2025 @CFL hot stove league

[GA Russell]

Today is the second Monday of October, so while that means Columbus Day in the US, it's Thanksgiving Day in Canada. Every year the league celebrates with a doubleheader.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 27....Montreal Alouettes 22

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4534823

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407011

This is sure to be the upset of the year. The Bombers never trailed. The Als rarely lose at home, and a few days ago the Bombers announced that Buck Pierce wouldn't play because of a mild concussion he suffered last week. Without him, the Bombers are the worst team in the league.

The loss drops the Als to 8-6, but they're still in first place in the East.

[GA Russell]

Saskatchewan Roughriders 36....Toronto Argonauts 10

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4534844

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407026

Not much of a game. At the half the Riders led 19-10. They blew the game open with 17 unanswered points in the third, and there was no scoring in the fourth.

Kory Sheets reached 1,000 yards rushing. This is his first year, but he has NFL experience, so he does not qualify for Most Outstanding Rookie Award consideration.

Jarious Jackson again played for the Argos. I think the Riders have now won three straight.

[GA Russell]

The Stampeders have signed Anwar Stewart.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407129

[GA Russell]

The Ottawa City Council today approved plans to redevelop Lansdowne Park. So Mark Cohon said that he plans to have the Ottawa team playing in 2014.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/cfl-announces-return-to-ottawa-in-2014/article4601347/

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4535168

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407121

[GA Russell]

Greg Xenakes Week 16 picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4535128

[GA Russell]

Cory Boyd is available again, just in time for the run up to the playoffs. The Eskimos released him today.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407197

[GA Russell]

Here's the current playoff scenario.

http://blogs.leaderpost.com/2012/10/11/2012-cfl-playoff-scenario/

*****

Chris O'Leary Week 16 picks

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/10/cfl-picks-and-13th-man-director-larry-weinstein/

[GA Russell]

British Columbia Lions 37....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 17

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4535616

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407298

I've been sick the past few days, and I went to bed last night at 8:30 with the Lions enjoying an early 14-3 lead. They scored another touchdown shortly after that, and that was all they needed.

*****

Calgary Stampeders 32....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 21

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4535631

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407337

The Stamps easily took a 16-0 first quarter lead, and never looked back.

The Bombers had 8 turnovers, and you won't win doing that.

This is the Bombers' eleventh loss. It is always unlikely, but nevertheless possible, that a team with eleven losses will make the playoffs.

*****

The City of Hamilton unveiled its plans for its new stadium which will be built next year. Apparently it will be called Pan-Am Stadium because it is being built for the Pan-Am Games, but that may not be right. Here is a photo with articles.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/plans-for-new-hamilton-stadium-unveiled/article4609818/

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407284

[GA Russell]

Edmonton Eskimos 37....Saskatchewan Roughriders 20

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4535691

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407347

A boring game. The Riders scored first with a touchdown, but after that the Eskimos cruised.

Kerry Joseph had another good day. This is his best year in a long time.

[GA Russell]

Montreal Alouettes 24....Toronto Argonauts 12

http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4535947

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407391

The Argos had only one decent drive the entire game, that in the second quarter. Regardless of the current records and standings, I think that the three worst teams in the league are the Bombers, the Ticats and the Argos.

The Als clinched second place with the win.

The Eskimos' win yesterday put them ahead of the Ticats as a potential crossover team.

PS - Noel Prefontaine returned to the roster after missing 13 games. He only punted, and Swayze Waters handled the placekicking.

Edited October 14, 2012 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Here's the current playoff scenario.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407457

*****

Here's a good Ted Michaels column about Hamilton's proposed Pan Am Stadium.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4536169

[GA Russell]

Adriano Belli has come out of retirement (!), and has rejoined the Argos.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407550

*****

Buck Pierce has been cleared to play against the Argos Friday.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4536648

*****

Greg Xenakes Week 17 picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4536645

Edited October 17, 2012 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Tonight's game will be carried by the NBC Sports channel at 7:00 pm eastern.

*****

Matthew Scianitti Week 17 picks

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/10/cfl-picks-week-17-it%E2%80%99s-crunch-time-for-blue-bombers/

[GA Russell]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 44....Toronto Argonauts 32

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/scores/final/boxscore.aspx?GAMEID=1068

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/

Good offensive game in the first half, but the Bombers controlled the scoreboard in the second half.

Both Buck Pierce and Ricky Ray returned to their respective teams. The Argos' defensive line couldn't control the Bombers' ground attack.

[GA Russell]

British Columbia Lions 39....Edmonton Eskimos 19

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4537198

http://scoreboards.canoe.ca/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=canoe&page=CFL/scores/final/W1069.htm

The Lions dominated the game, but the Eskimos managed to keep it close on the scoreboard for three quarters. But the Lions outscored the Esks 20-7 in the fourth to close it out. Kerry Joseph went just 6 for 24.

Andrew Harris reached the 1,000 yards rushing mark. He and Jon Cornish therefore are the first two Canadians to rush for 1,000 yards in the same season since 1956.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407746

The Lions sewed up first place with the win.

Mike Reilly played the whole game as the Lions' QB. But because he was dressed for the game, the league stats policy says that Travis Lulay's streak of consecutive games throwing a TD is over.

