Eastern Final, November 20, 2011 Vegas Odds and Comments

[notahomer]

Bakery-ville---a new fearsome nickname from a defence that helps its team win via turnovers

I thought Burris would be the stumbler in todays matchup with the Al's. I really enjoyed this game. Highscoring. But it was the yoda-like vetran AC who tossed a late game interception that led to the winning TD. Not so sure it was his fault as maybe his reciever zagged when he should have zigged. Raymond had it all figured out. Lewis sent another player to the IR-maybe even the 9 gamer. Joffrey Reynolds looks like he might be done or perhaps they are saving him for later in the year. Just kinda surprised at how little touches he seems to be getting. That was a name I hated being called in Stamps games versus the lIons.

So, this short week (2 games) ended up as showcases for the top division leaders (BOmbers and Stamps). Glad we're back to the full slate of games next week.....

[Rammer]

Bakery-ville---a new fearsome nickname from a defence that helps its team win via turnovers

I thought Burris would be the stumbler in todays matchup with the Al's. I really enjoyed this game. Highscoring. But it was the yoda-like vetran AC who tossed a late game interception that led to the winning TD. Not so sure it was his fault as maybe his reciever zagged when he should have zigged. Raymond had it all figured out. Lewis sent another player to the IR-maybe even the 9 gamer. Joffrey Reynolds looks like he might be done or perhaps they are saving him for later in the year. Just kinda surprised at how little touches he seems to be getting. That was a name I hated being called in Stamps games versus the lIons.

So, this short week (2 games) ended up as showcases for the top division leaders (BOmbers and Stamps). Glad we're back to the full slate of games next week.....

Strange to me that the horse collar penalty is called on players actually grabbing the jersey, but today Lewis gets away with a horse collar that took out the Als DB for the remainder of the game, his biggest contribution in the first half and it probably was the difference maker in the W for the Stamps. Called or not, no Al took out any frustrations on him.

[notahomer]

Bakery-ville---a new fearsome nickname from a defence that helps its team win via turnovers

I thought Burris would be the stumbler in todays matchup with the Al's. I really enjoyed this game. Highscoring. But it was the yoda-like vetran AC who tossed a late game interception that led to the winning TD. Not so sure it was his fault as maybe his reciever zagged when he should have zigged. Raymond had it all figured out. Lewis sent another player to the IR-maybe even the 9 gamer. Joffrey Reynolds looks like he might be done or perhaps they are saving him for later in the year. Just kinda surprised at how little touches he seems to be getting. That was a name I hated being called in Stamps games versus the lIons.

So, this short week (2 games) ended up as showcases for the top division leaders (BOmbers and Stamps). Glad we're back to the full slate of games next week.....

Strange to me that the horse collar penalty is called on players actually grabbing the jersey, but today Lewis gets away with a horse collar that took out the Als DB for the remainder of the game, his biggest contribution in the first half and it probably was the difference maker in the W for the Stamps. Called or not, no Al took out any frustrations on him.

This week one Stampeder had been complaining that the Officials seem to 'spotlight' the Stampeders defence. Thankfully Hufnagel just laughed it off; he's agreed with every single one of the extra penalties (late hits to the QB in particular) that his team has been flagged for. IOW, he didn't think they were being picked on. It does seem to happen in lots of prosports. Certain teams seem to get extra attention. But Lewis is a different cat, altogether, IMO. He does get involved in a way at times that Offence players don't usually get involved. He's hurt someone last season quite badly too, IRRC. It's weird because you kinda like that attitude in players but you don't want to see the drastic injuries. Doubt this will be brought up again until MAYBE these two teams next meeting......

[DanoT]

Lewis' tackle sure looked like a horse collar to me. I am a believer most of the time in "no harm, no foul" but this also means that if there is harm, then their should be a foul. Since the refs missed the call, I think the league should review the tape and issue a fine to Lewis.

