2025 @CFL hot stove league

[GA Russell]

Edmonton Eskimos 26....Toronto Argonauts 17

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4524368

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=403978

The Eskimos led the entire game, but the Argos never let them get too far ahead.

Jyles was hurt in the first quarter, and Kerry Joseph came off the bench to lead the Esks.

An interesting play: The Eskimos had to use their second half timeout when their defense left the field on third down to bring in the punt receiving team, and Ricky Ray tried to run a play when the Esks had one man between the hash marks!

*****

Vince Young has been cut by Buffalo, so the Als promptly added him to their neg list.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=403966

[GA Russell]

Carolina has decided to cut Olindo Mare and keep Justin Medlock.

http://www.theglobea...article4506852/

*****

The Riders have signed both Joe Lobendahn and Diamond Ferri.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404059

*****

Greg Xenakes Week 10 picks

http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4524871

Edited August 30, 2012 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

The last legal challenge to the redevelopment of Lansdowne Park was turned down today by Ontario's highest court. This means that Ottawa's getting a team is on the horizon.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404104

[GA Russell]

Jerome Messam has returned to the Eskimos. That gives the teams four fine running backs. I have to think that they will trade one.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404177

[GA Russell]

Lionel Wild Week 10 picks

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/08/cfl-week-10-games-power-rankings/

*****

Lowell Ullrich Week 10 picks

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/08/the-week-ahead-classic-cfl-picks-for-labour-day/

*****

The NBC Sports cable channel will carry three games this weekend: tonight's game at 7:30 pm eastern, and Monday's doubleheader starting at 1:00 pm.

[GA Russell]

From last night:

Montreal Alouettes 30....British Columbia Lions 25

http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4525703

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404281

Great game between two top teams. See-saw battle with Calvillo sharp.

*****

Minnesota cut Emmanuel Arcineaux, and offered him a position on their practice squad. He turned them down, and instead signed with Washington.

Solomon Elimimian has signed with Cleveland.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404324

*****

Both Justin Hickman and Jerrell Freeman have made the Indianapolis roster. Marcus Thigpen has made the Miami roster.

No links yet.

Edited September 1, 2012 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Saskatchewan Roughriders 52....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 0

http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4526386

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404407

In a battle of last place teams, the Riders snapped a five-game losing streak in a big way.

I expect that the Bomber fans will start calling for the head of GM Joe Mack if the Bombers don't win the Banjo Bowl game next week.

PS - This was the first time the Bombers have been shut out since 1969.

The 52 point victory margin ties the Riders' team record, which I think goes back to 1909.

Edited September 3, 2012 by GA Russell

[alocispepraluger102]

the nbc sports network is televising a canadian league game!!!! i'm recording it for later.

Edited September 3, 2012 by alocispepraluger102

[GA Russell]

What a day! You picked two great games to record, aloc!

Toronto Argonauts 33....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 30

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4526627

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404461

What a terrific game! It was a fun first half. Hamilton dominated the third, and appeared to have the game in hand. But Toronto dominated the fourth and took an 8 point lead. With two minutes to go the Ticats scored a TD with the 2 point convert to tie it. With 26 seconds left, Swayze Waters kicked a 33 yard field goal to win it.

Chris Williams set two records on one play. He returned his sixth kick of the season (fifth punt) for a TD, and he returned a punt for a TD for the third consecutive game.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/teams/story/?id=404450&hubname=cfl-tiger_cats

*****

At this stage of the season, I think it's safe to write off the Bombers. It's possible that they will go on a tear when a healthy Buck Pierce comes back, but the team appears to be in disarray.

And despite their decent record, I don't think that the Argos are Grey Cup calibre. The offensive line just isn't good enough. Ricky Ray is a drop back passer, and he hasn't been given time all year. Today the coaches had him running roll out plays, and that's not him.

*****

Calgary Stampeders 31....Edmonton Eskimos 30

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4526669

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/teams/story/?id=404481&hubname=cfl-stampeders

Another great game. I think five lead changes. On the last play of the game, Grant Shaw tried a 48 yard FG attempt into the wind to win it. It veered left, and Larry Taylor was able to bring it out of the end zone to avoid the single point and preserve thee victory.

*****

Cleveland has cut Solomon Elimimian. He has ten days to sign with another NFL team, or his rights will revert back to BC.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404451

[GA Russell]

The Eskimos traded Greg Carr to the Riders for the rights to Matthew O'Donnell, whom Cincinnati cut the other day.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404575

*****

Greg Xenakes Week 11 picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4527102

All eight teams are playing home and home series this week.

[GA Russell]

Al Cameron Week 11 picks and power rankings

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/09/a-couple-of-factors-behind-davis-trade-this-week%E2%80%99s-picks-and-rankings/

[GA Russell]

The Stampeders have agreed to terms with Stevie Baggs.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404726

*****

Matthew Scianitti Week 11 picks

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/09/cfl-picks-week-11-stampeders-and-eskimos-ready-for-labour-day-rematch/

[GA Russell]

Calgary Stampeders 20....Edmonton Eskimos 18

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4527704

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404789

I had to go to bed early with the Stamps leading 7-1 in the first quarter, so I missed what sounds like a good game. On the last play of the game, Grant Shaw attempted a 42 yard field goal to win the game, and he hit the upright.