*****

Lowell Ullrich Week 17 picks

http://www.cflblogzone.com/2012/10/week-17-in-the-cfl/

[GA Russell]

Montreal Alouettes 34....Saskatchewan Roughriders 28

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4537423

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407793

Good game. The Als scored 14 unanswered points in the third which should have won it for them, but the Riders came back. On the last play of the game, the Riders had the ball on the Als' 21 needing a touchdown to win, but they came up empty.

Perhaps the game was close because the Als lost perhaps their best defensive player Shea Emery. Emery has the reputation of being undisciplined, and TSN's Jock Climie says that people around the league talk about his dirty play. Late in the second quarter, Weston Dressler returned a Sean Whyte punt for a touchdown, and in the aftermath Emery sucker punched a Rider in the abdomen, and was disqualified.

It was windy in Regina, and you know what that means. Sandro DeAngelis attempted a 37 yard field goal into the wind, and it fell two yards short!

*****

Calgary Stampeders 34....Hamilton Tiger-Cats 32

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4537436

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407816

Great game. It was snowing heavily in Calgary. The Stampeders by all rights should have won the game, but the Ticats almost pulled the bunny out of the hat. On the last play of the game they attempted a 30 yard field goal; but holder Andy Fantuz let the ball slip when he placed it on the turf, and that ended the game.

*****

With this weekend's games, BC has clinched first in the West, Calgary has clinched second in the West, and Montreal has clinched first in the East,

[GA Russell]

Hugh Charles is hurting, so the Eskimos have brought back Cory Boyd.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407869

[GA Russell]

Here's a summary of what needs to happen for the Ticats to make the playoffs. It's possible!

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/tiger-cats-need-good-luck-calculators-to-make-cfl-playoffs/article4626648/

[GA Russell]

This Saturday's game will be the Ticats' last home game in Ivor Wynne Stadium. It was where I attended my first Canadian league game (against the Roughriders) in 1976.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407917

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=407961

*****

Ted Michaels power rankings

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4537921

I see that he agrees with me that 75% of the Eastern division are the three worst teams in the league.

I didn't realize that the Riders clinched a playoff spot over the weekend.

The article also details the various playoff scenarios with two weeks to go.

[GA Russell]

Here is TSN's very good summary of the playoff scenarios showing the standings.

The Eskimos are in the catbird seat, but with two weeks to go, no one is eliminated yet.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=77786

[GA Russell]

Greg Xenakes Week 18 picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4538234

*****

Washington has released Emmanuel Arceneaux.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408071

*****

The Stamps have placed Stevie Baggs on the nine-game injured list, ending his season.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408112

[GA Russell]

Matthew Scianitti Week 18 picks

http://www.cflblogzo...uch-for-ticats/

*****

Chris O'Leary Week 18 picks

http://www.cflblogzo...kendrick-lamar/

*****

Lowell Ullrich Week 18 picks

http://www.cflblogzo...-18-in-the-cfl/

*****

Drew Tate will return for the Stampeders tonight.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408186

Edited October 26, 2012 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Calgary Stampeders 41....British Columbia Lions 21

http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4538784

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408247

Meaningless game, in which the Stamps led 24-0 after one, and never looked back.

*****

For the past three weeks, the Blue Jays were finished, the Maple Leafs were locked out, and the Raptors haven't started yet. That meant that the Argos and the Ticats had the largest metro market in Canada all to themselves. During that time they went a combined 0-6. Today, they both won.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats 28....Winnipeg Blue Bombers 18

http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4538890

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408285

The Ticats played their last home game in Ivor Wynne Stadium before a sell-out crowd of 29,722, and managed a win. With one minute to go in the second quarter, the Ticats led 22-0.

The win keeps the Ticats' playoff hopes alive for at least a day. If the Eskimos win tomorrow, they will clinch a playoff spot and eliminate the Ticats.

The loss eliminated the Bombers from the playoffs.

*****

Toronto Argonauts 31....Saskatchewan Roughriders 26

http://www.sportsnet...aspx?id=4538943

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408297

The Argos played well on both sides of the ball.

With the win the Argos clinch second place in the East.

Edited October 28, 2012 by GA Russell

[GA Russell]

Montreal Alouettes 27....Edmonton Eskimos 25

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=4539176

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408350

I was moving my furniture to my new apartment yesterday, and missed the game. I think this was the first game all year that I haven't heard part of. Looks like I missed a whale of a fourth quarter.

*****

This Saturday will be the Bombers' last home game at CanadInn (nee Winnipeg) Stadium.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408405

*****

I don't have my notes in front of me, but I believe that the NBC Sports channel will carry both Thursday and Friday games this week. Thursday is the Ticats trying to make the playoffs against the Argos at 7:30 pm eastern. Friday is the Eskimos trying to make the playoffs against the Stampeders at 9:00 pm eastern.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/indexsn.aspx?sport=AJ

[GA Russell]

Here is the latest on the playoff scenario.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/feature/?id=77786

"If Edmonton wins their final game against Calgary OR Hamilton loses to the Argonauts in their final game, the Eskimos will clinch a playoff berth." And the Eskimos' clinching a playoff berth would eliminate the Ticats.

It's very possible that the Stampeders will beat the Eskimos. So what are the Ticats' chances of beating the Argos? They improved a lot today when the Argos decided that they will sit Ricky Ray for the game.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/story/?id=408456