Cfl Week 13
- Thread starter TORONTO-VIGILANTE
- Start date
1) Saskatchewan +6.0 -110 ( one unit)
2) Ottawa +5.0 -110 ( 2 units)
3) Toronto +5.0 -110 (1 units)
2) Ottawa +5.0 -110 ( 2 units)
3) Toronto +5.0 -110 (1 units)
write ups:
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (6-6) AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS (4-8)
The two oldest teams in the CFL, and bitter arch-rivals, meet in a huge game at Skydome.
Hamilton is coming off a 35-28 overtime home win over Montreal. The Tiger-Cats admitted after the game, it?s better to be lucky than good. QB Danny McManus hit Archie Amerson with a 35 yard pass on the opening play of the extra frame to give Hamilton the lead. In one of many lucky breaks, a wide-open Lawrence Phillips dropped a pass on the next series that undoubtedly would have tied the game.
The Tiger-Cats also got two big breaks, when Montreal?s Terry Baker missed two field in the last minute of regulation time that would have given the Als the win.
But, lucky breaks aside, McManus moved the offence, especially in the second half. He completed 21-34 passes for 403 yards and 2 TD?s, the other coming on an 84 yard bomb to Tony Akins, the longest completion for Hamilton this season.
The Argos were simply awful in their latest, for lack of a better term, effort. They were smoked 40-11 in Saskatchewan. The Argo special teams were terrible, with Corey Holmes of the Riders returning seven punts for 203 yards. The defense wasn?t much better, allowing Saskatchewan to rush for 172 yards.
On Tuesday, the inevitable move was made. Toronto Argonauts president Pinball Clemons reluctantly took over the team's coaching duties, after Gary Etcheverry was fired.
Clemons first move, was to announce that Jim Ballard would get the start at QB against Hamilton. Ballard entered last week?s game in the second half, and at least moved the team a bit, completing 16-21 passes for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Michael Bishop on the other hand, continued to struggle, hitting only on 4 of 8 passes for 45 yards. Ballard was released by the Argos at the end of this year?s training camp, also was an Argo in 1999, and, spent a lot of time in the Arena League.
The numbers: 18-30-2. That?s the record of the Argos since Sherwood Schwarz bought the team in December of 1999. The Argos have gone through four head coaches in his regime, John Huard, Clemons, Etcheverry and now Clemons again. Surely, that sends a message to Schwarz.
Keys to the game: emotion. Coaching changes generally result in a better effort by a team in it?s first game under a new boss. Is Clemons the answer to the Argo problems? No, but, my sense is Toronto will do the things that they should be doing, like turning Joe Montford loose on McManus, and changing up the boring offence. If the Argos lose, they?ll be six points back of Hamilton for second place. They may not make the playoffs (again) but, if they have any pride left, they?ll come out smoking and win one for the Pinner.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (6-6) AT TORONTO ARGONAUTS (4-8)
The two oldest teams in the CFL, and bitter arch-rivals, meet in a huge game at Skydome.
Hamilton is coming off a 35-28 overtime home win over Montreal. The Tiger-Cats admitted after the game, it?s better to be lucky than good. QB Danny McManus hit Archie Amerson with a 35 yard pass on the opening play of the extra frame to give Hamilton the lead. In one of many lucky breaks, a wide-open Lawrence Phillips dropped a pass on the next series that undoubtedly would have tied the game.
The Tiger-Cats also got two big breaks, when Montreal?s Terry Baker missed two field in the last minute of regulation time that would have given the Als the win.
But, lucky breaks aside, McManus moved the offence, especially in the second half. He completed 21-34 passes for 403 yards and 2 TD?s, the other coming on an 84 yard bomb to Tony Akins, the longest completion for Hamilton this season.
The Argos were simply awful in their latest, for lack of a better term, effort. They were smoked 40-11 in Saskatchewan. The Argo special teams were terrible, with Corey Holmes of the Riders returning seven punts for 203 yards. The defense wasn?t much better, allowing Saskatchewan to rush for 172 yards.
