You would think I'd be happy and quite euphoric after seeing a 30-3 result in favour of my Blue Bombers over the Eskimos, in Edmonton. Yes, they scored offensive and defensive touchdowns. Yes, they moved up two spots in the standings. Yes, it was a wide margin.
BUT.
Winnipeg has lacked consistency for most of the season. They've had good games, and they've had stinkers. Edmonton's season started pretty well, before the wheels started coming off in the last five or six weeks. Personally, this was more about the Eskimos having a really bad game then the Blue Bombers having a really good game. Mike Reilly doesn't usually throw shit passes and get picked off like a rookie QB. The Eskimo defence doesn't always look like Swiss cheese.
While the Blue Bombers have amassed more points for than any team in the CFL this year, they can't afford to carry inconsistency into the playoffs (providing something stupid doesn't happen and knock them out) and expect to win. I love seeing my team win, and win big. Problem is, I don't want to see them stagger into the playoff race and get bounced.
In the CFL, expect the unexpected.
Sunday, September 30, 2018
Things I took note of in the NCAA yesterday. (NCAA)
I managed to catch some action from several of the entertaining games yesterday, and also watched some highlights in between of other games. While there was not that many surprises yesterday, I did see a few things that piqued my interest.
Notre Dame's defence. The Fighting Irish already have one of the best offences in college football, but it was also their defence making some great plays yesterday, from hurrying the Stanford QB to picking off a pass at a pivotal moment. I don't think the Irish defence is getting enough credit as of late. This team proved they could knock off a higher-seeded team when they needed to, and elevated themselves to another level.
Hey Penn State, what the fuck? That last offensive play call with less than two minutes left handed the game to Ohio State, who could've been handed their first loss this season. Penn State was faced with a 4th and 5 scenario, and elected to go for it. But seriously, a RUNNING PLAY? Both teams had taken their time, called timeouts, and gotten ready. Ohio State's defence pulled the safeties in, and was prepared for a run, which Penn State obliged. What a stupid way to end a game and screw your school's chances of a National Championship. Whoever called that play should lose his job. Period.
What's up, Wolverines? Michigan as a whole looked confused and out of touch for most of the game against Northwestern, before finally erasing a 17-0 deficit and coming back to win from behind. The defence looked gassed in the first half, the offence was terrible, and all the huffing and puffing of Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines didn't do much to help. I got nothing against the Wolverines, but in my mind, they don't look like a Bowl-calibre team so far.
Notre Dame's defence. The Fighting Irish already have one of the best offences in college football, but it was also their defence making some great plays yesterday, from hurrying the Stanford QB to picking off a pass at a pivotal moment. I don't think the Irish defence is getting enough credit as of late. This team proved they could knock off a higher-seeded team when they needed to, and elevated themselves to another level.
Hey Penn State, what the fuck? That last offensive play call with less than two minutes left handed the game to Ohio State, who could've been handed their first loss this season. Penn State was faced with a 4th and 5 scenario, and elected to go for it. But seriously, a RUNNING PLAY? Both teams had taken their time, called timeouts, and gotten ready. Ohio State's defence pulled the safeties in, and was prepared for a run, which Penn State obliged. What a stupid way to end a game and screw your school's chances of a National Championship. Whoever called that play should lose his job. Period.
What's up, Wolverines? Michigan as a whole looked confused and out of touch for most of the game against Northwestern, before finally erasing a 17-0 deficit and coming back to win from behind. The defence looked gassed in the first half, the offence was terrible, and all the huffing and puffing of Jim Harbaugh on the sidelines didn't do much to help. I got nothing against the Wolverines, but in my mind, they don't look like a Bowl-calibre team so far.
Thursday, September 27, 2018
Tonight's TNF match-up. (NFL)
Well, it's Thursday again, which means there is football to be watched. Tonight's game features the Minnesota Vikings playing the Los Angeles Rams, in Los Angeles. This game might be a good game, but I believe it's going to be a stinker by the time the final whistle blows. Historically, Thursday Night Football games are lacklustre contests between crap teams, or the match-up is just plain lopsided and not very fun to watch.
The Rams are undefeated in their first three games, rolling along like a well-oiled machine, thanks in part to the offence, as well as their stingy defence, and of course Mr. McVay. Jared Goff is putting up consistent numbers, and generally keeps out of trouble whenever possible (as in few INT's and such).
The Vikings however, are already at a crossroads in this young season. Kirk Cousins looked worse than a rookie last week, hardly doing anything of warrant, and getting himself picked off as well. For someone who was made the highest paid quarterback out there, he needs to produce, and soon. Getting smoked by the Bills of all teams was a black mark on his performance as a whole. This game is being played in L.A. and I don't see the Vikings coming away with a win. The Rams just might make this a shit show, and continue the long line of Thursday stinkers.
