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One of the best coach's and nicest guys in the history of the club.

GAME DAY NOTES  Duke Williams 100+ in 4 straight: Williams' current run of consecutive 100-yard games has reached 4 in a row. With one more this week he can to a level that has been reached only 9 times in CFL history covering 1950 to 2017. The last player to extend that streak to at least 5 games of 100+ in a row was Jamel Richardson in 2011 (6 straight). The Edmonton record is held by Brian Kelly at 5 games in row set in 1983.  Overall Standings & Parity: Through the first 5 games for all clubs with the byes now having evened out for all but Winnipeg, Calgary has dominated at 5-0 with two teams at 1-4. However, league-wide there are SIX clubs with either 2 or 3 wins in a season of parity in the middle and thus not far from early playoff contention. Every team has at least one victory to date.  Lack of Win Streaks: There have been only THREE clubs thus far able to win back-to-back games over the first six weeks. Only Calgary (5), plus Hamilton and Saskatchewan have managed to win at least two games in a row.  Turnovers even more prominent: There has been just ONE team that has been able to overcome a T/O deficit and win their game in 2018. Only Edmonton on June 29th in a 41-22 victory over BC was negative on Giveaways with 3 against the Lions' 2 that day. Overall, teams with fewer Turnovers are at 18-1 .947 in 2018 compared to 55-13 .809 in 2017 and 57-10 .851 in 2016. Scoring at 46.5 ppg: Games are averaging just 46.5 points in 2018 vs 53.0 over the past two full seasons (2016-17). In 2018, there have been 10 games in which the point total has been 42 or less.  Rushing up by 17% in 2018: The focus in 2018 has been a return to rushing the football with yards averaging 217 per game, the highest per game yardage since 2010. Teams who have won the rushing battle in 2018 are 17-6 .739. Winnipeg leads the CFL at 173 yards per game which is the best average by any club since Edmonton in 1991 (185.3 per game). - Montreal Career Rushers: Tyrell Sutton moved up to #4 all-time for the Als last week by passing Brandon Whitaker. He is just 370 yards away from the #3 spot in club history. His per carry average is exactly the same as all-time leader Mike Pringle at 5.6 yards. Deep passing contrast: Edmonton leads the CFL in throwing deep this year with 16 completions where the receiver was more than 20 yards downfield. By comparison, Montreal is tied for last having just 8 connections of 20+ yards downfield. Six of Edmonton's 9 TD passes have been of the 20+ depth variety. MTL Roster changes from Week #1 to Week #7 - 42% Turnover: Of the 24 players that STARTED for the Als in their season opener, 10 of them (42%) either did not start last week or have since been traded away including Jamaal Westerman and Chris Williams. - 14th MTL QB Starter / 25 Week-to-Week changes:The following players have started at QB for Montreal since Anthony Calvillo's last start on August 17, 2012 - Josh Neiswander, Tanner Marsh, Troy Smith, Alex Brink, Jon Crompton, Rakeem Cato, Kevin Glenn, Brandon Bridge, Vernon Adams Jr., Darian Durant, Drew Willy, Matthew Shiltz and Jeff Mathews. Even more important perhaps, Montreal has been forced to make 25 week-to-week changes in their starting QB in the 89 games since August 2012. Edmonton has changed their QB starter week to week just 9 times over that span. - 1-15 in the last 16 games / 7 in a row at home: The Alouettes have won just once in their last 16 games - that matches the previous poorest 16-game stretch in their history, 1-15 from Oct 6/51 to Oct 18/52 almost 66 years ago. They come in having lost their last 7 home games - the longest home losing streak in Montreal history. - Edmonton vs Montreal: The Eskimos have won the last 8 meetings against Montreal, one short of their best run vs the Als. They won 9 consecutive meetings with Montreal across the 1978 to 1983 seasons. The current 8-game streak comes on the heels of exactly the same 8-game winning run that the Als had over Edmonton (2010 to 2013). The last Montreal win over Edmonton? Oct 5/13. - Slow starts: The Eskimos have scored a total of just 3 points in the 1st Quarter over their last 3 games. They have been behind after the 1st Quarter in each of their last 4 games and come back to win two of them. - Edmonton scoring: The Eskimos averaged 31.7 points per game over their first 3 contests, but have scored 16 and 15 points in their last two games respectively. Over the last two outings they have just built just 3 TD drives in 23 possessions. - Mike Reilly: Has been the Esks' #1 QB since 2013 and has now started 48 of their last 49 games. Edmonton has gone 33-16 .673 in that 49-game span with Reilly missing a start only on Nov 5/16 at season's end. Reilly has 300-yard games in 3 of his 5 starts in 2018 (36 career) and in 65% of his starts since 2015. Sutton as a receiver: Tyrell Sutton is on pace for 76 receptions for 659 yards (he has 21 catches for 183 thus far) - that would be more yards and catches than in the last two years combined (71 for 518 across 2016-17). - Boris Bede 14 FGs in a row: Has yet to miss a placement kick of either type in 2018 - 8/8 FGAs and 6/6 converts. He is just one short of his all-time career long run of 15 in a row set in June-July 2017 and has made 17 consecutive 32-yard converts. - Montreal flagged: The Als committed 44 penalties over their first 3 games (incl. declined) – in their last 2 games just 14 penalties. - Sean Whyte: Did not attempt a field goal last week and thus far has been called upon only 9 times. He is 7-of-9 in 2018. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________

Columnists like Brodbeck care less about accurate facts and more about manufacturing outrage.