On Tuesday, the inevitable move was made. Toronto Argonauts president Pinball Clemons reluctantly took over the team's coaching duties, after Gary Etcheverry was fired.
Clemons first move, was to announce that Jim Ballard would get the start at QB against Hamilton. Ballard entered last week?s game in the second half, and at least moved the team a bit, completing 16-21 passes for 182 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Michael Bishop on the other hand, continued to struggle, hitting only on 4 of 8 passes for 45 yards. Ballard was released by the Argos at the end of this year?s training camp, also was an Argo in 1999, and, spent a lot of time in the Arena League.
The numbers: 18-30-2. That?s the record of the Argos since Sherwood Schwarz bought the team in December of 1999. The Argos have gone through four head coaches in his regime, John Huard, Clemons, Etcheverry and now Clemons again. Surely, that sends a message to Schwarz.
Keys to the game: emotion. Coaching changes generally result in a better effort by a team in it?s first game under a new boss. Is Clemons the answer to the Argo problems? No, but, my sense is Toronto will do the things that they should be doing, like turning Joe Montford loose on McManus, and changing up the boring offence. If the Argos lose, they?ll be six points back of Hamilton for second place. They may not make the playoffs (again) but, if they have any pride left, they?ll come out smoking and win one for the Pinner.
SASKATCHEWAN AT EDMONTON:
Saskatchewan Roughriders took hold of second place in the West division, after a 40-11 trouncing of Toronto Argonauts. The big story of the game, was the play of Corey Holmes. He set a team record for punt return yardage, bringing back seven punts for 203 yards. He also carried 5 times for 44 yards, including a 23 yard TD run.
The Riders jumped into a 19-0 first quarter lead, and never looked back. Quarterback Nealon Greene appeared to be fully recovered from his hamstring injury that he suffered July 25. Greene completed 15 of 19 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. And, he showed the Argo defense another threat, running 9 times for 29 yards, including a touchdown.
The big target for Greene was Derrick Armstrong, who had 4 catches for 11 yards, including a beautiful 72 yard TD pass. The Saskatchewan ground attack, which led the league in rushing heading into the game, added to it?s total, with 172 yards.
Edmonton Eskimos had a case of d?j? vu in their 23-18 loss to the BC Lions last week. The Eskimos fumbled five times, the exact number of fumbles they coughed up in their 34-16 loss to Calgary in the Western final last year.
The Eskimos also had two passes intercepted, to add to their woes. Quarterback Ricky Ray completed 22 of 39 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown pass, a 32 yarder to Ed Hervey. While those numbers look impressive, here?s on that?s not...Ray fumbled three times.
Edmonton piled up 469 yards in offence, with John Avery getting a big chunk of that. The former Miami Dolphin rushed 18 times for 181 yards, garnering him the offensive player of the week award. As always, Terry Vaughn was the go-to guy, with 10 catches for 149 yards.
The numbers: these two team met earlier this year, and Saskatchewan ran the ball over Taylor Field en route to a 45-11 win. Despite that win, the team have split the last ten games. Another number to keep in mind, 87.
That?s the number of receiving yards Vaughn needs to get 1,000 yards, which would make him the first player in CFL history to get 1,000 yards in receiving for eight consecutive seasons.
Keys to the game: which team can stop the other?s running game? Saskatchewan averages the most yards rushing per game, 160, and while Edmonton is fourth at 120 per game, they?re slowly getting better. I don?t believe Saskatchewan can run as effectively as they did in their first match. And, Edmonton is unbeaten at home so far this year. The natural grass of Commonwealth is suited for the speedy Eskimos. And, they?ll use that to their advantage.
VIGILANTE SAYS:yes they will, but i think sask will keep it within the spread....
Saskatchewan Roughriders took hold of second place in the West division, after a 40-11 trouncing of Toronto Argonauts. The big story of the game, was the play of Corey Holmes. He set a team record for punt return yardage, bringing back seven punts for 203 yards. He also carried 5 times for 44 yards, including a 23 yard TD run.
