Well, the first part of the Battle of Alberta(CFL version) tomorrow at McMahon Stadium at 5pm. Surprising that Edmonton Eskimos is unbeaten after 3 games so far. Everybody picked them to be in last place in the Western Division this season with all players and coaching changes. So far the changes is working for them but for how long?
OFFENSE:
Stamps offense is still struggling to score some points. Last game vs Winnipeg, Burris seems to be overthrowing the ball to his receivers or the receivers are just missing their assignments. OLine is starting to pick and Tsoumpas was a good addition last game playing against the toughest defensive linemen Doug Brown and Odell Willis. Against the Eskimos, there is a possibility that OLineman Tony Washington will get his chance to show how good he is in place of Stanley Bryant.
So far, Stamps are not utilizing their running back as much as they should. FB Tim St. Pierre will be the starting FB against his former team and Stamps just signed FB Lyle Green formerly of BC Lions. Landan Talley after having a great game in 2nd game will be sitting out again due to numbers game.
I think it is time for the real Stamps offense to show up. Stampeders on paper have the best receiving group in the CFL. Nik Lewis who currently sits third on Stamps all-time career receiving yards list with 8,023 is a consistent receiver. He also ranks third on Stamps all-time receptions list with 543 catches. Ken-Yon Rambo and Burris seems to be struggling together. Twice on the end zone late in the game Burris overthrow the ball and then on the next play, Rambo must have missed his assignment or Burris just threw the ball wide. The next play between the two Rambo dropped the ball but at the end, they connected on a touchdown play. Romby Bryant seems to be the forgotten man last game or the Bombers' defense just didn't give him some room to make some plays. Non-import John Forzani is still learning and improving.
RB Joffrey Reynolds is the CFL’s top rusher among active players and now sits eighth on the all-time list with 8,874 yards. He needs just 149 yards to pass Norm Kwong, who finished his career with 9,022 yards.
I see a better game for the offense against the Eskimos tomorrow night. This might be the game they start picking up.
DEFENSE:
Keon Raymond had a huge game last week. He picked off an INT for a touchdown and also picked up a fumble late in the game that gave the Stamps an opportunity to scored a TD that wins the game for them.
DB Brandon Smith also played really well against the Bombers. He got burned on one play but he made it up by making some nice plays later on.
Calgary’s defense harassed Winnipeg quarterbacks all night and limiting the Bombers to 333 yards of offense and two touchdowns. Calgary also forced four turnovers including two fumbles and two interceptions and collected two sacks. The defense also forced QB Buck Pierce out of the game. Stampeder defense is fourth in the league with four sacks in three games and is fourth with seven takeaways.
Defense need to pressure Ricky Ray more than they can and not give him as much time to find his receiver like Fred Stamps.
SPECIAL TEAM:
Kicker Rene Paredes was 2 for 3 last week against the Bombers. But he seems to be struggling with the kickoff. Twice he messed up his kickoff giving the Bombers some good field position.
KR Larry Taylor is second in the CFL in punt returns, averaging 11.9 yards per return on 15 returns and totaling 179 yards. Taylor is also third on kickoff returns with 204 yards and a 25.5-yard average and is third in the CFL in total yards with 418.
GO STAMPS GO!!!
WEEK 4: Battle of Alberta - Part 1