The Rams are undefeated in their first three games, rolling along like a well-oiled machine, thanks in part to the offence, as well as their stingy defence, and of course Mr. McVay. Jared Goff is putting up consistent numbers, and generally keeps out of trouble whenever possible (as in few INT's and such).
The Vikings however, are already at a crossroads in this young season. Kirk Cousins looked worse than a rookie last week, hardly doing anything of warrant, and getting himself picked off as well. For someone who was made the highest paid quarterback out there, he needs to produce, and soon. Getting smoked by the Bills of all teams was a black mark on his performance as a whole. This game is being played in L.A. and I don't see the Vikings coming away with a win. The Rams just might make this a shit show, and continue the long line of Thursday stinkers.
Wednesday, September 26, 2018
East versus West heading into the playoffs.... (CFL)
If anyone has looked at the CFL standings as of late, it's easy to see what a mess they are. The East is again weak as shit this year, and the West is an ever-shuffling race to either the finish, or obscurity.
As recent as a few weeks ago, the Blue Bombers were sitting in third place, holding onto a playoff spot. Now, they sit fifth, and look as if they won't even be good enough to use the crossover rule and get into the post-season as an East team.
Calgary continues to sit on the top of the West (*yawn*), while Edmonton and Saskatchewan are fighting it out for the number two seed. In the East, Ottawa pretty much has a lock on first place, while Hamilton will more than likely stay in second, and get thumped in the first round of the playoffs. The Grey Cup picture is looking more and more like we'll get a rematch of 2016, a game that will again feature the Redblacks and Stampeders. The only way that will change would be if Edmonton can turn on the juice down the home stretch.
As for the teams not making the playoffs..... Toronto and Montreal are guaranteed to miss out in the East, while the battle between BC and Winnipeg for the crossover will come down to whoever screws up the least in the last several weeks of the season. Personally, I'm silently hoping that there will be some balance in the standings next year, with the East hopefully getting some lustre back. Until then, we just have to wait and see where the dice land.
As recent as a few weeks ago, the Blue Bombers were sitting in third place, holding onto a playoff spot. Now, they sit fifth, and look as if they won't even be good enough to use the crossover rule and get into the post-season as an East team.
Calgary continues to sit on the top of the West (*yawn*), while Edmonton and Saskatchewan are fighting it out for the number two seed. In the East, Ottawa pretty much has a lock on first place, while Hamilton will more than likely stay in second, and get thumped in the first round of the playoffs. The Grey Cup picture is looking more and more like we'll get a rematch of 2016, a game that will again feature the Redblacks and Stampeders. The only way that will change would be if Edmonton can turn on the juice down the home stretch.
As for the teams not making the playoffs..... Toronto and Montreal are guaranteed to miss out in the East, while the battle between BC and Winnipeg for the crossover will come down to whoever screws up the least in the last several weeks of the season. Personally, I'm silently hoping that there will be some balance in the standings next year, with the East hopefully getting some lustre back. Until then, we just have to wait and see where the dice land.
Monday, September 24, 2018
Sunday's football, and what I got from it. (NFL)
A slew of interesting things happened in yesterday's NFL action, but I think I will only mention the top three things I saw go down throughout the day. Needless to say, most of it isn't good. But, I digress. My expectations were once again too high.
Green Bay Packers. As was the case in the first two games of the season, Clay Matthews got levied with a ridiculous penalty for roughing the passer. I'm sorry, but that hit yesterday by Matthews was textbook, and very much a clean hit. The recipient, a one Alex Smith, even said so himself after the game. For some reason, the Packers have fun afoul of some serious behind-the-scenes nonsense, and are getting screwed every which way possible. As a football fan, this is really starting to grind my gears with these 'improved' rules and garbage penalties. NFL = No Fun League.
Jimmy G goes down and out. Jimmy Garoppolo managed to tear his ACL in the left knee when he made a cut to avoid a tackle with the ball. The franchise quarterback, signed to mega-money in the off-season, is likely done for the year. The list of players ending on on the IR is getting bigger, and now it seems that the 49ers season has gone down the toilet. I hate to see this happen to my team, and it looked as if this season was going to be awesome. Now.....doom and gloom.
The Big Breesy. No one can seemingly stop Drew Brees. Not only did he eclipse the all-time NFL completions mark, but also continued to put up great numbers as he always seems to do. I like Drew Brees, mainly because of his consistency, and also because he's a class act. He's fun to watch, and is apparently ageless. He'll definitely go down as one of the greats......if he ever retires.
Green Bay Packers. As was the case in the first two games of the season, Clay Matthews got levied with a ridiculous penalty for roughing the passer. I'm sorry, but that hit yesterday by Matthews was textbook, and very much a clean hit. The recipient, a one Alex Smith, even said so himself after the game. For some reason, the Packers have fun afoul of some serious behind-the-scenes nonsense, and are getting screwed every which way possible. As a football fan, this is really starting to grind my gears with these 'improved' rules and garbage penalties. NFL = No Fun League.
