WEEK 17: Riders vs STAMPEDERS

[OzSome]

WEEK 17: Riders vs STAMPEDERS

Three more games left and maybe Hufnagel thinks the time is now to make some changes. He probably figures #1 in West is getting away from Stampeders and it is the best time to try something. Two big changes due to inconsistensies and one changes due to injury. The first big changes is in QB position. Henry Burris will give way to backup QB Drew Tate because the coaching staff were not happy with Burris past 2 performances. Tate replaced Burris last game before the end of the first half and almost won the game for the Stamps. He ended up with 28 passing attempts and completed 19 passes for 263 yards. He was impressive. Burris on the other hand struggled in the past two games. Is Tate's impressive performance in replacing Burris against the Argos warrant the changes? Only time will tell. Like I mentioned there is a possibility that the Stamps might not get into 1st place and they are already in the playoff spot so it might be the time to see if Tate can help the Stamps to go after the #1 spot and even lead them in the playoff. If he is unsuccessful in this game, Huf can still put Burris back in their remaining games. 2nd changes is in defense. With Hughes coming back after sitting out due to injury, they need a spot for Robert McCune. He'll be starting as the MLB and Simpsons will be moved to another LB position. The 3rd changes will be Joffrey Reynolds playing to replace the injured Coker.

Stamps is now in third place with 8-7 record. They are 2-5 in the last 7 games but 3-0 against the Riders this season. Riders were officially eliminated last week lost the last 4 games. Their offense is the major reason they were struggling and they haven't scored an offensive TD in the last 17 quarters. Durant been struggling and he's been replaced by Dinwiddie.

OFFENSE:

As everyone hears, Drew Tate will be the starting QB for the Stampeders to replace Henry Burris. Tate played well replacing Burris before the end of the 1st half and almost won the game. They were actually ahead by 1 point less than 3 minutes left in the game when the Stamps defense collapsed with 3 bad penalties that gave the Argos a lot of yardage and gave Prefontaine an awesome spot to kick the winning field goal. RB Jon Cornish is this week's most outstanding Canadian. He rushed 12 times for 128 yards. Most of those yardages came early and like in the past few games, Stamps abandoned the run again in the 2nd half. Cornish just needs 338 rushing yards to hit the 1,000 yards this season. He will be the first Canadian RB in Stampeders' history to reach the 1,000 yards plateau. Joffrey Reynolds after missing a few games will dress for the game against the Riders replacing the injured LaMarcus Coker.

Johnny Forzani with 76 receiving yards and 22 yards TD catch had a good game vs the Argos. Nike Lewis caught 6 catches for 82 yards while Landan Talley caught 3 for 71 yards.

DEFENSE:

Defense actually played good last week until late in the game when the defense collapsed with 3 unnecessary penalties that gave the Argos good field goal position. They played well in defending the pass but they were terrible in stopping RB Cory Boyd and the Argos running game. Boyd finished with 148 rushing yards and the Argos' ground game finished for a total 236 rushing yards.

Geoff Tisdale with 2 interceptions and Eric Fraser had one. DL Chris McCoy in his 2nd game had a couple of QB sacks.
DE Charleston Hughes will be back in the lineup vs the Riders and that prompts Hufnagel's move to put Juwan Simpson, who struggles this season into another LB position. Huf figures the only way he can put Robert McCune in the lineup is to put him as a MLB. The Stamps actually had a winning record with McCune playing as Middle Linebacker.

SPECIAL TEAMS:

After Larry Taylor's good game on special team against BC Lions, the Stamps were average in their return game. The Special Team defense couldn't stop Chad Owens return though. Kicker Rene Paredes went 5 for 5 in field goal while Punter Burke Dales average 45.8 yards in punting.

************************************************** **
This week's question: Do you think Hufnagel made the right move in putting QB Drew Tate as a starter replacing Henry Burris?

This is Tate's game to shine. Success and we might see him play the last two more games and maybe the playoff game. He falters and he's back as a backup again.

Please Double D, when the running game is successful early..keep it and don't abandon it later in the game.

GO STAMPS GO!!!!

