GAME 10: LABOUR DAY CLASSICS 2016: Eskimos at STAMPEDERS

[OzSome]

GAME TIME: Monday, September 5th @ 1:00pm
McMahon Stadium
Televised: TSN, ESPN3

This is 51st Labour Day Classics matchup between the Edmonton Eskimos(5-4, 4th in the West) and the Calgary Stampeders(7-1-1, 1st in the West). They split the home-and-home series last season but the Stamps have been dominating the Labour Day Classics in the last few seasons.

Calgary I undefeated at home(4-0) this season while the Eskimos won 2 games to 1 on the road. This is going a good matchup again. Rookie head coach Dave Dickenson vs Rookie head coach Jason Maas.

Last week Calgary actually dominated the Hamilton in the first 3 quarters and the defense pretty much shut down Zach Collaros and the offense. Defense been doing their job lately and they will have to continue doing so against Mike Reilly and the Eskimos.

OFFENSE:

QB Bo Levi Mitchell (27 for 37 323yards 1 TD) was on fire last week against the Ticats. Once Hamilton scored, he answered it back in one play throwing the ball to rookie receiver Davaris Daniels(5 for 108 yards 1 TD), who scored his first touchdown in his CFL career. RB Jerome Messam(14 carries 46 yards 1 TD and 5 catches for 44 yards) scored the other TD running the ball to the end zone in the 4th quarter. Offense would have scored at least 5 TD in the game but for some reason they were having problem capitalizing on the red zone. Bo Levi Mitchell was named of one of the CFL Top Performer of the Month of August.

R Bakari Grant(6 for 46 yards), Anthony Parker(3 for 46 yards) and Lemar Durant(4 for 45 yards) all had a pretty good game last week. With Daniels impressive game last week, Stamps will be force to sit out R Joe West for another game. Joe West just got off the 6-games injured list after last week’s game. He’s been practicing but Stamps coaching staff feels like they are not in a rush to put him back against the Eskimos this week and keep Daniels on the lineup instead.

Offensive Line did not surrender a quarterback sack again last week. I can’t even remember how many times Hamilton DLine beat the Stamps OLine last week. Unfortunately, Stamps will be missing one of their hoggies. C Pierre Lavertu will be missing tomorrow’s game due to injury. Stamps put him on 1-game injury list and he will be replace by Ucambre Williams on the roster.

DEFENSE:

Stamps defense has been the stingiest defense in the CFL in the last few games. They are first in the league in giving up the fewest points allowed per game. They only allowed 10 points last week in the first 3 quarters against Hamilton. LB Deron Mayo led the Stamps D with 10 tackles and he was all over the field. DB Ciante Evans were 2nd with 6 tackles and while DB Tommi Campbell had 5 tackles. Campbell intercepted Collaros’ pass to the end zone late in the game and went all the way to the other end for a touchdown.
Unfortunately both INT and TD were nullified because of the illegal contact penalty(challenged by head coach Kent Austin). Campbell was also involved in the first TD by Hamilton aided by another successful challenge by Austin. Campbell got called for pass interference on Brandon Banks but clearly the replay showed Banks was the one who initiated the contact when he tried to stop.

In tomorrow’s game vs the Eskimos, the Stamps defense especially the secondary will have a tough task in stopping Esks’ receivers Derrell Walker and Adarius Bowman. Guess how many times Glen Suitor and Chris Cutthbert will mention how awesome Bowman is during the game? I am pretty confident that if the DLine did a good job in pressuring QB Mike Reilly all night, the secondary will shut down both Bowman and Walker.

SPECIAL TEAM:

First they shut down Chris Rainey a couple of weeks ago, then last week they frustrated Brandon Banks. The only good return by Brandon Banks were nullified because of the Hamilton penalty. Yes, I am talking about the special team cover team. Of course we cannot forget Rob Maver’s excellent punting.

K Rene Paredes who struggled early in the season especially on FG convert is the hottest kicker in the league. Paredes went 5 for 5 in FG attempts and was named one of the CFL Top Performer of the Month of August.

************************************************** *****
This is the game that I am always looking forward in watching. I don’t even remember missing a Labour Day Classics home and home series.