Jimmy G goes down and out. Jimmy Garoppolo managed to tear his ACL in the left knee when he made a cut to avoid a tackle with the ball. The franchise quarterback, signed to mega-money in the off-season, is likely done for the year. The list of players ending on on the IR is getting bigger, and now it seems that the 49ers season has gone down the toilet. I hate to see this happen to my team, and it looked as if this season was going to be awesome. Now.....doom and gloom.
The Big Breesy. No one can seemingly stop Drew Brees. Not only did he eclipse the all-time NFL completions mark, but also continued to put up great numbers as he always seems to do. I like Drew Brees, mainly because of his consistency, and also because he's a class act. He's fun to watch, and is apparently ageless. He'll definitely go down as one of the greats......if he ever retires.
Sunday, September 23, 2018
Alex Smith and why the 49ers should have kept him. (NFL)
In his seven seasons as a San Francisco 49er, Alex Smith had some good years, and some bad years. He had some amazing numbers in some games, and sat out others with injuries, one of them leading to his trade to the Kansas City Chiefs. At the time, it might have seemed like a good idea to trade Smith and go with the more flamboyant Colin Kaepernick, who had led them to a Super Bowl appearance, losing the game eventually.
I am of the opinion that after said Super Bowl loss, the team should have built itself more around Smith, acquiring even more weapons and bolstering the defence further. Consider this: The 49ers had one of the best rosters they had been able to field in recent years, having the likes of Vernon Davis, Frank Gore, Michael Crabtree, Aldon Smith, and Navorro Bowman, just to name a few. The smart thing would have been to get even more star players and stand outs, and take the team to the next level.
Instead, the team focused on Kaepernick, who was soon figured out by opposing teams and exposed as the one-dimensional player he was. This was of course, a while before he became a travelling sideshow. Smith on the other hand, continues to have a stellar career, putting up great numbers with the Chiefs before being traded in the off-season to a struggling Washington Redskins team. Who was at fault for Smith's departure from San Francisco? Was it Jim Harbaugh? Was it the front office? Was it ownership, who seemed to be more obsessed with money that championships? Who knows. One thing is for sure, however: Alex Smith would have won the Niners a Super Bowl or two.
Officiating is at an all-time low. (NFL/CFL/NCAA)
As evidenced in the first two weeks of the NFL season, first three weeks of the NCAA, and so far all season in the CFL, referees and officials alike are screwing up at an alarming rate, throwing flags like confetti, and upholding/overturning calls that really never made sense in the first place. I'm going to highlight an officiating issue from each of the three leagues as per what I have witnessed.
Targeting. I understand completely that in the NCAA, the targeting rule was put in place to protect quarterbacks and/or defenceless players from taking helmet to helmet hits and cutting down on concussions or worse. What I don't understand is why NCAA referees who after watching the replay (it is required that the play is reviewed for targeting) still call it when it was blatantly clear that the player hit the other player with a shoulder, or went out his way to go low or avoid the collision outright. Targeting is bad, but screwing up the call is worse.
Command centre review. As if the CFL referees weren't bad enough already (This mean YOU Tom Vallesi and you Andre Proulx!), it gets made even worse when the CFL's 'command centre' (overpaid monkeys) weigh in on the issue at hand. I'd like to know what the command centre is looking at when they either uphold or overturn some of the flags, and/or if they are watching the same game as the rest of us at that time. Too many plays are getting butchered by over-officiating, and the CFL is by far the worst when it comes to this.
As for officiating in the NFL..... In the words of the late, great Vince Lombardi, "What the hell is going on out here?!?!"
Targeting. I understand completely that in the NCAA, the targeting rule was put in place to protect quarterbacks and/or defenceless players from taking helmet to helmet hits and cutting down on concussions or worse. What I don't understand is why NCAA referees who after watching the replay (it is required that the play is reviewed for targeting) still call it when it was blatantly clear that the player hit the other player with a shoulder, or went out his way to go low or avoid the collision outright. Targeting is bad, but screwing up the call is worse.
Command centre review. As if the CFL referees weren't bad enough already (This mean YOU Tom Vallesi and you Andre Proulx!), it gets made even worse when the CFL's 'command centre' (overpaid monkeys) weigh in on the issue at hand. I'd like to know what the command centre is looking at when they either uphold or overturn some of the flags, and/or if they are watching the same game as the rest of us at that time. Too many plays are getting butchered by over-officiating, and the CFL is by far the worst when it comes to this.
As for officiating in the NFL..... In the words of the late, great Vince Lombardi, "What the hell is going on out here?!?!"
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