They Learned This Week: TiCats starting to be scary good!

After each week we recap the week that was in the CFL with a key lesson each team did (or at least I would hope they did) learn from the week that was…

BC - They still need to work on moving the ball just one yard forward.  – Another goal line offensive stand and another blown play as Lions QB Jarious Jackson threw up an INT early in the first quarter.  This was the third game in a row that the Lions have been on the goal line with three cracks at getting the ball into the end zone and yet walk away with nothing.  Jackson isn’t the answer for that kind of play.  The sooner Wally Buno realizes that, the better.

Calgary - Mike Bishop isn’t *that* good a QB. -  I’d kinda like to know what Stamps defensive coordinator Chris Jones was thinking by flaring his two defensive ends wider than normal against the Bombers.  Sure it was probably done in an effort to contain the scrambling ability of  Winnipeg QB Mike Bishop, but it left the defensive line way too venerable to the run as was demonstrated in the second half by Fred Reid and the Bombers offensive line.  Chances are, unless you’re playing the Eskimos, you’re going to be facing a mobile QB, so Jones would be wise not to make such a dramatic shift to his line next time.

Edmonton - You were beat by a good Tiger Cats team, no need to panic.  – I’m sure the fact the Eskimos opened up with a 12 point lead and blew it shortly after the second quarter started is a bit concerning, but the Eskimos could have easily walked away with the win had it not been for a couple of breaks that went Hamilton’s way.  Ricky Ray was very good and the two INTs he threw up were a result of him being hit.  They had a nice mix of running and passing in the game…  Prefontane was automatic…  Maybe the only area they need to work on is defense, but that will come in time as their young secondary gets better.

Hamilton – We may only be seeing just the beginning of a dominant TiCats offense.  – They have one of the best duos in the CFL with Arland Bruce and Prechae Rodrieguez…  Add DeAndra’ Cobb out of the backfield and Dave Stala as a third wide out option for QB Quinton Porter to throw to and you have the makings of a very scary offense that will be hard to stop.

Montreal – It’s not going to be as easy as it was against Toronto  - So how does a team that had it’s perfect run ended last week respond?  By having a nearly perfect game the next week!  Calvillo was five yards away from 400 passing, three Als wide outs had 80+ yards receiving, seven sacks on defense and of course the shutout – the first in the CFL in three seasons.  All of it would be impressive as hell if it wasn’t for the fact it came against Toronto.  Do that against Hamilton or Calgary or… well hell, any of the six other CFL teams, and then we’d be impressed!

Saskatchewan – Wes Cates isn’t quite 100% yet. – 11 carries for 38 yards.  That was the line for Cates on Friday night against the Lions.  Steven Jyles only had three rushes and yet still managed to out run him by 36 yards.  Now granted the Lions D was flying in that game and running against them was a huge chore, but you have to believe that Cates isn’t quite 100% yet.

Toronto – The offense this year isn’t any better than it was last year, in fact it may be worse!  – The Argos only have one offensive touchdown in their last two games.  The lone bright spot for the team has been the play of running back Jamal Robertson, but with no pass game and a bad offensive line that allowed seven sacks against Montreal there is no way he can carry the offense.  Unlike last year they don’t have a go-to weapon like Arland Bruce at wide out..  Speaking of Bruce, maybe he had a point about the coach needing to get the QB back on track huh?

Winnipeg - Fred Reid should really get the ball more in the first quarter.  – Reid only had four touches of the ball in the first half and rattled off runs of 4, 2, 8 and 3 yards.  Now part of that was due to the fact the Bombers were 2 and out in the first five drives they had, but can you imagine what would have been for that team has Reid been given a chance to run with the ball a little more in the first half?

Argos repeatedly shoot themselves in the foot in loss

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The recap from TSN.ca

The turning point: Any one of the seven Argo turnovers could easily be seen as a turning point, but with 19 seconds left in the game and the Argos kicker Jason Medlock booted through a 47 yard field goal to take a two point lead in the game.  Only problem was they didn’t get the snap off quick enough and they took a delay of game penalty that set them back ten yards.  Medlock on the second attempt at a game winning field goal would have been good from 57 yards out, but the ball hit the left upright and bounced right back the direction it came thus not only denying the game winning field goal, but a chance at the very least a game tying single point.

The game ball goes to: Bombers linebacker Siddeez Shabazz’s trademark play of being seemingly all over the field at once was in full effect today.  2 tackles, 2 interceptions and he also recovered a fumble in the game.  Honorable mention to Bombers wide out Terrence Edwards who was Mike Bishop’s favorite target with 7 catches for 110 yards and a touchdown.

Random game thoughts: In the battle of former teammates, Mike Bishop who only had five days to learn and work with the Bombers offense was a solid 16 out of 30 passing with 213 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT.  Kerry Joseph had a much tougher day with the Argos offensive line having a hard time containing the Blue Bombers rush. He finished 20 of 32 for 219 yards, 1 TD and 4 INTs – although one of those INT’s was a missed catch by Argos receiver Hank Edwards  …  Argos running back Jamal Robertson had a very solid day rushing with 15 carries for 86 yards … Bombers kicker Alexis Serna booted what would be the eventual game winning 48 yard field goal with 4:05 left in the game.

Final grades
Argos Offense: D
Argos Defense: B
Argos Special Teams: C-

Bombers Offense: B-
Bombers Defense: A-
Bombers Special Teams: B