Al's Argo's game

[disciplineandpunish]

Also great to see Jamel finally explode for two TDs and make up for his drop earlier in the game.

Cahoon ... I have never, ever, EVER seen him drop a pass right in the numbers like he did tonight, then fumble a reception without even being contacted (mercifully he recovered his own fumble). What happened to the real Ben Cahoon? Craziness.

[mada7]

The more I see of SJ Green in the lineup the more I want to see him. He had yet another beautiful catch this game. It is still early in his career to compare stats but in terms of how he plays the game and the types of catches he can pull off seemingly at will he reminds me somewhat of Jason Tucker. It just always feels like something special is going to happen whenever the ball is thrown his way

[mike2579]

Ouch, OJ Santiago! Has he played his 1st and last game with the Alouettes? Kind of reminds me of Jason Armstead, hello, goodbye!!

[Crimson_Fox]

I think Richardson said it best after the game when he said that a full week of practice makes a huge difference. Boy did it show last night! A great game by all the Als last night.

Cavillo goes 30 for 36 (with at least 3 drops by the receivers ), nearly 400 yards, and 2 touchdowns
Cobourne gains over 100 yards rushing and receiving along with 2 touchdowns

And how about that defense? This week, all I heard was Boyd this and Boyd that but the Als held him to 53 yrds (albeit on only 9 carries). As for Lemon, only 8 for 17 (143 yrds total) but I believe this guy may become something special once he gains some experience. He reminds me a lot of Durant.

Oh, and Ben Cahoon for becoming the all-time # 3 receiver in the CFL

[Senior Ah Me]

I know its not ok for Santiago to make a mistake in his first game in 5 years. Even in a blowout, Trestman didn't give him an opportunity to make things rights. Not impressed with that.

If Trestman wants to bench someone for boneheaded penalties, he certainly doesn't need to pick on OJ Santiago. He could probably bench the entire secondary by now.
Did I see right? Santiago is 6'7" 270lbs. It would be great to see a true tight end back on the Als squad. Another potent weapon in their arsenal. It wouldn't hurt the running game either to have a brute like Santiago blocking for Cobourne and Carter.

I hope Bratton is OK too.
I just checked the Roster. Was Andrew Hawkins released? I never saw any mention of it, anywhere. Been waiting to see THAT star shine again. If so it's a real shame.

[disciplineandpunish]

Illegal contact and PI penalties aren't always preventable the way unsportsmanlike penalties are. With the talent we have at receiver, Santiago needs to get his head in the game if he wants to see the field this season.

[HfxTC]

Illegal contact and PI penalties aren't always preventable the way unsportsmanlike penalties are. With the talent we have at receiver, Santiago needs to get his head in the game if he wants to see the field this season.

Trestman didn't turn his headset over to Milanovich after throwing his 3rd flag. This rule has been in effect FOUR years and was totally driven by emotions and poor self-control.

When Avon fumbled they gave him the ball on the next play. When Cahoon and Richardson dropped balls they went back to them so a guy who is in his first game in years and is probably very nervous can make a mistake. I think he should have been given the opportunity to redeem himself especially once the team had a 20 plus point lead.

But it is Trestman's show and I haven't seen the practices Santiago has put in.

[disciplineandpunish]

Illegal contact and PI penalties aren't always preventable the way unsportsmanlike penalties are. With the talent we have at receiver, Santiago needs to get his head in the game if he wants to see the field this season.

Trestman didn't turn his headset over to Milanovich after throwing his 3rd flag. This rule has been in effect FOUR years and was totally driven by emotions and poor self-control.

When Avon fumbled they gave him the ball on the next play. When Cahoon and Richardson dropped balls they went back to them so a guy who is in his first game in years and is probably very nervous can make a mistake. I think he should have been given the opportunity to redeem himself especially once the team had a 20 plus point lead.

LOL, you serious man? Who the eff is O.J. Santiago? What has he proven in this league, on this team? Absolutely nothing. Trestman, Cobourne, Cahoon, Richardson -- all veterans, Grey Cup winners, two of them Grey Cup MVPs (Ben and Avon). Cahoon is a guaranteed Hall of Famer when he retires. With people like that, you give them the benefit of the doubt because they've earned it. Santiago is a nobody. On his first play, he took a dumb unsportsmanlike penalty that turned a second and short into a second and long for no particular reason. Not the way to impress your bosses if you're fighting for a job and the team is already stacked at receiver. Santiago is 36 years old, not some young kid, and should know better.

But it is Trestman's show and I haven't seen the practices Santiago has put in.

I trust Trestman in this matter. Yes, he effed up by throwing the third flag, but I'm sure if you asked him, he'd admit his mistake. He's never been shy about admitting his continual struggle to master coaching the Canadian game. And when you consider the near-perfection of the game plan he and Milanovich engineered for last night's game, I'll forgive him for the mistake.

