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OzSome · 09-05-2009, 03:35 PM

Ah, the Labour Day Classics. It is a game when you see friendships, marriages stop talking to each other because one is from Calgary and the other is from Edmonton. It is a time when we Calgarians cannot stand an Edmontonians not because you hate the person. I am already at war with my Edmontonian friend and a cousin from Edmonton just until the game is over. It is just a rivalry between two Albertan teams. It is time for the Battle of Alberta - Labour Day Classics.

First place in the West is on the line on Monday. Calgary is 4-4 while the Eskimos is 5-3. This would be the 28th consecutive Annual Labour Day Classic game between the two teams. I don't care what the Argos-Ticats fans says or the Riders-Bombers fans says, but Labour Day Classics between the Eskimos and the Stamps is by far the best rivalry in the CFL.

The game is sold-out with over 40,000 people bought tickets and the game will be televised on TSN as part of the doubleheader after the Argonauts and TigerCats game. Game starts at 5:30pm.

OFFENSE: Henry Burris didn't get the good start against the Argos last week but he still ended up passing for 250 yards and threw 2 TDs. Nik Lewis had a great game for his 5 catch with 118 yards. Of course let's not forget the best hit/block by a receiver this season so far against Argos LB Zeke Moreno. Lewis is the recent winner of the CFL Offensive Player of
the Week.

Joffrey Reynolds rushed for 114 yards last week, his third 100 yard gains of the season. In the last 4 Labour Day Classic games, Joffrey rushed for 240 yards with 3 TDs.

Jeremaine Copeland is having a good season so far. The Copeland of old caught 2 TD passes last game against the Argos.

Offensive Linemen has to step up more against the Eskimos' Defense. Not that they are doing a bad job because that is the opposite. They are pretty much consistent this season so far even without the service of Rob Lazeo. Lazeo is considered day-to-day. If he can't go, Tim O'Neill will stay as a centre and Gott will stay on the rotation.

The rest of the receivers will also be relied upon. Thelwell and Ralph are quiet contributor but they do the job when they called upon. It's time for the speedsters Titus Ryan and Jermaine Jackson to explode on offense.

DEFENSE: With the addition of DL Devone Claybrooks, MLB Tim Johnson and the emergence of DB Keon Raymond, the defense finally had a great game against the Argos. They improved on the run defense but Cody Pickett had some good day passing the ball to the receivers. DB Brandon Browner went down with the injury last game (will not play on Monday) but DB Dwight Anderson took over his position and had a great game. Question mark I think for the Calgary defense is DB Amadi. He seems to get picked on and beat a lot this season. This guy needs to play a lot better.
Malik Jackson also played some LB position last game and were flying. He was a good addition on the LB crew much, much better than Matt Grootegoed.

Mike Labinjo will be out again this game and so as Browner. Former Eskimo DL Jim Davies will suit up for Calgary on Monday.

Defense will a big task in stopping QB Ricky Ray passing to his favorite target Fred Stamps (7 for 94 yards and 2 TD in Week 7). One of the TD is the winning late TD for the Eskimos against the Stamps. Maurice Mann is the other big threat for Eskimos. RB Arkee Whitlock better not have the same dominating 2nd half against the Stamps on their last game vs Stamps. He was just running and breaking those poor tacklings by Stamps defense on Week 7. I am sure Whitlock will have a different game on Monday.

Notes: Charleston Hughes were released by Philadelphia Eagles this week. According to Coach Hufnagel, Hughes have until Sunday to be picked up by other NFL teams. If nobody picks him up, his rights goes back to the Stampeders. That would be a big boost for the defense.

SPECIAL TEAM: They finally had a good week last week. Titus Ryan started off with 40 yards kickoff return against the Argos. He ended up getting 188 yards in return yards but he did have one fumble that almost cost the game for the Stamps. Ryan won the Outstanding Special Team Player of the Week last week.

Sandro deAngelis were perfect last game 3 for 3 on the field goal. So far he only missed 2 field goals but those 2 missed field goals could have sealed the deal for the Stamps against the Riders and Eskimos.

Coverage team is the biggest question mark lately. Would they be able to stop TRistan Jackson and Whitlock all day on Monday? It was Tristan Jackson good return that helped won the Eskimos on Week 7. I am hoping we don't see any repeat. Somebody has to step up as the Stamps will be missing one of their best cover guy in special team in Browner.

LABOUR DAY NOTABLES:

Edmonton won last season's Labour Day Classic but Calgary holds the series record with 6 consecutive win streak from 1993 to 1998. Eskimos won 5 striaght from 1971 to 1977.

Most points on Labour Day Classic game is when Calgary scored 51 points in 1995.

Former Stamps QB Jeff Garcia holds 2 Labour Day Classic records. Most passing yards (546 yards) and most TD passes with 6 both were established in 1995 when Garcia filled in for injured QB Doug Flutie.

Current Stamps R Ryan Thelwell holds the yardage record on Labour Day Classic game with 199 yards in 2007.

MORE UPDATES TO COME BEFORE GAME TIME.

GO STAMPS GO!!!

