Game #9 at home vs the Argos

[Esks4ever]

I still hate JC's ultra zone defense... Pathetic when its 2nd and long and you can predict without a doubt they'll get the first down more times than not. 3 defenders, stand yards away - wait for reciever to catch the ball - then move in for the tackle. No one challenges

[Maas_12]

Credit where credit is due when seen. Correct on the difference in buy in from Ford as #2 on sidelines finally. Its about time for him.

[Looner]

DL still a big concern. No sacks on stationary QBs. What happens when Rouke and Zack showup.
i will sit Brinkman in particular. Too slow.

We had 2 sacks, one from Barlow and one from Jackson. I thought this was the best game out Dline has played this year. We didnt give up much in the running game, had a decent amount of pressure and a couple of sacks

[Hammer24]

I still think they should give ford a series here and there.. see if he's learning anything.. maybe the 2nd half. Without being a Ninja and in the locker room and meetings we have no clue how Ford is taking being number 2 and if hes bought in to Learning from Cody for a possible shot at No.1 I watched Fords demeanor while on the bench, I did not see any signs of someone who is pouting. Numerous times he sat with cody on the bench and looking over the Ipad. Seemed engaged and learning what Cody was spittin' Never looked mad, depressed - smiling and pointing at the Ipad with Cody.

When you're in the situation Kilam finds himself in, that of trying to climb into a playoff spot from a big hole, every series or set of downs matters. Elks won the last two by 1 (in dying seconds) and 8 points respectively. That series or two you donate to Ford to see if he's learned anything might be the pivotal series that Fajardo used to put a game changing TD on the board. Ford will have to bide his time until either garbage time provides opportunity or God forbid Fajardo gets hurt or plays so poorly Kilam needs to make a mid-game change. All Ford can do in the meantime is work his tail off in preparation for his next opportunity.

[Sectionq]

Couple of quick thoughts:

I’ve been hard on 0 Williams this season and for good reason but he had a better game last night and made a few nice plays.

The secondary as a whole seemed to be tackling better which is great but we should t be giving up 380 yards passing to Nick Arbuckle.

Dublanko would look great in the middle but at WIL he’s getting burned constantly in the passing game, teams have seen it on film and are constantly throwing to the outside in his direction and he is just not built for that. We need Nick back asap.

Dline had a pretty solid game over all but it’s still infuriating to watch them collapse the pocket and then leave a giant lane open for the QB to escape when it should be a guaranteed sack, they made Arbuckle look elusive on a few plays where they should have had him.

Offense stalled out a little in the middle of the game, at one point I was almost thinking it would be nice to give Ford a series just to try and knock the TO D off balance and hopefully spark something for Cody.

OL had a better game opening holes in the run game and surrendered zero sacks I believe.

I think our receiving core is pretty solid but it’s a bit disappointing that nobody has really emerged as the clear number one guy there. KJG has looked good the past two weeks, Dunbar is dependable, KGJ seems to be there one week and invisible the next, kinda need a game breaker in there.

Rankin is a beast, seems to be the most complete player I can remember seeing in a long time, the guy can do it all. Best player on our team for sure.

ST’s still solid, Vinny had some struggles at times but that is to be expected when you put so much extra responsibility onto such a young inexperienced player but overall I thought he handled it pretty well. He’s only going to continue to get better and may even develop into that elusive kicker who can do all three jobs down the road. I remember Kilam saying that he’s got more leg talent than any kicker he’s seen in this league in a long time.

I am on the fence about the receiving core and if it's a good thing to have a legit big dawg. If a team has a #1 like they did with a Lewis, the guy that is making the most money by a lot, there seems to be an obligation to throw him the most balls regardless of what the defense is giving you. Plus I feel like there is the expectation from that guy to feed him the ball and his ego which I don't think is a good thing. At the same time, the defense will game play to key on him. Vs When you have a receiving core full of good receiver with no clear cut #1, who does the defense key on to stop?

