Playoff game day -- Eskimos at Montreal

by Bruce McCurdy on Nov 14, 2008 1:05 PM MST

Since it worked pretty well week, I will again be hosting a game day thread for Saturday's televised CFL playoff game.
Pregame show at 10 a.m. MST, game at 11. I'll be watching the game alone most likely, and would love a little company. Please drop in and feel welcome to contribute your comments. Anybody among my tiny readership who might actually be going to the game, as DoritoGrande did last week?
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On Saturday morning the Eskimos attempt to win their very first Eastern Conference championship. By virtue of their good result in WINNERpeg last weekend, Edmonton has already achieved the distinction of being the first such interloper to win their way in to the "other" conference final.

The Eskimos have encountered Montreal in the playoffs before, of course, just not until the Grey Cup, the logical time for the twain to meet. Theirs is among the most storied rivalries in Grey Cup history, beginning with Jackie Parker's return of Chuck Hunsinger's fumble in the 1954 game (pictured at right) leading to Ol' Spaghetti Legs getting his sure hands on the Grey cup (pictured above). The two teams established conference-dominating powerhouses in the mid-1950s (3 straight Grey Cup encounters, all Edmonton wins), mid-to-late 1970s (5 Grey Cup meetings in 6 years, with the Esks winning 3) and early 2000s (3 Grey Cup meetings in 4 years, Esks winning 2). Fully half of Edmonton's 22 Grey Cup appearances have come against the Alouettes, with the Esks holding a tidy 8-3 lead in the series. Two of those games occurred right in the Big Owe, with the Alouettes winning the infamous Staples Game (no, not you David) in 1977 and the Esks winning fair and square in '79.

All of which history means squat today, especially since this isn't even the Grey Cup, it's just on the road there. But it's a fact that the Big Game will held in the same Olympic Stadium a week later. There's a lot of pressure on the host of the Grey Cup to actually get there, and lots of distractions. Should things go awry in the must-win game that precedes it, a lot of Grey Cup tickets become available for below market value. :)

There are precedents: in 1987, the Eskimos won both the western final and the Grey Cup in Vancouver; and in 1993 the Esks won both in McMahon Stadium. Those were particularly sweet championships: a big upset win in the conference final, moving into the beaten hosts own "home conference" dressing room, then upholding the West's honour in the title game to, uh, muted applause.

Can history repeat?

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Comments

Oh, good. I'm not the only loser that's getting up early on saturday morning to watch these guys. Okay, not that early, but the beer doesn't go down as smooth with breakfast. That and I don't have one friend that watches the CFL. It's not that bad, is it?

Eskies versus Montreal are always the best games. You never know who's going to win and it could very well be decided in the last minute of the 4th.

Here's hoping Montreals break has had a negative effect on them.

by Ribs on Nov 14, 2008 4:35 PM MST reply actions

Good morning. (pre) Game On.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 10:17 AM MST reply actions

Btw, ribs, have you tried beer on your corn flakes?

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 10:18 AM MST reply actions

Not yet Bruce, I've tried soaking my toast with it though...Flavour country.

by Ribs on Nov 15, 2008 10:32 AM MST reply actions

Enough talk already, let's kick the darn ball.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 10:58 AM MST reply actions

Key stats: Turnovers and sacks. In the turnover dept. Eskimons are +13 in their 11 wins, and -19 in their 8 losses. I don't have the numbers for sacks but I saw them on a graphic the other day and the correlation to W-L was, if anyhting, even stronger. We need Big Plays, and we need to hang on to the dang ball.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:09 AM MST reply actions

Jeez they haven't even kicked off and Maciocia has already confounded the experts. Tweet!

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:10 AM MST reply actions

Two and out. Good start, but the first Eskimo to touch the ball, dropped it. Luckily no harm done.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:13 AM MST reply actions

TOUCHDOWN!!! Now that's a Turnover!

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:20 AM MST reply actions

Cooper was all over that one ... if he had jumped to block the kick it would have gone under him.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:22 AM MST reply actions

The Big Owe is quieter than this blog right now.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:24 AM MST reply actions

A needless offside or that would have been three two-and-outs for the Als. Instead, a nice drive for three.

