HIGHROLLER REPORTING FOR MADJACK SPORTS NETWORK (MJSN):
And then there were four. Moving into the second last week of the CFL season once again we can see the simplicity of it all. The teams that were able to stay healthy and have gained momentum and confidence by putting a string of victories together at the end of the season have advanced. The beauty of the game of football is that it's never an exact science.
Saskatchewan at Edmonton
The inbred banjo players are heading to Edmonton. I was really happy for Danny Barrett and the Roughriders. This team has matured from the young team that had a disappointing first round loss to the Argo's last year. Having dinner with the likes of Mitchel, Eddie Davis and Shonte Peoples the night before the game convinced me that the Roughriders were all about business moving into the playoff run. This is a team that has now won their last five games and have remained healthy. I was impressed with this team after I watched them defeat the Lions two weeks ago. Saskatchewan went head to head with the heart of the Bombers team and came out on top. The strength of the Bomber team all year had been their front seven as they led the CFL in stopping the run. Kenton Keith, the "X - Factor" according to Danny, was amazing rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns. His vision of the field and explosive speed will allow him to emerge as a dominant player in the CFL. Unfortunately for Saskatchewan, and Edmonton for that matter is that the "X - factor in this west final game will be the turf at Commonwealth Stadium. The key to this game will be which team adapts to the field the best. It has been cold in Alberta and the field is covered with snow. The Commonwealth field crew has admitted that the field is in horrible shape. As you saw in the Grey Cup last year and for anyone who has ever played on the turf can attest, when the field is frozen there will be only controlled movements made. Keith won't be able to make those impressive cutback moves and receivers will have the best luck catching screans and making players miss or trying to go vertical down the field. If the coaches are smart, and I know they are, they will construct a game plan with the field in mind. I was also impressed with the interior defensive lineman of Saskatchewan, Nate Davis and Scott Schultz. For all the talking that Mike Sellers did through the week, he was held to seven yards, however they will be facing a superior offensive line this week. These two guys will need to have huge games against Edmonton because the running game will need to be vertical rather than lateral. Dig in or create a pile if they start slipping should be the strategy. For those of you who think that Edmonton is too powerful for the Roughriders need to remember that the series was split 1-1 during the regular season. One of the advantages of the by week in the playoffs is the ability to scout the team you are going to play. Tom Higgins and his brass were present in their warm booth and were busy taking notes on last week's game. The advantage they will have that the Bombers didn't have the luxury of having is seeing the skill that Keith brings to the field. Edmonton has a great D Line and will be game planning to take him out of the game. If they do take Saskatchewan's running game away, Nelone and the receiving corp will need to be much better than their 93 yards of passing offence. I guarantee that Ricky Ray will throw for more than 93 yards in the first quarter. Edmonton is a powerful healthy and prepared team and Saskatchewan knows this. Bottom line, the team that comes up with the most effective game plan for the frozen tundra will win this game and go on to the Grey Cup. So get the screws in the cleats and lets play.
Toronto at Montreal
Before everyone counts the Argo's out like I know you will, remember that Toronto spanked Montreal 45-17 in week 17. I know Montreal didn't have much to play for but you need to admit that Toronto did some very effective things during that game. BC was definitely less of an opponent without Dave, but there wasn't anything wrong with the Lion's defense. Toronto had a very nice balanced attack running and passing the ball. Jenkins, through all the pain in his ankle ran for 111 yards and the receiving corp, led by Miles 4-78yards, made BC's secondary look very average. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Toronto would be my pick to emerge as a Grey Cup champion this year, but Clemens with all of the Argo's injuries and front office drama has patched together a team that has a very good defense, an adequate offense and an explosive special teams crew. Montreal would not want to make the same mistake they made in week 17 and underestimate the Toronto Argonauts. On the flip side this Montreal team with a healthy Calvillo is very hard to beat. Rick Stubler, Toronto's "defensive specialist" will need to show some creativity to deal with the one-two punch of Copeland and Calhoon. Somehow their will need to be some hesitancy and uncertainty created in Anthony's mind to give Eric England and the front seven time to get to him. Toronto predicted success on special teams last week but they will also need to spend extra time with their cover teams because Stokes is equally explosive as Levingston. Olympic Stadium with the 55,000 plus crazy fans in attendance will be electric. I can't wait to be there to experience the atmosphere.
thanks to www.cfl.ca !
