Game 3: Toronto vs STAMPEDERS

[OzSome]

2 bad games in a row. Early in the season but it would be nice that they start picking up. Stamps started off really slow in their first two games; hence they had a hard time coming back. Most of the Stamps' offensive players played together last season so we figured that would be the Stampeders' strength. Defense are consisted of newbies for the Stamps so at least for now we give them the benefit of the doubt. Special team so far has been average.

Quarterback: Our starter Henry Burris is having a tough time so far. It is a mixture of bad luck and mistakes for him. Barrick Nealy played late in Game 2 and did some good things but the game was already out of reach. Can't really blame Burris on the INTS and mistakes though. Shabazz INT TD were the result of Winnipeg's rush defense and the tip in.
STARTER: Burris BACKUP: Nealy and Tate.
---- good start, need to make good decision. Burris will bounce back and play well.

Running Back: So far Joffrey Reynolds is not getting a lot of runs because of the Stampeders slow start. The Stamps are a better team when they mix up plays. With the leading rusher in the CFL last season, we figured the defense will think twice on who they key on. Teyo Johnson is a fullback/slotback is not a factor so far. Same reason as Reynolds ineffectiveness, the whole team slow start. 2 of our backup running backs Summers and Cornish are both injured.
STARTER: Reynolds, Johnson BACKUP: Watson and Cote
---- Stamps need to use Reynolds more often and mix up plays. With succesful Reynolds, I am sure the receivers will be open for one-on-one.

Offensive Linemen: So far the starters hasn't played together for the whole game yet. On the first game Jeff Pilon and Jesse Newman did not play due to injuries. The Stamps put in Antonio Hall on Newman's place and he was ineffective. I believe that is the reason why he was released after Game 1. Game 2, Pilon and Newman came back but our centre/tough guy Rob Lazeo missed the game. O'Neill took his place and he was so-so. Maybe on Game 3 all the starters will be back together.
STARTER: Pilon, Newman, Lazeo, Tsoumpas and Archibald.
BACKUP: O'Neill, Gott, Ellis
--- Need to protect the QB and give Reynolds a lot of room to run.

Receiver: Our strength this year are the worst position so far. They were guilty of dropsies, fumblelitis and some mistakes. The ever reliable sure-handed Brett Ralph dropped a few bals last game. Copeland were the same thing.
STARTER: Lewis, Copeland, Ralph, Rambo
BACKUP: Ryan, Thelwell, Johnson.
--- Hang on to the ball boys! With the quick start, our receiver will explode. If Rambo and Ralph gets a lot of balls, D will go after them a lot. That means our reliable YAC receiver Nik Lewis will be open a lot.

Defensive Linemen: The rotation keeps on coming. Mike Labinjo who usually plays Outside, played Inside last game. Robede was a healthy scratch last game due to his poor game in Game 1. Justin Phillips another Canadian is injured. The DL definitely misses Charleston Hughes rushing and Eddie Freeman going after the B. Now, the OLine are double-teaming or going after Labinjo.
STARTER: Labinjo, Simpson, Willis, Brown
BACKUP: Alain Kashama, Robede, Phillips(injured), Fernand Kashama, Chevrier
---- DLine needs to rush the opposing QB quite often. Need to take advantage of the Labinjo's double-teaming.

Linebacking: Are we missing Armour and Rasheed? Some people think we definitely miss Jojuan Armour but I am not sure if I will agree with it. I really think the Stamps defense misses Hughes and Labinjo's tag-team rushing more than they miss the LB's tackling. I like Blackmon but he still makes mistakes which is natural because he is still learning the CFL. Shannon James and Carpenter are also good but the other team are paying them more attention this season.
STARTER: James, Carpenter and Blackmon
BACKUP: Black, Calixte, Grootegood, Raymond
--- our starters can play DB as well if need to. We have speedsters on LB crew and Stamps need to take advantage of it.

Defensive Back: We have 2 rookies(Amadi and Tate) starting because of the injuries to Smith and Ruffin. The rookies are getting picked on so far. Browner needs to play more aggressive the way he played last season. I guess that is kind of tough when the opposing QB are trying to stay away from him. When they go after him, ref throw a flag on him.
STARTER: Amadi, Tate, Anderson, Browner and Collins
BACKUP: Lysack, Howell
---- I think DBs are doing okay considering they have 2 rookies in this group. We need INTs more.

Special Team: The always reliable Sandro DeAngelis are doing what he usually do well. Titus Ryan already had a TD punt return. We still haven't seen Howell's speed though. Last season I was hard on Howell because of his predictability. It is very rare that he ran more than he supposed to do last season. I think he was hesitant last season because of the injuries he sustained. We misses Summers kickoff return though. Our blocking so far has been good. Protecting the Punt/Kickoff Return is not bad. I like the aggressiveness in blocking the punt so far. P Burke Dales I think is struggling a bit. Was it the new rules or his indecision? I am not worried as I think he will bounce back.