1 / 4:19 Edmonton 7, Montreal 3

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:32 AM MST reply actions

Not liking the Edmonton offence so far. Ray has been off target with every throw; Stamps made one fine catch on a ball that was behind him, otherwise they're all hitting the turf.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:35 AM MST reply actions

I dunno, I have real work to do this time, and I also have Habs and Oilers games to watch tonight, so what I might do is watch this one a quarter at a time on PVR and see what you guys think.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 11:39 AM MST reply actions

Ray's arm was moving, but just. Ricky looks slow, and tentative. This call should go Edmonton's way. I hope.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:41 AM MST reply actions

welcome! Doogie. Whatever works for you. Ribs, did you fall asleep in your beer-soaked corn flakes?

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:42 AM MST reply actions

That's more like it. Just our second first down. Gotta keep AC off the field.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:44 AM MST reply actions

End of the first, still 7-3. Montreal's defensive front is really looking dominant. Ray is being rushed on every play, and the Als seem to be all over the outlet receivers as well.

The good news is we already know it won't be 40-4 (or 41-6!), but the Esks need to do something with the ball to change the momentum. A good running play might not be the worst idea.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:47 AM MST reply actions

The kick is up, and it's good!

2 / 14:47 Edmonton 10, Montreal 3

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:48 AM MST reply actions

Great shoestring sack by Perry, then a wild punt play in which Eskimos nearly blocked the punt, nearly roughed the kicker, and did break a big runback only to have it called back. Effectively a 60-year penalty. Ouch.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:52 AM MST reply actions

Another three for Edmonton, so why am I pissed off?

1) Peterson was looking around for would-be tacklers from the far side while apparently not noticing the guy who was right on his heels. He should have been in.

2) Ray's first pass from the red zone was two yards behind where it needed to be. Ricky is deadly accurate when he is "on", but that doesn't appear to be today.

3) Shitty call on 2nd and 10, a four yard sideline pass that has NO CHANCE, DANNY, of moving the sticks. Plus, Ricky missed that pass too.

2 / 10:00 Edmonton 13, Montreal 3

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 11:59 AM MST reply actions

Peterson needs to make that catch. Still, though, I don't understand giving up two points from your own 18-yard line.

2 / 6:50 Edmonton 13, Montreal 5

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:06 PM MST reply actions

I thought the point of giving up the 2 was to stop them after they got the ball back.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:13 PM MST reply actions

Montreal did on that draft what Edmonton's offence hasn't done: convert on second down. What was a two-score game has been reduced to one point, thanks to Maciocia's curious decision to GIVE Montreal one of those scores. If we lose this game by one point, it's on the coach.

2 / 2:45 Edmonton 13, Montreal 12

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:18 PM MST reply actions

This is going south in a real hurry. Edmonton hasn't had a positive play on offence, defence or special teams since Peterson's catch.

Oh shit, and there it goes. A no yards penalty and they still can't lay a finger on the punt returner?

Terrrible football by Edmonton the last ten minutes, totally destroying the foundation laid in a solid first 20.

Our punt coverage unit sucks ass.

2 / 1:24 Montreal 19 Edmonton 13

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:23 PM MST reply actions

Half time: Montreal 19 Edmonton 13

Edmonton has three positive plays on offence, downfield passes to Stamps, Campbell and Peterson. I frankly can't remember another first down. The short game has done nothing, the running game even less. Last three possessions, two and out.

Defensively things were going OK 'til the last 10 minutes, but as I mentioned early in the game you have to keep AC off the field. Key play in my view was Peterson's drop of a pass that would have got Edmonton some decent field position. From that play until the end of the half seven long minutes later, pretty much nothing went right, in any aspect of the game.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:33 PM MST reply actions

CFL website seems to be down. Hey, it's only the conferenbce finals ... maybe next week.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:38 PM MST reply actions

Second half begins. Finally, Edmonton makes positive yardage on first down, sets up 2nd and 2. Now we decide to go for the low percentage long bomb. I guess we're saving that five yard out play for 2nd and 10?

Two and out, and it's all on the Defence already. A Montreal drive here and it could be a long second half.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:51 PM MST reply actions

Oh well ... this isn't the first time I've talked to myself, and I'm sure it won't be the last. Sigh.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 12:57 PM MST reply actions

Argh. Montreal gifts us two dropped passes that both could have been touchdowns and still marches the length of the field. Clever idea to go deep on first down instead of second though. We missed one long bomb about half an hour ago and haven't touched the ball since.

