Canadian content. They Riders are so short on national starters that they had to use Messam to maintain their 7 national starters - or so I heard. Saw Eddie Steele being helped into a jersey so that he could fill in on the OL after LaBatte (?) went down. I think they lost another national starter (about 3 players went down for the Riders) and had to use Messam.
Certainly a very disappointing performance by the Ticats. Have to wonder if June Jones did too much film study on CJ and his tendencies and just out thought his offense. Although there was just a general lack of execution all around by the Ticats. Can’t point a finger at any one player or group. Even JJ admitted in his post game presser that he didn’t make the best calls.
The worst was that attempted punt dribble by Masoli which was not that far from where they were sitting. I couldn’t believe that they were trying that at mid field : :-\ Truly a head scratcher of a decision IMO. Enjoyed the game experience (not necessarily the game) even if we were surrounded by too many Rider fans - but they were friendly and didn’t give us too much good-natured ribbing!
Met Naaman Roosevelt’s father back at our hotel later - very nice man.
This is not true at all. Steele flipped over for LaBatte until LaBatte returned. He is actually a fairly good OG and started 3 or 4 times one year in Edmonton. The ratio they play is 3 national OL and 1 national WR. On some sets, by design, Messam comes in and they go all international WRs. That is design, not necessity, and doesn’t happen often…a couple times outside of when Carter flips to O then Messam is in. The only time it was moderately true was when they were using 3 internationals on the OL for portions of the first 2 or 3 games…that is done…and even then they more often went 2 national WR with Stanford and Bailey.
They play 3 nationals on D, and have had as many as 6 on at the same time, but it is generally 3-4.
At no point in this game did they “have” to use Messam. They have 6 players they are comfortable starting/heavy repping at this time on O, and 5 positions spread over 6 players on D…plus some subbing in other spots if need be (same as any team has to at time).
Hey I’m just going by what I heard - they lost three starters but it wasn’t the LaBatte injury that triggered it - I know that Steel (former Ticat) is a national. Whether you want to admit it or not truth is the Riders are rather thin on quality national depth.
That may be what you heard but it simply isn’t true, and I am simply responding to your post.
They are thin on OL…not really anywhere else. They have 2 LBs they are comfortable with for one starting position and another at least one that is getting there. They have 2 respectable (though not allstar even though MOB has actually been one) safeties for one position, either they are comfortable with. They have 2 WR for one spot…Stanford is clearly winning that battle with some really nice grabs and solid blocking. They have 3 DT (one is out, Henry) for one spot…Steele is capable of starting and Henry is a solid contributor…both behind Evans who is one of the better around. Not sure where the glaring gap is in that…again, OL is light. There is nothing to “admit”…the depth looks a lot better than I thought it would.
So who exactly triggered this supposed national depth issue in the last game that you speak of, since it was apparently not LaBatte? LaBatte was the only one who went down and he returned. Everyone else not only has a backup, but a backup who takes legit reps game in an game out on fairly evenly split duties.
It was not that I mentioned Steele is a national…I said he is a national who can fill in for OG fairly well and has actually started there in the past. I don’t really recall much getting past him…and more shockingly nothing much getting past Bladek when he moved to the left.