Matt Cauz
CFL.ca
After a 25-day trip across Europe I’m glad to be back. Needless to say coverage of the Canadian Football League in Italy is, in a word, limited. Always remember kids that “Sports Bar” is just a mean European code for we’re showing nothing but soccer and motorcycle racing.
Before I get into Week 2 let me say that I loved watching Hamilton defeat B.C. Not that I had a rooting interest either way, but the best thing about sports is the mantra “you just never know”. How else do you explain the Lions and Stampeders starting out 0-4?
Now I understand that it’s a bit of a taboo to talk about gambling but the Ti-Cats/Lions game is why you should really seriously re-consider if your “sure thing” is really all that safe. Somewhere Steve Rapp and Randall the Handle are still shaking their heads about that outcome.
In no particular order here is what stood out for me from this past week’s action:
(1) Best match-up from Week 2: Roughriders DE Stevie Baggs vs. Argonauts LT Rob Murphy.
Baggs’ sack/safety on Kerry Joseph was your textbook spin move and left Murphy grasping for air. Just a brilliant display of athleticism. Of course that was only his second best play of the game. His gold medal moment was tipping a Joseph pass to himself for an interception in the 3rd quarter. Now you may start to think that Baggs dominated the Argonauts prized possession, but that was not the case. Murphy did an excellent job keeping Baggs away from Joseph for most of the game and did a solid job clearing a path for Jamal Robertson. Keep in mind that unlike in the NFL Murphy does not get the benefit of a tight end helping to chip block on the outside rushers. For the majority of the game it was just Murphy vs. Baggs. Looking forward to the re-match.
(2) Worst match-up from Week 2: The entire Toronto Argonauts vs. the officials.
This one was just embarrassing. 17 penalties for 141 yards! I doubt the Argonauts could have beat U of T with that many penalties. At least it was a team effort with all three units at fault. Two quick thoughts on all those flags. First, I think that off the field Adriano Belli could not be a nicer man, but on it he has to stop trying to live up to his wild man image and start playing smart football. Second I can’t believe the refs actually called an offside penalty on a wide receiver! (Arland Bruce, early in the 2nd quarter) It’s a dirty little secret that on every play at least one WR is offside but they rarely flag it. To the refs credit Bruce was practically crossing the goal line when the ball was snapped, I just rarely see that penalty called.
(3) Best debut by a rookie: Hamilton Ti-Cats RB DeAndra’ Cobb.
Filling in for Terry Caulley the former Michigan State product tore up the Lions for 175 total yards including a jaw dropping, B.C. Lions secondary manhood robbing 48-yard touchdown catch giving Hamilton a lead they would never relinquish.
(4) Worst debut by a rookie: Edmonton Eskimos RB Arkee Whitlock.
It was like watching a traffic accident out there. One lost fumble, two dropped touchdown passes and Whitlock had a ball deflect off of his shoulder that led to Cory Huclack’s 38-yard interception return for a touchdown.
That was the worst debut since Magic Johnson’s talk show (‘The Magic Hour’ … cancelled after eight weeks). I’m going to nickname Arkee Whitlock “New Coke” cause he was a disaster right from the start. All right that’s enough cheap jokes.
Coach Richie Hall saying that Arkee struggled “a little bit” is like saying the Michael Jackson memorial was a small understated affair. Last bad joke … I promise.
Jock Climie made a great point saying, that as a senior, Arkee Whitlock only caught six passes all season. Clearly Whitlock is not ready to be involved in the passing attack. I’d suggest Hall leave him in to pass protect.
I understand Hall publicly saying he will not give up on Whitlock. That’s what he has to say. But if you’re the Eskimos front office you’d better be looking around to find some sort of upgrade at the running back position. Ricky Ray can only do so much.
(5) In defence of … Henry Burris.
Don’t start thinking about backup QB Barrick Nealy cutting in on Henry Burris’ playing time anytime soon. The first Nealy touchdown pass to Jermaine Copeland had no business ending up as a touchdown. Those mad scramble, heaving the ball to the middle of the end zone off the back of your foot, praying for a touchdown rarely work. The second score with less than a minute left was meaningless, unless, for some bizarre reason, you had Barrick Nealy on your fantasy team. Of course if he is on your fantasy team may I suggest your league is a little bit too deep?
Yes Henry Burris threw three interceptions but it wasn’t entirely his fault. The first two picks were more of a result of miscommunication between wide-out and Burris, especially the second one where Copeland stopped running on a play. The final pick was the result of a tipped pass. Yes Burris’ numbers are lousy after two weeks but now is not the time to even consider making a change.
(6) I can’t believe you threw that pass award!
Oh that one is easy … Buck Pierce’s 3rd quarter pick that was returned for a score was just an inexplicable throw. Hamilton caught the Lions on a perfect blitz but instead of Pierce taking a sack he choose to telegraph his pass right into the arms of Geoff Tisdale. The worst play I saw all week that didn’t involve Arkee Whitlock.
(7) Rookie to keep an eye on: Edmonton Eskimos CB Bobby Keyes
He forced Anthony Calvillo into several tough throws and even after injuring himself he made a great play going one-on-one with Kerry Watkins breaking up a sure touchdown late in the second quarter. He looked very comfortable playing on that island.
(8) Veteran to keep an eye on: Former Blue Bombers WR Derick Armstrong.
After sabotaging his career with Winnipeg, Armstrong is free to sign with whoever he wants and the Blue Bombers are 1-0 without him. Considering the Argonauts didn’t get the ball to Arland Bruce until late in the first half and leading receiver Reggie McNeal doesn’t have the best hands Adam Rita should look into bringing in the two-time 1000-yard receiver. Hey it wouldn’t be the first time Toronto took a chance on a player with ‘issues’.
(9) Unit that would concern me if I was a fan of their team: The Eskimos O-Line
I know that Montreal is the best team after two weeks but Edmonton will struggle for wins if their offensive line gets dominated like they did this past week. Far too many times Montreal managed to sack or lay a good hit on Ray while only rushing three or four guys. The Eskimos couldn’t even handle the basic rush packages thrown their way.
(10) … I’m stopping at nine observations. Looking forward to Week Three.
