Game 10: Labour Day Classics - Eskimos at STAMPEDERS

[OzSome]

Game Time: 2:30pm Monday, September 7th at McMahon Stadium
TV: TSN, ESPN3

The game everyone is waiting for, it is the Annual Labour Day Classics between the Alberta rivals Calgary Stampeders(7-2) and Edmonton Eskimos(6-3). Calgary won 11 straight regular season over the Eskimos dating back in 2012 and hoping it will continue. They are also in 4 games winning streak this season.

OFFENSE:
QB Bo Levi Mitchell been playing well the past few games now. He threw for over 300 yards in two straight games. Mitchell was 19 for 26 last week for 314 passing yards and 2 TD passes. R Eric Rogers lost his streak of scoring TD since Game 2. He still ended up at the end zone though for a 2-point convert. Rogers ended up with 7 catches for 152 yards. OL Dan Federkeil is going to be back in the lineup.

DEFENSE:
Defense has been playing very well lately. They hold the opponents to less than 10 points in 2 of the last 3 games. Defense is so stocked up that one of the top performer DE Brandon Boudreaux will end up sitting out in order to bring back the DE Charleston Hughes back in the lineup. The whole group have to better again against the mobile rookie QB James Franklin(29 for 38 for 335 yards 1 TD in his first CFL start), who won the CFL Top Performer in Week 10 and his favorite target R Derel Walker(7 for 164 yards 1 TD), also another CFL Top Performer. DB Keon Raymond(2 tackles and 1 INT) and DB Jamar Wall(5 tackles and 1 INT TD) and the rest of secondaries will have to try to stop Walker, Stafford and Bowman.

SPECIAL TEAM:
Special Team group has been playing well in the past few games. Only concern is they gave up 2 blocked punts in the last 2 games. They need to protect P Rob Maver a lot better in this game. Returner Tim Brown is showing flashes of breaking out only problem was the blocker keeps getting an illegal block or holding penalties. Blockers need to stay away from stupid penalties.

INs and OUTs:

IN: #36 LB/ST Glenn Love, #39 DE Charleston Hughes, #44 DT/ST Ben D'Aguilar, #46 FB/ST Charlie Power and #65 OLK Dan Federkeil.

OUT: #37 Harris, #38 DB Buddy Jackson, #40 DB/ST Janke, #47 ST Colby Sharun and #98 DE Brandon Boudreaux.

************************************************** ***********
Stamps playing another rookie QB in James Franklin. Franklin looks good on his first start and I am hoping the Stamps defense will try to pressure him the way they pressured Robert Mavre of Winnipeg last game. Franklin just like Mavre played his first full CFL start the game before so Stamps coaching staff and defense have something to watch and study before this game.

I am so pumped for this game already.

GO STAMPS GO!!!!

[transplant99]

Those are some good players the Stamps are getting back off IR....should help a bunch against a really good Eskimo team.

[The Familia]

Hoping for a sell out! Looking on ticket master and it appears there are around 1500 left, hoping the decent weather tomorrow will sell it out. Time to get loud!

[OzSome]

I am kind of dissapointed that Boudreaux won't be in the lineup after playing so well last game. Unfortunately for him they have so many good bodies in Defensive Line position. Zi think that is the reason why Shawn Lemon decided to sign with the Redblacks rather than going back to Stampeders. It is the Stamps' problem that is nice to have. In other notes, at least he is being replace by the Sackmaster.

It looks like the Stamps will be wearing their third jersey tomorrow.

GO STAMPS GO!!!!

[Canehdianman]

Man, Crowchild Tr. closed and Southland and Heritage stations are closed. Currently on a bus shuttling me to Chinook. Looks like the tracks are being worked on so likely everyone south of Chinook is going to have to switch a bus to get to Chinook.

Getting to the game today is going be a PITA.

[Fleury’sOTGoalCelebration]

Man, Crowchild Tr. closed and Southland and Heritage stations are closed. Currently on a bus shuttling me to Chinook. Looks like the tracks are being worked on so likely everyone south of Chinook is going to have to switch a bus to get to Chinook.

Getting to the game today is going be a PITA.


Oh man, I'm just at the fish creek station waiting for the train.