In my lifetime there have been around six American football leagues that have given media types the vapors. They come and go. Little or no appetite for pro ball not called NFL but every new league thinks theyve found the magic formula. Ill wait this one out too.

Don't use the Jets as a excuse. They were gone for a long time and attendance wasn't any higher. The Moose weren't always there either. Winnipeg is more a big city than Regina. Big city people usually don't pay for something they may not use. CFL season tickets are very affordable, buy a couple and go when you can. The team will have the valuable support it needs. That's why it works here. People have seen us almost lose our team, no one wants that to ever happen again. People buy season tickets and go when they can, its how we make sure our team is in a solid financial situation. I know many business owners who have a couple tickets they just give away to customers. I'm not picking on Winnipeg, same happens in Edmonton and Calgary. Truth is id like to see every stadium full every game, it would make the league stronger and hopefully maybe more money to pay our players too.

There's a whole other thread about it.

So what. Going to see a team that has been struggling, and selling out their stadium. How can you not like that? I don't understand why it bothers people that they like their team. So what If some are a little over the top, even delusional. It's a game, not a war. We slam Toronto for no fan support, and we slam Sask for fan support... of the wrong kind. and Booch I didn't say Wpg and Manitoba had bad fans. We have good fans. But at the Western semi final last season.... stadium was nowhere near full.

That and I want to see Hardrick get out and show him what it's like living in the box against the Bombers OL.

I hope this circus lasts until Labour Day and he gets absolutely trucked by Harris.

Riders 5-15 under Jones against the west and have 10 left against the west. Its going to be very telling the next 6 weeks as they play only Western teams.

Nah....if Matt is gonna get the team to another 12-6 record then it is time to start winning consecutive games. So this is a good time to start.

From reading the story it sounds more like a sequel with Frasier moving to Chicago and leaving the others behind.

It might be prudent to keep small children and pregnant women away from the TV set during this game. It ain't gonna be pretty.

Im looking forward to seeing this game tonight. Adams has been overdue and MTL will be figuring out their QB situation.

surprising. I remember Pringle and their O line closing out games for Montreal. Could not stop them. This is interesting and out goes the "cfl is a passing league" conventional wisdom. If you have a good O line and a good running back, why would you not run the ball? Maybe Montreal can turn it around, save this season. I think one of Bede's punts is going to get blocked. looks like the takes a bit too long getting it away. Another Great pre game rundown, Mr Dee. thanks.

Bombers still on the hook for their share. Thread title is very misleading.

Perhaps the debate between Duron Carter playing DB vs R will finally get settled..... https://www.tsn.ca/riders-carter-could-play-sam-linebacker-1.1147917

The league doesn't need more challenges. One a game is plenty. What the league does need is for the "eye in the sky" to overturn painfully obvious calls that a challenge shouldn't be wasted on.

But how dare you kneel during the anthem.

Lilith is too busy driving Frank Reagan crazy.

Arena League was a massive failure. It basically doesn’t exist anymore, there are a bunch of small arena leagues. The crazy thing is that the NFL isn’t even what does these lower pro leagues in, it’s NCAA and high school football that they can’t compete with.

@ediger *maybe* something happening, not Winnipeg per se, but Winnipeg will be apart of it. I dont think its a secret but its not my place to spill the beans. I've hinted about it a few times. Im still digitizing all my video from over the years and Ive been encouraged to do a monthly podcast where we'd talk about our history. 17 years means we've seen a lot of it. Though ofcourse, there was a lot before my time too. If we do the podcast, we'd have it be audio but with a video option (sort like that radio show on Sportsnet) but use our archival footage so you're not just watching us talk but as we discuss people/matches etc, appropriate video is playing. I've also wanted to turn the archives into a regular internet TV. 30 minutes max...easy to watch. A regular 2.5 hour live show has enough footage for 3 "weekly TV" shows. But we didnt tape every show and some of my footage is rough due to the technology of the time (SD) or just dark venues, one camera shoots. But I think is enough is interesting...and as I was told recently when asked about my archival footage, its actually better that its not pristine as it adds character to "old" footage. Meh So yeah I agree...lots of history to be told. You might even loosely use the idea of Roddy Piper, Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega as the connective tissue of Winnipeg wrestling and then connect the dots with some of the highlights (and low lights) over the years.

Which is why he and the Sun, are a good fit

My band Pony Camp just cut this, it's our first ever studio recording. I'm on drums and singing backup during the spirited parts.

