Tiger-Cats are definitely difficult to predict; "experts"/forecasters,etc had predicted a Hamilton win. Their loss does enhance our chance to finish second or first. We definitely have to win against the Argos,on Monday. To finish first we will have to win against the Bombers.
Richard
While it’s easy to agree the Alouettes are in more of a dog-fight this year
This almost constant harping on the “parity” theme sounds a little off
Especially from what we now know, 2/3 through the 2011 season
So very briefly throughout the league:
West:
BC was picked by many at the start of the season to win it all in the west.
Lulay had some growing up to do and the decision to ride with a rookie receiving corps cost the Lions early
The addition of Arland Bruce and some key personnel moves on defence has the Lions back on track.
+3
Calgary started out slow on offence…with Burris seeming incapable of moving the ball in pre-season
Little has changed since making the Stamps less consistent than last year
And there’s grumbling about giving Tate a start or two.
-1
Edmonton’s woes started when they lost several starting receivers
Exposing extreme weakness along the offensive line
Ray’s success early was predicated on those long routes to Stamps and Bowman
Without that protection the Eskies have looked mediocre…at best.
+1
Saskatchewan Has taken the biggest tumble in the league this year
Marshall’s “hang-dog” look seems to have spread like cancer through the whole club
The return of Miller had a brief effect…but whatever ails the Riders seems to be much deeper.
-3
East:
Montreal has shown many of the inconsistencies of the Stamps
As has Anthony Calvillo, who’s known arguably the most “hot & cold” season since the arrival of Marc Trestman.
But despite devastating injuries, especially to the secondary, the team has fought it’s way back from it’s flirtation with .500.
-1
Winnipeg’s defence has been coming on for years
It’s shown a few vulnerabilities thus far through the season
But it’s strength on D has carried the team so far
The deciding element in Winnipeg’s season may well be Buck Pierce’s health
Who saw that one coming?
+2
The Hamilton TigerCats have been a .500 ball club
They’ve looked dominant and brilliant one week
And lackluster and ineffectual the next
Same old…
0
Toronto may have a new edge with Steven Jyles
But then…saviors have come and gone for Argos fans
Jyles, Owens and Boyd may one day form the nucleus of a good offence
But for now they lack even the modicum of prowess the offence had last year
-1
Not exactly in-depth…I’ll admit
But briefly showing a league that hasn’t really transformed into a miracle of parity
If that parity is meant (as it so often seems to) as an excuse for the Alouettes’ fall from grace
But that the Alouettes are no longer the dominant powerhouse they once were.
I tried to make the scores “organically” responsive to the situation in the division
So Winnipeg gets a +2 with Toronto slipping from last year…and the Alouettes likewise
And BC gaining from the Riders’ collapse with Edmonton improving slightly and Calgary slipping
As for the Alouettes:
Perhaps unfair to blame the lack of creativity and the ultimate repercussion of predictability on the quarterback alone.
T&M have been a very successful “one-trick pony”
But it’s become obvious (to me at least) that defenses are catching on
And the Alouettes have been at their best this year when they throw in a creative wrinkle (usually involving Whitaker)
Slowly forcing the whole offence out of their comfort zone…but into a balance and a versatile unpredictability that will serve them well down the stretch and into the post-season.
Go Als!!!
Agreed, Senior - nice analysis!
I'm not a stats guy, but I feel confident in saying that in games where Whitaker was involved, we won! This can only have the positive effect of making our potent passing game all the more so. But to do that, we have to establish the line of scrimmage. Necessarily, this makes LBs respect a formation from which you run. Consequence? The short and middle passing game opens up. Mix in some screens, roll-outs, play-action, and the deep routes open up. DHs then don't know who to cover. Add a little no-huddle...
As you said - a litlle creativity SVP!!!
Go Als go!!!!!
Looks like Whyte's out and Sandro is in. X factor in this game?
Not if we score early and often!
Source?
The Gazette
http://www.rds.ca/alouettes/chroniques/327845.htmlmy apologies. I jumped the gun a bit. There’s still a question mark. Still recovering from seeing the Rouge et Or actually lose a game today. :roll:
Anyone coming off the IRL for today's game?
Didn't want to start a new thread just for this:
Just wanted to congratulate Andrew Hawkins
He played for the Bengals in their 30-20 win over Jacksonville
Didn't see the game
But from the boxscore "The Hawk" had 2 receptions
One for 9 yards and another for a loss.
A modest start
But here's hoping you can keep the dream going
You "weren't good enough" to start for the Alouettes
Thankfully there are some with more vision and guts
Good luck Hawk
Their gain is definitely our loss
C'mon Als, let's get some pressure on Jyles. He had all day to make those completions! No quarters! Black flag!
Looks like our bad game~good game alternating is continuing. . .
Holy c---! Don't tell me it's going to be one of those days! C'mon Als! These are the Arg-OOOOOOOOs! Let's concentrate! To hell with records - let's get the W! Records later!!!!
Watching Owens' touchdown return today
And Larry Taylor almost single-handedly beating BC with the Stamps
I know it's harping a bit
But some bad decisions over the last 2 years
Chip Cox needs to have a good game
To take Jyles out of the equation
It’ll take both. To win, we’'ll need at least 258 yards through the air.
But it's more than that in this one, Senior. AC overthrowing his receivers, 2-and-outs, STs (again!!!!), giving Jyles too much time.... We're not off to a good start. It's a team game! C'mon guys, let's get it together! Another 2-and-out (sigh!)
Time to reassert our dominance on this drive. We're a better team than they are, time to show it.
C'mon Anthony, get Whitaker involved!
It’s a team game…of course
But the offence and especially the Montreal offence…is built around the abilities and the weaknesses of the quarterback
If it stalls…it’s reasonable to look there for a reason.