When they had Lewis and then Lawler before that, I felt there was a BIG drop off in talent after them which makes sense because those guys were eating up so much cap.

You made a lot of real good points that I agree with. The only thing I don't necessarily agree with is the idea of bringing in Ford for a series when the offense slowed. I think going forward, the only time they should be pulling out Fajardo is if the game is a blow out one way or the other or he's just really struggling for the majority of the game. It's pretty rare that one team just rolls along from the opening kick off and completely imposes their will until the game is over. Even in many games were the Elks were not good, the other team would have lulls. At this point, this is Fajardo's team. IMO he gives this team actual belief. Even when the offense is in a lull, he more times than not seems to be able to move the ball just enough to give the defense at least a chance to take a breath, even a brief one, get a drink of water before they go back out there. There was just way too many series with Ford where from the time he got on to the field for a series too when the defense was running back out there was barely 1 min.

I am not closing the door on Ford yet but right now, when I watch Fajardo operate the offense, even when the offense is in a lull, Ford just looked sooo far away from being close to ready compared to Fajardo.

[ben_the_eskimo]

I am on the fence about the receiving core and if it's a good thing to have a legit big dawg. If a team has a #1 like they did with a Lewis, the guy that is making the most money by a lot, there seems to be an obligation to throw him the most balls regardless of what the defense is giving you. Plus I feel like there is the expectation from that guy to feed him the ball and his ego which I don't think is a good thing. At the same time, the defense will game play to key on him. Vs When you have a receiving core full of good receiver with no clear cut #1, who does the defense key on to stop?

When they had Lewis and then Lawler before that, I felt there was a BIG drop off in talent after them which makes sense because those guys were eating up so much cap.

You made a lot of real good points that I agree with. The only thing I don't necessarily agree with is the idea of bringing in Ford for a series when the offense slowed. I think going forward, the only time they should be pulling out Fajardo is if the game is a blow out one way or the other or he's just really struggling for the majority of the game. It's pretty rare that one team just rolls along from the opening kick off and completely imposes their will until the game is over. Even in many games were the Elks were not good, the other team would have lulls. At this point, this is Fajardo's team. IMO he gives this team actual belief. Even when the offense is in a lull, he more times than not seems to be able to move the ball just enough to give the defense at least a chance to take a breath, even a brief one, get a drink of water before they go back out there. There was just way too many series with Ford where from the time he got on to the field for a series too when the defense was running back out there was barely 1 min.

I am not closing the door on Ford yet but right now, when I watch Fajardo operate the offense, even when the offense is in a lull, Ford just looked sooo far away from being close to ready compared to Fajardo.

I don't hate our receiving core, I actually think its pretty solid. I'd just like to see someone emerge as the clear go to guy. This club has had a lot of receivers over the years that if the game was on the line I was 100% confident in the team throwing to that guy (and I wouldn't necessarily put Lawler or Lewis into that category tbh) but I don't really see that guy on this team yet.

As for the QB thing I'm never usually one to call for the backup, and I like that they went back to Cody for short yardage because they have the option to run hurry up on those plays so the D isn't allowed to sub in their big team which is an advantage for sure. What I didn't like was the idea to take Cody out for short yardage and then put Snyder in instead of Ford. IMO, you either let Cody run short yardage like we've been doing the past couple games, or you give it to Tre and maybe think about letting him run another play or two afterwards if he's successful. Just try to keep the D off balance because Tre may not be ready to be QB1 yet, but he's still a weapon that can pose a threat when used correctly.

But I 100% agree, this is Codys team now and I'm fine with that, its refreshing to finally see a vet QB running the team again.

[Esks4ever]

I am not closing the door on Ford yet but right now, when I watch Fajardo operate the offense, even when the offense is in a lull, Ford just looked sooo far away from being close to ready compared to Fajardo.

And he should. Fajardo has years under his belt and has learned from some good people.