Stamps should continue pressuring the QB especially Mike Reilly. Reilly is a very slick quarterback who can make the defense look bad. They can make run around all day if needed and make him force his throw.

On offense, they should mix up the play early. Give the ball to Messam a few times early then Bo use his arm by throwing a long pass.

GO STAMPS GO!!!!!

[transplant99]

Esks have won the last 3 games against the Stamps.

Time for some payback.

[midniteowl]

Go Stamps Go

Hammer those Eskies!!!!

[transplant99]

https://img.ifcdn.com/images/9c7e8b1f5b57043da6a6ecb6bb79b3f0c739ed3020677e0c32 82398de70a0df6_1.jpg

[transplant99]

http://www.betacuts.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/3685414.jpg

[TheScorpion]

Here we go! Go Stamps Go!

[OzSome]

here we go!!

GO STAMPS GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[TheScorpion]

I love these black jerseys. So sleek.

[TheScorpion]

Marquay! Woah!

[OzSome]

just love when Bo go deep on his first play.

[TheScorpion]

Fumble!

Well, that was close. You got it, Rene.

[OzSome]

Come on Messam. Protect the ball.

[puffnstuff]

Ugh its Rod Black

[TheScorpion]

Burnett!

EDIT: And another one! Two Stampeder sacks in a row!

[OzSome]

Right on D!! Way to stop Reilly. Back-to-back QB sack.

[dash_pinched]

Could be time for a Reilly hissy fit including a helmet toss on the Eskimo sidelines.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Finch is an absolute beast on special teams. It's nice to have a return game again this year.

[TheScorpion]

Hold on to the ball, Messam!

[troutman]

TSN, please stop the new country music on every break. Just stop it.

[dash_pinched]

The ole pigskin is a little greasy today.

[TheScorpion]

What a head fake by Bo!

[dash_pinched]

Heck of a punt by Maver and good coverage downfield.

[OzSome]

Ucambre Williams will have a long day aganst Odell Willis.

Messam is pretty scary today. The ball is a little bit loose a few times now. Need to protect it better.

Time count violation for Edmonton.

[troutman]

Receivers offside almost every play in the CFL.

[dash_pinched]

Grant Shaw with a 27 yard punt, let's go Stamps!

[White Out 403]

BLM is such a great CFL qb. Stamps are very luck to have him.

[TheScorpion]

TOUCHDOWN!!! What a play!

[dash_pinched]

Wow, great throw and catch by Parker. TD Stamps!!

[OzSome]

Way to go Bo!!! Nice throw to Parker. TD!!!!

2-point convert pass to Grant. TD!!

[jammies]

I like the way this is trending.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Bo's moving around like when he was a rookie again!

[Nammer403]

Great play

[TheScorpion]

Now 12-0.

This team is unbelievable.

[White Out 403]

Bo's moving around like when he was a rookie again!

Is there really any doubt he's the best qb in the CFL? Durable, consistent, a winner, he doesn't do any one thing perfectly, he just does everything really really well.

Very envious.

[OzSome]

Wow 9 points altogether! 6-point TD, 2-point convert TD and a single by Paredes on a kickoff.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Is there really any doubt he's the best qb in the CFL? Durable, consistent, a winner, he doesn't do any one thing perfectly, he just does everything really really well.

Very envious.

Nope, no doubt. That said, he's part of a well-oiled machine. This next man up approach Calgary has had for a few years now is quite ridiculous. Their scouting is top notch.

[dash_pinched]

Contact within five yards, that's not a penalty and surely not pass interference.

[PostandIn]

And now the soul sucking challenges ....

[OzSome]

that was a late challenge. Coe on.

I don't think that challenge will be successful. YEP unsuccesful

[TheScorpion]

Woah! Finch! Touchdown!

[Nammer403]

What a punt return.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Of course there is a flag 30 yards away from the actual play.

[dash_pinched]

I think this Finch TD will stand.

[Nammer403]

Wooo!!

[OzSome]

Finch all the way but there was a flag. Edmonton penalty. YES!!!!! TD Finch!!

[TheScorpion]

IT COUNTS! 18-0 CALGARY! Woah!!!!!!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Well that is a pleasant surprise.

[PostandIn]

Yay, return TD Stamps.

[White Out 403]

I wasn't expecting this. This could turn into a freaking route.

