2025 @CFL hot stove league

[GA Russell]

Umar Ali Week 11 preview

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4435168

[GA Russell]

Calgary Stampeders 30....Edmonton Eskimos 20

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375487

The Stamps led most of the game. They were aided by a Hail Mary pass on the last play of the half that Nik Lewis caught for a TD on a tip drill.

[GA Russell]

British Columbia Lions 28....Toronto Argonauts 6

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/lions-shut-down-argonauts/article2161101/

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4435497

This was the Lions' last game at Empire Field. From now on they will play at the newly rebuilt BC Place.

The Argos offense showed nothing in the first half, and the Lions completely dominated. In the second, the Argos fared better, but couldn't score. Geroy Simon set a team record for TDs.

[GA Russell]

Montreal Alouettes 43....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 13

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4435795

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375592

It was 8-0 after one, and after that the Ticats were never in it.

*****

Saskatchewan Roughriders 45....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 23

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4435844

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375616

The Riders win the Banjo Bowl, and are now 2-0 under Ken Miller.

Darian Durant threw four TD passes, while Buck Pierce threw five interceptions, including one that was run back for a TD.

[Chuck Nessa]

Do these guys play with balls or pucks?

[GA Russell]

The Eskimos are in real trouble. Fred Stamps and Adarius Bowman, their top two receivers, are out due to injuries. Last night they lost their #3 receiver Jason Barnes to fractured ribs, and a fourth receiver Marcus Henry to a concussion.

Today they signed Prechae Rodriguez, but he can't do it alone.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=373686

The Eskimos are starting to get their receivers back, so they released Prechae Rodriguez yesterday, and the Argos signed him today.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375666

[GA Russell]

Dave Naylor Week 11 wrapup

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375690

*****

Joe Lobendahn has a torn ACL knee injury and is done for the season. He was put on the nine-game injured list. Buck Pierce has bruised ribs.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375705

[GA Russell]

Gregg Xenakes Week 12 picks

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4436470

[GA Russell]

Globe Week 12 picks

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/cfl-week-12-picks/article2167127/

*****

Buddy Tinsley has died.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375869

[GA Russell]

Edmonton Eskimos 38....Hamilton Tiger-Cats23

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=375967

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/eskimos-push-tiger-cats-into-tailspin/article2169807/

The Eskimos scored first and never trailed. It looked like the Ticats might mount a comeback in the third quarter, but Edmonton got serious and blew the game open.

Edmonton is winning again now that Ricky Ray has Fred Stamps back.

Edited September 17, 2011 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Saskatchewan Roughriders 30....Toronto Argonauts 20

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4437285

Good game. The Riders came from behind in the fourth to win it.

*****

British Columbia Lions 32....Calgary Stampeders 19

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4437355

The Lions dominated. BC has won a number of games against hapless teams, but this I think is their first win against a team that is decent.

[GA Russell]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 25....Montreal Alouettes 23

http://64.246.64.33/...aspx?id=4437600

Great game. The Bombers never trailed, but the Als were able to always remain within striking distance.

I learned during the broadcast that a beer at Percival Molson Stadium costs $9.25!

*****

It occurs to me that although the number of good games is smaller than usual this year, the pennant races are unusually interesting. None of the best teams are particularly dominating, and three of the four hapless teams of a month ago seem to have turned their seasons around.

Edited September 19, 2011 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Big changes in this week's TSN power rankings. The numbers on the left represent last week's rankings.

• [3] Winnipeg: Took over first in East Division with win over Als
• [5] Edmonton: Move into a tie with Stamps for top spot in the West
• [1] Calgary: Were handed fourth home-field loss in six attempts
• [2] Montreal: Calvillo held to 22 completions on 39 attempts
• [7] B.C.: Lulay leads Lions to fourth straight victory
• [6] Saskatchewan: Fantuz returns as Riders get third straight win
• [4] Hamilton: Gave up five sacks in the loss to the Esks
• [8] Toronto: Argos settle for one touchdown and four field goals

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376203

*****

The league's Scouting Bureau has ranked the top 15 college prospects for next year's draft.