[HfxTC]

Everyone can make a mistake including Trestman, I don't have a problem with that. I think there was an opportunity to help Santiago build and for whatever reason he chose not to. For me it is the only blemish on a great night of football. Like I said there is possibly reasons, at least I hope there are and that there isn't two sets of rules...that is somewhere where I disagree with you. Same standards apply to all.

[disciplineandpunish]

Everyone can make a mistake including Trestman, I don't have a problem with that. I think there was an opportunity to help Santiago build and for whatever reason he chose not to.

Are you absolutely sure Santiago wasn't on the field late in the fourth quarter? If so, I'm a bit surprised, especially with Bratton out with what sure looked like a concussion.

at least I hope there are and that there isn't two sets of rules...that is somewhere where I disagree with you. Same standards apply to all.

In principle, sure, but come on, man, you weren't born yesterday. You know how things work in sports. If you only have one chance to show what you can do, you had better make the most of it, because there are always a dozen guys ready to take your job if you stumble. With our talent at receiver, it is already difficult to give everyone their touches, so if Santiago wants to be on the field more, he has to shine when he gets the chance. That's part of breaking on to a new team.

[Senior Ah Me]

If you only have one chance to show what you can do, you had better make the most of it, because there are always a dozen guys ready to take your job if you stumble.

Remember the ignoble start by an Eskimos running back last season?
What if (the late?) Richie Hall had yanked Whitlock after his 1st, 2nd, 3rd.....mistake?
He went on to have an impressive season, and gave the Esks the semblance of a balanced attack.

If Trestman has really taken such a hard-a***d attitude towards the big guy...I'm hoping he'll reconsider.
Discipline penalties are nothing new to the Alouettes, with players like Emry, Ferri etc making some doozies.
Santiago's size, coupled with some healthy (controlled) aggression could be a HUGE asset for the Alouettes.

With our talent at receiver, it is already difficult to give everyone their touches

You know as well as anyone that the tight end position is as much about blocking as it is receiving.
As a former tight end, I'm hoping Santiago heralds a resurgence at the position.
In the GREAT tradition of Nick Arakgi and Peter Dalla Riva

[disciplineandpunish]

Remember the ignoble start by an Eskimos running back last season?
What if (the late?) Richie Hall had yanked Whitlock after his 1st, 2nd, 3rd.....mistake?
He went on to have an impressive season, and gave the Esks the semblance of a balanced attack.

Apples and oranges. Edmonton was desperately searching for a running game and had little choice but to go back to Whitlock. Santiago is auditioning for a specialty position on an already-potent offense. Could he be useful? Sure. Will it break our backs if he's not, or if he's cut? Nope.

Discipline penalties are nothing new to the Alouettes, with players like Emry, Ferri etc making some doozies.

No argument here, and I'm sure Marc has spoken to them behind closed doors, but the reality on the ground is that you have more leeway to make mistakes if you've proven yourself.

You know as well as anyone that the tight end position is as much about blocking as it is receiving.

Santiago, whether blocking or receiving, will have to substitute for another receiver in order to see action on the field. Someone has to come off the field for him to do his job. Automatically it takes catches away from another receiver, regardless of what Santiago's actually doing.

As a former tight end, I'm hoping Santiago heralds a resurgence at the position.
In the GREAT tradition of Nick Arakgi and Peter Dalla Riva

I'd love to see the return of the legit tight end who contributes more than just short-yardage blocking and the occasional goal-line trick play. But there are only so many minutes in a game or practice. Trestman is already trying to give Green and Bratton bigger roles in the offense, which has meant fewer touches for Watkins and Cahoon in particular. Then there's Hawkins, if and when he's healthy, and Desriveaux and Deslauriers, who haven't been used at all outside of special teams. Maypray is also an option in the offense.

If Santiago sticks with the team, I expect him to work his way into the offense toward the end of the season, as Hawkins did in 2009.

[Senior Ah Me]

Speaking of receivers
Has Andrew Hawkins been released by the team?
Haven't heard any news
I checked the roster on the Alouettes site and he's nowhere to be seen.

[Senior Ah Me]

Apples and oranges. Edmonton was desperately searching for a running game and had little choice but to go back to Whitlock. Santiago is auditioning for a specialty position on an already-potent offense. Could he be useful? Sure. Will it break our backs if he's not, or if he's cut? Nope.

Not to be argumentative. But bringing Santiago into yesterday's game may have had as much to do with the yelping about a lack of running attack as anything else. The fact that we managed to blow TO away on the ground without him may explain why he wasn't used the rest of the way, at least as much as the penalty. Having a big tight-end can give AC another release option, confuse defenses and add to the balance of the Alouettes attack.

[disciplineandpunish]

Speaking of receivers
Has Andrew Hawkins been released by the team?
Haven't heard any news
I checked the roster on the Alouettes site and he's nowhere to be seen.

I assume Popp is hiding him somewhere on the roster. He was a revelation last season and I can't see the Als brass cutting him loose.