[dash_pinched]

Whoo!!

[troutman]

Finch was due for that.

[TheScorpion]

Not quite on the 2-point convert, but still -- 18-0 Stamps!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Couldn't go to the game today because I'm across the country for work, but attendance looks pretty strong on tv and very few Edmonton jerseys.

[jammies]

Special teams, for so many years a Stamps liability, has finally become an asset.

[White Out 403]

what? rare back to back meeting?

does he mean, like, rare as in every single year?

[OzSome]

Wow, what a hit on Reilly by Brandon Smith. Could it have been a penalty but Eskimos already lost their challenge.

[dash_pinched]

Hopefully it's a no yards call and Calgary gets the ball back.

[TheScorpion]

Woah what happened?

Maas looks angry, so I think I can deal with this.

[OzSome]

Another lucky break by the Stamps. Instead of losing the ball on a fumble by Finch, they gained 15 yards on a No-Yard penalty by Lacey.

[dash_pinched]

I'm liking this Bakari Grant more and more each game.

[transplant99]

Coaches wearing caps backwards....is not a good look at all.

Very unprofessional.

[OzSome]

I don't think the running play is working so far.

[TheScorpion]

21-0.

[OzSome]

30 FG in a row by El Matador!!

[TheAlpineOracle]

Didn't care for them giving Messam the ball two times in a row there the way Bo is throwing today.

[dash_pinched]

I don't think the running play is working so far.

Keep feeding Messam the rock, let him pound on that Eskimo defence, it will pay dividends later in the game.

[OzSome]

Whoa Beltre!!!! Boom!!

[TheScorpion]

Picked off!

[dash_pinched]

Woo, nice pick by Wall.

[jammies]

Everything is coming up Milhouse!

[TheScorpion]

There ya go Jerome!

[dash_pinched]

Rob Maver is such an underrated weapon, great 47 yard punt into the wind.

[dash_pinched]

Rats, but that was a nice throw and catch. 21-7

[troutman]

Weak penalty call.

[HotHotHeat]

Rod Black is just hilarious today. What a terrible broadcaster.

[dash_pinched]

Holy Toledo Parker!!

[troutman]

Noticed on helmets - The latin slogan “quid quid requiritur”, which means 'Whatever it takes'

[TheScorpion]

PARKER! Woah!

[TheScorpion]

Pick-six.

[KootenayFlamesFan]

Wow, crappy way to end the half. Brand new ball game.

[troutman]

Team with no business being in this game, only down 7.

[dash_pinched]

Rats again.

[OzSome]

Fck!! I freaking hate when someone freaking disturb me when I am watching football.

Eskimos scored 2 TD??, crap!

[Kidder]

Why would you concede the single there when the plan was to run out the clock? That didn't make sense to me.

[OzSome]

Good first half by the Stamps. Bo was on fire and didn't really make the mistake except for that INT that was return for a TD by Eskies. On his defense the receiver fell and slipped. 239 passing yards by Bo Levi Mitchell. He's been in a money so far. Running play is not having some success yet but of course they still need it.

Roy Finch finally scored a TD on a punt return by I didn't he made a couple of mistakes close to the end of the half. Not sure why he gave up a single on that last punt. Rookie mistake. Other than he's been good.

Need to forget what happened late in the first half and focus on the game again.

[OzSome]

Come on Stamps!!

[dash_pinched]

4 sacks already for the Stamps D.

[OzSome]

There you go!! QB sack.

[OzSome]

What the heck Finch! After scoring that TD he looks like he fell asleep. Need to pick up the ball on that one right away.

[dash_pinched]

At the risk of repeating myself, I'm liking Bakari Grant more and more each game.

[OzSome]

Yes!!! What a nice play. Bo Levi Mitchell to a wide open Bakari Grant. TD!!

[OzSome]

Walker was offside anyways. That is a borderline hold.

[GirlySports]

booooooo

[OzSome]

Back to back PI by Campbell.

[OzSome]

Terrific drive my butt. More like helped by 2 penalties.

[Frank MetaMusil]

Manufacturing penalties shouldn't be allowed. This is the main reason the CFL product is suffering. If it's not called/catchable it shouldn't be reviewed.