[Rammer]

Lewis' tackle sure looked like a horse collar to me. I am a believer most of the time in "no harm, no foul" but this also means that if there is harm, then their should be a foul. Since the refs missed the call, I think the league should review the tape and issue a fine to Lewis.

I would expect that to be announced on the low profile later in the week.

[notahomer]

So the slate of Labour Day weekend games looks great, IMO. The annual battle of Alberta back2backer. Ticats get the same versus the Al's. Riders and Bombers. And of course the BraleyBowl Argos/Lions.

I'm cheering for the swaggering to continue in Regina. Guess we'll see how much of an impact Miller-time will have on the leagues best defence. (I'm picking the bombers to sweep but the Regina game will be close, banjobowl-Bombers win by 10+). Anyway, glad the byes are behind us, two CFL games in a week is not quite enough, IMO.

[WestCoastJoe]

Vegas odds ...

I will take B.C. If we don't win this one, then the Edmonton win would be a temporary mirage.

Bombers over the Miller-coached Riders.

Alouettes over the TiCats.

Stampeders to run roughshod over the Eskimos.

[B.C.FAN]

On paper it looks pretty straightforward. That's how gamblers can lose their shirts. I wouldn't put money on these picks but here goes.

B.C. over the Argos in a walk.

Bombers over the wildcard Riders on talent level alone. The Riders need Fantuz to come back before they can turn the corner.

Hamilton at home over Montreal in the upset of the week. Hamilton is a good team that just can't get over the hump and win the big games that will make them more than a 9-9 team. They outplayed Winnipeg on the road for much of the game last week but couldn't close it out.

Stampeders over the Eskimos. This game has often been a blowout and this year's is shaping up the same way. I feel no sympathy for Edmonton and would be happy to concede first place to the Stamps and see the other three teams in the west fight for playoff positions.

[TheLionKing]

BC / Toronto - Take your pick. Both equally bad teams

Winnipeg

Calgary

Montreal

[notahomer]

I think the Argos/Lions games will be 'road warrior' games. IOW, split with the home team crying after each game.

Al's are going tear up the Ticats

Bombers swagger by the Riders

Stamps stump the Eskies

[WestCoastJoe]

http://www.vancouversun.com/sports/Foot ... story.html

Mike Beamish ...

FRIDAY

B.C. at Toronto, 4:30 p.m., TSN -- The past two visits to Rogers Centre have not been kind to Lions quarterback Travis Lulay, who was picked off on a game-winning interception by Byron Parker last year. Yet, we like his moxie, and the fact that rival QB Cleo Lemon is still groping to figure things out. Round one of the Braley Bowl to B.C.

Pick: Lions

SUNDAY

Winnipeg at Saskatchewan, 1 p.m., TSN -- The festive Banjo Bowl atmosphere at Mosaic Stadium is unique, something every diehard CFL fan should experience at least once in their lifetime. Not only will the home crowd level the playing field against the 7-1 Bombers, but the Roughriders should ride the Ken Miller/new coach effect to an upset win.

Pick: Roughriders

MONDAY

Montreal at Hamilton, 10 a.m., TSN -- In the week in which it was announced that 81-year-old Ivor Wynne Stadium will demolished and replaced by an entirely new structure, instead of a refurbished one, wouldn't it fitting if the Ticats also demolished the perception that they can't win important, pivotal games? We see it happening on Labour Day.

Pick: Tiger-Cats

Edmonton at Calgary, 1:30 p.m., TSN -- Quarterback Ricky Ray has been sacked 18 times in the past three games -- all losses for the Eskimos -- and the news just doesn't get any better. Centre Aaron Fiacconi, one of the Esks' leaders and emotional rocks, is done for the season with a torn rotator tuff. Time for Ray to add extra padding to his flak jacket.

Pick: Stampeders

Last Week: 2-0

Season: 22-10

[WestCoastJoe]

Lowell Ullrich

It’s Labour Day weekend – time to start taking the games seriously? Of course. The Province’s weakly picks? Probably not.