[Brock my Rock]

Lets stay level headed. Toronto this year is the worst team in the league and it came down the wire with overtime looming if the call stood. Also Montreal is decimated with injuries playing 3rd stringers at QB. A win is a win but I dont get excited till we beat someone like Calgary or Sask.

[Brock my Rock]

Ford experiment should be over. Cdn QBs are no good 99 percent of the time with one exception in BC.

[Looner]

Lets stay level headed. Toronto this year is the worst team in the league and it came down the wire with overtime looming if the call stood. Also Montreal is decimated with injuries playing 3rd stringers at QB. A win is a win but I dont get excited till we beat someone like Calgary or Sask.

If you add in the game against Sask and Hamilton (who are the two top teams in the league) you can say that we've played good for 4 consecutive games.

[ben_the_eskimo]

If you add in the game against Sask and Hamilton (who are the two top teams in the league) you can say that we've played good for 4 consecutive games.

I actually thought the Hamilton game was close to being the best game they’ve played all year, unfortunate not to come away from that one with a W.

[adb]

And he should. Fajardo has years under his belt and has learned from some good people.

I mean his first few seasons in Toronto and BC he was basically just doing QB sneaks on 3rd and 1 and had the same role at the beginning of his tenure in Sask. At that time you could have gotten Fajardo for a bucket of footballs as nobody thought he was going to amount to much. If not for an injury to Collaros he might not have ever gotten a chance. The one thing you have to be with QBs is patient and that's hard for the typical FAN-atic to grasp.

[adb]

Think we can all agree Ford has a lot to learn and finally has a person who can teach him. I dont blame him for being pissy when MBT, corny etc are your other qbs over the years - they ain't gunna teach ****.

I actually thought cody had his worst game in weeks last night. Like I've been saying all year... USE RANKIN as he goes the offense goes. There is no other offense threat that can take over a game like Rankin does.

I still think they should give ford a series here and there.. see if he's learning anything.. maybe the 2nd half. Without being a Ninja and in the locker room and meetings we have no clue how Ford is taking being number 2 and if hes bought in to Learning from Cody for a possible shot at No.1 I watched Fords demeanor while on the bench, I did not see any signs of someone who is pouting. Numerous times he sat with cody on the bench and looking over the Ipad. Seemed engaged and learning what Cody was spittin' Never looked mad, depressed - smiling and pointing at the Ipad with Cody.

He seems to be having fun with Cody. Having a laugh with him at 3:19 of this video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Ag3fU-z_U

[Maas_12]

I mean his first few seasons in Toronto and BC he was basically just doing QB sneaks on 3rd and 1 and had the same role at the beginning of his tenure in Sask. At that time you could have gotten Fajardo for a bucket of footballs as nobody thought he was going to amount to much. If not for an injury to Collaros he might not have ever gotten a chance. The one thing you have to be with QBs is patient and that's hard for the typical FAN-atic to grasp.

yes i do admit i even called out and thought Fajardo was a joke way back in Toronto roster, and like a child mad fun of his name lol.
ive done it to Adams too and thought he was a me me me guy and lacked the stuff between the ears.

so yeah youre right on patience, and ive been hard on Fords standing currently, as hes just not ready at all, but id like to think that if he was more devoted, he still has a chance.

especially harder is the short term contracts of both players and coaches in this league........every year is different it seems.....makes it THAT much harder for coaches and fans like me alike to be dug in on a QB or whatever other position to develop out


on the notable receiver talk.... i have my eye on Binjimen Victor emerging maybe.... and we are also behind on all that due to start of season Ford annointment and so there has not been continuity with the offense and QB dictating to really see it though. But its a serviceable group with Dunbar showing his veteran hands

[Looner]

He seems to be having fun with Cody. Having a laugh with him at 3:19 of this video...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2Ag3fU-z_U

Really like what Cody said about Rankin, sounds like he's all in.