1. Ben Heenan OL Saskatchewan

2. Shamawd Chambers WR Wilfrid Laurier

3. Austin Pasztor OL Virginia

4. Frederic Plesius LB Laval

5. Kirby Fabien OL Calgary

6. Ismael Bamba WR Sherbrooke

7. Bryce McCall DB Saskatchewan

8. Simon Charbonneau-Campeau WR Sherbrooke

9. Tyson Pencer OL Washington St. (now playing with Okanagan Sun)

10. Hasan Hazime DL Akron

11. Matt Norman OL Western

12. Austin Anderson K/P McGill

13. Christo Bilukidi DL Georgia St.

14. Keynan Parker DB Oregon St.

15. Courtney Stephen DB Northern Illinois

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376182

[Chuck Nessa]

Do the guys like tacos?

[GA Russell]

The Eskimos put TJ Hill on the nine-game injured list today.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376293

[GA Russell]

Greg Xenakes Week 13 picks

http://64.246.64.33/...aspx?id=4438283

Edited September 22, 2011 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Globe Week 13 picks

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/week-13/article2176982/

[GA Russell]

Umar Ali Week 13 preview

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4438754

*****

One of the Alouettes is suing another over an investment deal. Perhaps there is a clubhouse problem.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376523

[GA Russell]

Montreal Alouettes 34....Edmonton Eskimos 21

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376576

The Als led the whole game. Brandon Whitaker scored three touchdowns.

Calvillo left the game late in the third when he was clobbered by DL Marcus Howard.

[GA Russell]

British Columbia Lions 42....Saskatchewan Roughriders 5

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4439123

I thought this would be the most interesting game of the week because both teams had momentum. Instead, the Lions took a 30-0 lead in the second quarter.

*****

Toronto Argonauts 25....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4439165

Crazy game, in part because the Bombers had the best record in the league, and the Argos the worst. Maybe the most interesting game of the season so far.

Lots of key injuries. Winnipeg's Buck Pierce, Fred Reid and Alex Brink and Toronto's Stephen Jyles were knocked out of the game. Joey Elliot was already on the injured list, so Winnipeg had to finish the game with their fourth-string quarterback.

*****

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 55....Calgary Stampeders 36

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4439350

This was the annual Maritimes game, this year again in Moncton.

Terrific first half, but the Ticats blew it open in the second.

Marcus Thigpen returned a missed field goal 118 yards for a touchdown.

*****

It occurs to me that although the number of good games is smaller than usual this year, the pennant races are unusually interesting. None of the best teams are particularly dominating, and three of the four hapless teams of a month ago seem to have turned their seasons around.

Following up on the idea that the pennant races are unusually good this year, I note that the three teams with the best records (Winnipeg, Calgary and Edmonton) lost this week.

This goes along with my view that no matter how good all the teams are, two will not make the playoffs; and no matter how bad all the teams are, one will be awarded the Grey Cup.

I've been following the CFL on a weekly basis since 1974, and this is the first year that I can recall that the better teams were so unreliable. The cup is truly up for grabs this year.

[GA Russell]

The Bombers are in big trouble. They lost both Fred Reid and his backup Carl Volny for the year due to ACL injuries in Saturday's game against the Argos.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376808

*****

For the second week in a row, lots of changes in TSN's power rankings. Without a running game, I expect the Bombers to drop like a rock next week.

• [1] Winnipeg: Despite loss to lowly Argos, retain top spot
• [2] Montreal: Character win over Eskimos in Edmonton
• [3] B.C.: The meteoric rise in the win column continues
• [4] Edmonton: Loss to Alouettes at home costs them two spots
• [5] Hamilton: Offensive explosion in Moncton is promising
• [6] Calgary: Defensive breakdowns means drop of three spots
• [7] Saskatchewan: Embarrassing loss to Lions at home unexpected
• [8] Toronto: Despite win over Blue Bombers, more work to do

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376798

[GA Russell]

Ray Mariuz has come out of retirement to rejoin the Ticats. We'll see if there is any gas left in his tank.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376880

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/ray-mariuz-comes-out-of-retirement-to-rejoin-ticats/article2181680/

[GA Russell]

Dave Naylor Week 13 wrapup

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376870

*****

The Bombers are bringing back Michael Bishop.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=376957

[GA Russell]

Greg Xenakes Week 14 picks

http://64.246.64.33/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4440028

[GA Russell]

Globe Week 14 picks

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/week-14/article2185872/