Archive for September, 2011
Miller Praises Riders for “Tremendous Effort”
Posted by: | CommentsLast week the Saskatchewan Roughriders were pounded up and down the field by the BC Lions enroute to a 42-5 loss.
But as per Jamie Nye at CFL.ca, head coach Ken Miller doesnt understand why that happened because his team played so hard.
“You watch our game video. You see guys fricken playing with great effort for the duration of the game. We weren’t playing well collectively. I don’t know the reason for that,” Miller said.
“We’re not playing like a team that is ‘flat’.
I would hate to see what would happen if the Riders did come out playing flat.
Even if they were playing with such great effort but not as a unit, the score would not be so lopsided.
The problem before Miller came back was the lack of effort by the players. Now after showing “tremendous effort”, they get embarrassed.
The fact is this team has many issues. And despite Millers praise, effort is one of those problems.
Right alongside teamwork, poor decision making and talent. Or lack thereof.
Copeland Is Not Upset, Yet
Posted by: | CommentsWithin the disappointing Toronto Argonauts season, the biggest disappoint may be the production from Jeremaine Copeland.
Copelands numbers are down and is getting very few catches per game as pointed out by Bill Lankhof of the Toronto Sun. His targets are also down.
The easiest reason to point at is the quarterbacking situation. Cleo Lemon, Dalton Bell and Steven Jyles have combined to bring the Argos into last place in passing yards per game in the CFL.
Copeland is not surrounded by very good targets in Toronto either that could help to draw attention away from him.
But really, is Copeland drawing a lot of attention. At 34, Copelands best days are behind him. With strong quarterbacking, Copeland can still be a good complimentary receiver.
But everyone, the Argos included, should temper their expectations for production from Copeland.
Buck Pierce Will Not Dress vs Alouettes
Posted by: | CommentsNobody expected Buck Pierce to play the entire season. And considering the beatings he has taken all year it is remarkable he made it to week 13.
But Week 13 is were it ends. The Bombers released their depth chart for Week 14 and Pierce does not appear.
The rib injury Pierce has been dealing with has become to much to play through and Pierce will sit out against the Alouettes.
Alex Brink will make the start for the Bombers with Justin Goltz dressing as his backup.
Not the news Bomber fans wanted to hear coming into a big East division matchup.
But it could be worse. Michael Bishop could be your quarterback.
Oh, wait…
Week 14 Picks
Posted by: | CommentsA good week for myself, going 3-1, has closed the gap between, CFT contributor Colin Folk and I after a rough start. The parity in the league has made this a tough year to predict winners but damn it is fun to watch.
Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Schmidt: The Als have been dealing with injuries of their own but the Bombers are getting beat up big time now. Losing their running backs is a major blow as they have leaned on the ground game heavy all season. So with the running game possibly in trouble, the Bombers may have to shift to more passing attacks but with Buck Pierce already banged up, that may not work so well. Calvillo and the Alouettes will walk away with this one.
Alouettes 33, Blue Bombers 24
Folk: Injuries are abundant for both teams as they continue their battle for first place. I think the Als will round into form in this game. Losing 2 running backs last week and with Buck Pierce banged up look for a road win for the Als.
Alouettes 32, Blue Bombers 20
Edmonton Eskimos at BC Lions
Schmidt: The Lions are in the midst of a big turnaround for the second year in a row. They may be the team playing the best football in the league right now. And a return to BC Place is going to just add more energy to their game. It will be a long night for Ricky Ray and the Eskimos.
Lions 30, Eskimos 24
Folk: The dome will be rocking with over 40000 fans as the Lions take on Edmonton. The Esks are getting healthy at the right time of year and B.C. was on cruise last week in Regina. I see a close home victory for B.C.
Lions 29, Eskimos 27
Saskatchewan Roughriders at Calgary Stampeders
Schmidt: Neither team is playing well. The Roughriders looked worse last week. Its must win time for the Riders if they have hopes of earning a playoff spot. The Stamps are playing for a higher spot in the West as well. It is going to come down to who wants it more.
Stampeders 36, Roughriders 32
Folk: To watch a football game and talk about hockey the whole time was the case at Mosaic field last week. The Riders were horrible and seem to have gained comfort in laying eggs at home. The Stamps need to get rolling and the Riders might be what is needed. Look for a close fought game with the Stamps winning at home.
Stampeders 26, Roughriders 22
Hamilton Tigercats at Toronto Argonauts
Schmidt: The Argos are in a tough place right now. Jyles has not been able to turn the offence around and Cory Boyd can’t carry the team by himself. The Ticats have been up and down but Marcus Thigpen has put a spark into the receiving core giving Kevin Glenn another target.
Tigercats 28, Argonauts 20
Folk: Well 3 different starting qbs and not much change in results for the Argos. Cory Boyd looks to be running with power again and Pre-Rod gets into the starting line up with Rideau out. The Ticats look great getting contributions from Thigpen in the receiving game and their defence is keeping them in ball games. Simply put the Argos are not good enough to win this game.
Tigercats 27, Argonauts 20
Season Series:
Folk: 23-25
Schmidt: 21-27
Week 13 Picks
Posted by: | CommentsAnother week of you never know in the CFL last week. One of the most up and down years in recent memory. This week gets no easier to pick games. But it is time to start making up the gap between myself and CFT contributor Colin Folk. Read More→
CFL Week 12 Picks
Posted by: | CommentsThings are busy here around CFT so posts are slow. Thats putting it mildly. Next week should get back to normal. Or as normal as we once were. As for the picks, we got a lot better this week. Myself, I went 4-0 and CFT contributor Colin Folk went 3-1. Still a big gap for me to close so I may have to take some chances down the stretch. Just maybe not this week. Read More→
CFL Week 11 Picks
Posted by: | CommentsThe unpredictable year in the CFL continues. Goes to show you why this league is so exciting. Any team can when on any given weekend no matter the record. The Tigercats are making noise in the East. The Lions are are fighting back out West. The Eskimos just won’t give up against the odds. And the Roughriders look to rebound after a rough start. Sometimes a coin toss might be a better option with picking games. But let’s give it a try. Without the coin. Read More→
CFL Week 10 Picks
Posted by: | CommentsAnother .500 week for myself and CFT contributor Colin Folk. Folk still has a big lead in the season series and it is going to be tough to close that gap through the rest of the season. Unless I start to take some chances. But this is not the week for that. Read More→
CFL Week 9 Power Rankings
Posted by: | CommentsYour weekly CFL Power Rankings heading into Week 10 of the 2011 CFL season. Read More→