The Riders jumped into a 19-0 first quarter lead, and never looked back. Quarterback Nealon Greene appeared to be fully recovered from his hamstring injury that he suffered July 25. Greene completed 15 of 19 passes for 250 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. And, he showed the Argo defense another threat, running 9 times for 29 yards, including a touchdown.
The big target for Greene was Derrick Armstrong, who had 4 catches for 11 yards, including a beautiful 72 yard TD pass. The Saskatchewan ground attack, which led the league in rushing heading into the game, added to it?s total, with 172 yards.
Edmonton Eskimos had a case of d?j? vu in their 23-18 loss to the BC Lions last week. The Eskimos fumbled five times, the exact number of fumbles they coughed up in their 34-16 loss to Calgary in the Western final last year.
The Eskimos also had two passes intercepted, to add to their woes. Quarterback Ricky Ray completed 22 of 39 passes for 296 yards and one touchdown pass, a 32 yarder to Ed Hervey. While those numbers look impressive, here?s on that?s not...Ray fumbled three times.
Edmonton piled up 469 yards in offence, with John Avery getting a big chunk of that. The former Miami Dolphin rushed 18 times for 181 yards, garnering him the offensive player of the week award. As always, Terry Vaughn was the go-to guy, with 10 catches for 149 yards.
The numbers: these two team met earlier this year, and Saskatchewan ran the ball over Taylor Field en route to a 45-11 win. Despite that win, the team have split the last ten games. Another number to keep in mind, 87.
That?s the number of receiving yards Vaughn needs to get 1,000 yards, which would make him the first player in CFL history to get 1,000 yards in receiving for eight consecutive seasons.
Keys to the game: which team can stop the other?s running game? Saskatchewan averages the most yards rushing per game, 160, and while Edmonton is fourth at 120 per game, they?re slowly getting better. I don?t believe Saskatchewan can run as effectively as they did in their first match. And, Edmonton is unbeaten at home so far this year. The natural grass of Commonwealth is suited for the speedy Eskimos. And, they?ll use that to their advantage.
VIGILANTE SAYS:yes they will, but i think sask will keep it within the spread....
CALGARY STAMPEDERS (3-9-0-2) AT OTTAWA RENEGADES (3-9-0-1)
It?s round number two between these two teams. In Calgary last week, the defending Grey Cup champs were embarrassed by Ottawa, 26-12, giving the Renegades their first road win of the year.
Calgary?s woes continued on several fronts. First, 15 year veteran kicker Mark McLoughlin was 1-5 in field goals, which means the 36 year-old has hit on just 18 of 31 this season, not nearly good enough. In the last three games, McLoughlin has been successful on just 3 of 11 attempts.
Meanwhile, Marcus Crandell?s struggles continue. Last year?s Grey Cup MVP, could not move the team at all, completing just 11 of 24 passes for 172yards, one touchdown and one interception, but it was a key one. In perhaps the biggest play of the game, with Calgary leading 11-6 half-way through the third, Gerald Vaughn intercepted a pass, and ran it back 109 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
And, Calgary?s defense also failed miserably. Stampeder fans should have known what type of a game they were in for, when the defense was called for too many men on the field, on Ottawa?s first offensive play. Chuck Clements made his second CFL start a memorable one, completing 21-38 passes for 244 yards, no touchdowns, but, just as important, no interceptions.
Ottawa got the running game established in their win, with South Dakota grad Josh Ranek rushing 13 times for 115 yards and his first CFL touchdown.
There is at least one line-up change for Calgary. Defensive end James Cotton, who was second on the Stamps in QB sacks last season with nine, and second with defensive tackles (53) is expected to dress. Cotton is a recent cut of the Buffalo Bills. If Calgary fans were hoping for a change at quarterback, at least to start, they?ll be upset. Ben Sankey, the Wake Forest grad, who played last year in Calgary before trying out with the Houston Texans, and was released, will again back-up Crandell. Punter Duncan O?Mahony will do the place kicking as well in this one. McLoughlin stepped aside this week, and suggested to Buono that someone else do the kicking to hell the team break out of it?s funk.