Dammit Shoulda drove to the chinook station [emoji17]

[transplant99]

Eskimo fan at the game holding up a giant fathead/carboard picture of....Chris Jones?

Who the hell has pictures of their coaches? Very odd.

[Magnum PEI]

Likely trolling because everyone hates their db coach.

[dash_pinched]

Eskimo fan at the game holding up a giant fathead/carboard picture of....Chris Jones?

Who the hell has pictures of their coaches? Very Edmonton.

Fixed that for ya.

[dash_pinched]

Bo Levi tried to force that one into double coverage.

[troutman]

Don't force it Bo. Take what they give you.

[dash_pinched]

That's a fumble...

[Pizza]

Who the hell has pictures of their coaches? Very odd.

um...
https://postmediacalgaryherald2.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/red-mile23.jpg?quality=55&strip=all

[dash_pinched]

Garbage, that ball was out before the arm came forward.

[troutman]

Why blow the play dead if it could have been a fumble? CGY would have scored.

[Hockeyguy15]

No way that was an incomplete pass. Horrible.

[Frank MetaMusil]

2nd and 4, they throw deep. Le sigh.

[troutman]

Every punt has a penalty in the CFL. Better to not block at all?

[transplant99]

jesus you guys.....stop with the penalties already...killing themselves

[dash_pinched]

Every punt has a penalty in the CFL. Better to not block at all?

I was thinking the exact same thing.

[EldrickOnIce]

50% red zone conversion is no where near good enough.

[transplant99]

um...
https://postmediacalgaryherald2.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/red-mile23.jpg?quality=55&strip=all

fair enough....still weird IMO.

[TheScorpion]

“They’re still batting 50%” - Chris Cuthbert.

[Frank MetaMusil]

50% red zone conversion is no where near good enough.

Some of it is stupid penalties, but I can't stand the play calling either. Cut the "fly sweep" crap and give the ball to Walter when you're in the red zone.

[dash_pinched]

Not gonna lie, I didn't like that tackle on Brown.

[Hockeyguy15]

Not gonna lie, I didn't like that tackle on Brown.

I agree, he didn't even look like he was trying to tackle him. It's like he just threw himself on the ground in a bridge position.

Probably didn't mean to hurt Brown, but it was wreckless and in my opinion gutless.

[dash_pinched]

Wow, I didn't think Fuller had a chance at that ball - Great catch.

[troutman]

Franklin seems over-matched, so just protect the ball to win.

[dash_pinched]

TD Stamps!!

[transplant99]

nice....deserved as well

[Hockeyguy15]

Some juggling but it counts!

[OzSome]

Yes!! Greg Wilson first CFL career touchdown.

[OzSome]

Watkins got burned 2 in a row. Is he ever ticked off. :)

[dash_pinched]

Lawrence should have let the jackrabbit return that kick-off (lol)

[Hockeyguy15]

That is not a catch, come on.

Edit: sack saves the day.

[Pizza]

lol!
give that jack rabbit an Eskimos jersey. it's the only thing that got into the Stamp's TD zone

[OzSome]

Lacey intimidating Bo Levi Mitchell on the coin toss??? Who the heck is Lacey? Taking after their classless HC attitude?

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Worst halftime show ever

[transplant99]

Stellar half by the defense...really cant be much better. They play like that again in the 2nd, this thing is already over.

Hate seeing drops like Fullers. Have to squeeze those. Other then the running game though, pretty good half for the offense as well.

Hope Brown is OK...that tackle was borderline at best.

[dash_pinched]

Didn't Walter also have the flu last week? That's likely the reason he had no touches last week, come on Suitor.

[dash_pinched]

Thanks Lawrence for catching that punt on the fly...

[transplant99]

Maver is a weapon at times, so good at the inside the 10 kick.

[troutman]

I think Walter was resting a sore ankle last week.

[transplant99]

Anyone else get the feeling one of these defenses are gonna score before all is said and done?

Both are playing really well.

[OzSome]

Burnett been doing the punt return after Brown went down. Kilam should try Greg Wilson too because Burnett is getting tired out there. Greg Wilson returned some punts in the pre-season games and he did well.