09-05-2009, 03:35 PM	#1
OzSome Franchise Player Join Date: Mar 2004 Exp:	Battle of Alberta Part 2: Eskimos at Stampeders - Labour Day Classics Ah, the Labour Day Classics. It is a game when you see friendships, marriages stop talking to each other because one is from Calgary and the other is from Edmonton. It is a time when we Calgarians cannot stand an Edmontonians not because you hate the person. I am already at war with my Edmontonian friend and a cousin from Edmonton just until the game is over. It is just a rivalry between two Albertan teams. It is time for the Battle of Alberta - Labour Day Classics. First place in the West is on the line on Monday. Calgary is 4-4 while the Eskimos is 5-3. This would be the 28th consecutive Annual Labour Day Classic game between the two teams. I don't care what the Argos-Ticats fans says or the Riders-Bombers fans says, but Labour Day Classics between the Eskimos and the Stamps is by far the best rivalry in the CFL. The game is sold-out with over 40,000 people bought tickets and the game will be televised on TSN as part of the doubleheader after the Argonauts and TigerCats game. Game starts at 5:30pm. OFFENSE: Henry Burris didn't get the good start against the Argos last week but he still ended up passing for 250 yards and threw 2 TDs. Nik Lewis had a great game for his 5 catch with 118 yards. Of course let's not forget the best hit/block by a receiver this season so far against Argos LB Zeke Moreno. Lewis is the recent winner of the CFL Offensive Player of the Week. Joffrey Reynolds rushed for 114 yards last week, his third 100 yard gains of the season. In the last 4 Labour Day Classic games, Joffrey rushed for 240 yards with 3 TDs. Jeremaine Copeland is having a good season so far. The Copeland of old caught 2 TD passes last game against the Argos. Offensive Linemen has to step up more against the Eskimos' Defense. Not that they are doing a bad job because that is the opposite. They are pretty much consistent this season so far even without the service of Rob Lazeo. Lazeo is considered day-to-day. If he can't go, Tim O'Neill will stay as a centre and Gott will stay on the rotation. The rest of the receivers will also be relied upon. Thelwell and Ralph are quiet contributor but they do the job when they called upon. It's time for the speedsters Titus Ryan and Jermaine Jackson to explode on offense. DEFENSE: With the addition of DL Devone Claybrooks, MLB Tim Johnson and the emergence of DB Keon Raymond, the defense finally had a great game against the Argos. They improved on the run defense but Cody Pickett had some good day passing the ball to the receivers. DB Brandon Browner went down with the injury last game (will not play on Monday) but DB Dwight Anderson took over his position and had a great game. Question mark I think for the Calgary defense is DB Amadi. He seems to get picked on and beat a lot this season. This guy needs to play a lot better. Malik Jackson also played some LB position last game and were flying. He was a good addition on the LB crew much, much better than Matt Grootegoed. Mike Labinjo will be out again this game and so as Browner. Former Eskimo DL Jim Davies will suit up for Calgary on Monday. Defense will a big task in stopping QB Ricky Ray passing to his favorite target Fred Stamps (7 for 94 yards and 2 TD in Week 7). One of the TD is the winning late TD for the Eskimos against the Stamps. Maurice Mann is the other big threat for Eskimos. RB Arkee Whitlock better not have the same dominating 2nd half against the Stamps on their last game vs Stamps. He was just running and breaking those poor tacklings by Stamps defense on Week 7. I am sure Whitlock will have a different game on Monday. Notes: Charleston Hughes were released by Philadelphia Eagles this week. According to Coach Hufnagel, Hughes have until Sunday to be picked up by other NFL teams. If nobody picks him up, his rights goes back to the Stampeders. That would be a big boost for the defense. SPECIAL TEAM: They finally had a good week last week. Titus Ryan started off with 40 yards kickoff return against the Argos. He ended up getting 188 yards in return yards but he did have one fumble that almost cost the game for the Stamps. Ryan won the Outstanding Special Team Player of the Week last week. Sandro deAngelis were perfect last game 3 for 3 on the field goal. So far he only missed 2 field goals but those 2 missed field goals could have sealed the deal for the Stamps against the Riders and Eskimos. Coverage team is the biggest question mark lately. Would they be able to stop TRistan Jackson and Whitlock all day on Monday? It was Tristan Jackson good return that helped won the Eskimos on Week 7. I am hoping we don't see any repeat. Somebody has to step up as the Stamps will be missing one of their best cover guy in special team in Browner. LABOUR DAY NOTABLES: Edmonton won last season's Labour Day Classic but Calgary holds the series record with 6 consecutive win streak from 1993 to 1998. Eskimos won 5 striaght from 1971 to 1977. Most points on Labour Day Classic game is when Calgary scored 51 points in 1995. Former Stamps QB Jeff Garcia holds 2 Labour Day Classic records. Most passing yards (546 yards) and most TD passes with 6 both were established in 1995 when Garcia filled in for injured QB Doug Flutie. Current Stamps R Ryan Thelwell holds the yardage record on Labour Day Classic game with 199 yards in 2007. MORE UPDATES TO COME BEFORE GAME TIME. GO STAMPS GO!!!