WEST SEMIFINAL: Eskimos at CALGARY - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

OzSome · 11-14-2009, 02:57 PM

Another Battle of Alberta but this time it is the Western SemiFinal. This season Calgary won 3 times and lost 1 against Edmonton. Edmonton won the first game 38-35 and Calgary won the last 3 games 35-34, 32-8 and 30-7.

Last week, Calgary beat themselves against Saskatchewan with timely penalties and bad mistakes. Not saying Saskatchewan did not show up for the game but other than the first few minutes of the game, they didn't do much. Tomorrow that has to change. They should have mistake-free and penalty free against Ricky Ray and the Eskimos.

OFFENSE: Western Most Outstanding Player nominee Joffrey Reynolds were less successful against the Eskimos this season compare to the rest of the team in the league. In 4 games vs the Eskimos, he averaging 61.5 yards per game and no TD. It wasn't for the lack of trying but Reynolds seems to be the forgotten man whenever they play the Eskimos. Burris, on the other hand had better luck vs the Eskimos throwing for 1,503 yards with 8 TD and 4 INT. His highest passing this season was against the Eskimos for 479 yards.
The receivers, Jermaine Copeland 22 catches 403 yards 5 TD is the highest amongst the Stamps' receivers. Nik Lewis is second with 19 catches 271 yards. Romby Bryant only played once against Edmonton and had 9 catches 211 yards.
Trouble on OLine. Both Western Linemen finalist Ben Archibald and Jeff Pilon missed Friday's practice with the flu. Both are questionable for Sunday's game but Coach Hufnagel think both will play.
R/TE Teyo Johnson will miss the game due to stabbing that happenned after the KISS concert in Calgary.

DEFENSE: Stamps run defense are usually not that good against the Eskimos but the last 2 games, they seems to improve. LB Malik Jackson leads the Stamps defense with 21 tackles, MLB Tim Johnson is 2nd with 18 tackles and 1 QB sack. Former Eskimos DL Jim Davis usually play well against his former team and leads the defense with 4 QB sacks. DB Diwght Anderson 15 tackles and 2 Fumble Recoveries while DB John Eubanks had an INT against Edmonton.
It looks like DL Mike Labinjo will sit this game out.

SPECIAL TEAMS: Last few games, the Stamps coverage team played well against Tristan Jackson and Arkee Whitlock. I believed this is due to P Burke Dales successful directional punting away from those 2. Our punt return is no match against the Eskimos. I am not sure if Markus Howell is the answer. Kickoff returner Summers had a better luck.

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Stamps must stay away from stupid penalties and stop Whitlock and Ray from running the ball. Whitlock is good running the ball straight up (North and South) but not as well when he does side-by-side(EAST and WEST). Our defense should keep on pressuring Ricky Ray and let him know their intention. At the same time, there shouldn't be any breakdown in coverage just like Fantuz having so many opening last week in Saskatchewan. Stamps offense must mix up plays and get Reynolds more involved. Burris should go after the LBs by passing the ball to Lewis, Reynolds and Copeland early then when that successful throw a bomb to Bryant and Ralph.

I cannot wait to see the Western SemiFinal tomorrow. Updates before game time.

GO STAMPS GO!!!

Flickered Flame · 11-14-2009, 03:01 PM

This is a huge trap game for the Stamps imo. On paper, they are the better team by far. However, coming off a poor performance last week and I think the ease of wins they had vs the Esks are working against them. Also, the Esks have little jump back in their game after 2 wins in a row to close out the regular season.

I still think the Stamps will win but they better be ready to battle for 60 minutes.

I_H8_Crawford · 11-14-2009, 04:57 PM

End of Stamps season is tomorrow.

They are already looking past Edm, think they "own" the Eskimos because of the season results, and are IMO a team that doesn't have the "us vs them" mentality that they carried for much of last year.

They crapped the bed in a big game against Sask last week, and I don't see any change; back to the regular old crap out in the 1st playoff game garbage.

Efence is going to get torn up by Ray.

Dynamic · 11-14-2009, 06:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

End of Stamps season is tomorrow.

They are already looking past Edm, think they "own" the Eskimos because of the season results, and are IMO a team that doesn't have the "us vs them" mentality that they carried for much of last year.

They crapped the bed in a big game against Sask last week, and I don't see any change; back to the regular old crap out in the 1st playoff game garbage.

Efence is going to get torn up by Ray.

A full Civic is making the trip from Slave Lake to Calgary. Taking my mom who is a stamps fan so it should be fun.

FoxMulder91 · 11-14-2009, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

End of Stamps season is tomorrow.

They are already looking past Edm, think they "own" the Eskimos because of the season results, and are IMO a team that doesn't have the "us vs them" mentality that they carried for much of last year.

They crapped the bed in a big game against Sask last week, and I don't see any change; back to the regular old crap out in the 1st playoff game garbage.

Efence is going to get torn up by Ray.

Thankfully youre wrong a lot more than youre right

arloiginla · 11-14-2009, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

End of Stamps season is tomorrow.

They are already looking past Edm, think they "own" the Eskimos because of the season results, and are IMO a team that doesn't have the "us vs them" mentality that they carried for much of last year.

They crapped the bed in a big game against Sask last week, and I don't see any change; back to the regular old crap out in the 1st playoff game garbage.

