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Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2011 Grey Cup Overview: Nov 27 2011

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Nov 262011

Here’s the Scouting Report on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-8), Eastern Division Champions, for this year’s 2011 Grey Cup championship in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

OFFENCE
The Winnipeg offence struggled most of the year, especially after halfback Fred Reid was injured earlier in the season. Enter scatback Chris Garrett, who was released just after training camp earlier this year. He was then re-signed when Reid went down with his season-ending injury. Garrett has been a catalyst all year, helping to take the pressure off quarterback Buck Pierce, as he averaged over 6 yards a carry. Garrett also rumbled for 190 yards in last weekend’s win over Hamilton in the Eastern Final, adding a touchdown for good measure.

With the ability to go play action, Pierce has been able to remain somewhat healthy, and issue earlier in his career when the BC Lions cut him loose after missing much time two years in a row. Pierce is the heart and soul of the team, and his never-say-die attitude has been infectious. But he did toss 18 INT against just 13 touchdowns. Terrence Edwards leads the receiving corps, while the offensive line will have its work cut out, as they tied Edmonton for the most sacks allowed with 48.

Advantage: BC Lions

DEFENCE
After going just 4-14 and missing the playoffs, the Blue Bombers rode their defence this year to the Eastern Division championship, finishing tops in the CFL in a dozen of 25 defensive categories. That list included getting 55 sacks and 25 interceptions, while allowing only 301 total yards and 223 passing yards per game. Winnipeg boasts three All-CFL selections in the backfield, led by CB Jovon Johnson, who’s the east’s Defensive Player of the Year, DB Jonathon Hefney, and safety Ian Logan. Odell Willis was tops in the league with 13 sacks.

Advantage: Even

SPECIAL TEAMS
Second year kicker Justin Palardy was solid this year, hitting 40 of his 52 field goal attempts. The Bombers were struggling with the punt game and traded for Jamie Boreham, and 8-year veteran, who averaged just under 43 yards a kick. Jovon Johnson handled most of the kick returns and was solid, if not spectacular at times.

Advantage: BC Lions

COACHING
In just his second year as the head coach, Paul LaPolice did a wonderful job in leading the Bombers to a 6-game improvement. After sitting on the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ sidelines as an assistant two year previous, LaPolice does have Grey Cup experience, just not as the head decision-maker. But during the season, he showed his in-game adjustments were on the ball, as witnessed by the many come-from-behind wins.

Advantage: BC Lions

Overall Advantage: BC Lions

BC Lions 2011 Grey Cup Overview: Nov 27

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Nov 242011

Here’s the Scouting Report on the BC Lions (12-7), Western Division Champions, for this year’s 2011 Grey Cup championship in Vancouver, BC, Canada.

OFFENCE
BC Lions quarterback Travis Lulay had his coming out party this year, in his first year as the starter. For the first time in almost a decade, Lulay was behind centre for all 18 games this season, The former Montana State star was voted the top QB in the Western Division this year, and is favored to win the Most Outstanding Player award this week. Lulay tied for first in TD passes (32), and was second overall in passing (4,815 yards) while leading the Lions as the CFLs second highest scoring offence. The Lions were also the second best offence statistically, behind only Montreal. But it’s not only Lulay’s arm that threatens defences as witnessed by his 61-yard scamper during last weekend’s win over the Edmonton Eskimos. Lulay uses his legs to not only gain good yardage, but also extend plays. Geroy Simon and Arland Bruce lead the receiving corps, while the offensive line was the best in the league, allowing only 29 sacks.

Advantage: BC Lions

DEFENCE
The Lions have what is considered to be the best front seven in the Canadian Football League. While the Bombers may have garnered one more sack than the Leos 54, the linebacking crew is led by All-CFL middle backer Solomon Elimimian, second in the league in tackles. BC also goes with a six-man rotation up front, which has proven problematic for most O-Lines in the league during the Lions 11-1 run. In the defensive backfield, Korey Banks, Ryan Phillips and Dante Marsh headline a secondary that has more than 30 years of CFL experience. The Lions forced four turnovers in West Division final win, which the offence was able to convert into 21 points.

