Battle of Alberta Part 2: Eskimos at Stampeders - Labour Day Classics

[OzSome]

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!!!

[I_H8_Crawford]

Stamps have yet to beat a mediocre-good team this season, hopefully that will change tomorrow but I doubt it.

They will probably try to 1-up themselves from last time vs Edmonton, and let Ricky Ray get a 100 yard rushing TD.

I'm not convinced they have fixed the issues with stopping the run, I think Edmonton will run roughshod all over them (all game this time) and it won't be close.

[mykalberta]

I will be at the game friday.

Go ESKS Go.

[carom]

I am dusting off the old #18 pitts jersey to go to a game for the first time in 3 years. After going to 5 labour days games in a row this is my first one since 2000. GO STAMPS GO!

[FoxMulder91]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

Stamps have yet to beat a mediocre-good team this season, hopefully that will change tomorrow but I doubt it.

They will probably try to 1-up themselves from last time vs Edmonton, and let Ricky Ray get a 100 yard rushing TD.

I'm not convinced they have fixed the issues with stopping the run, I think Edmonton will run roughshod all over them (all game this time) and it won't be close.

Ive always wondered why you pick the Flames to lose every game?
Same thing for the Stamps..looking at this years predictions you have picked the Stamps to lose every game of the year..except the first game..did one lose against Montreal really make you lose faith?

I think the crowd will really benefit the Stamps tomorrow and I expect a big win.
GO STAMPS GO

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by FoxMulder91

Ive always wondered why you pick the Flames to lose every game?
Same thing for the Stamps..looking at this years predictions you have picked the Stamps to lose every game of the year..except the first game..did one lose against Montreal really make you lose faith?

I think the crowd will really benefit the Stamps tomorrow and I expect a big win.
GO STAMPS GO

No, watching this team give up copious amounts of rushing yards, and choking in final minute to divisional rivals has made me lose faith.

The team sucks on the D side, and it looks like 2007 all over again where the O needs to score 40+ if they want to win.

[FoxMulder91]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

No, watching this team give up copious amounts of rushing yards, and choking in final minute to divisional rivals has made me lose faith.

The team sucks on the D side, and it looks like 2007 all over again where the O needs to score 40+ if they want to win.

Pretty sure we were 5-4 after 9 games last year and ended up going 13-5..and we lost some of those games late as well.
I see alot of simalarities between last years team and this years team.

[mykalberta]

Impartially....

Esks have better offense (except the ever terrible offensive line) - not sure why the Stamps contiunually try to rely on Burris early and not Reynolds using him as a mere decoy when they now have no legit downfield threat after Rambo got injured- how is the guy in bc not suspended for that joke of a horse collar. Its just one of those things about the CFL that makes it hard to defend against the haters (NFL fans) because its indefensible, guy should have been suspended 1/2 the season. That combined with the ever way over hypeness of Burris's abilities. He is likely 3rd or 4th best int he CFL but that isnt saying alot with the current crop of passers.

Stamps have better defence (not by much IMO, should never have got rid of Armour)
Stamps have better special teams
Stamps have better coaching
Stamps have better management (not really a contest as the esks are a joke of a managerment group only saved by being far and away the most profitable team in the leage, no thanks to themselves but because of the stadium).
Stamps have better ownership

I expect a split, no way the stamps lose two. I can see the esks lose two though.

[OzSome]

ROSTER MOVES:

CALGARY: DLJim Davies and DL Alain Kashama are in to replace LB Tristan Black(ankle) and DB Branodn Browner(knee). Other injuries to report: OL Derek Armstrong(arm), R Jabari Arthur(foot), LB Trey Blackmon(ankle), DL Mike Labinjo(calf), C Rob Lazeo(knee), WR Ken-Yon Rambo(knee-out for the season), LB Lemarcus Rowell(knee), DB JR Ruffin(knee) and DB Brandon Smith(knee).

EDMONTON: OL John Comiskey, FB Mike Mauer and DL Eric Taylor are in; DB Jonte Buhl, OL Gord Hinse and DL Xzavie Jackson are out. Other injuries to report: DB Willie Amos(leg), DL Adam Braidwood(knee), DB Scott Gordon(leg), DB Lamar Herron(leg), OL Garrick Jones(shoulder), RB Jesse Lumsden(shoulder-out for the season) and OL Greg Wojt(knee)

NOTABLE: Today's sell-out crowd of 40,729 marks the 13th straight Labour Day sellout. The Stamps are racked the 2nd highest penalties in the CFL while the Eskimos are the least penalized team in the league.

