Week 5 in the CFL wrapped up yesterday and we are going to break it all down, but 1st, I want to chat about CFL and their lack of attendance. Seems to me the only team really drawing good crowds the Smurf Mafia out in Winnipeg. I had the opportunity to attend a game last Thanksgiving and I can tell you; The Bombers organization knows how to throw a party at EACH and EVERY game. Ya BC can have a big-name artist come in for home openers and fill the dome, but what about the rest of the season. The game went to in Winnipeg was a mean nothing game against the Elks. As soon as you got out of the cab you could feel the excitement. Then you enter their beautiful stadium, and it ramps the excitement even more. They have perfected the game day experience, the have drawn in the university crowd, the younger generation and they are having a blast at every game. Other teams need to sit down with the Bombers organization and ask them how to duplicate it. IT is the GAME DAY EXPERIENCE. I know in Calgary they have a great tailgating experience then when you enter the oldest stadium in the league, the fun ends. Half time is a no name band or peewee football. Ya sometimes there is a Dog chasing a frisbee but come on we need more. The game is not the issue it is the EXPPEREINCE. Fix the EXPERIENCE and they will come……. OK enough ranting Let us get to the review.
Game 1 Edmonton at Saskatchewan
Well, this had one of the weirdest endings I have seen in a long time. The game was not what I would call entertaining at all. At the end of the 1st half, they were tied at 3 and all of Edmonton’s points came from single points. With the riders kicking a FG in the 2nd quarter to tie it up. The 2nd half was not any better. Another single from Edmonton and TD in the 3rd put them ahead by 8. It was the final drive that was where the only excitement came. The riders were able to drive the ball down the field and score a TD and get a Conversion to tie the game with just over a minute left in the game. On the kick off The Elks Rookie returner CK Simms either did not understand the Canadian game or just had a brain fart and let the ball roll into the endzone for the game winning ROGUE pt. (I love that we call it a Rogue which in French mean red, one day someone will explain it to me lol) The Elks troubles continue. Will Coach Jones be let go? Which QB will be up next week? It is going to be a long season for the Elks fans. The Riders are now 3 and 1 and have a good lock on 3rd spot in the west. Not bad for a team that did not make the play offs last season.
Game 2 Calgary at Winnipeg
The Stamps look good early and took a early 11 to 1 lead on the Bombers quieting The Smurf Mafia for the 1st quarter of this game. Then the Bombers went on to score 23 unanswered pts to take this one 24 to 11. When I made the comment on Facebooks “CFL Chatter “that the Bombers did not look all that impressive in this game the Mafia sent out the hit squad on me. I was muted from commenting for a short period of time. I stand by my statement; Winnipeg did not look good at all. Collaros went 20/28 for 231 yards and a total offence of 0nly 307 yards. To only put up 2 TDs against a team that is struggling like the Stamps is a lack luster performance. As for Calgary who now only has one win and three losses, it is time to re-evaluate their starting QB. Jake Maier might be sitting watch Stevens next week. He was 14/25 for 122 yards. Maier just is not getting the job done. I would expect to see a change this week.
Game 3 Ottawa at Hamilton
Both teams came into this one winless and looking to turn things around. Lots of excitement around the return of Ottawa’s starting QB Jeremiah Masoli, who has been out since taking the dirty hit by Saskatchewan’s Garret Marino last year. Exactly 365 days later he rolls out midway thru the 2nd quarter and his leg buckles under him. Masoli tried to get back up but immediately it was obvious he could not put any weight on his leg and had to be carried off the field. It sounds like he will be out for an extended period of time. Dustin Crum came in for his 1st CFL debut and went a respectful 14/21 and 149 yards in a losing effort. Full marks to Hamilton and Matthew Shitlz who went an impressive 19/26 and 233 yards to pick up their 1st win of their season 21-13 The East looks like it will be a race to finish 2nd behind Toronto (Who had their 2nd bye week in the 4-week season, CFL???? why)
Game 4 Montreal at BC
This was all about could Vernon Adams bounce back after a disastrous 6 interception performance against Toronto last week. VA’s 2nd pass was picked off and returned for a TD, oh now here we go again…… BUT wait…… Flag on the play Illegal contact on a receiver is called on Montreal. BC gets that one back and drives the field for a TD. Talk a game changer. Lots of Anti BC fans yelling today about how that was NOT P.I. but it was called, and Adams took advantage of it and put together a great game to dominate the Alouettes 35 – 19. VA went 24/39 racking up 280 in the air for a total offense of 351 yards. The most outstanding player in my books was our newest addition, Shaun Shivers. What a debut, 136 yards in total. He scored one TD and should have had 2 but he admitted to not securing the ball on a long run and having stripped at the goal line. His passion for the game was unreal and I loved his excitement. When interviewed by Farhan Lalji after the game had the best line, “My mom is going to be made at me for that one” Shivers measures in at 5’ 7” is going to be a blast to watch the rest of the season.
So that was the week that was… Looking at week 6, we have 4 games on the docket and all off them look to be HUGE for each team. Lets take a look
Game 1 Hamilton at Edmonton
The Elks are at home and trying once again to break that home losing streak that dates back almost 2 years. I am taking Hamilton to win and Elks to extend the streak!
Game 2 Toronto at Montreal
This one is huge if Montreal wants to have a shot at 1st in the East. Even though it is only week 5 if Toronto wins that will put them 4 – 0 (did I mention they had 2 byes in the 1st 4 weeks of the season) and Montreal would drop to 2 and 3 with the Argos having a game in hand. I am going to take Montreal in this one, I really think Toronto is due for a let down
Game 3 Winnipeg at Ottawa
This one might be the only yawner of the week. With Winnipeg’s offense not being in top form and Ottawa having to replace their 1st two starting QB’s it promising to be a boring game. I hope I am wrong, but this one is not going to be a great game, I will take Winnipeg
Game 4 Calgary at Saskatchewan
This is the game of the week in my eyes. Even though Calgary is 1 and 3 and the Riders are 3 in 1 their record don’t show how close these two teams are in talent. I am taking Stamps in this one.
Until next week, remember we are the CFL, If you love the game like I do, tell a friend! Take a buddy to a game! Lets grow this back to what it should be organically
