Calgary vs Montreal- take your pick

It is difficult to find reasons for the both teams who , beat the other at home and then both solidly lost their away games. Just as Calgary whipped the Als, today the Als did so against Calgary. Lets , however, take the win and hope our team has resolved their problems. Richardson had a great day along with Bratton, Green and Cahoon. Richardson has become the guy to go to on second down and, leads the team in that role. Richardson is a slow starter but comes up big near the last portion of the season- he is now a 100 yard receiver. I do hope that T Watkins is able to return to duty but, Bratton, who lacks TW's speed, was a capable replacement. I have been observing Luc Brodeur Jordain for the past two games and, I am beginning to believe he has locked up the center position. He graduated from Laval and in 08 was picked by the team's 6th draw. He went back to Laval for a fifth year and made the team's first string tackle position in 09- their Grey Cup year. During his 5th year at Laval, he spent some time at center and, was given the position when Lambert went down. He has made a positive shift to center and his play is extremely good. He gets the ball to AC with precision and, stands his ground in the post snap position.Today I noticed him helping the defense on the outside. B-J impressed me last year and, he is now THE center for the team. He is a young man and, still is a work in progress. He will only get better with experience. in addition, he was successful in his only try at receiver.

We are set at corner as Dix continues to show development and, Estelle, who is very fast, handles the other corner with precision. We don't need to pull a Matthews this year and acquire new corners. These two have what it takes. On special teams I have noticed that Mike Giffin pulls his weight. He is , at times, on opposing kick returns, the first down the field. Kerry Carter is also strong on special teams. Colt Davis showed us that he is a good sub for Duval re field goals going 6 for 6. He punted a gem in today's game by putting a kick exactly into the coffin corner. There has been general concern re Duval's work this year so, he might be looking over his shoulder at present. Anwar Stewert had his finest game of the year with two QB sacks and, a pass knock down. He and Bowman are doing the required work.

THe defensive backs were not called much today for pass interference. Some thought that the refs were focused too much on the Montreal team. However I did not have that perception and, today the team did not get too many PI calls. Calgary have immense receivers and, by and large, the smaller defensive backs were able to hold their own. Cox leads the team in tackles. I would like the defensive backs to play close and tough and, this means exposing themselves to the odd PI call. Today, I believe they had more disclipine than in recent games.

On the negative side, I still wonder about that long throw to the sideline and, don't see succes with that play. Other posting reveals Alouette problems in the red zone- 6 field goals would indicate this as an issue. Calvillo played up to his usual par performance but, I regretted that McPherson was limited to a couple of plays at the end of the game. The kick return portion of the offense is lacking. This problem will diminish when Karry Taylor returns. As noted earlier, I have not the wisdom to analyze why these teams have been so poor and, so great in their two matches.

After the Guzman return and the score went up to 40-4 (I think)…Calvillo and the offense went into lock-down mode.
A lot of people don’t like it…neither do I really…and against the Stampeders it started to look like folly when combined with the "conservative’ stance the defense suddenly took. The Calgary offense didn’t suddenly get better in the second half. Burke seems to think that with a lead we should stop “taking chances” by blitzing the quarterback. How is it taking chances when, especially with a QB like Burris who wilts under pressure, laying back and letting him have all the time in the world nets him and the Stamps a quick 2 touchdowns? It’s like he’s saying “OK guys…we’ve got this Burris character figured out…got a big lead. Let’s lay off and see if he can get back into the game.”

No question Calvillo has brain-freezes where he completely stops going downfield. No doubt that long throw to the flats to Hawkins is simply a play that almost never works. I don’t care how shifty and quick you are…the linebackers and db’s in this league have too much speed, and they see that play coming 1000 miles away.

But if we’re going to play to preserve the win, protect the football and not take any chances on offense…then the defense has to continue bringing pressure and not let opposing quarterbacks back into it. This defense showed me what it can do when it plays hard-nosed…smash-mouth football. If the defensive coordinator has trouble understanding this is a key to their success, then he’s obviously a bad fit for the team.

Otherwise…congratulations to Ben Cahoon for getting through the hoopla without going nuts.
Things should get back to normal now. Although with AC in there I doubt normal’s doing you much good.
Calvillo had a great first half…and managed the rest of the game with majesty and poise.
Andrew Hawkins not only had another great long catch, but threw one of my favorite blocks of the game.

As I continue to watch 4th and Long…my appreciation of the Hawk is growing…not only of his great character, talent and determination, but because even as he continues to dominate on the show (I’m up to episode 6) the 5’7" speedster is ignored more than the other players…and I don’t think they’ve mentioned him or his skills more than once in the “player evaluation sessions”. No doubt that’ll change as the show progresses and other players get cut…but I’m interested to see how long he can evoke all those “ooo’s and ohhhh’s” every time he makes a play on someone, and still be ignored. All I can say is “we’re lucky the NFL is so obsessed with size and power”. Their loss is definitely our gain.

Great game guys.
Thanks

:thup: :thup: :thup:

wow
I keep getting "double posted"
Annoying

The red-zone problems today mostly stemmed from Anthony's lack of touch on the fade routes. Anthony played a strong game overall, but touch - as opposed to pure heat -- has never been his strong suit. He needed to give those passes a higher arc, let our big slotbacks go up and make a play with a bit of space between them and the sidelines. I like the playcall; it's just the execution that was a bit lacking.

I think Anthony likes that gun-slinger image he’s portrayed with.

That might have something to do with his propensity for the 30+ yard pass and the lack of touch on his redzone balls.
I’m wondering if that’s why they’ve started inserting McPherson in on short yardage goal-line plays.
Despite McPherson’s rocket, he’s obviously worked a lot on that arc-ing shortish pass play. It still needs work IMO, doesn’t seem natural for him, but you don’t see AC executing the play very often.

Still and all…Calvillo was masterful out there and IMO the faltering in the second half was more about game-management than bad execution.

and again

Wow...just finished watching 4th and long
Seriously...Hawkins wiped everybody off the field
Didn't win or even really get considered because of his size
At one point one of the coach's said something like,
"Every drill and the little *&^%# keeps showing up"

I think it seriously pissed them off that he was the best player on the field
If he hadn't fumbled on that last return, they wouldn't have had any excuse to cut him
He was the best coverage guy on the teams, best tackler
All round best...really.

Anybody wants to check the series out...it's all over the web
Just Google
4th and Long
Even if you don't care for the Hawk
It's really great football

:thup: :thup:

Wow...just finished watching 4th and long
Seriously...Hawkins wiped everybody off the field
Didn't win or even really get considered because of his size
At one point one of the coach's said something like,
"Every drill and the little *&^%# keeps showing up"

I think it seriously pissed them off that he was the best player on the field
If he hadn't fumbled on that last return, they wouldn't have had any excuse to cut him
He was the best coverage guy on the teams, best tackler
All round best...really.

Anybody wants to check the series out...it's all over the web
Just Google
4th and Long
Even if you don't care for the Hawk
It's really great football

:thup: :thup:

Oh and GREAT game by Anwar Stewart.
I expected to see Anwar step up
He's always put his money where his mouth is
The Alouettes will do well if Stewart picks it up heading into the post-season