[RougeUnderoos]

They keep yammering on about the wind. I'm about 8kms from McMahon Stadium and there's a light breeze here. Is it somehow really windy there and not here?

Picked off in the endzone!

[dash_pinched]

Justice for at least one dubious PI call.

[TheScorpion]

Pick!

[OzSome]

Yes INT by Wall. Eskimos does not deserve getting a point on that drive.

[OzSome]

Bakari Grant!! Yes good catch.

[OzSome]

Penalty by Eskimos. PI!!

[dash_pinched]

Wow, that was a gift PI call in the Stamps favour.

[Dogbert]

They called PI on Campbell for barely touching the guy on an uncatchable ball. Was calling it on the Eskimo for not touching Grant on an uncatchable ball that much of a stretch?

[OzSome]

Wow, that was a gift PI call in the Stamps favour.

Yep payback PI for that challenged penalty earlier.

Lamar Durant came so close in scoring a TD on that play.

[dash_pinched]

Messam!! TD Stamps!

[You Need a Thneed]

Td!

[OzSome]

Jerome Messam TD!!!

[dash_pinched]

They called PI on Campbell for barely touching the guy on an uncatchable ball. Was calling it on the Eskimo for not touching Grant on an uncatchable ball that much of a stretch?

Nope, that was a Revlon/Maybelline call.

[OzSome]

No Jon Cornish waving the flag today?? That's sucks! :)

[chummer]

Waiting for the Esks to kick a field goal and Rod Black tell us we have a game.

[OzSome]

Waiting for the Esks to kick a field goal and Rod Black tell us we have a game.

I actually don't mind Black and Forde tandem. At least we are not hearing Suitor and Cuttbert talking about how awesome Bowman and Walker are so many times.

Wow, ST coverage are good.

[dash_pinched]

Haven't heard Odell Willis' name too much today.

[OzSome]

Haven't heard Odell Willis' name too much today.

good!!

[OzSome]

Nice D Brandon Smith!!

[dash_pinched]

Roy Finch with a great return.

[JiriHrdina]

Something that isn't getting enough talk is the elite play of the Stamps offensive line. They are keeping Mitchell clean and upright. No one is touching him.
The game is won on the lines, and the Stamps' O-line is VERY good now, even with injuries on the line.

[MissTeeks]

Not a late hit on Finch?

[OzSome]

Messam will touch the ball every 1st down for sure from now on unless there is an open receiver.

[dash_pinched]

For a big man, Messam has soft hands.

[dash_pinched]

Messam!!!

[GirlySports]

woooooo

[OzSome]

YES!!!! Jerome Messam great run for a TD!!!

[OzSome]

Messam it up.. I am hearing from the bench. :)

[troutman]

Even at 45-24 the score flatters the Eskimos. They only got to the red zone once. In garbage time against a prevent defence.

[OzSome]

damn that fat guy Quinn Smith sure can run. :)

[You Need a Thneed]

Keep them out!

[OzSome]

That's the ball game!!! 45-24 Stampeders

[dash_pinched]

Love that the last offensive play for the Eskies has Reilly flat on his back.

[You Need a Thneed]

Victory!

[transplant99]

This team a well oiled machine right now.

If Messam gets it going more regularly like he did today, the offense is unstoppable. The defense is playing terrific football too regardless of giving up a couple TD's, and the ST's are as good as they have ever been.

BLM is in complete control of his game and what he is seeing which makes him heads and shoulders the key guy as was expected.

pretty special stuff going on with this team right now and its a whole bunch of fun to be watching.

[dash_pinched]

From the game thread over at RF.com:

Didn't we trade Messam for Crapigna?

Good one.

[jammies]

No one else in the CFL looks even close right now. It's Stamps > 7 medicore teams > Roughriders. A win in Edmonton next week and they will almost have 1st place sewn up.

[dash_pinched]

Stamps with 502 yards against the Eskies today (380 yards passing, 122 yards rushing)

[Roof-Daddy]

Yeesh.

I wish the Grey Cup was next week. This team is purely dominant right now. In every facet of the game. Class of the league at the moment, and it's not really close.

All I can say is, please stay healthy.

[M*A*S*H 4077]

It's a one team league this year, Stamps are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the league. Kudos to management and the coaching staff. Hope you guys aren't taking for granted what Huff has been doing here. Huff should really be held up there with guys like Belichick and Carroll and some of those other guys from the south in terms of building a program.

