Game 9: Battle Of Alberta 2 - Labour Day Classics

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by moon

At that point in the game the Esks hadn't looked much better then the Stamps. The Stamps handed them first downs like candy and just turned the ball over twice in a row and the game was still close.

Once Calgary completely tanked they were able to turn it on and they certainly took advantage of the numerous opportunities that Calgary gave them but considering how many gifts and mistakes that Calgary handed them the game was pretty close until the 3rd quarter.

Well to be fair we handed you some easy opportunities as well. Nowacki fumbled setting up a 1st and goal for Calgary from the 6 and they couldn't punch it in. Ray threw a pick and nothing came from that and Calgary had atleast 2 times with a 1st and goal and had to settle for a FG.

But yes there were more turnovers then usual today on both sides.

[moon]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Well to be fair we handed you some easy opportunities as well. Nowacki fumbled setting up a 1st and goal for Calgary from the 6 and they couldn't punch it in. Ray threw a pick and nothing came from that and Calgary had atleast 2 times with a 1st and goal and had to settle for a FG.

But yes there were more turnovers then usual today on both sides.

I would say the Ray INT was not that different than a punt considering the length of the throw and fact it was second down and the fumble was a great play by the defender, but yes the Stamps did get some turnovers themselves.

I think the back to back stupid turnovers were much bigger back breakers, especially where they ended up giving the Esks the ball.

Either way the Stamps were terrible and likely wouldn't have won the game if the Esks had 10 fumbles on their own 1 yard line.

[I_H8_Crawford]

This Stamps team sucks so bad, the F-troop era teams would stomp all over them.

What an embarrassing display.

God they suck, when does hockey start?

[Machiavelli]

Originally Posted by I_H8_Crawford

This Stamps team sucks so bad, the F-troop era teams would stomp all over them.

What an embarrassing display.

God they suck, when does hockey start?

You think your team is bad? Try being a Bombers fan right now.

[OzSome]

the bacl-to-back fumbles really was the killer aside from the fact that Dickerson couldn't move the ball whenever the Calgary have possessions. Not sure if we should blame Double D but it would have been great if they scored a few more. Edmonton made the most adjustments in the second half especially on offense. Calgary using a 3-man rush because Ricky Ray was throwing the ball. Yes, Edmonton were the better team today and hopefully with Burris back for next game that would change. I know Nate Curry only return a couple or so punts but I don't know if he is any better than Howell. He seems slow. Oh well, next game Stamps should capitalize on their TD chances.

[I_H8_Crawford]

Originally Posted by Machiavelli

You think your team is bad? Try being a Bombers fan right now.

Those terrible Bombers beat the Stamps this year.....

[jammies]

Originally Posted by OzSome

Calgary using a 3-man rush because Ricky Ray was throwing the ball.

And just like the first game, Ray picked them apart. I have the same comment now as I had then - you are never going to stop Ricky Ray unless you can get pressure on him. Why supposedly veteran coaches cannot see this is beyond me - how many games is it going to take? They should have been blitzing him every 2nd or 3rd play, or trying some stunts like the Eskimos were successful with at the very least.

I don't think I saw more than 5 guys rushing the entire 2nd half, and that was maybe twice - the rest of the time it was 4 or even 3 guys, and Ray had time to do whatever he wanted. Even when they did manage to get near him, it was in the open field where he had room to dodge and still make the play, instead of collapsing the pocket in around him or blindsiding him. So he would look around, find the open guy and rifle it to him, with just the occasional misfire to give it some flavour.

I don't think you can blame the personnel on defence, they were given the wrong plays, and spent far too much time on the field besides. Those 2 consecutive fumbles were the killers, I was certain they were going to lose after the 2nd one where Reynolds put it on the ground, because the defence had already spent most of the 1st half on the field, and after the 1st Calgary drive, they then spent the whole 3rd quarter out too. Two huge mistakes at absolutely the worst time, although to be fair the 2nd fumble was a BIG hit that few guys are going to absorb. And on the first was worsened by an inexplicable reluctance to throw the challenge flag on what I thought was a debatable play, and I'd say was yet another coaching error.

All in all, it was a game in which they got schooled by the other team's coaches, and worse, they got schooled by Danny Mac. This upcoming rematch is going to be the most important game of the year - if they can't beat the Esks and outthink them now, they are going to be in really tough when the playoffs begin unless they get "lucky" enough to totally collapse and get the crossover spot in the East.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by jammies

And just like the first game, Ray picked them apart. I have the same comment now as I had then - you are never going to stop Ricky Ray unless you can get pressure on him. Why supposedly veteran coaches cannot see this is beyond me - how many games is it going to take? They should have been blitzing him every 2nd or 3rd play, or trying some stunts like the Eskimos were successful with at the very least.