Crap!! Another OLine done for the game. Garry Wiiliams is done for today.

[troutman]

Bo does not have great touch on long throws.

[dash_pinched]

Anyone else get the feeling one of these defenses are gonna score before all is said and done?

Both are playing really well.

Yup, time for a Raymond or Wall pick-6.

[OzSome]

Didn't Walter also have the flu last week? That's likely the reason he had no touches last week, come on Suitor.

Yep Walter had the flu and also sore ankle that's why he didn't even play even though he was dressed for the game.

[troutman]

Is a high school football stadium a better fantasy draft location than the pub?

[dash_pinched]

Brett Jones injury settlement and released by the Giants.

[dash_pinched]

Anthony Parker scares the bejeesus out of me.

[Hockeyguy15]

Sorry Parker, no more punt returns for you.

[OzSome]

What the heck is Parker doing? He dropped some passes earlier and now he fumbled the punt return. Very inconsistent player no wonder he's been passed by a few receivers already.

[troutman]

We need 10 yards? Throw 5 yard pass.

We need 3 yards? Throw long incompletion.

Know your down and distance.

[dash_pinched]

Stamps winning the special teams battle today.

Edit: Until that last punt :(

[transplant99]

Is a high school football stadium a better fantasy draft location than the pub?


There is nothing better than the pub.

[transplant99]

Jeezuz....getting a little to lax with ball protection and it could cost them.

[troutman]

There's the turnover - the only way EDM was getting into this game.

[JiriHrdina]

Geez this is a cruddy game.

[dash_pinched]

Watkins is a crybaby and should have been flagged for tossing the ball at a Stamps player.

[MissTeeks]

Okay. Now you've got the wind on your side. So do something with it!

[EldrickOnIce]

Watkins is a crybaby and should have been flagged for tossing the ball at a Stamps player.

Pretty sure that gets called the other way

[dash_pinched]

This is a game where Cornish could make a big difference...

[Hockeyguy15]

Putting Reilly in now would be a mistake I think. Their line isn't playing well, and he's injury prone.

[dash_pinched]

Mike Reilly coming into the game.

[JiriHrdina]

Yeah, even if this works, I don't think this is a smart call. Putting him in too early puts the entire season at risk.
But Chris Jones will put a win over the Stamps on Labor Day over the health of his QB because he's that type of of idiot.

[Frank MetaMusil]

This is a game where Cornish could make a big difference...

Doubt it, Cornish was criminally under used before he or the O Line went down to injuries.

[troutman]

EDM can win this with a competent QB.

[EldrickOnIce]

Typical of Chris Jones.
He will not play till he is 100%. We are not going to risk it. Or maybe the 4th quarter

[OzSome]

Putting Reilly in now would be a mistake I think. Their line isn't playing well, and he's injury prone.

Hmmm... I hope this move blow up on Chris Jones' face. Not talking about injury thing... just being inactive for a long time.

[Hockeyguy15]

Man oh man...I would be yanking him right now. Reilly is tough, but he is really not bright.

[JiriHrdina]

Have to make that catch.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Eskimos receiver WAY offside there.

[JiriHrdina]

Stamps NEED a drive now

[OzSome]

Maybe Bo is just looking for some competition with the other QB. Stamps will move the ball in this series.

[EldrickOnIce]

Stamps NEED a drive now

Something other than a 4th straight 2 & out would be good

[troutman]

Please stop with the long passes on second and short!

[flamesfan6]

what's with the awful 2nd down play calls?

[transplant99]

Time for the defense to take this game into their own hands...sack/fumble or a pick.

[PrettyBoyFlizzy]

Embarrassing. This should be over by now.

[Hockeyguy15]

Alright D, let's buckle down here.

[zamler]

what's with the awful 2nd down play calls?
I hated that last call, you go with it when you have a 20 point lead.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Something other than a 4th straight 2 & out would be good

Not one run play was called. None. Zero.

Dickenson has to realize Jones knows most of his play calls and tendencies, doesn't he?

[dash_pinched]

Huge by Hughes!!

[Hockeyguy15]

Great work D

[Hockeyguy15]

Big 4 yards there. Now use the momentum.