Efence is going to get torn up by Ray.

Though I agree with you, the whole "Efence" thing is getting old. Seriously. It's not funny anymore. Nor is it even true. The d has not been the problem for most of this year; the special teams has been meh most of the year and the offensive has been very spotty outside of Reynolds.

Probably the biggest difference between last year and this one is that the burning desire to win is not there right now. Being the hunter and hunted are two different things, and the Stamps clearly do better as the former and not the latter.

I_H8_Crawford · 11-15-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arloiginla

Though I agree with you, the whole "Efence" thing is getting old. Seriously. It's not funny anymore. Nor is it even true. The d has not been the problem for most of this year; the special teams has been meh most of the year and the offensive has been very spotty outside of Reynolds.

Probably the biggest difference between last year and this one is that the burning desire to win is not there right now. Being the hunter and hunted are two different things, and the Stamps clearly do better as the former and not the latter.

Seriously?

Do you have ANY confidence at all that they can shut down a team in the final minutes?

Fact is if the Stamps don't have at least a 2 score lead in the final minutes, they will require another offensive score to win the game. The D hasn't been able to get the stop when needed; the only time they did was against a bad QB with Ham in deplorable weather conditions.

If the D COULD get that last minute stop, they would have 2 wins vs Sask and would be hosting the West Final again this year.

If the Stamps aren't up by at least 9 points vs Edm in the final minutes, chances are VERY GOOD that Ray leads the Esks for a tying/winning drive.

I HATE the 3 man rush they pull which always gives up first downs (or TDs in the final minutes) and the fact that you always seem to see some sort of secondary brain fart when they need to hold is very disconcerting - It's happened vs BC, Edm, Sask - it's happened far too many times for me to have any comfort at all that they will step up if needed.

If the O gets shut down today or the score is close, there is no chance for the Stamps to win.

Only slight glimmer of hope I have is this is Cortez' season - hopefully he has another masterful plan ready to trot out for the playoffs or it can be a long day.

The Ditch · 11-15-2009, 11:07 AM

Well I'm going to be positive, my wife isn't doing outriders again next year so it would be nice to see the Stamps go beyond the western semis. In the CFL anything can happen, it makes it exciting.

OzSome · 11-15-2009, 12:07 PM

ROSTER UPDATES:

CALGARY LB Marc Calixte, DL Mike Labinjo are in. FB Teyo Johnson and DL Tom Johnson are out.
Injuries: DL Derek Armstrong(arm), Alain Kashama(ankle), LB Tristan Black(leg), Lemarcus Rowell(knee), DB JR Ruffin(knee), Brandon Smith(knee), FB Teyo Johnson(back), WR Ken-Yon Rambo(knee), Ryan Thelwell(achilles).

EDMONTON - None
Injuries: DB Willie Amos(leg), DL Adam Braidwood(knee), LB Lamar Herron(leg), DB Tristan Jackson(knee), OL Garrick Jones(shoulder), RB Jesse Lumsden(shoulder), R Maurice Mann(ankle), DL Dario Romero(arm), DB Bradley Robinson(concussion), DB Lenny Williams(knee), OL Greg Wojt(knee).

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Most of the trash talk are coming from Eskimos players LB Maurice Llyod and DB Byron Parker. The Stamps on the other hand are trying to focus on the game instead of sending trash talk back. Whatever happen to the Battle of Alberta rivalry? Oh well, if you going to ask I would rather see the Stampeder players do the talking on the field. We need a repeat of the last 2 games.

GO STAMPS GO!!

Game Time: 2:30pm McMahon Stadium
TV: TSN

403ep3 · 11-15-2009, 02:13 PM

Sorry to be off topic but DAMN lions vs ticats is a DAMN good game

zamler · 11-15-2009, 02:36 PM

Yep that was a great game, didn't expect that.

Now the Stamps, well, don't have a lot of confidence that they will be focused and come out ready to play. A slow start will do them in most likely.

zamler · 11-15-2009, 02:44 PM

If the Stamps allow Ray to stand in and hit those 12 yard plays all game, this will be a very long afternoon.

zarrell · 11-15-2009, 02:44 PM

Who's idea was it to allow the Eskimo cheer team come to the game? That's borderline ######ed.

zamler · 11-15-2009, 02:46 PM

That should have been an interception for sure, terrible toss by Ray.

Flickered Flame · 11-15-2009, 03:05 PM

Still no pressure on Ray. Esks are marching. 0-0 after 1.

zamler · 11-15-2009, 03:15 PM

Too many penalties by the Stamps, again. 3-3, not exactly a barn burner.

OzSome · 11-15-2009, 03:18 PM

great run by Summers. Too bad our punt returner can't do the same thing.

Flickered Flame · 11-15-2009, 03:18 PM

The offence blew a great opportunity after a great kickoff return.

Canuck-Hater · 11-15-2009, 03:18 PM

I absolutely HATE the hard on these commentators have for the eskimos. Edmonton this, Edmonton that, shut up already. I dont give a crap about Lloyd feeling disrespected, and I dont give a dam about how Edmonton grabs momentum because of a failed Stampeder play! When are the refs gonna throw some flags against the Eks?

zamler · 11-15-2009, 03:27 PM

Another failed drive by the Stamps. Can't pass up all these chances in the red zone.

6-3 Stamps.