LABOUR DAY: Battle of Alberta 2010 - Part 2

[OzSome]

For some Labour Day Classic between the Stampeders and Eskimos is the most important game of the season. Some people doesn't even care of the win-loss record for both teams and don't even care whether one or both teams are in the playoff hunt. The most important thing for the fans is whoever wins this game. NOt sure if that's the case now.

Battle of Alberta - Part 1: Stamps embarrassed the Eskimos a few weeks ago by winning 56-15. Stampeders used variety ways to score TDs in building a 28-points halftime lead.

-- Ground Attack: RB Joffrey Reynolds ran for 27 yards to score the first TD of the game 2 minutes into contest.

-- Air Attack: Henry Burris passed for 17 yards to Receiver Arjei Franklin for a TD.

-- Third Down Gamble: QB Drew Tate one yard keeper on a 3rd down gamble.

--- Defense: DB Dwight Anderson picked off QB Zabransky's pass and returned it for 89 yards for a TD.

OFFENSE:

In the last two games, Burris connected for 581 yards in the last 2 games. He's been good but on the negative side, he threw 3 INT against BC Lions. It doesn't matter because Burris seems to bounced back from his mistakes.

Nice to see RB Joffrey Reynolds getting the ball more often lately. He gained over 200 yards in the last 2 games. With Reynolds-Cornish combo we can see a more potent offense the rest of the season. Speaking of RB Jon Cornish. He was named Canadian Player of the Week for Week 9 as rushed 6 times for 70 yards. Joffrey Reynolds on the other hand just need 136 yards to pass Kelvin Anderson's team record of 8,292 rushing yards. Reynolds already moved past Tracy Ham to claim 10th place on the CFL all-time rushing list.

Stamps receiving corps are much potent lately with the return of Ken-Yon Rambo a few weeks ago. Rambo has been on firs since he came back from injury. He was named the CFL Offensive Player of Week 9 after his performance against the BC Lions (9 catch for 108 yards).

Nik Lewis leads the team with 43 grabs for 607 yards and 5 TDs. This is the same Nik Lewis who didn't get his first TD last season until the late in the season against Saskatchewan.

Offensive Line were the biggest question mark before the season start. Stmaps lost 3 good offensive linemen before the season. Dmitri Tsoumpas went to sign with Miami Dolphins, Jeff Pilon retired and Jesse Newman retired for personal reason. Some people were thinking the Stamps are doomed and Burris and Reynolds will not have a bad season because they are running for their life. To our surprise, veteran Comiskey, rookie Myddleton and rookie import Harrison played so well. Dmitri Tsoumpas are now back and Stamps just traded Jesse Newman to BC yesterday. OLine are no longer a question mark.

DEFENSE:

Stamps defense are top in the league in most categories. They are first in the follwing categories:
-- Fewest points allowed per game(22.1)
-- Fewest Touchdown allowed (14)
-- Fewest Total Offense per game (304.6 yards)
-- Fewest First Down Allowed (137)
-- Fewest Rushing Yards Allowed (86.6)
-- Fewest Average Gain per Rush allowed (5.0
and so on.

If OLine were the biggest question mark on Offense, the Linebacking position were the biggest question mark on defense. We lost 3 LBs from last season and MLB Juwan Simpson never played MLB in the CFL before. The LB crew of MLB Juwan Simpson, Malik Jackson, Keon Raymond showed the fans that they can be dominating as well.

Our Defensive Linemen are always the biggest strength for the Stamps every season. Dline kept getting richer with the addition of Non-Import DL Corey Mace, who will play his first game as a Stamps to replace the injured Non-import Miguel Robede. With the surplus of good DLiNemen, we don't even notice the difference in polay whenever someone is injured. Our DLine consisted of Charleston Hughes, Devone Claybrook, Robert MCCune, Tearrius George, Tom Johnson, Mike Landry, MIke Labinjo, Miguel Robede and Corey Mace.

Of course whenever the opposing QB threw a pass, our defensive backs consisted of Brandon Browner, Milton Collins, Dwight Anderson, Eric Fraser, Wes Lysack and Brandon Smith are there to stop the pass.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

Rookie Kicker Rob Maver is 2nd in the league points (86) and 2nd in Field Goal Accuracy with 85.7%.

Punter Burke Dales is 2nd in punting average at 43.8 yards per punt and net punting average of 34.3.