And then there were four. Moving into the second last week of the CFL season once again we can see the simplicity of it all. The teams that were able to stay healthy and have gained momentum and confidence by putting a string of victories together at the end of the season have advanced. The beauty of the game of football is that it's never an exact science.
Saskatchewan at Edmonton
The inbred banjo players are heading to Edmonton. I was really happy for Danny Barrett and the Roughriders. This team has matured from the young team that had a disappointing first round loss to the Argo's last year. Having dinner with the likes of Mitchel, Eddie Davis and Shonte Peoples the night before the game convinced me that the Roughriders were all about business moving into the playoff run. This is a team that has now won their last five games and have remained healthy. I was impressed with this team after I watched them defeat the Lions two weeks ago. Saskatchewan went head to head with the heart of the Bombers team and came out on top. The strength of the Bomber team all year had been their front seven as they led the CFL in stopping the run. Kenton Keith, the "X - Factor" according to Danny, was amazing rushing for 130 yards and three touchdowns. His vision of the field and explosive speed will allow him to emerge as a dominant player in the CFL. Unfortunately for Saskatchewan, and Edmonton for that matter is that the "X - factor in this west final game will be the turf at Commonwealth Stadium. The key to this game will be which team adapts to the field the best. It has been cold in Alberta and the field is covered with snow. The Commonwealth field crew has admitted that the field is in horrible shape. As you saw in the Grey Cup last year and for anyone who has ever played on the turf can attest, when the field is frozen there will be only controlled movements made. Keith won't be able to make those impressive cutback moves and receivers will have the best luck catching screans and making players miss or trying to go vertical down the field. If the coaches are smart, and I know they are, they will construct a game plan with the field in mind. I was also impressed with the interior defensive lineman of Saskatchewan, Nate Davis and Scott Schultz. For all the talking that Mike Sellers did through the week, he was held to seven yards, however they will be facing a superior offensive line this week. These two guys will need to have huge games against Edmonton because the running game will need to be vertical rather than lateral. Dig in or create a pile if they start slipping should be the strategy. For those of you who think that Edmonton is too powerful for the Roughriders need to remember that the series was split 1-1 during the regular season. One of the advantages of the by week in the playoffs is the ability to scout the team you are going to play. Tom Higgins and his brass were present in their warm booth and were busy taking notes on last week's game. The advantage they will have that the Bombers didn't have the luxury of having is seeing the skill that Keith brings to the field. Edmonton has a great D Line and will be game planning to take him out of the game. If they do take Saskatchewan's running game away, Nelone and the receiving corp will need to be much better than their 93 yards of passing offence. I guarantee that Ricky Ray will throw for more than 93 yards in the first quarter. Edmonton is a powerful healthy and prepared team and Saskatchewan knows this. Bottom line, the team that comes up with the most effective game plan for the frozen tundra will win this game and go on to the Grey Cup. So get the screws in the cleats and lets play.
Toronto at Montreal
Before everyone counts the Argo's out like I know you will, remember that Toronto spanked Montreal 45-17 in week 17. I know Montreal didn't have much to play for but you need to admit that Toronto did some very effective things during that game. BC was definitely less of an opponent without Dave, but there wasn't anything wrong with the Lion's defense. Toronto had a very nice balanced attack running and passing the ball. Jenkins, through all the pain in his ankle ran for 111 yards and the receiving corp, led by Miles 4-78yards, made BC's secondary look very average. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying that Toronto would be my pick to emerge as a Grey Cup champion this year, but Clemens with all of the Argo's injuries and front office drama has patched together a team that has a very good defense, an adequate offense and an explosive special teams crew. Montreal would not want to make the same mistake they made in week 17 and underestimate the Toronto Argonauts. On the flip side this Montreal team with a healthy Calvillo is very hard to beat. Rick Stubler, Toronto's "defensive specialist" will need to show some creativity to deal with the one-two punch of Copeland and Calhoon. Somehow their will need to be some hesitancy and uncertainty created in Anthony's mind to give Eric England and the front seven time to get to him. Toronto predicted success on special teams last week but they will also need to spend extra time with their cover teams because Stokes is equally explosive as Levingston. Olympic Stadium with the 55,000 plus crazy fans in attendance will be electric. I can't wait to be there to experience the atmosphere.
thanks to www.cfl.ca !