Advantage: Even

SPECIAL TEAMS
What can you say when you have a kicker who was almost perfect through an entire season, as Lions kicker Paul McCallum has hit on 54 of 57 field goals this season including last weekend’s 4-4 display. The CFL’s oldest player at 41, McCallum set a league-record with a 94.3 per cent success ratio during the year. He also had another league mark by hitting on 30 straight field goals. And while not as spectacular, McCallum did a solid job of punting (42.1-yard punting average) and posted a respectable 57.6-yard kickoff average. On the return game, Tim Brown was fourth overall in punt returns and third in kickoff returns.

Advantage: BC Lions

COACHING
With 254 regular season wins, four Grey Cup titles and three Coach of the Year awards, Wally Buono defines coaching in the CFL. There is not a single coach in the history of the game who would get an advantage when it comes to coaching the big game. And after having turned around an 0-5 team into a squad which looks poised to win for a number of years, this just may have been Buono’s greatest coaching job ever.

Advantage: BC Lions

Overall Advantage: BC Lions

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Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Preview

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Sep 152010

On Friday September 17, the Saskatchewan Roughriders can’t wait to play the Calgary Stampeders. Sooner they can forget their performance in their game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the quicker they get on the field to play the Stampeders. The Rough Riders were held to only two points in their game against the Blue Bombers, losing 31-2.

Against the Saskatchewan Rough Riders, the Calgary Stampeders enter this game on a roll. In convincing fashion, they have won their last five games. Against the struggling Edmonton Eskimos came the three wins. For the last month, the Calgary offense has been in high gear and they have not slowed down.

To describe the Roughriders, inconsistent is the best word. It is tough to figure out which team will show up, they are 6-4 heading into this game and from week to week. As the team leader, Darian Durant, quarterback for the Saskatchewan Rough riders is also inconsistent. Durant has thrown for 2,927 yards, 14 interceptions and 11 touchdowns. Durant is the second leading rusher with 356 yards rushing and he is not afraid to leave the pocket and run for daylight.

Than the Rough Riders, the Calgary offense is much more diverse. Calgary has a rushing threat in Joffrey Reynolds who has racked up 851 yards on the ground to this point in the season, aside from their quarterback Henry Burris. Three of Burris’ receivers have over 500 yards receiving to this point and he likes to spread the ball around.

Alouettes @ Argonauts Preview: CFL

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Aug 112010

The Toronto Argonauts against the Montreal Alouettes is always a match up that brings out the best in both teams. Between these two, the first game was disappointing. At the hands of a faster and more organized Montreal attack, Toronto took a beating. Montreal gave Toronto a rallying cry as they meet on Toronto’s home turf this weekend and dealt Toronto their second loss of the CFL season.

For Toronto, Cleo Lemon remains the quarterback, despite his pedestrian performance to this point of the season. Lemon’s 1198 yards passing, along with five interceptions and four touchdowns are not instilling fear into many CFL secondaries, including Montreal’s.

It is almost unfair to compare Montreal’s quarterback Anthony Calvillo to Cleo Lemon. Both quarterbacks are in different stratospheres. Calvillo has already thrown for 1,858 yards in six games and his touchdown to interception ratio is 12 touchdowns to two interceptions. Two weekends ago, the quarterback advantage was exploited in the first regular season meeting between these two teams. In the pre season, the two also met and Montreal won 23-31 in Montreal.

Action will ensue from the opening kickoff and neither team is defensive stalwarts. Don’t look for this game to be as one sided, although the score of the last game in Montreal was 41-10 in Montreal’s favor. In this game, Cleo Lemon is the key. Toronto could pull this game off and even up their record with Montreal, if he can throw for 250-275 yards and can keep the ball out of the Montreal corners hands.

Calgary Stampeders Take on Struggling BC Lions

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Aug 052010

The BC Lions will host the Calgary Stampeders on August 7th. The match up provides an interesting clash of two teams heading in different directions. The Calgary Stampeders are winning close games and winning games they should win.