In order for the Stamps to win: On defense, They must pressure Ricky Ray a lot and at the same time worry about stopping the Arkee Whitlock. Our run defense must improve from the last game this team faced the Eskimos. Stay away from the unneccessary penalties. Ronnie Amadi especially must play aggressive and try not to get beat too much by the Eskimos receivers. Tall order for DB Amadi and DB Keon Raymond as Ricky Ray will go after both of them a lot.

Offense: Mix up plays early. It seems that Henry Burris been cold early in the game almost every game so why not get Joffrey Reynolds involve in a lot of plays. Same as passing 5 yards or so to Lewis, Reynolds, Copeland and even Teyo Johnson and let them run around. When they succeed on those plays, Burris can start passing long balls to Ralph, Thelwell, Jackson and Ryan. Another thing Burris can do is QB sneak once in awhile. As we all know, Reynolds' success on the field early confuses opponents' defense.

Special Teams: The first few games in the season, our special team's coverage are one of the best in the league. But in the past few games, they are in the middle of the pack especially late in the game. They have a huge task this game in stopping 2 of the most dynamite returners in Tristan Jackson and Arkee Whitlock. We need a couple of guys who can go downfield right away and tackle the returner right away. Tackling is also the key. Last game against the Eskimos, special team's tackling were so bad. As for the returner, Titus Ryan is doing a good job but he needs some timely blocking in order to get more yardage. P Burke Dales should try to angle his punt more away from those two. I would take Dales' 40 yards angle punt away from Jackson or Whitlock than 50 yards punt to the hands of those two.

Game face on... I am so pumped!! GO STAMPS GO!!!!

[arloiginla]

It's only the CFL.

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

It's only the CFL.

whats that supposed to mean?

[I wanna be like Miikka]

Please Stamps play a good defensive game and don't blow a lead in the last 2 minutes of a game.

[The Special One]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

whats that supposed to mean?

Minor league football.

[mykalberta]

Originally Posted by calgaryrocks

whats that supposed to mean?

It means he is a thread leach - not a football fan, but an NFL fan.

[calgaryrocks]

Originally Posted by The Special One

Minor league football.

why do you guys always have to belittle our league, if you don't want to discuss the game, why post on here? to troll?
if you don't like the CFL, thats fine, I don't like watching baseball, but i don't go onto a baseball thread and bash it.
how is it minor league? because its canadian? its not the mighty NFL? don't forget, the CFL used to have the higher paid players, but the NFL made more money off of tv and thus made more money to pay players.
i don't want to compare the two leagues, but they both have different skill sets and there are players that are better in ways in both leagues. just like the difference between a sprinter and a marathon runner, niether is better, just better at different things.
how is it minor league? players can't be called up from the CFL, you have to wait for a contract to end then sign him.
anyways my main point is that this is a discussion about the labour day game, a classic that has been going on since before the Flames were in Calgary, the battle of Alberta started with football.
its a big rivalry, the fans enjoy it, the teams enjoy it, no matter the quality you percieve it as, these are good players and its an entertaining game.
some people base thier allegiences too much on hype or what the americans like. its the Toronto syndrome, we want what the americans have, we want to be the americans etc, its stupid

[The Special One]

I didn't come into this thread to bash anything. You asked why someone had said "it's only the CFL" and I answered your question. The CFL is minor league. Every single player who plays in this league would rather be on the practise roster of an NFL team than be the MVP on a CFL Grey Cup winning team. Those are just the facts. I'm not bashing your league, I quite enjoy it for what it is myself. But don't try to say that the leagues are equal somehow because of "different skill sets". NFL players are bigger, stronger, faster, and more skilled. If player's can't make it in the NFL, they go and get real jobs. Only the poor black players from the Deep South with piss poor degrees come up and play in the CFL. Guys like Nik Lewis are a perfect example. Any intelligent guy with a degree from a proper US university can make far more money at a real job than they can playing up in Canada. I'm a construction worker here in Calgary and I make more than more than half the team does. All of those offensive and defensive linemen are on forty grand Canadian a year. You'd make more working at Home Depot. This is why the CFL is bush league and the NFL gets much higher TV ratings even here in Canada.

[moon]

Originally Posted by The Special One

All of those offensive and defensive linemen are on forty grand Canadian a year. You'd make more working at Home Depot. This is why the CFL is bush league and the NFL gets much higher TV ratings even here in Canada.

You can make 40 grand a year working only six months at Home Depot?

Sign me up.

[The Special One]

Originally Posted by moon

You can make 40 grand a year working only six months at Home Depot?

Sign me up.

Very mature. Way to nitpick what I wrote. Ignore list.

[Dion]

Originally Posted by The Special One

Very mature. Way to nitpick what I wrote. Ignore list.

You made the statement.

Show us how we can make 40 grand a year at Home Dept in 6 months?

[The Special One]

Show me where I said you can make forty grand at Home Depot in six months.