Game time: Friday, 7:30pm at McMahon Stadium

[CofR]

This week's question: Do you think Hufnagel made the right move in putting QB Drew Tate as a starter replacing Henry Burris?

Yes.

As you mentioned first in the West is slipping away, and we have this time to experiment before the playoffs begin, I see no harm in starting Tate in this game. For all the reasons you stated I see this as the right move to make.

[OzSome]

It looks like DE Charleston Hughes, Rookie LB Ware, OL Spencer Wilson will be in the lineup. Ken-Yon Rambo is still questionable and chances are he won't be playing. LB Stone, RB LaMarcus Coker(injured), LB McCartney(still questionable) and OL Deane(out for the season).

[You Need a Thneed]

Taking my four year old to her first ever game tonight. Please let there be lots of fireworks!

[seitzer17]

I'm heading to the game tonight as well! Always an entertaining game (especially in the stands with the crazy Riders fans). Looking forward to seeing Drew Tate at the helm and hoping for a good game with the Stamps coming out of top!
Prediction: Stamps 30 Riders 19

[Cheese]

Riders have nothing on the line and will play loose. Stamps are wound tighter than....well you know....Riders upset?

[troutman]

Does Burris come in if Tate is struggling in the first half?

[Flickered Flame]

Originally Posted by troutman

Does Burris come in if Tate is struggling in the first half?

I think Tate gets the entire game. If he struggles, I still think he plays next week. I believe they have decided to move forward with Tate as the QB.

[Stay Golden]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I think Tate gets the entire game. If he struggles, I still think he plays next week. I believe they have decided to move forward with Tate as the QB.

Yes, even more so after this season I think Burris will ask to be traded. I think he ends up in Toronto. If that does happen Huff better stick it to Barker knowing Barker will be wanting Burris.

Just a gut feeling tells me this is the start of the Tate era tonight.

[flamesaresmokin]

Originally Posted by troutman

Does Burris come in if Tate is struggling in the first half?

Better not. Henry has had too long of a leash this year as far as i'm concerned. He's been downright awful since labour day imo and its time to give someone else a legitimate shot.

[Aeneas]

A neighbour just told me she's dancing at halftime. After the obvious "what do they attach the top of the pole to?" question was asked; she explained it is alumni cheerleader night.

She told me when she did that. I said I would have to check in the garage for all the Stamp cheerleader calenders, and would she sign it if I had the right one. She gave me a look and asked if I really had them. I played it straight and said I collected every one.

If someone has one, any year, I wouldn't mind borrowing it. Just to further my little joke.

Anyway, lots of Cornish and Lewis please.

[octothorp]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

I think Tate gets the entire game. If he struggles, I still think he plays next week. I believe they have decided to move forward with Tate as the QB.

I think Tate gets two full games, and then game 18 you treat as a warmup for the playoffs, starting whoever you think gives you the best chance to win in the post-season. If Tate struggles both weeks, that's probably Burris... but I think Tate's going to earn the coaches' confidence tonight.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by troutman

Does Burris come in if Tate is struggling in the first half?

I think Huff will give him a few series and if he still keeps struggling, I think Huff will replace him with Burris. Huff might give him another game if he struggles tonight. For me, i don't care who starts as a QB for the Stamps as long as he does the job and win games.

In another note, that crappy Argo-NOTS are getting killed by the Eskimos so it is looking more like the Stamps will not even play at home playoff game. I hope that will put fire in their butt and start playing like no tomorrow. We've seen teams won the Grey Cup before after ending up in 3rd place.

[Flickered Flame]

Tate looks good completing his first 2 passes but Bryant fumbles, Riders recover and the Stamps force them to a 2 and out.

[Flickered Flame]

Cornish is a much better RB than I ever thought he would be.

[Flickered Flame]

Tate just under throws Lewis by about a yard or 2.

[OzSome]

oooh a little more ooomph on that throw and that could have been an easy TD for Lewis.

[Flickered Flame]

Bryant can't hold on. Gotta make that catch. Tate fired that one in there.

[OzSome]

Whoa Romby is struggling early tonight. That's okay it will come.

Paredes is just inconsistent.

[Flickered Flame]

Parades misses and Dressler brings it out.