WESTERN FINALS: Riders vs STAMPEDERS

[OzSome]

Watching the CIS Football between the Dinos and St. Mary makes me think the score on the Western Finals between the Riders and the Stamps will be low. The weather tomorrow during the game will probably be the same as today and I am not sure we will see an over 300+ yards passing game. I think that would be favourable for the Stamps as usually the Riders receivers decides to play better against the Stamps all the time. I mean, Durant and some of their receivers looks like an average players against other teams but when they play against the Stamps they think they are superman. Hopefully after the Stamps beating them last game and Browner shutting down Fantuz all game they go back to earth.

OFFENSE:

All-Star Quarterback and Western Most Outstanding Player Henry Burris will have to use his legs more than before in this game. We all know Burris can throw the ball no matter what weather we have but it will be awesome if he uses his legs this time. Our two-headed monster Running Backs Joffrey Reynolds and Jon Cornish will be count on a lot. I like their chances in running through the Riders run defense. I don't feel the Riders' run defense is as good as what TSN and the media mentions. Their what so-called Minieter of Defense Barrin Simpson is probably one of the most overrated LB in the league. If our OLine takes care of the Riders DLine, I can't see Simpson stopping Reynolds or Cornish.

DEFENSE:

Our DLIne will have to contain Darian Durant more and chase him all day. JUwan Simpson and Malik Jackson will need to stop Wes Cates. With the weather being a factor in this game, I can't see Durant throwing those long balls a lot during the game. DB Brandon Browner and Dwight Anderson needs to shut down Fantuz, Dressler and even Getzlaf all game. Stay away from unnecessary penalties.

SPECIAL TEAM:

This is where the Stamps needs to step up. Our Special Team has been abysmal all season and something has to change. Our coverage has been non-existent at times and whoever play between Murphy or Talley needs to give our offense a better field position. Having great field positions will be a key on this game.

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Key to this game for the Stamps. Pressure Durant all game and our DB needs to a better job not giving Durant a look on open receiver. Browner did a good job on Fantuz last time and I am sure Riders will try to have an answer to it. I still think Chris Jones shouldn't change a bit from last game. Everyone knows that the referees will be watching these guys really close for Pass Interference. I just hope the refs will let them play and not to call every single tug and push.
DLine and LB needs to stop Wes Cates and other Riders RB and Durant early on the scrimmage. The more DLine pressures Durant the better chances the Stamps can shut them down.

Last time I went to a very chilly playoff game at McMahon was against the Riders as well a long time ago. Dress warm and hopefully the Stamps fans will not let the Riders fans take over our turf.

GO STAMPS GO!!!

[arloiginla]

It's going to be a tough game. Honestly I have no idea how it's going to unfold. Some predictions though:

-The Riders shut down the run for the most part. The Stamps are making it far too obvious what they're going to do, and the Riders will base their gameplan around Reynolds and Cornish. The Stamps will need to move the ball via the air in order to win.

-Special teams won't be special. Kean and Maver will only make short FG's, and there will be some shanked punts. Cover teams will have to tackle well.

-Browner and Anderson will get flagged a couple of times for PIF, but no Rider receiver will top 150 yards this time.

-It won't be as low-scoring as some people think, but no shoot-out either. Ups and downs for both teams. At least one safety conceded in the game.

-Stamps win a close one. Riders will make a late push with a TD but the Stamps O will score just enough to make the lead stand.

[Flickered Flame]

In advance of Sunday's CFL Western Final between the Roughriders and Stampeders in Calgary, popular Saskatchewan slotback Andy Fantuz found himself the centre of reporters' attention. Calgary Herald football writer Allen Cameron asked Andy about the fact the last time these two teams met, Fantuz was held without a catch. Allen asked Andy about the tactics used by Stamps cornerback Brandon Browner.

"It's not illegal if they don't call it," Fantuz offered. "That's something to ask the referees, not me. I'm just going to go play and if they let him get away with whatever he's doing, I just have to play through it and do whatever I can to make whatever we're trying to do, work. He's good at what he does and I give him a lot of respect for that. At the same time we'll have to attack them differently."

Cameron asked Fantuz what specifically Browner is getting away with.