The BC Lions have had a rough run of luck and they are struggling to find their identity. Travis Lulay is working his way into the lineup as the starting quarterback and is in search of the confidence all great quarterbacks possess.

The Calgary Stampeders signal caller, Henry Burris, an import player, possesses the confidence to lead a team that is first in the CFL standings and is looking unstoppable. Burris is a strong presence in the pocket and he is not afraid to leave the pocket and run down field if he can’t find an open receiver.

Receiver Romby Bryant and non-import running back Jon Cornish are a major key to Burris and the Calgary Stampeders success. Both players are explosive offensive juggernauts and open up the field for Burris. Cornish leads a solid rushing game for Calgary that allows Burris the flexibility to use play action to keep the defense honest.

Th BC Lions Jamal Robertson started the season with a spectacular 168 yards rushing and if he can ever get back to running the ball with the effectiveness he showed in the Edmonton game the Lions season may have a chance to turn around. Lulay will need a solid and healthy running back to open up his offense and win their first home game.

Edmonton Eskimos Looking for 1st CFL Win Against BC Lions

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Jul 272010

A Canadian Football League rematch of the BC Lions against the Edmonton Eskimos features two struggling teams Friday July 30th. In their first game, also played in Edmonton July 4th, the BC Lions beat an uninspired Edmonton team 25-10. The victory was the BC Lions only win in a dismal start to their CFL season.

The second game between these two will come down to a match up of quarterbacks. Travis Gulay is the up and coming quarterback for the BC Lions, while Ricky Ray is an eight year veteran of the CFL and has thrown for over 5,000 yards three times in eight years.

The BC Lions, Travis Gulay has provided some spark but is not much of threat to run. Gulay is expected to develop into a premier quarterback in the CFL despite his inability to bolt from the pocket. Gulay has had his difficulties finding the end zone this year but the BC Lions coaching staff is behind him.

Ricky Ray of the Edmonton Eskimos is also having a rough start to his season but he has racked up 1,090 yards in his first four games. Ray has also had a tough time finding the end zone this season and the 0-4 start has fallen squarely on his shoulders.

This may be Edmonton’s best chance to win a game in the first half of the season. After losing to the BC Lions in the first game 25-10, Ricky Ray and his Edmonton teammates should have the motivation to pull off a home victory.

Lions-Argonauts Preview: CFL Football

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Jul 212010

In a game between two teams traveling in two different directions, on Friday July 23, the BC Lions travel to play the Toronto Argonauts. After losing to the Calgary Stampeders to open the season, the Toronto Argonauts have won their last two games, while in the 2010 CFL season, the BC Lions won their first game and have lost their last two.

After initial win, the BC Lions have struggled to score in their last two games. To this point in the season, quarterback Casey Printers is the scapegoat. Against Montreal, Printers game summed up his disappointing season.

Throwing into double coverage and getting picked, Printers made a huge mistake on a deep out route, although he threw one touchdown and completed 20 of 40 passes. Printer’s second pick was behind Paris Jackson, which was a terrible throw. Printers said after the game that, to move in the pocket, it was not affecting his ability although to be fair, a quad injury has hobbled him.

Although Toronto Argonauts have won their last two games, they have been squeaking out some close victories on the other side of the ball. To keep Toronto in their games, Cleo Lemon has been just good and for over 100 yards, running back Cory Boyd has rushed in Toronto’s two wins.

Toronto defense have had their moments, although it needs some work. As the season moves forward, Toronto’s defense has improved, even though if they want to be a contender for the Grey Cup, they will need to cut their points allowed.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers 2011 Grey Cup Overview: Nov 27 2011

BC Lions 2011 Grey Cup Overview: Nov 27

Calgary Stampeders vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders Preview

Alouettes @ Argonauts Preview: CFL

Calgary Stampeders Take on Struggling BC Lions

Edmonton Eskimos Looking for 1st CFL Win Against BC Lions

Lions-Argonauts Preview: CFL Football

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