2011 CFL thread

[mb]

Blue Bombers FTW.

 

[Beef03]

Did not see this coming, Eskimos STOMP the Roughriders 42-28!

 

[Huggy]

Argos head coach and GM Jim Barker goes after Torontonians who would rather support the NFL than the Boatmen.

I am part of that group he is talking to. I will be 46 soon and grew up a huge Argo fan in the 70s when my old man was a season ticketholder during the wild and crazy days at the Ex when the action in the stands - particularly if Hamilton (hi JR!) was in town - was more violent than anything on the field.

The Buffalo Bills have always marketed pretty aggressively in southern Ontario. During their Super Bowl years they sold something like 10,000 tickets a week in the area and I bet that number is much higher now, everything from season ticketholders (I know several) to bars running bus trips. I have been to probably two dozen Bills games over the last 20 years and only a handful of Argo games - the last when JR's kid came to town two years ago.

The CFL's stupid blackout rule didn't help either back in the day. I will watch JR's kid on TV or the Argos if nothing else is on but don't go out of my way to watch the CFL anymore.

But despite a blip during the Gretzky/Candy/Rocket Ismail days, the Argos move to the SkyDome/Rogers Centre has done little for the team. The place is a half-filled mausoleum (particularly when the roof is closed) that has no atmosphere. Toronto fans go to Bills games for the experience, there is no tailgating at Argo games and the place just seems so sterile and devoid of passion. Who knows what a move to smaller, outdoor venue - like the Als did - would do for the Argos.

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Football/CFL/Toronto/2011/07/06/18385541.html

 

[Mark2010]

Yeah, I wonder the same. Much of the same things were said about Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Does York University have a facility that could be made usable?

Just out of curiousity, what do Argos tickets at Rogers Centre cost these days?

 

[Beef03]

Yeah, I wonder the same. Much of the same things were said about Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

Does York University have a facility that could be made usable?

Just out of curiousity, what do Argos tickets at Rogers Centre cost these days?

I thought the Argos went through an exhaustive search for an outdoor facility a few years ago and were supposed to be in on the soccer field but pulled out at the last minute. I believe they explored all of the CIS facilities in the area but determined none of them were suitable for a CFL franchise. Can't remember all of the details right now, but I know they went down that road.

 

[JR]

The original idea was that the Argos would move into a new refurbished Varsity stadium at University of Toronto and like McGill Stadium where the Als play, right downtown.

There was a huge uproar from the surrounding neighbourhoods so that plan got squelched.

When they built BMO stadium for the soccer team, they didn't consider making it adaptable to a Canadian football field. The Argos didn't pull out, it was taken over by MLSE and they didn't want anybody they didn't own playing in their backyard.

There's nothing in the GTA right now that is big enough.

 

[JR]

Oh, and ER will be playing on special teams for the Riders in their Saturday game against the Als: kickoff and punt returns.

 

[Beef03]

The original idea was that the Argos would move into a new refurbished Varsity stadium at University of Toronto and like McGill Stadium where the Als play, right downtown.

There was a huge uproar from the surrounding neighbourhoods so that plan got squelched.

When they built BMO stadium for the soccer team, they didn't consider making it adaptable to a Canadian football field. The Argos didn't pull out, it was taken over by MLSE and they didn't want anybody they didn't own playing in their backyard.

There's nothing in the GTA right now that is big enough.

OK, yeah I couldn't remember the particulars. I had thought the Argos were originally in with the FC when the BMO was in discussion. Couldn't remember why the Argos ended up not in on it. But I knew that once it was just the FC that it became a soccer only stadium by design.

 

[Beef03]

Oh, and ER will be playing on special teams for the Riders in their Saturday game against the Als: kickoff and punt returns.

I just can't bring myself to cheer for the ’Riders, but I do hope he proves the Eskimos wrong for cutting him loose. I hope this is the start of something big for Elliott. I already miss his physical play in the green and gold.

 

[JC]

Some of the worst coaching and receiving I have ever seen in a CFL game by the Lions.

 

[Beef03]

Some of the worst coaching and receiving I have ever seen in a CFL game by the Lions.

That was turrible.

"I know, let's throw deep 10 times in the first half, not complete any of them, but keep going back to the well." What was Lulay, 4-15 in the first half for 25 yards? That first half was just ugly on both sides.

I know several of you have said your big Lulay fans, and I totally understand that, I see the potential, but he's got to learn to check down off of his primary receiver every once in a while. Get a rhythm going. Not all five receivers are going deep, someone's got to be open underneath. Also still makes some questionable decisions with ball. But that's inexperience. I think he still has some learning to do before he can be called a reliable QB. But yeah, he has some guts and he has some skill, he could be a top QB down the road.

Some brutal drops by the Lions receivers too.

The defence for both teams all but disappeared in the second half. Just an ugly game. Period. Exciting finish, but ugly.

 

[Mark2010]

Was surprised the Eskimos cut ER. I thought he was one of their better players on defence in games I saw last season. I remember one monster hit against (I think) Hamilton that had to be one of the best hits of the year.

 

[JC]

Beef, the Lions blow them out if the receivers drop just half of what they drop. This is not on Lulay, not even close. They had 6 drops I believe in the first half alone. Without the drops he has a monster game.

 

[JR]

Was surprised the Eskimos cut ER. I thought he was one of their better players on defence in games I saw last season. I remember one monster hit against (I think) Hamilton that had to be one of the best hits of the year.

Against Dave Stala of the Cats. Click on the "Watch this" link at the bottom of my post. It was in the top ten

 

[jr/shotglass]

Saw Elliott blocking at the end of the long KO return in the first half ... the way Calvillo picked them apart, he'll be getting DB reps in no time.

 

[Mark2010]

Wow, Edmonton has discovered a running game. About a 50/50 split in play calling in the win over Hamilton. Jerome Messam looked like a beast with 104 yards rushing.

 

[Beef03]

Wow, Edmonton has discovered a running game. About a 50/50 split in play calling in the win over Hamilton. Jerome Messam looked like a beast with 104 yards rushing.

They may have the deepest running game in the league right now with Messam, McCarty, Whitlock and Porter.

Best move the Eskimos have made the last two years was to bring in Prinsen to coach the O-Line. Was arguably the worst in the CFL when he took over coaching duties for the last couple of months of last season, started to turn them around then with the same personnel, and they have been outstanding this year with some new additions. Ricky Ray has had time to throw and the ground game has been terrific.

 

[Mark2010]

Agreed. Was really impressed with all facets of the line play against Hamilton.

 

[Beef03]

Anthony Calvillo surpassed Damon Allen on the all-time career touchdown passes list o move into top spot by himself tonight, has thrown a second touchdown to move to 396 to Allen's 394. Game at the beginning of the third quarter now. Als leading the Argos 20-10.

 

[Beef03]

Holy Cow, the Roughriders are getting lit up by the Ticats! So awesome. 23-0 Hamilton in the third quarter.