This game was never close, score flattered Edmonton really.

The flyover was cool!

[CofR]

Great day at McMahon today! Score really flattered the Eskimos. Seemed to be way less sweatpants and good shoes than in years past

[Reggie Dunlop]

Edmonton is no good.

[OzSome]

That was totally a dominant game again by the Stamps. Score might be a little close but that was misleading as all 3 facets of Stamps game totally dominated this game. Good start and good finish. I don't even think the Eskimos are in it at all.

OFFENSE:
Once again Bo Levi Mitchell has proven that he is the best QB in the CFL right now. The guy can throw the ball and can avoid tackles. I didn't think Jerome Messam had a good 1st half and the only success he was getting was when he caught the ball on the pass. The 2nd half was different though as Messam dominated the run and I can't even remember how many times he made a fool of LB JC Sherritt. The last Stamps TD was awesome run by Messam. How about Bakari Grant? His first 2-3 games I wasn't a big fan of Grant as he keep messing up his routes and keep dropping the ball. In the last few games, he's been awesome and Bo can count on him. I am glad he's been playing well lately to add on Bo's ammunitions. Davaris Daniels is making Dickenson's decision tougher now. Not so sure if Dickenson can sit him out in favour of now healthy Joe West.

I mentioned earlier in the game that rookie Ucaambre Williams will have a long day playing against Odell Willis. Earlier on he was messing up his protection by he sure did bounced back and prevented Willis in getting into Mitchell's face. Good job on Williams and the entire OLine. Even though they are banged up and missing their starting C Lavertu and G Dan Federkeil, they haven't surrender any QB sack against the BC Lions, Hamilton Tigercats and Edmonton Eskimos. They are the reason for Mitchell's success this season so far. So 0 QB Sack again today.

DEFENSE:
Another great game by Stamps defense. Defense shuts down another good QB in Mike Reilly. They even sacked him 4 times unless I missed seeing another sack or two. Claybrook's crew have been awesome in the last few games. As Rod Black mentioned earlier, I am thinking Tommi Campbell is not a big fan of challenge as he got burned a couple of times already. I thought that challenge by Maas was a borderline. They were hand fighting but I guess Campbell kind of hold on Walker's jersey for a few seconds.

SPECIAL TEAM:
ST used to be the Achilles heal for the Stamps. The last few seasons, they tend to get at least 4 or more illegal blocks or holding penalties every game. This season those penalties were pretty much eliminated completely. Their coverage team before they cannot tackle if their life defend on it. This season, we have a god return man in Roy Finch who finally went all the way on a punt return. He was not perfect today but he was definitely a huge factor today. The cover team were great in the last few games hutting down great returners the likes of Chris Rainey from BC and Brandon Banks from Hamilton. Today they totally shut down the Eskimos returner.

Good win 45-24 in Labour Day Classic BOA Part 1. Hope they can dominate the Eskimos again on the 2nd part of LDC - BOA this week.

GO STAMPS GO!!

[dirk diggler]

looking to go to Edmonton for the re match, anyone have a good suggestion for a close hotel to commonwealth that has a pool and is reasonable? really hope they can win the back to back. Thanks

[TheAlpineOracle]

Was it cold there? I'm away and my wife said she didn't use my tickets because it was "too cold". Looked like a pretty awesome day on tv.

[TheAlpineOracle]

looking to go to Edmonton for the re match, anyone have a good suggestion for a close hotel to commonwealth that has a pool and is reasonable? really hope they can win the back to back. Thanks

Commonwealth is a pretty sketchy area. I'd get a hotel
Downtown and take the train. I think the train is even free there on game days (it used to be anyways).

[JiriHrdina]

Commonwealth is a pretty sketchy area. I'd get a hotel
Downtown and take the train. I think the train is even free there on game days (it used to be anyways).

Seconded. Commonwealth is in a very odd part of town.
Lots of good hotel choices either on the West end or South end.
Sheraton 4 points has a really good pool and rates are reasonable.
Just stayed there last night in fact!

[TheAlpineOracle]

We used to stay at the Days Inn on Jasper and 106th street when we used to go. Close to train and bars, and a cheap room that was in a half decent hotel.