The Stampeders will win their first win against the Argos. I am sure Huffer give them the lectures already and maybe just maybe threaten them something will happen if they lose or start slowly another game. I can see an aggressive Stampeders when the ball drops.

GO STAMPS GO!!

More updates before game time....

[troutman]

Are there tickets left?

[Swayze11]

Those retro jerseys look really nice, I love the University of Alabama numbers on the side of the helmets too.

[OzSome]

looks like DL Tom Johnson will suit up for Friday's game. Belli from Toronto is wearing a cast but he thinks he'll play. If he does and Lazeo plays, i can see those two banging heads.

[OzSome]

Update: Centre Rob Lazeo is expected to play Friday against Toronto.
Injuries: R Titus Ryan(ankle) and DL Juwan Simpson(arm) are doubtful while DL Justin Phillips(hip) is a definite scratch.

[Clever_Iggy]

Quick question for you Stamp fans: what happened to Tyler Lymem/Lynem? OL/DL from the UofC drafted in 2004?

[Brad]

I have two tickets for sale for the game tonight is anyone is interested.

The seats are 33 dollars each but I'll give both away for 30 dollars total.

[Wood]

Originally Posted by Clever_Iggy

Quick question for you Stamp fans: what happened to Tyler Lymem/Lynem? OL/DL from the UofC drafted in 2004?

Just did a quick google search and it says he was released in August 2007, I don't know what has happened to him since.

[jammies]

Watching the game; the Stamps look better but they still are not running the ball enough, and while they are going deeper, it's always with the crossing route and not just straight downfield - other than the hail mary pass at the end of the half which was pretty dang close to working.

The defence, however, has really stepped up, although the Argos are not running the ball either which is where they were really weak the first two weeks.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

I'm listening online, sounds like a great play by the Stamps D!! Carpenter with the TD.

[Berger_4_]

I accidentally posted this in the RTT Just too excited.

Oh that was sick. I've been contemplating getting a Dwight Anderson jersey since last year and I think that just sealed the deal. Although I can see Browner getting in some hot water for attempting to hammer that guy's beer haha.

[Flickered Flame]

Now that is what happens when you have a pass rush. IMO, that was the biggest concern from the first 2 weeks, there was no pass rush. When they get a rush on the QB everyone else on the defence can actually do their jobs and make plays.

Henry and the offence started well went into sleep mode but turned it on again in the 2nd half. Great pass from his own end zone by Hank to Copeland, that play plus the Carpenter touchdown on the wild cat play were the 2 turning points imo.

[nik-]

I'm no CFL fan, but man those uniforms were sick. But I'm a little partial to the numbers on the helmet, being a pseudo Bama fan.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by I wanna be like Miikka

I'm listening online, sounds like a great play by the Stamps D!! Carpenter with the TD.

Why didn't TOR argue Joseph was in the motion of throwing - not a fumble?

[troutman]

Originally Posted by nik-

I'm no CFL fan, but man those uniforms were sick. But I'm a little partial to the numbers on the helmet, being a pseudo Bama fan.

Did CGY really have gold pants in the 60s? - I doubt it.

[browna]

Originally Posted by troutman

Did CGY really have gold pants in the 60s? - I doubt it.

First half of the 60's, yes.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by troutman

Why didn't TOR argue Joseph was in the motion of throwing - not a fumble?

That was because it was a lateral play. Anything goes when it is a lateral play. If you drop the ball while someone is giving it to you, that considered a fumble. It doesn't matter that Joseph was in a throwing motion on that play. He dropped the ball, it is still a fumble.

[OzSome]

Wow, that DLines was sick!!! Malik Jackson and Odell Willis got some speed constantly going after Kerry Joseph. Then you have the force on Tom Johnson. If they keep playing that well, we will see Labinjo getting free again. I see that they are double-teaming Labinjo a lot last night. Our DBs are starting to get better, Browner, Dwight Anderson and Milton Collins were good. The rookies are getting better and still learning the CFL. Our LBs also did well. You won't really notice Blackmon but James and Carpenter were flying over. Toronto never got a good field position in the second half. They said the best field position they ever have is the 31 yard line. So, it means our D and the Special Teams are trying to bury them a lot.
As for Offense, that wasn't the best offense yet but they are starting to pick up again. Thelwell, Lewis and Copeland had a pretty decent night. Yes, we are still missing the running game but it will come. Burris made some mistakes but he atoned for it.
One negative aspects of the game is the penalties. There are way too many penalties. ON the first half alone, i see 3 unnecessary roughing penalties within 5 minutes span.
I am happy with the win and that game sort of confirmed my suspicion on Kerry Joseph. The guy is overrated. He is not that good like what the media keeps saying.

Next game against BC Lions.