scarier interior front than what the Lions are currently boasting. Khalif Mitchell and Aaron Hunt draw a ton of attention, opening things up in a large way schematically.
Because the interior draws double teams, the Lions are not always forced to send an extra attacker on the blitz to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks. When they do bring a blitzing linebacker or defensive back, it becomes even more difficult to pick it up, with so much attention forced inside.
Having more bodies free to move to the football, the true athletic talents of names like Solomon Elimimian, Anton McKenzie, and J.J. Reddick are showcased. While Elimimian gets a ton of press for the job he does, and rightfully so, having McKenzie and Reddick on either side turns this linebacker core into one of the most formidable in recent CFL memory.
Additionally, Travis Lulay was in fine form, throwing for three touchdowns and managing the football throughout. What I liked most was how he used every weapon in his arsenal, starting with his ever improving ability to work through his progressions.
And when his pocket progression wasn’t working, Lulay used his athleticism to extend the play, running for 44 yards and a touchdown, while also completing a number of impressive passes while on the move.
Lulay has shown a pretty darn impressive ability to throw across his body, and he’s also really worked on his decision making while eluding pressure.
This was certainly one of his best outings, if not his best.
I’m going to really go out on a limb and call Andrew Harris the Gibson’s Finest Offensive Player of the Week after his stupid performance on Friday. With 175 all purpose yards, Harris put on a playmaking display in whatever manor his number was called.
The ever improving BC offensive line opened up decent wholes, and Harris ran through them for just under six yards per carry. He caught the ball in the flat, out of the backfield, and made things happen in a big way whenever he touched the football.
Eastern gridlock
I’m so glad Winnipeg and Montreal play one more time this season, because the last two times these squads have met have lead to edge-of-your-seat action right to the very end.
Last time out, it was the Bombers staving off a furious comeback and stalling Anthony Calvillo and the Als as they tried to march late in the fourth quarter.
This time around, thanks to a penalty flag, it was Montreal returning the favour with a gutsy stand on the goal line, thwarting two Alex Brink sneaks to preserve a crucial win. Now with things all square, their October 22nd meeting in Winnipeg could very well decide the division crown and a berth in the East Division final.
Offensively, Montreal was as advertised for most of this one, doing most of their damage in the third quarter. While I’m sure it would have been nice to see a few more points scored in the final 15 minutes, 32 ended up being just enough for the win.
It was an inspired, fired up performance from the Alouettes defensive group, who rallied around the largest adversity they’ve faced all season long.
The news was bad early in the week when we found out defensive back Etienne Boulay would have his season cut short by being placed on the nine game injured list. It got worse the night before kickoff in Winnipeg, when his DB teammate Tad Crawford joined him on the nine game, along with linebacker Shea Emry.
Three important pieces to the Montreal defence all sidelined just like that, and I was very impressed how the remaining group stepped things up when they needed to most. It’s now up to the likes of Chip Cox and Diamond Ferri to keep that same fire down the stretch and into the postseason.
Fading away
As mentioned off the top, nothing went right for the Riders this week, as they were humbled by the archrival Stampeders for a third time this season while the two teams they can catch moved further away.
While it’s not mathematically impossible, you have to believe this weekend was probably the end of the road when it comes to the playoffs for Saskatchewan, needing to make up three games in five weeks. I’d be less sure of that if it wasn’t for the two dismal performances they’ve had on the field.
I wondered aloud and in print how long the emotional kick from Ken Miller’s return to the sidelines would last. We have our answer: three weeks.
The Riders took a trio of consecutive wins, trouncing the Bombers back-to-back before escaping with a win over Toronto. But successive blowout losses to West Division foes have seen familiar negative traits rear their ugly heads once again, regardless of who is making the calls on the sidelines.
Darian Durant’s decision making and execution in the clutch were being questioned with Greg Marshall and Doug Berry still employed, and they’re being questioned once again. And rightfully so, as Saskatchewan’s quarterback struggled all afternoon at McMahon Stadium.
Even giving Calgary’s defensive unit the credit they’re due, but I still can’t get my head around why the favorite pass of the day seemed to be the long ones to the far sideline. They’re passes that go a long way, but the wrong way, rarely making any real dent in the yardage battle.
However it was his mistake while the Riders were driving late in the second quarter that proved to be the turning point in the football game. Durant’s fumble on the shotgun snap that ended up in the hands of Charleston Hughes was likely a 14 point swing, and Saskatchewan just couldn’t come back.
Passing the torch?
Jon Cornish’s performance against the Riders at home has people wondering two things. First, is this the end of the Joffrey Reynolds era in Calgary? And second, should the Stampeders be thinking about moving Reynolds?
The second question is a fun one to debate, and it was debated heatedly in the front row of the McMahon press box on Saturday. The first is harder to answer, so it might be better to answer it with another question. That question being: is this the beginning of the Jon Cornish era?
He’s had two very good performances for Calgary, running for 149 yards and two touchdowns on just 13 carries Saturday, while adding 32 more yards on his lone reception.
There’s no questioning the all around talents of Cornish, because he is the total package. He’s physical, and while he doesn’t go seeking contact the same way Reynolds does, he doesn’t shy away from it either.
Cornish also has insane breakaway speed and his time working with Calgary’s special teams units have made him extremely aware of where he is on the field. He displa
ys great vision, which was especially evident in his numerous effective cutbacks on Saturday.
That said, I still don’t like the benching of Reynolds because this type of performance from Cornish had nothing to do with Reynolds watching in street clothes. However, if the Stamps are content rolling with Cornish and LaMarcus Coker, maybe it is pertinent to explore a trade involving Reynolds.
Winnipeg clearly has a void at the position, while his history with Jim Barker would certainly make Toronto an interesting option as well. Hmm, now my mind is racing.
That C word again
If Hamilton is going to mount a real challenge to either Winnipeg or Montreal come playoff time, they’re going to have to really steady their game.
I know they were able to pick up a much needed win against the Argos on Saturday, but it came in a manner that definitely needs to be addressed. The Tiger-Cats are arguably the CFL’s most frustratingly inconsistent team, having banner night’s one week and difficult to watch performances the next.
I’m less worried about the Hamilton defensive group, because I think they’re well coached and blessed with some very good playmakers.
But Kevin Glenn throwing three interceptions is not a recipe for success, regardless of how good their running game looked against Toronto.
The number one thrust for the Tiger Cats down the stretch has to involve finding a way to put CONSISTENT efforts on the field, in an effort to have a real foundation to ride into the postseason.