[Erick Estrada]

Seconded. Commonwealth is in a very odd part of town.
Lots of good hotel choices either on the West end or South end.
Sheraton 4 points has a really good pool and rates are reasonable.
Just stayed there last night in fact!

I generally use this rule of thumb when staying in Edmonton. Made the mistake once of staying in the NE side. The east side of Edmonton has some sketchy areas that Calgarians may not be used to being in.

[Erick Estrada]

How about the Stamps defense? The top 3 receivers in the league in in Roosevelt, Bowman, and Walker have been handled pretty well by Smith, Campbell, and Evans who are turing into the best group of corners this team has had since 2008 when Browner and Anderson were in their prime.

[JiriHrdina]

Yeah honestly this is a very complete team - and they've even had some injuries.
But I can't think of a single flaw right now in their game.
That does mean that anything less than a championship though is a huge failure.
We will have to see what they do in cold weather. That's always an x-factor.

[TheAlpineOracle]

Campbell has been lights out. If he wasn't already 28 years old, I think he'd be back in the NFL next year.

[Erick Estrada]

Yeah honestly this is a very complete team - and they've even had some injuries.
But I can't think of a single flaw right now in their game.
That does mean that anything less than a championship though is a huge failure.
We will have to see what they do in cold weather. That's always an x-factor.

My only issue is that so much can happen in the 2nd half of the season. If Messam goes down they really don't have a starting caliber RB. I feel Tate can carry them if Mitchell goes down but the only thing that can derail this team is injuries at this point. How many times have we seen this team dominate during the season and then limp into the playoffs with injuries? It was tough to watch the Eskimos pick on Adam Berger in the secondary last year's Western Final as you aren't going to win many playoff games starting a CDN corner that's a fringe player against two of the top receivers in the game. It's all about entering the playoffs healthy for this team.

[JiriHrdina]

For sure.
In order of importance I don't think they can afford to lose
- BLM
- Key O linemen
- RB
- Secondary

I think they can withstand injuries to the receivers, linebackers and D line.

[CofR]

Was it cold there? I'm away and my wife said she didn't use my tickets because it was "too cold". Looked like a pretty awesome day on tv.

It wasn't cold at all for the game, turned out to be great weather

[dirk diggler]

Seconded. Commonwealth is in a very odd part of town.
Lots of good hotel choices either on the West end or South end.
Sheraton 4 points has a really good pool and rates are reasonable.
Just stayed there last night in fact!

is it close to the train? dont know the city very well. Thanks

[JiriHrdina]

I've never taken the train to Commonwealth but if memory serves there is a stop right there.

[JiriHrdina]

Oh I now realize you were probably asking about the 4 points. Honestly I don't know - there might not be a station there.

[TheAlpineOracle]

is it close to the train? dont know the city very well. Thanks

I'd give the concierge at the hotel a call and ask.

You may also be able to find out if Edmonton has some sort of transit app and you would your starting destination at the hotel and the ending as Commonwealth.

[flamesrule14]

The Sheraton on gateway is about a 10 minute cab ride to the closest lrt station. Then you'd be looking at about a 20-25 minute train ride to commonwealth. Downtown would be a good option to look at too, but prices might be higher then somewhere on the south side of the city. Agree with the others wouldn't recommend anything by commonwealth.

What a great game by the stamps. Looking forward to the game on Saturday. Hope to see a lot of other stamps fans.

[You Need a Thneed]

Stadium station is right beside Commonwealth.

[goodyear]

Was at the game earlier today. Wow what a beat down, loved every minute of it. All 3 facets were on point for the Stamps!

You know the Riders suck when there are more Bombers fans than their fans in the Alberta Labour Day game.

[jayswin]

Really disappointing to see the interest just falling off a cliff. The Sun explained this was the lowest labour day turnout since 1989 at just over 31k. Broke a 27 year streak of 32k+ for labour day.

Even the last few years I'm pretty sure that was our only guaranteed sell out. Weather, other stuff to do blah blah blah. It's getting bad.

[Roof-Daddy]

It's a one team league this year, Stamps are clearly head and shoulders above the rest of the league. Kudos to management and the coaching staff. Hope you guys aren't taking for granted what Huff has been doing here. Huff should really be held up there with guys like Belichick and Carroll and some of those other guys from the south in terms of building a program.

