Game #4 - EE vs. Ottawa

[Esks4ever]

I thought Saulsberry had one, but guess not. It might be that long sadly.

Edit: Google says Deontez Alexander in 2023, and then Jones cut him not long after.

wasn't that preseason. IMO doesn't count. So it would have been 10 years ago then ?

[ben_the_eskimo]

We gotta find another MLB. 45 sucks.

45 lead the league in tackles last season…

[ben_the_eskimo]

Offence looked good, loved the play-calling especially early with all the screens and reverses. Defence looks ok at times but still way underperforming overall.

One sack and zero INTs through four games is unacceptable, especially given the amount of money Hervey spent on the D.

[Looner]

In previous years a win felt like an anomaly/ fluke and not sustainable, this one feels different. I feel like we have gotten better each game, which is exactly what you want to see. I expect the D to start turning the ball over and becoming what we thought this D would become. My thoughts on the game:

• Our WR sweeps are actually working, the attention to detail that we hearing about in practice shows up in plays like these as we are blocking it up correctly for a change.
• Our game plan was great. In Fords post game interview he mentioned that we knew Pickett was going to be blitzing and that they wanted to dump to the RB on that side when he did. They did it and it worked, well designed game plan!!!!!
• D is still giving up to many yards but if you take out the garbage time prevent yards, it looks a lot better. In previous games, as soon as we got any sort of points, our D would give it right back, that didn't happen yesterday.
• Its nice to see some innovation from game to game. Last week the sweep to KJG and this week we play off of that and give the ball to KGJ.
• I thought Chelen Garnes had a good game, as he's the first player other then Anderson to lead the team in tackles. He seems to be getting more comfortable in his role.
• I thought our D was violent at the the point of tackle, with a few crowd gasping hits.
• In years past, once the opposing team took momentum, we were cooked. yesterday the RB's came back and we didn't blink, we did what needed to be done in order to retain the lead.

There was a row of Riders fans right behind me and they were clearly cheering for the RB's. It was nice to hear how quiet they were, for the most part and watching them all leave early was a highlight of my night. They clearly came expecting to stir the pot but ended up sitting on their hands most of the game. It looked to me that there were more people at the game then normal (still not great) but we have something to build off of. Next week is going to tell us if we are going to have a year of building or if we are going to challenge for a playoff spot.

[ben_the_eskimo]

In previous years a win felt like an anomaly/ fluke and not sustainable, this one feels different. I feel like we have gotten better each game, which is exactly what you want to see. I expect the D to start turning the ball over and becoming what we thought this D would become. My thoughts on the game:

• Our WR sweeps are actually working, the attention to detail that we hearing about in practice shows up in plays like these as we are blocking it up correctly for a change.
• Our game plan was great. In Fords post game interview he mentioned that we knew Pickett was going to be blitzing and that they wanted to dump to the RB on that side when he did. They did it and it worked, well designed game plan!!!!!
• D is still giving up to many yards but if you take out the garbage time prevent yards, it looks a lot better. In previous games, as soon as we got any sort of points, our D would give it right back, that didn't happen yesterday.
• Its nice to see some innovation from game to game. Last week the sweep to KJG and this week we play off of that and give the ball to KGJ.
• I thought Chelen Garnes had a good game, as he's the first player other then Anderson to lead the team in tackles. He seems to be getting more comfortable in his role.
• I thought our D was violent at the the point of tackle, with a few crowd gasping hits.
• In years past, once the opposing team took momentum, we were cooked. yesterday the RB's came back and we didn't blink, we did what needed to be done in order to retain the lead.

There was a row of Riders fans right behind me and they were clearly cheering for the RB's. It was nice to hear how quiet they were, for the most part and watching them all leave early was a highlight of my night. They clearly came expecting to stir the pot but ended up sitting on their hands most of the game. It looked to me that there were more people at the game then normal (still not great) but we have something to build off of. Next week is going to tell us if we are going to have a year of building or if we are going to challenge for a playoff spot.