From a Reddit user... ‘Frasier’ Reboot Being Explored By Kelsey Grammer & CBS TV Studios by Somali_Pir8 in television [–]nomefish 66 points 23 hours ago* I always liked the idea of Frasier going back to Boston for a tenure position as a professor at Harvard. When he gets there, he learns that Niles is also up for the job. They end up both getting hired, but they’re constantly competing as teachers for the tenure position. Meanwhile, Frasier reconnects with Lilith and Frederick. And, since they’re right across the river from Boston, it allows for the occasional visit from Ted Danson and co. from Cheers. EDIT: it could even be insinuated that neither of them were too enthusiastic about the position or were necessarily going to accept it, until they learned the other was also in the running, so they both essentially take the job and try to excel at it solely because they want to be better at it than the other.

Interesting stuff about Ring Warriors/PCW back in the day. I'd love it if someone made a proper documentary about pro wrestling in Winnipeg. I know there's a pretty good one about Tony Condello but there's so many other characters and stories out there. Too bad it takes so long to produce something like that because Winnipeg is getting a ton of attention on wrestling podcasts these days and right now would be a great time to have something ready to release.

Amen!

I thought Shiltz looked like he had some potential last game but with Manziel now on board I doubt he'll get another opportunity. I see Austin Apodaca is now listed on their P.R.

I actually think it might be closer than you think. The Esks lost to TO and only beat them by one point the next game. The same Toronto team that tried to save Richie Hall's job this last week.

You mean my Rider shares aren't worth a million dollars?

Going way out on that limb again... Kenbrell Thompkins

Fair points. My point still stands. You are not going to get that grass roots level support in the city. In fairness to Bombers, they are well supported and a very solid base. I am speaking in general terms referring to the league as a whole. The smaller stadium is one way to go, worked well in Montreal. Not working in Toronto, that team needs to be moved to a smaller center IMHO

that would sound like a good idea, but I don't know how many of them would want to do it? I mean isn't Ratzenburger living off Pixar royalties these days?

you're 100% right... I actually notice Bennett playing teams in the second BC game (he had a tackle in that one too) and I said to my buddy... he's out there so that when we need to run a trick play with a QB it won't look suspicious... also helps that he can actually play teams... reminds me of what Edm was doing a few years ago...

Revival would be a better word for continuing a show with the same characters years later. Roseanne was a revival. Fraser would be a revival. Reboot would be like if they re-cast Fraser and he had just left Boston

Jones you've done it again! Want to see Calgary drop 60 points on the riders just for funsies. Also expect the Stamps points against per game to drop as unbelievable as that is.

I’m not sure why it’s tragic that the province does not own the stadium. They don’t want to operate a stadium and honestly it’s almost more of a liability than an asset in terms of maintenance vs the actual value of it in terms of finances in the long run. That said, the province does have a huge say in Triple B and the Blue Bombers board. It’s actually a very good arms length kind of setup. IGF is most definitely a public building. Brodbeck is being obtuse. What does he want? To be able to walk his dog there whenever he wants?

classic trap game

I don't think you are a bad person but there is always time to learn and grow. My daughter is studying psychology and as a side effect I am learning to be a lot less judgemental and recognise behaviour in our family that I thought was just being stupid with physical based emotional problems. That being said I have also learned to better recognise behaviour consistent with sadistic narcissism. I don't know Johnny football and can't judge him but I can hope for the best so that he doesn't hurt more people in the future.

We are very fortunate to have a back-up QB that really is an option should something happen to Nichols. Haven't had this luxury in years! Right now we are totally winning in the battle of the trenches, and that is having an amazing effect on 33. And as long as he keeps buying the boys double cheeseburgers, we should be just fine!

interesting yes, although in the CFL I don't necessarily want to hear. If it's the NHL/NBA/MLB/NFL then sure, even if it make them look bad, they're getting paid well enough to deal with the publicity stuff. In the CFL I think they deserve a bit more of their privacy. If I get fired from my job, the reason is between me and my company, and I make more than some CFL players. So I'm ok with respecting players privacy.

Not from me- Every time I get pissed at his play during a game, I recall the hit he laid on the manny show and he is forgiven...

Nichols...Streveler...Harris. Damn fine players who wouldn't be nearly as effective without a monster O-line leading the way. Not taking away from the QBs or Harris of course but our O-line has been dominant so far this season. Fun to watch those boys work every game.

Nichols is better when going deep?? Better than who?? You can't be serious if you think that is the strength of his game, I'm sorry!

Here's a preview of how it's gonna work out:

What he didn't know was that he was going to be playing ONLY in front of his family. (and maybe Henoc's family)...

As a passionate HTC fan I should probably be more enthusiastic. But Masoli and June Jones sap my optimism. But fact of the matter is HAM made out like bandits in this. Maybe an epic fleecing for the ages.

We gave up Jade Etienne to get Willy so basically got him for nothing. We got a first rounder in 2017 (Faith Ekakitie) TJ Heath and a third rounder in 2018 (Peterman) from Toronto. So right now we have Peterman for Willy. Still a good trade.

BIghill >>> Muamba

No, it shouldn't & is not. He had the Argos defense all discombobulated all game. They didn't know what was coming next.