"You're just trying to start an argument now," Fantuz shot back. "Honestly if I was in his shoes I'd be doing the same thing if it wasn't being called. He's kind of bending the rules, not breaking them, so I guess that's what this league is about."

http://rodpedersen.blogspot.com/

[Erick Estrada]

I can live with legit PI calls but I hope there aren't calls where the officials think they see something that isn't there just because it's Browner or Anderson.

[Mazrim]

Thanks for doing these write-ups every game OzSome! I always enjoy the little pre-game read before watching the Stamps.

Originally Posted by arloiginla

-The Riders shut down the run for the most part. The Stamps are making it far too obvious what they're going to do, and the Riders will base their gameplan around Reynolds and Cornish. The Stamps will need to move the ball via the air in order to win.

I disagree. The Stamps have run all over the Riders defense in the past, and I don't see that changing. There have been games this year where the Stamps have leaned on the run game much more than others and the result is generally the same. I'd say Reynolds and Cornish's average yards per carry speaks volumes to that.

[OzSome]

How They Match-Up according to the Herald this morning:

When the Stamps run:
No team ran the ball better than Calgary this season. On the other hand, No team defended the rush worse than Saskatchewan.
ADVANTAGE: Calgary

When Stamps pass:
QB Henry Burris saved his best games for the back half of the season; it wasn't a coincidence that his upswing coincided with the return of Ken-Yon Rambo after knee surgery. The Stamps boast a deep, dangerous receiving corps. The Sasktchewan secondary is dangerous, especially league INT leader James Patrick. Rambo, Bryant and Lewis VS Patrick and Kornegy.
Advantage: Calgary

When the Riders run:
Wes Cates has been written off more times that he cares to remember; but give the man a credit; even with a patchwork O-Line in front of him, he finds a way to produce. Stamps front-seven fills gaps better than any defense in the league.
Advantage: Calgary

When the Riders pass:
For all the talk about Durant's league-high 22 INTs, he's still imposing man for the Stamps to deal with. No QB has torched rge Stamps secondary over the past couple seasons more than Durant. Calgary has an athletic quick secondary, but the Riders gives them fit.
Advantage: Riders

Special teams:
Punters and return games pretty much equal. The difference will be the kicker. Calgary rookie kicker Rob Maver beat out Riders K Warren Kean in the Stamps training camp this season. Maver had some issues with longer kicks; but he was nails-tough in key games and key situations. The same can't be said for Kean, who looked awfully shaky in the West Semi-Final vs the Lions. If it is going to be a battle of kickers, I think the Stamps will have a better chance of winning this game.
Advantage: Calgary

Game Time: 2:30pm, Mc Mahon Stadium
Televised: TSN
Game Time temperature is going to be -16C with snow flurries

GO STAMPS GO!!

[socalwingfan]

Looking forward to the big game, had to upgrade my DirectTV package to make sure I got it today. Go Stamps!!!

[PeteLFan]

We need this win so bad, this team is too good not to be a champion. We have gone through so much as a team this year, where we started off with questions marks to the best in the CFL. Reading the paper today, guys love Huff, he is a great coach. I go back to that pre game speech before the Grey Cup, and how when he finished that team was ready to plow through brick walls for him.

We have the best coach, the best QB, the best receiver, the better cornerbacks, the better middle linebacker. On paper we are the best, now we have to go out and impose our will, and execute and how that we are the BEST.

[Dion]

Go Stamps!

Should be a great game!

[HotHotHeat]

I really hope it snows this afternoon. Snow football is always such a gongshow.

[PeteLFan]

Great Glenn Suiotor

[PeteLFan]

Wow what a weak call on the 1st play of the game. Looks like the refs will be wearing the usual greens tonight.

[Thor]

Damn, athe isnt working anymore for the CFL feeds. Guess its good ole QR77 for me

GO STAMPS!

[Frank MetaMusil]

There's the first crap PI call.....Cross Dressler draws the penalty

[socalwingfan]

That call was BS

[socalwingfan]

Woo Hoo Pick!!!

[rubecube]

HAHAHAHA! Nice throw, Darian.

[Bertuzzied]

Awesome. An offside penalty against a rider's receiver is just as rare as a diving penalty against a Canuck.

[Erick Estrada]

Saw a bit of everything that drive that these teams are known for. PI on Stamps, offside on SK (they are always offside it's just they don't get called enough) and the pick on Durant.

[HotHotHeat]

Great energy from the Stamps to start. Love the way this game is going already.