Returner Deon Murphy is 2nd in the CFL in combined yards with 1,226 yards (359 yards in punt return (3rd) and 546 yards in kickoff return (1st)).


OPPOSITION:

If you look at the record Stamps with 7-1 record while the Eskimos with 2-6 record, you would think this is not even worth watching. BUt for some reason, both teams gets fired up playing against each other all the time. Everybody think the Eskimos are more fired up especially their defense after their win against Saskatchewan. Stamps are on the other hand would rather not give Eskimos any hope of making the post-season so they will try to beat them back-to-back games. The Eskimos are suspect with their QB position. Ricky Ray hasn't been playing consistently this season while their leading receiver against Calgary in Fred Stamps haven't been playing. I cannot wait to watch this game and hopefully the Stamps embarrass the Eskimos again in this back-to-back games.

[3 Justin 3]

We should win thi one easily!

[Flickered Flame]

After what Edmonton did last week, albeit an ugly win, I don't see the Stamps taking them lightly. I would think Edmonton would be motivated for a couple of reasons: 1) the Stamps kicked their asses a few weeks back and they want to get some revenge. 2) with the Lions winning there is suddenly a 3 way tie for the last playoff spot as the Bombers lost again today. With a win, the Esks jump back into the playoff picture. In saying all that, I don't see how the Stamps lose unless the completely play a game like they did in Toronto earlier this season.

[octothorp]

For me, one of the highlights of the season has been the Dave Dickenson offense. He coaches the same way he plays: with creativity and with a very high execution percentage, although without getting injured! In Burris, he's able to channel a bit of himself into someone who has better physical tools than what he had. There's still a lot of football to be played, but right now this feels like one of the most balanced and complete teams the Stamps have fielded since the Buono era.

[browna]

Just win!

[fleuryisgod]

What time do the gates open for this game? I have rush seats and would like to be there right away.

[OzSome]

Henry Burris just need to pass for 2 more yards to surpass Dieter Brock as the 10th all-time leading passer in the CFL. Commissioner Mark Cohon will be in attendance to honour Burris in the halftime.

Roster Moves:
STAMPEDERS: R Johnny Forzani, DL Corey Mace and DL Justin Phillips will play while OL Jon Gott(ankle injury), DB Taurean Allen(leg injury), Ryan Thelwell(groin), FB/LB Mike Connell(hamstring), DL Tearrius George(hamstring), and R PK Sam(knee) won't play. DL Miguel Robede will probably not play as well due ti injury. He missed the 3 practices this week.
ESKIMOS: R Tyler Scott is in. R Fred Stamps(shoulder), R Kamau Peterson(achilles),DB/KR Tristan Jackson(shoulder), FB Graeme Bell(groin), S Saleem Borhott(ankle), RB Calvin McCarthy(thumb), and DB Lenny Walls(leg) won't play.

GAME TIME: 4:00pm at McMahon Stadium
TV: TSN(subject to blackout) -- I am sure they will lift the blackout as the stadium will be packed.

GO STAMPS GO!!!!

[dash_pinched]

Almost time to kick some Eskimo butt!!

Go Stamps Go!

[Thor]

I WISH I could watch this game from Iceland

[OzSome]

Burris just passed Dieter Brock's record for 10th place with his 42 yard pass to Ken-Yon rambo on their first play.

[octothorp]

FG good! Decent start to the game, now let's get some hits on Ray.

[dash_pinched]

Will this be the pattern?!? Eskimo single followed by Stamps FG (or preferably TD). That's fine by me.

[dash_pinched]

Too bad McCune couldn't haul in that wounded duck from Ray...

[PeteLFan]

Awful start for Stamps offence, Burris check the ball down, stop trying to go for 50 yard passes every play.

[Thor]

Pretty uneventful so far, please win stamps I'm staying up late just for you!

[HotHotHeat]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Awful start for Stamps offence, Burris check the ball down, stop trying to go for 50 yard passes every play.

I think you're exaggerating, just a bit.

[PeteLFan]

Johnson has been a beast. Defensive player of the year so far.

[PeteLFan]

Burris needs to step it up or its Tate time.

[dash_pinched]

Originally Posted by PeteLFan

Burris needs to step it up or its Tate time.

Nonsense...

[OzSome]

what the??? BS penalty calls.