My seats are on the West side so looking at the East stands looks pretty sparse but I always get the impression that the West side is a little more filled out but I don't really know for sure...

Otherwise agree with your assessment of the game, I'd like the D to get the yards totals down a bit and start creating sacks and turnovers, if they can do that I'll be a lot more comfortable given the way the O and ST's are going.

ST's have been fantastic, outside of the Pimpleton return last night that kinda made our cover team look goofy and the VB misses in game 1 they've been absolutely outstanding all around so far.

[Looner]

My seats are on the West side so looking at the East stands looks pretty sparse but I always get the impression that the West side is a little more filled out but I don't really know for sure...

Otherwise agree with your assessment of the game, I'd like the D to get the yards totals down a bit and start creating sacks and turnovers, if they can do that I'll be a lot more comfortable given the way the O and ST's are going.

ST's have been fantastic, outside of the Pimpleton return last night that kinda made our cover team look goofy and the VB misses in game 1 they've been absolutely outstanding all around so far.

The best our special teams have looked in a LONG time. Also LOVE how the players seem to rally behind Killam, they all seem to really want to play for him

[bone]

wasn't that preseason. IMO doesn't count. So it would have been 10 years ago then ?

It wasn't pre-season, but was Week 20 in a write off season where Week 21 was a Bye for Edmonton and Winnipeg had clinched first already, so it's easy to forget as no one was watching.

[Looner]

Just watched the highlights and want to add the following comments:

1. On Rankins first TD, I believe it was Kurley that made an outstanding block at the point of catch, allowing Rankin to get the outside.
2. While our Dline isn't getting much for sacks, they seem to be making plays in other aspects of the game. I thought Robbie Smith had a couple of really good effort tackles in the flats.
3. Loved seeing Tanner Green get a catch, will make the opposing Defences account for him if they know we could use him.
4. Jackson made an effort block on Leakes TD, passing the RB player and getting his arms out
5. I thought Bynum had his best game of the year, throwing a couple of hard tackles.
6. kicking game is not as much of a concern as I had originally anticipated. Blanchard seems to have some confidence right now.
7. No one is throwing Tyrell Fords way.
8. On Rankins long run, the RB's had a run stopping blitz on but KJG and KGJ sealed one side, Tanner Green won a 1 on 1 and Boyko took 3 guys out of the play as he was able to climb 4 yards downfield. This was a well designed play that was executed to perfection. Was also fun to watch him look at the score board to see if anyone was going to catch him.
9. With 6 minutes left in the game and a 9 point lead. Ottawa had the ball at midfield and a 2nd and 5, in years past this drive would have carried on but Barlow beats his man and forces the RB to go east/west, which gives Nick Anderson time to get a tackle for a loss and end the drive.
10. Seemed to me that Korte was snapping the ball high all game but maybe thats where Ford likes it.
11. We got a bit lucky on the onside kick as there were 2 RB players there with only Mathis for us. Teams look for odd man situations, the RB's got one here but Mathis made the play he needed to.

[glenvb]

wasn't that preseason. IMO doesn't count. So it would have been 10 years ago then ?

It was Oct. 21, 2023... but was a kickoff return, not a punt return.

[tigerdar]

Nice to see the RB's involved. I really hope as the season grows and (hopefully) the offense improves I'd like to see more WR involvement. Maybe as Ford gains experience and confidence we will see that.

212 yards passing is pretty crappy for a CFL QB. We got the RB's involved now lets get both receivers and the RB's involved together. Still hate the extremely predictable always run up middle on first down. If you must run maybe throw some off tackle runs, or even a 5 yard dink pass. IMO Ottawa's D wasn't anything great no reason Ford shouldn't have had another 50 yards passing.

Baby steps I guess.

On to the D..