This game was never close, score flattered Edmonton really.

The flyover was cool!


Since Huff took over, the Stamps are:

60-17 in regular season home games
6-2 in playoff home games
118-49-1 overall

4 division titles
7 of 8 years either 1st or 2nd in the division

It's just ridiculous.

Consistently competitive and/or above average team.

Only thing missing is "Dynasty-esque" playoff success, as they've only been to 3 GC games winning just 2 of them in those 8 seasons.

That stems from only a 2-3 playoff record on the road.

[Roof-Daddy]

The Stamps haven't lost two home games in a row since 2012 when they lost to BC in week 5 and then again to Toronto in week 8.

Since then they've gone 33-3 at home in the regular season and 4-1 at home in the playoffs for a 37-4 home record.

If that won't sell out McMahon, nothing will I guess.

[JiriHrdina]

Really disappointing to see the interest just falling off a cliff. The Sun explained this was the lowest labour day turnout since 1989 at just over 31k. Broke a 27 year streak of 32k+ for labour day.

Even the last few years I'm pretty sure that was our only guaranteed sell out. Weather, other stuff to do blah blah blah. It's getting bad.

Lots of factor, some of which the league can control and some which it can't.

Product issues
- Poor officiating
- More talent moving around, including to the U.S. Hard to develop strong bonds with players when there is so much movement. If a player does well, count on them being gone soon.
- NFL game has improved and has a lot more offense now than it used to. So the argument that the CFL is more exciting just no longer holds
- Too many BAD football teams. Not enough good ones.
- And with too many bad teams, there are too many bad games.

Presentation issues
- The gap between the game experience live and on television is now too narrow. I can sit at home and enjoy just as much, if not more, than going to the actual game. TSN has done a lot of great work, but it means there is less motivation to go the game
- McMahon is terrible. Bad, uncomfortable seats. Horrible concessions. Lack of parking. Lack of washrooms. Bad.
- Ticket prices for all that are too high
- Game environment, depending on who is playing, isn't great. Wouldn't be comfortable taking my 4 year old to a game because of the drunkeness and swearing in some sections. Let alone fights.

League needs to focus on improving their in-game experience, being realistic about ticket prices, and finding ways to improve the game itself.

[zyzz]

Is Huff always on the sidelines?

[jayswin]

League needs to focus on improving their in-game experience, being realistic about ticket prices, and finding ways to improve the game itself.

This would go so far, imo. And it's something the Stamps actually control.

[worth]

Was it cold there? I'm away and my wife said she didn't use my tickets because it was "too cold". Looked like a pretty awesome day on tv.

I got sunburnt.

[Jason14h]

Football is a game that translated better on TV then live.

You get every reply instantly, always have a good angle, and avoid weather concerns (Too hot OR too cold)

The NFL is experiencing this too where attendance is down.

Add into the fact the CFL game is actually becoming slower with replays, and no star power for players, and it's no wonder less fans are coming out.

However, the league is financially doing well, because of broadcast $$!

Attendance wise though, we are in a death spiral. Less people come, so they jack up ticket prices and food prices. So less young people come. Rinse and repeat.

[Sainters7]

Only thing missing is "Dynasty-esque" playoff success, as they've only been to 3 GC games winning just 2 of them in those 8 seasons.

Basically a mirror image of the 90s Stamps teams in that regard. Man those were some painful formative years.

The Darren Flutie catch may be at the top of my all-time most agonizing sports moments.

[Roof-Daddy]

Basically a mirror image of the 90s Stamps teams in that regard. Man those were some painful formative years.

The Darren Flutie catch may be at the top of my all-time most painful sports moments.

Yeap. I was there watching it live. Same with the year before when Micheal Soles, Lucius Floyd and Damon Allen ran the ball down the Stamps throat all day long and the -30C temps froze Doug Fluties hands as well as the sideline heaters. That was a cold one with a heartbreaking result. Of course, the very next week it was absolutely beautiful weather for the Grey Cup and I had to sit up there and watch the Bombers and Esks play instead of the host Stamps who had obliterated everybody that year during the regular season.

[TheAlpineOracle]

This would go so far, imo. And it's something the Stamps actually control.