[OzSome]

Come on Stamps.. kill the clock and score a TD or field goal. Leave a few seconds before scoring.

[EldrickOnIce]

Really need Cornish back.
They obviously have zero confidence in the run game.

[Hockeyguy15]

No INT, but a 2 and out is almost as good.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Please don't throw the screen pass.

[troutman]

I'd rather punt than try the FG.

Clutch kick though!

[dash_pinched]

Come on El Matador!

[Hockeyguy15]

Good.

[EldrickOnIce]

Should do it

[dash_pinched]

Chris Jones can't do math.

[Hockeyguy15]

Game pretty much over, leave Reilly out. I disagree with that call by Jones.

[JiriHrdina]

That'll do it. World class D by the Stamps once again - but have mercy - that was an ugly game to watch.

[OzSome]

Yes!! An extra Mayo on that Berger :)

[zamler]

Game: 4/10 but a win is a win
Stamps helmets: 10/10

[browna]

The dejection is Suitor's voice is always sweet. 5 mins ago he was writing another chapter in the BOA book where he had Reilly coming back and winning the game....and then talking about how the Esks could come back if they hold the Stamps, and then that the FG was risky for Parades. Even after the kick, he called the conditions suddenly favourable. Cannot stand that tool.

Suck it again Jones...owned by the Stamps since you cowardly left the franchise. My guess is still no handshake. 12 in a row over the Esks.

[Hockeyguy15]

UGLY win. Burn the tape and regroup for Saturday.

[EldrickOnIce]

Winning ugly, again.
That's ok

[OzSome]

Woohoo!! A win by the Defense!! Another game that they hold the opponent with less than 10 points.

[Looch City]

Game: 4/10 but a win is a win
Stamps helmets: 10/10

Those helmets look so nice!

[Reggie Dunlop]

Edmonton Eskimos are no good.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

"BOOO!!!

Scared the cameraman...I saw you jump."

Thank you for making me laugh extra hard Mr. Hughes.

[transplant99]

Amazing defense for sure....by both clubs.

Any win is a good win but a Labor Day win feels a lot better.

Go into Commonwealth next week and win again, and the division race will be over.

[troutman]

Hard to judge the defence when Franklin was totally over his head.

A full game with Reilly probably results in a different outcome.

[Pizza]

haha Hughes giving the Cameraman a sample of the Franklin POV scare haha

Also, I bet the Eskimos GM is regretting that he traded away Nichols and bet the farm on Franklin

[jayswin]

Hard to judge the defence when Franklin was totally over his head.

A full game with Reilly probably results in a different outcome.

Yeah, I'd imagine the Esks would have won that game with Reilly in al game.

[troutman]

Jackrabbit was entertaining:

http://m.cfl.ca/video/index/id/115883

[M*A*S*H 4077]

Games like that restore my faith in football. Defence CAN still win. Two real good defences going at it, especially in the first half. Second half started to get into the inept QB play, but both defences deserve oodles of credit for their play, particularly the Calgary DBs.

The rematch should be a great one, especially if Reilly plays the whole game

[Locke]

I am a football novice and I only tuned in for the last quarter, but how is Edmonton's QB allowed to play with that knee brace on? I mean, I played soccer all my life and have had numerous knee injuries so I know that brace well, that thing is damned near a weapon, we were never allowed to play with one of those on.

And if the guy has to wear that he isnt 'close to returning' that thing is basically holding his knee together.

[tvp2003]

Calgary D wins another game. I can respect a good defensive matchup but it was a bit of a snoozer to watch. Franklin was no match for the Stamps D -- hope Brandon Smith is okay.

Calgary offence had little flow -- I'll give some credit to Edmonton's front seven for shutting down the run and getting pressure on Bo Levi.

Looked like a solid crowd -- sellout or close to it. Well done fans.

[chummer]

Always good to beat Chris Jones and that ######bag at the coin toss.