Big ol bag of Barf. Still not sold on JC as a DC. This "vaulted" Dline is pathetic. How many sacks this season? Must be 5 or under. Cesena gets his first ( and only ) one last game. Sure they get some pressure but never a sack. Any team's QB will eat up the D if they can stand there with no threat of a pass rush. We've seen that every game so far. Secondary. Still giving up big chunks of yards. Second and Long ? No problem for the oppositions offense. First down coming.

sure it takes time to gel - there was massive turn over.. but its was game 4 and we've only seen slight improvements. Not good enough - but improvements none-the-less.




The QB shuffle.

I have no issues with it. .. clearly it was planned to happen at certain times no matter what Ford was doing. Noticed TSN was trying to make it a story, and LaPolice pretty much shot that down. They kept saying it killed the Elks momentum. I call bull****.

What killed the Momentum wasn't the QB shuffle but the second Dedmon got injured and resulted in Pinkerton becoming the focus. He himself literally stomped on the Elks MO, and single handily gave Ottawa hope

2 and 0 ints

[Mudnyereye]

In previous years a win felt like an anomaly/ fluke and not sustainable, this one feels different. I feel like we have gotten better each game, which is exactly what you want to see. I expect the D to start turning the ball over and becoming what we thought this D would become. My thoughts on the game:

• Our WR sweeps are actually working, the attention to detail that we hearing about in practice shows up in plays like these as we are blocking it up correctly for a change.
• Our game plan was great. In Fords post game interview he mentioned that we knew Pickett was going to be blitzing and that they wanted to dump to the RB on that side when he did. They did it and it worked, well designed game plan!!!!!
• D is still giving up to many yards but if you take out the garbage time prevent yards, it looks a lot better. In previous games, as soon as we got any sort of points, our D would give it right back, that didn't happen yesterday.
• Its nice to see some innovation from game to game. Last week the sweep to KJG and this week we play off of that and give the ball to KGJ.
• I thought Chelen Garnes had a good game, as he's the first player other then Anderson to lead the team in tackles. He seems to be getting more comfortable in his role.
• I thought our D was violent at the the point of tackle, with a few crowd gasping hits.
• In years past, once the opposing team took momentum, we were cooked. yesterday the RB's came back and we didn't blink, we did what needed to be done in order to retain the lead.

There was a row of Riders fans right behind me and they were clearly cheering for the RB's. It was nice to hear how quiet they were, for the most part and watching them all leave early was a highlight of my night. They clearly came expecting to stir the pot but ended up sitting on their hands most of the game. It looked to me that there were more people at the game then normal (still not great) but we have something to build off of. Next week is going to tell us if we are going to have a year of building or if we are going to challenge for a playoff spot.

Well, it's good be back after a hiatus.
Regarding the yards given up by the D, I think they did a good job. Many of those yards were in prevent coverage at the end.
I am not sure how I feel about this new rule on violent hits. While you don't want a receiver to end their career on an injury from a catch, I feel it is important that when they go up for a ball, they are distracted a bit by wondering where that defender is and how hard he is going to hit. Otherwise, it's pitch and catch.

[BeaverSports]

45 lead the league in tackles last season…

True, but I've always wondered if that stat tells what you need to know. Does the league have a metric to consider where tackles are made? A couple years back, I thought Tony Jones looked much better against the run when Morgan was out due to injury. Obviously, Morgan has been graded well by a few coaches, but I feel like some of these tackles may be coming after yards gained.

[ben_the_eskimo]

True, but I've always wondered if that stat tells what you need to know. Does the league have a metric to consider where tackles are made? A couple years back, I thought Tony Jones looked much better against the run when Morgan was out due to injury. Obviously, Morgan has been graded well by a few coaches, but I feel like some of these tackles may be coming after yards gained.

I don’t disagree with you on this, I liked Tony Jones when he was here as well but Morgan seemed to of stepped up and grabbed the reins at the time.

[nafnikufesin]

First game I've made it to in person in a while. Dusted off my old Gizmo jersey to wear to the game, so you can pretty much credit (and blame) me for the punt return TDs.