FRIDAY
B.C. at Toronto, 4:30 p.m.
Ricky Foley and Rob Murphy are all for playing this game, but the talk with Toronto is that they want no part of the Lions.
It’s because the Argos would sooner keep with tradition, not to mention profit, and play Hamilton on Labour Day weekend but the deep thinkers who make up the league schedule thought otherwise.
Hence comes the Braley Bowl, and yes Jim Barker was actually asked Thursday if there should be a bowl awarded to the winner of each of the next two games. Barker will instead take a return to consistency of Cleo Lemon, who had thrown for 300 yards in each of his previous two games before squeaking past Saskatchewan.
B.C. has a big question with rookie Cauchy Muamba at safety, not to mention keeping Jamal Robertson on the sidelines, but has history on its side, having won nine of its last 10 meetings. Roll the dice and stick with the chalk. Province pick: Lions

SUNDAY
Winnipeg at Saskatchewan, 1 p.m.
This one is tricky. Winnipeg is a clear favourite on the strength of its 7-1 record facing the 1-7 Riders. But something happens to Saskatchewan in this game each year. The Riders haven’t lost to Winnipeg at home since the 2004 season, and it would figure will get a lift initially from the coaching return of Ken Miller. Winnipeg is only a three-point pick. It would be extremely tempting to gravitate to the points. Province pick: Riders

MONDAY
Montreal at Hamilton, 10 a.m.
Usually close to coasting home around this time of year, 5-3 Montreal must soon start looking at the schedule at least to figure out how it will reclaim top spot in the East Division this year.
A home-and-home set with 4-4 Hamilton is up first, then the first of three with Winnipeg, which may not be within hailing distance at that point. Worse, the Als have injury concerns, as CB Marc Estelle has joined Jerald Brown on the sidelines for the remainder of the season. MLB Shea Emry may not play either.
Hamilton exposed the Bombers’ secondary last week and beat the Als 34-26 at home previously. Province pick: Tiger-Cats

Edmonton at Calgary, 1:30 p.m.
Annually subjected to a signboard purchased outside Commonwealth Stadium by the Riders which taunts them, the Esks got into the spirit and have done the same thing mocking Calgary fans outside McMahon Stadium for the game Monday. At least one Labour Day rivalry is alive and well.
The Esks, of course, are not, which is why Fred Stamps and Adarius Bowman are rushing to return from injuries, or at least throw off Calgary preparations. Stamps would make a difference against the Stamps but not that much to likely alter the outcome: Province pick: Stampeders.
Last week: 1-1 Season record: 19-13

[notahomer]

Wow, the Riders beat up the Swaggers. The Bombers O's numbers just didn't get it done and Durant had a better game than most against the Bombers D.

Two disqualified Bombers. The first looked like a reaction to a spear either at the knees or groin of the Bomber DB. The second, IMO, a battle between a Rider/Bomber became, 2 Riders/1 Bomber, then 4 Riders/ 1 Bomber, and guess who gets tossed....Watson the Bomber of course.....

There was some fun off the field stuff this week too. The Riders bought a billboard in Win. To return the favour the Bombers bought three billboards in Regina. Of course I got an extra chuckle in because I think the billboard company is owned by Jim Pattison....

Riders looked good but I think the Bombers will adjust for the rematch. IF the Riders do sweep by winning the Banjo Bowl will be closer, IMO.

IMO, we need these BlueBombers back in the West Division. They have had two periods (that I know of anyway) where they have been an East Division team but they never have truly been an East Division team. Suitor kept talking about how competition gets players to pick it up for roster spots. Fine. I also think its why the West Division has crossed over but the East never has crossed over to the West. When this was a 9 team league, we had 5 teams battling for 3 spots. IMO, once Ottawa returns, lets get these Bombers back where they belong, in our divison.

[TheLionKing]

There is a hate on between the two teams. Swaggerville is quiet tonight. The rematch should be a beauty.