[OzSome]

Stamps showed they have the best defense in the CFL. James Franklin played pretty well against the Argonauts the week before but Stamps shuts him down. I still think Stamps would have shut down Reilly too even if he plays the whole game. First pass to Adarius Bowman was pure luck as the ball bounced but Bowman managed to catch the ball after he bobbled the ball. When Reilly came in, the Front Four pressure was not there so he ended running the ball. How many passes did Reilly make? Stamps sat out Boudreaux today and he happenned to be their best last game vs Winnipeg and replaced him with Charleston Hughes, who turned out to be their defensive player today. How many teams can afford to sit out their top defense from the previous week? I guess Stamps D learned their lesson from that Montreal game where they played against a rookie Rakeem Cato. They took him lightly and got burned. The last 3 rookie QB they played against plus the rematch against Cato, they pretty much shut them down.
Offense was a little off today. Bo Levi Mitchell had an off game and Fuller and Parker keeps dropping the catcheable ball. Eric Rogers on the hand has to be the go-to guy. Love that rookie R Greg Wilson scored his first TD and hopes he become another Eric Rogers.
Special Team needs to eliminate the dumb penalties and probably try to stay away from illegal blocking and holding. I feel bad for Tim Brown because everytime he gets some good yardage or TD return, it gets called back because of penalties. In the first half alone, Stamps ST committed a few penalties. Luckily it didn't burn them.

Good win, Stamps are now 8-2 while Eskies are 6-4. Hope for a sweep on Saturday.

[MoneyGuy]

I am a football novice and I only tuned in for the last quarter, but how is Edmonton's QB allowed to play with that knee brace on? I mean, I played soccer all my life and have had numerous knee injuries so I know that brace well, that thing is damned near a weapon, we were never allowed to play with one of those on.

And if the guy has to wear that he isnt 'close to returning' that thing is basically holding his knee together.

Football players play with braces all the time. I'd bet there are several around the league at this point in the season. The doctors cleared him to play.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

I am a football novice and I only tuned in for the last quarter, but how is Edmonton's QB allowed to play with that knee brace on? I mean, I played soccer all my life and have had numerous knee injuries so I know that brace well, that thing is damned near a weapon, we were never allowed to play with one of those on.

And if the guy has to wear that he isnt 'close to returning' that thing is basically holding his knee together.
Linemen, in particular, will wear the heavy duty knee braces as a preventative measure, even if they've never had a knee problem. Braces tend to be encouraged and considering the amount of armour these guys wear a knee brace is not going to be much of a weapon. Plus knees aren't typically in most of these collisions. Skill position players don't usually tend to wear them unless needed as they can be constricting

[corporatejay]

What a fun game to be at. Crowd was great and the defence played great.

My only complaint is that it was military appreciation night, I mean cmon when is the non-military appreciation night. I have nothing against the military but I wish the stamps would just stick to football.

[Chump]

I was at the game. It was a great atmosphere. It's always good to see McMahon that full.

Reading through the thread I'm a bit surprised to see so many 'ugly' game comments. It was obviously low scoring but I think it was more two very good defences going at it rather than two sloppy offences. A few people have suggested that the outcome would have been different if Reilly had played the whole game but I'm not so sure as not many QBs look good when Hughes and company are in the backfield on nearly every play.

[Erick Estrada]

Hard to judge the defence when Franklin was totally over his head.

A full game with Reilly probably results in a different outcome.

I'm not so sure as is only took the Stamps one drive to adjust. Reilly locks in on Bowman and while Franklin had a rough day he didn't throw any bad passes that would result in turnovers while Reilly serves them up. It's a habit of Dickenson/Huff that they take their foot off the gas on offense when up by 7+ points as that 3rd quarter they were running a conservative offense. If the game is closer I don't believe you see those handoffs to Walter up the middle for 1 yard consistently. Reilly has never beaten the Stamps as a member of the Lions or Eskimos and while he's going to run hard he's not the most efficient passer the game has seen. Not too worried if the Stamps defense shows up like today and Cornish is back in the fold.

[troutman]

The dejection is Suitor's voice is always sweet. 5 mins ago he was writing another chapter in the BOA book where he had Reilly coming back and winning the game....and then talking about how the Esks could come back if they hold the Stamps, and then that the FG was risky for Parades. Even after the kick, he called the conditions suddenly favourable.

Could be just me, but I don't think Suitor is that bad and folks here are overly sensitive about everything he says (because he was a Rider?).