[GA Russell]

Toronto Argonauts 45....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4527849

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404819

The Argos dominated, but the Ticats wouldn't quit and kept scoring points.

Cory Boyd's replacement Chad Kackert scored three rushing TDs.

The Ticats are now 3-7. Everyone expected them to do well this year. It looks to me like their defense is suspect. The Argo's offense seems to have their number.

*****

British Columbia Lions 43....Montreal Alouettes 10.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4527874

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404840

The Als haven't won in BC Place since 2000.

The loss drops the Als into a tie with the Argos, first in the East at 6-4. The Lions now have the league's best record at 7-3.

[GA Russell]

Banjo Bowl IX:

Saskatchewan Roughriders 25....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 24

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4528162

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404893

Great game! See-saw battle. Sandro DeAngelis kicked a 40-yard field goal on the last play of the game to win it.

I will explain the Banjo Bowl for those who don't already know. Troy Westwood kicked for the Bombers from 1991 to 2009. He had a big mouth. The Riders and the Bombers are each other's big rivals. Nine years ago in the week prior to the game in Winnipeg, Westwood had some fun during an interview and said that the Rider fans were "banjo-picking in-breeds". Naturally, that was good for some headlines. Ever since then the Rider game in Winnipeg has been called the Banjo Bowl, and I'm confident that they have all been sold out.

Westwood is today a host of a Winnipeg sports radio station.

[GA Russell]

A few comments from the weekend:

Marcus Thigpen (Miami, punt return) and Jerrell Freeman (Indianapolis, interception) scored touchdowns in their NFL debuts yesterday.

*****

Swayze Waters sprained his neck (I'm not sure when or how), and the Argos brought Eric Wilbur back. He had a so-so game. He is a punter who also tries placekicking, and there is room for improvement in the latter area.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404829

*****

The league is promoting the 100th Grey Cup with a train car which will travel from coast to coast over the course of ten weeks. It started in Vancouver yesterday. The car is like a nice Hall of Fame display.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=404744

[GA Russell]

Larry Taylor is injured, so the Stamps have signed Jason Armstead.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=405104

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/stampeders-add-veteran-returner-jason-armstead/article4539321/

*****

Greg Xenakes Week 12 picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4528883

*****

I forgot to mention that Darian Durant injured his hip flexor (I think it was in the second quarter) in the Banjo Bowl, and it was rookie Drew Willy who led the Riders to victory. Durant will be dressed for this week's game, but it looks like Willy will play.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/roughriders-to-give-drew-willy-work-with-starting-offence/article4536060/

*****

Here's an Allan Maki summary of where the Ticats stand about where they might play next year while Ivor Wynne is being rebuilt.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/ticats-running-out-of-time-to-find-stadium-solution/article4537890/

[GA Russell]

In what doesn't make much sense, the Eskimos traded Derek Schiavone and next year's first and fourth round draft picks to the Als for unproven kicker Brody McKnight.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=405105

[GA Russell]

I normally ignore the weekly and monthly awards because I think that what is important is what happens on the playing field rather than sportswriters' votes. However, I think it is worth noting that Jon Cornish has been named the Canadian of the Week for the past three consecutive weeks.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=405033

[GA Russell]

BC has signed Solomon Elimimian.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=405197

[GA Russell]

Mike Beamish Week 12 picks and power rankings

http://blogs.vancouversun.com/2012/09/13/cfl-week-12-games-power-rankings/

[GA Russell]

Matthew Scianitti Week 12 picks

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/09/cfl-picks-week-12-roughriders-have-plenty-to-prove/

[GA Russell]

Calgary Stampeders 44....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 3

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4529442

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=405307

The Bomber offense is brutal. I think they got 12 net yards in the first half. Apparently the problem is not just that they are playing with the backup quarterbacks (they played all three tonight), but their o-line isn't doing the job either. The defense soon became exhausted and the Stampeders were able to cruise.

Nik Lewis joined Allen Pitts as the only Stampeders to have 10,000 yards receiving in a career. There are now 16 in league history with 10,000 receiving yards.

Buck Pierce will return from the injured list next week to start for Winnipeg.

[GA Russell]

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 51....Edmonton Eskimos 8

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4529623

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=405361

Edmonton scored the first 8 points, and Hamilton scored the next 51.

It was a good game in the first half. Kerry Joseph started, although Steven Jyles did come in to play in the second half, as did the third string quarterback Goltz.

The momentum changed on the last play of the first half. The Ticats led 9-8, when Brody McKnight's first field goal attempt as a pro (a 48 yarder) was blocked and run back for a touchdown by Bakari Grant. It was all Ticats in the second half.

[GA Russell]

British Columbia Lions 28....Toronto Argonauts 23

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4529720

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=405388

The Lions were the dominant team, but were unable to get safely ahead of the Argos.

Travis Lulay threw a TD pass for the 22nd consecutive game, which moves him into second place behind Sam the Rifle Etcheverry.