I paid substantially more to go to the Grey Cup in Vancouver than I did for a scalped ticket to see the NFC final in Seattle. That is completely ludicrous.

[Sainters7]

Ugh, the infamous -40 game, made all the worse by my die-hard, very boisterous Eskimos fan stepdad. Tip of the cap for you even braving that weather.

Wasn't at that one, but went to the 2000 West Final vs 8-10 B.C. a week before we hosted the Grey Cup that I had tickets to (my first one!). Of course that ends up being the only year from 98-01 where we DIDN'T go to the Cup, they tend to choke in years we're hosting.

Still remember hearing the collective air leave the stadium when Dickenson didn't get up from that tackle, everyone knew it was over when he left the game.

[Addick]

This would go so far, imo. And it's something the Stamps actually control.

I was thinking of taking my niece and nephew to a game when I'm in town next month as their parents didn't get season tickets this year. However, I just checked the prices of tickets for where they usually sit. For the cost of a single ticket, I can take advantage of something CSEC don't seem to realize: Calgary is a growing city and there is an ever increasing amount of things to do. $84 would easily be enough to pay for two hours at one of the trampoline parks with enough left over to buy the ingredients to make nachos at home for when we watch the Stamps game on TV. The only problem is I'm not sure I can last two hours on the trampolines.

[JiriHrdina]

Playing in cold weather increases the chances that the best team does not win the championship. A unfrozen Flutie would have won a couple more rings to be sure.

[Roof-Daddy]

Playing in cold weather increases the chances that the best team does not win the championship. A unfrozen Flutie would have won a couple more rings to be sure.

Yeah. As soon as he went to TO and played his playoff games indoors he suddenly went 2 for 2 with winning the Grey Cup.

[Sainters7]

They really need to bump back the start of the season, let's wrap this thing up by Halloween. Would make a world of difference.

And back to the 90s playoff failure talk, that's one thing I'll always love about that 8-10 Stamps team winning it in 2001. I'll always see that as getting a ring back for all the ones we should've won from 1993-00. Definitely should've been more than 1

[Roof-Daddy]

They really need to bump back the start of the season, let's wrap this thing up by Halloween. Would make a world of difference.

And back to the 90s playoff failure talk, that's one thing I'll always love about that 8-10 Stamps team winning it in 2001. I'll always see that as getting a ring back for all the ones we should've won from 1993-00. Definitely should've been more than 1

No doubt. 9 years of Flutie, Garcia, and Dickenson as the Stamps QBs but only two Grey Cups to show for it. Then we eek one out with Marcus Crandell lol

[TheAlpineOracle]

I was thinking of taking my niece and nephew to a game when I'm in town next month as their parents didn't get season tickets this year. However, I just checked the prices of tickets for where they usually sit. For the cost of a single ticket, I can take advantage of something CSEC don't seem to realize: Calgary is a growing city and there is an ever increasing amount of things to do. $84 would easily be enough to pay for two hours at one of the trampoline parks with enough left over to buy the ingredients to make nachos at home for when we watch the Stamps game on TV. The only problem is I'm not sure I can last two hours on the trampolines.

You can get 25 tickets at Safeway I believe, if you want to reduce your cost.

[You Need a Thneed]

You can get 25 tickets at Safeway I believe, if you want to reduce your cost.

$22. It's what we do.

[craigwd]

Yeap. I was there watching it live. Same with the year before when Micheal Soles, Lucius Floyd and Damon Allen ran the ball down the Stamps throat all day long and the -30C temps froze Doug Fluties hands as well as the sideline heaters. That was a cold one with a heartbreaking result. Of course, the very next week it was absolutely beautiful weather for the Grey Cup and I had to sit up there and watch the Bombers and Esks play instead of the host Stamps who had obliterated everybody that year during the regular season.

Oh man, the memories of that -45 game. 12 years old, was able to make it to the 3rd quarter before having to listen to the rest of the game in the heated bathroom before frostbite set in!

[Mr.Coffee]

officiating and reviews and penalties have really, really destroyed the game though. It's worth just hammering away on this point in prayer that somebody from the league stumbles across this website and see how many fans it pisses off.

Please. I want to like you CFL, but you make it so, so hard.