I can't disagree with anything he said above. Reilly was a threat. There was risk in trying the FG. The weather did improve right at that moment.

I don't think he is cheering against the Stamps, but he is cheering for a good finish.

[Bobblehead]

Wit the Stamps up I think there was also the case of trying to hold a bunch of plays back for the rematch on Saturday. No reason to show the whole playbook.

And I thought this was a game where the defenses were dominate more than the offense was inept. Even the pass plays that connected had a defender there almost immediately.

But the rabbit(s) scored way more TDs and dodged more defenders than any player on either team.

[jammies]

Parker makes me grind my teeth, why the Stamps kept him and let Sinopoli go to the RedBlacks is puzzling. Must have been a money issue because one guy keeps getting better and the other guy appears to make the same mental errors year after year.

Also stop running that play with Walters up the middle for a decent gain every 5-6 plays and 1 yard all the rest. Going deep on second and short is fine, you can catch the defence sometimes and make them play more cautiously every time, but you aren't going to grind out first downs with your backup back and a makeshift line - at least, not against the Eskimos.

[JiriHrdina]

I was at the game. It was a great atmosphere. It's always good to see McMahon that full.

Reading through the thread I'm a bit surprised to see so many 'ugly' game comments. It was obviously low scoring but I think it was more two very good defences going at it rather than two sloppy offences. A few people have suggested that the outcome would have been different if Reilly had played the whole game but I'm not so sure as not many QBs look good when Hughes and company are in the backfield on nearly every play.

The Ds were good - no doubt - that just isn't entertaining football. The CFL has to put an entertaining product on the field. It isn't the best football in terms of talent by far, so it better be entertaining.
And the last couple of seasons - it just hasn't been that good. My 2 cents.

[Pizza]

Parker makes me grind my teeth, why the Stamps kept him and let Sinopoli go to the RedBlacks is puzzling. Must have been a money issue because one guy keeps getting better and the other guy appears to make the same mental errors year after year.

Sinopoli was presented with a Pro athlete`s dream:

-just became a free agent
-hometown just got a CFL franchise
-said franchise desperately needing quality receivers which Sinopoli coincidently plays
-RedBlacks have money to burn to sign free agents

Huff would`ve needed to break the bank to keep Sinopoli which as you know, he wasnt prepared to do.

So we`re stuck with Parker just so we can meet the National-International ratios

[Da_Chief]

Sinopoli was presented with a Pro athlete`s dream:

-just became a free agent
-hometown just got a CFL franchise
-said franchise desperately needing quality receivers which Sinopoli coincidently plays
-RedBlacks have money to burn to sign free agents

Huff would`ve needed to break the bank to keep Sinopoli which as you know, he wasnt prepared to do.

So we`re stuck with Parker just so we can meet the National-International ratios

Parker has been a bust but at least he didn't drop a sure fire TD. He has had his moments.

That's gotta be the only disappointment in this Huff era is he hasn't been able to draft a good Canadian receiver. He doesn't draft many either. Forzani's career ended with a crappy injury, Parker has been meh. He traded Armstrong for SCC who looks good but can't stay healthy.

Hopefully Durant can turn the tide. I wouldn't be surprised if Durant moves up the Rec depth chart. He has shown well every time while Parker had a horrendous game last week.

[Radically Red]

I think Durant will be that guy. Soon enough he will push Parker to wake up and play 100% or Push him down and take over his spot. If he keeps playing and developing like he has been so far that is.

[Magnum PEI]

Could be just me, but I don't think Suitor is that bad and folks here are overly sensitive about everything he says (because he was a Rider?).

I can't disagree with anything he said above. Reilly was a threat. There was risk in trying the FG. The weather did improve right at that moment.

I don't think he is cheering against the Stamps, but he is cheering for a good finish.

I usually give commentators the benefit of the doubt, but there were plays where he was openly cheering for Edmonton. One in particular was in the 2nd or 3rd quarter and the Eskimos were blitzing and it looked like they might get a sack. Suitor yelled out "oh yeah!" like he was a fan in the crowd. Then when Paredes made the final FG all he could mutter was "huge" after a long pause, even though it basically sealed the game (barring a TD and on-side kick).