3 / 9:52 Montreal 26 Edmonton 13, and the rout is on.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:01 PM MST reply actions

Finally, a first down after five straight two and outs. The last one was 20 minutes of clock time and 23 Alouette points ago.

CFL.ca has some stats on their "live" page but for some reason they don't include first downs or possession time. Both presumably heavily favour Montreal.

Meanwhile my "key stats" both favour the Esks, 1-0 in turnovers and 2-1 in sacks. But Calvillo has twice run out of trouble and made a key first down, while Ray hasn't run at all and has numerous passes knocked down or thrown right into the ground.

So far Edmonton has thrown 24 passes and run the ball 3 times for 3 yards.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:18 PM MST reply actions

Another long, easy Montreal drive comes up just short, but puts another three on the board and eats up clock time. Mercifully ... we ain't gonna win this game, the only question is how big is the final score. This hasn't been a competitive game for some time.

First 20 minutes: Edmonton 13, Montreal 3
Next 25 minutes: Montreal 26, Edmonton 0

3 / 0:00 Montreal 29, Edmonton 13

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:25 PM MST reply actions

Holy crap, I got my girlfriend to watch most of the game and my dad even came over with timmies.

Ray need some of that playoff clutch if they want to win this one now. Calvillo killing us with short range passes.....like always. Goss going down is huge.

by Ribs on Nov 15, 2008 1:27 PM MST reply actions

Third quarter stats:

First downs: 6 to 15
Rushing yards: 1 to 77
Total yards: 136 to 328
Possession time: 16:09 to 28:51
Points off turnovers: 7 to 0

"A very un-Ricky Ray-like day."

... and it's another two and out to begin the fourth. If our coach was alive he might try something different.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:28 PM MST reply actions

To add insult to injury, after these two and outs, we have to punt. Another punt return touchdown, the THIRD Eskimos have allowed in the playoffs.

That is coaching, and we don't have enough of it. End of story.

Montreal 36, Edmonton 13

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:29 PM MST reply actions

Mark Lee -- "And this game is starting to look like that game in late September ..."

I guess Maciocia isn't the only one who's been asleep for the last two quarters. This has been a shit-kicking for quite awhile.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:31 PM MST reply actions

Lots of talk from the sideline from a team that has given up 33 straight points. "Don;t give up on us yet." Uhhh, why not?

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:32 PM MST reply actions

So I finally caught up and TOUCHDOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOWN!

But two punt-return TDs? Yow.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:34 PM MST reply actions

So it seemed like Duval was having a hell of a time in the first half with the coverage he was getting -- the one blocked punt and a couple of almosts. Looks like that got fixed at halftime.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:36 PM MST reply actions

"That's the one they needed!"

Yeah, about two quarters ago. Time for Ricky to pump up his stats against a defence that's home and cooled out. But when the game was on the line he did absolutely SFA. Not impressed.

"And the Eskimos have responded exactly the way they needed to."

Yeah, answer four touchdowns, a field goal and a safety with one touchdown.

Montreal 36 Edmonton 20

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:37 PM MST reply actions

Oh, and the playcaller here is Rod Black. Just sayin'. ;)

Oh, and on that last Montreal offensive TD...how the hell do you take two offside penalties in a row?

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:37 PM MST reply actions

They really needed that TD in the second when they were inside the 15 and had to settle for the FG. That would've made it two points at the half at worst, and we might be watching a different ball game.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:38 PM MST reply actions

'Bout time they started getting to AC. He only had free reign for two and a half quarters.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:39 PM MST reply actions

Hey Doogie! Misery loves company. You're right, Esks came close to blocking two more punts in the first half. But points off of punt plays are 7-14, meaning we're getting our asses waxed on all three units.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:39 PM MST reply actions

Montreal's special teams really woke up partway through the second, and the Eskimos haven't been able to do jack with the ball on either side of the kick since.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:41 PM MST reply actions

You're right, it is Rod Black. There's two colour guys too, that I can't tell apart.

"Montreal's linebackers are getting some deep drops here ..."