I don't think I saw more than 5 guys rushing the entire 2nd half, and that was maybe twice - the rest of the time it was 4 or even 3 guys, and Ray had time to do whatever he wanted. Even when they did manage to get near him, it was in the open field where he had room to dodge and still make the play, instead of collapsing the pocket in around him or blindsiding him. So he would look around, find the open guy and rifle it to him, with just the occasional misfire to give it some flavour.


I don't think you can blame the personnel on defence, they were given the wrong plays, and spent far too much time on the field besides. Those 2 consecutive fumbles were the killers, I was certain they were going to lose after the 2nd one where Reynolds put it on the ground, because the defence had already spent most of the 1st half on the field, and after the 1st Calgary drive, they then spent the whole 3rd quarter out too. Two huge mistakes at absolutely the worst time, although to be fair the 2nd fumble was a BIG hit that few guys are going to absorb. And on the first was worsened by an inexplicable reluctance to throw the challenge flag on what I thought was a debatable play, and I'd say was yet another coaching error.

All in all, it was a game in which they got schooled by the other team's coaches, and worse, they got schooled by Danny Mac. This upcoming rematch is going to be the most important game of the year - if they can't beat the Esks and outthink them now, they are going to be in really tough when the playoffs begin unless they get "lucky" enough to totally collapse and get the crossover spot in the East.

that 3 man rush worked in the 2nd qtr. The thing is, Ray is best at checking off and exposing the area that is left open because of the blitz. I think they should have mixed up the D a lot more than they did, no doubt, but in general Ray can pick apart an attacking defense as well as anyone in the league.

[arloiginla]

Originally Posted by OILFAN #81

Awesome win! Man I love Ray! Definately the best QB in the CFL. His aerial attack is awesome. 1st half was kind of slow but the offense clicked in the 2nd. Stamps/Peterson/Campbell really have stepped up since Tucker's injury and that's been great to see but #15 has been the MVP hands down. Hopefully the Harris injury isn't too bad and he can suit up for the rematch. Calgary has a good offense but the key to beating them is the long pass. It seems that they can never stop that. Hopefully Saskatchewan loses next game so we can tie them for 1st!

Ricky Ray isn't the best QB in the CFL as long as Anthony Calvillo is around.

[troutman]

Ray is the best QB in the CFL. But CGY does him a big favour when they only rush three players. CGY should not be getting beat by the likes of Kamau and Stamps.

[jammies]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

that 3 man rush worked in the 2nd qtr. The thing is, Ray is best at checking off and exposing the area that is left open because of the blitz. I think they should have mixed up the D a lot more than they did, no doubt, but in general Ray can pick apart an attacking defense as well as anyone in the league.

Well you'll note I didn't say do it every play, because you are right in that you need to mix it up. Predictability is death. And I'd say the 2nd quarter success was more receivers running the wrong routes, dropping the ball and Ray uncharacteristically making poor throws than anything the defence did. The interception, for example, was both poorly thrown and partly the result of the receiver turning the wrong way. Lysack was, as usual, nowhere near anywhere useful and got lucky when the ball was thrown right to him.

They've gotten beaten twice this season in the last minute going with the "safe" defence, but it just doesn't seem to sink in that you CANNOT be predictable and win. You have to have the opposing offence unsure of what you are going to do, not able to predict your moves and thus pick plays that stress your weaknesses. Expecting your players to out-athleticize the opposition is not a strategy, it is an invitation to get out-thought and burned.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by jammies

Well you'll note I didn't say do it every play, because you are right in that you need to mix it up. Predictability is death. And I'd say the 2nd quarter success was more receivers running the wrong routes, dropping the ball and Ray uncharacteristically making poor throws than anything the defence did. The interception, for example, was both poorly thrown and partly the result of the receiver turning the wrong way. Lysack was, as usual, nowhere near anywhere useful and got lucky when the ball was thrown right to him.

They've gotten beaten twice this season in the last minute going with the "safe" defence, but it just doesn't seem to sink in that you CANNOT be predictable and win. You have to have the opposing offence unsure of what you are going to do, not able to predict your moves and thus pick plays that stress your weaknesses. Expecting your players to out-athleticize the opposition is not a strategy, it is an invitation to get out-thought and burned.

yep they need a more complex scheme, that's for sure.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by arloiginla

Ricky Ray isn't the best QB in the CFL as long as Anthony Calvillo is around.

I can respect/understand that comment but I don't agree with it. I think the majority of people have Ray, Burris, Calvillo as the top 3 QB's in the league but the order is always different depending on who you ask. IMO it would go:

1. Ray
2. Calvillo
3. Burris

But i've seen a combination of those as the top 3. I guess it's a matter of personal preference with Ray/Calvillo but personally I think Ray is the better QB.

Actually in terms of positions imo, Ray is the best QB, Reynolds is the best RB, Simon is the best reciever (people have a lot of different choices here), and D'Angelis is the best kicker.