The numbers: 50.3%. That?s the completion rate for Crandell, the worst rate among CFL starting quarterbacks. Everybody is asking what?s wrong with the Stamps offence, but, here?s something not many people have questioned. After the end of the 2001 season, long-time offensive co-ordinator George Cortez left Calgary for Cal-Berkely. Jacques Chapdelaine is now responsible for the offence. Was he ready to take over that job? If you look at the success of the Stampeders through the 90?s and the QB?s Cortez worked with, Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia and Dave Dickenson, the answer right now, is no.
Keys to the game: pride. Are the Stampeders going to overcome this adversity, and at least get back into the hunt for a playoff berth? Yes. With a win, they?ll be two points behind fourth-place BC. If they don?t win, they can kiss this season goodbye, and heads will start to roll.
VIGILANTE SAYS: it's hard for CFL road fave teams to cover the spread these days...we'll take the dawg...
It?s round number two between these two teams. In Calgary last week, the defending Grey Cup champs were embarrassed by Ottawa, 26-12, giving the Renegades their first road win of the year.
Calgary?s woes continued on several fronts. First, 15 year veteran kicker Mark McLoughlin was 1-5 in field goals, which means the 36 year-old has hit on just 18 of 31 this season, not nearly good enough. In the last three games, McLoughlin has been successful on just 3 of 11 attempts.
Meanwhile, Marcus Crandell?s struggles continue. Last year?s Grey Cup MVP, could not move the team at all, completing just 11 of 24 passes for 172yards, one touchdown and one interception, but it was a key one. In perhaps the biggest play of the game, with Calgary leading 11-6 half-way through the third, Gerald Vaughn intercepted a pass, and ran it back 109 yards for the go-ahead touchdown.
And, Calgary?s defense also failed miserably. Stampeder fans should have known what type of a game they were in for, when the defense was called for too many men on the field, on Ottawa?s first offensive play. Chuck Clements made his second CFL start a memorable one, completing 21-38 passes for 244 yards, no touchdowns, but, just as important, no interceptions.
Ottawa got the running game established in their win, with South Dakota grad Josh Ranek rushing 13 times for 115 yards and his first CFL touchdown.
There is at least one line-up change for Calgary. Defensive end James Cotton, who was second on the Stamps in QB sacks last season with nine, and second with defensive tackles (53) is expected to dress. Cotton is a recent cut of the Buffalo Bills. If Calgary fans were hoping for a change at quarterback, at least to start, they?ll be upset. Ben Sankey, the Wake Forest grad, who played last year in Calgary before trying out with the Houston Texans, and was released, will again back-up Crandell. Punter Duncan O?Mahony will do the place kicking as well in this one. McLoughlin stepped aside this week, and suggested to Buono that someone else do the kicking to hell the team break out of it?s funk.
The numbers: 50.3%. That?s the completion rate for Crandell, the worst rate among CFL starting quarterbacks. Everybody is asking what?s wrong with the Stamps offence, but, here?s something not many people have questioned. After the end of the 2001 season, long-time offensive co-ordinator George Cortez left Calgary for Cal-Berkely. Jacques Chapdelaine is now responsible for the offence. Was he ready to take over that job? If you look at the success of the Stampeders through the 90?s and the QB?s Cortez worked with, Doug Flutie, Jeff Garcia and Dave Dickenson, the answer right now, is no.
Keys to the game: pride. Are the Stampeders going to overcome this adversity, and at least get back into the hunt for a playoff berth? Yes. With a win, they?ll be two points behind fourth-place BC. If they don?t win, they can kiss this season goodbye, and heads will start to roll.
VIGILANTE SAYS: it's hard for CFL road fave teams to cover the spread these days...we'll take the dawg...
Pinball stated that "the key to beating Hamilton is to run the ball successfully." With a virtual unknown at QB I expect to see about 70% running to passing by the Argos.
2 prop bets:
Robert Drummond OVER 69.5 yards for 2 units
UNDER 189.5 passing yards by Toronto for 2 units at +165
2 prop bets:
Robert Drummond OVER 69.5 yards for 2 units
UNDER 189.5 passing yards by Toronto for 2 units at +165