Prevent defence. Time to pad the stats.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:43 PM MST reply actions

There's my favourite play again, a 7-yard throw on 2nd and 10.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:43 PM MST reply actions

Yeah, I watched the first three quarters on PVR, pressing the Skip Ahead button between whistles. You can make up about 20 min/quarter that way. ;)

Also, my laptop power cord is fucked, so I'm doing the run between rooms a lot right now.

Yay, first down on the gamble.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:44 PM MST reply actions

Football is perfect for PVRs, you can comfortably watch an entire game in an hour.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:48 PM MST reply actions

5-yard pass on 2nd and 10, then another low percentage bomb on 3rd and 5. This team hasn't a clue how to play in the red zone.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:49 PM MST reply actions

And Ray gets greedy on the third down. That's probably all she wrote.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:50 PM MST reply actions

That replay says it all. Stamps was so wide open short that he probably coulds have walked it in. Instead, Ray throws deep, and off-target, into double coverage.

That's poor decision-making and poor execution, a combination that will always kill you in any sport.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:52 PM MST reply actions

You think Ray called that play?

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 1:53 PM MST reply actions

The commentators have talked a few times about Ray trying to force a play instead of taking what he's given. I see what that means now.

It's technically possible to score 17 points in 2:45, right? ;)

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:53 PM MST reply actions

But hey, Ricky's over 300 yards now, so it's all good.

This is one guy who's less than the sum of his statistics.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:54 PM MST reply actions

@Spoiler: Good point. I'm sure I remember Ray being smarter than this in past years, so is it Ray, or is it Machoke?

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:54 PM MST reply actions

That was the play as it came in from the bench fellas. It was supposed to go deep right from the snap.

The Garden Gnome was betting the linebackers would play tight on 3rd and 5 and he bet wrong.

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 1:55 PM MST reply actions

Hey Spoiler, no matter who called the play, the secondary receiver was the choice.

but when it comes to play-calling, the Eskimos ran the ball three times the entire @#$%^ game. I think they may have all been in the first quarter.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:56 PM MST reply actions

@Spoiler: And that's why I'm in favour of quarterbacks having a degree of latitude in ignoring the bench. They can usually see what they can do better than the coach.

Also, remember when the Esks fired coaches for only reaching .500? Just a thought.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:57 PM MST reply actions

... and THAT is on the coach. Whether he doesn't have a running game, or doesn't trust it, it's on him.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:57 PM MST reply actions

Incompleterson!

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 1:58 PM MST reply actions

Petersen with the drop and now that's definitely it. Unless they can land a couple of punt-return TDs of their own, this team's toast.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 1:58 PM MST reply actions

Bruce, one of Ray's chracteristics is that when he throws deep, he often uses "the lollipop" which means the play is essentially a timing pattern. He has to unleash that pass on his three count, which means there is no time for secondary receivers.

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 2:00 PM MST reply actions

TOUCHDOWN JACKSON!

Called it. Kinda. ;)

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 2:01 PM MST reply actions

Now that missed 3rd and 5 looks horrible.

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 2:01 PM MST reply actions

Now that missed 3rd and 5 looks horrible.

And the missed TD from the second.

We'd have a football game if not for those.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 2:03 PM MST reply actions

That's another horrible play call on the convert.

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 2:03 PM MST reply actions

Tell me this is the last game we see the garden gnome on our sidelines. He's not signed for next year is he?

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 2:05 PM MST reply actions

Le sigh. Big punt return, then another lollipop from Ricky on a Must play. he hasn't been on target with his passes all day long; other than the very occasional one the receivers have been trying to react to balls that are way behind them, ahead of them, over their heads, short, or whatever's left.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:05 PM MST reply actions

That conceded safety from the 18-yard line looks freaking Huge right now, doesn't it?

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:06 PM MST reply actions

Bruce,
as much as whine about the gnome, Ray's accuracy has looked horrible this game.

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 2:07 PM MST reply actions

So who do you like from the West? My aunt and uncle are Stamps STHs, and I don't know if I can put up with them if Calgary loses, but now that Edmonton's out, and there's no BoA in the Grey Cup, I guess it's Go Lions?

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 2:08 PM MST reply actions

Also, remember when the Esks fired coaches for only reaching .500? Just a thought.

Not going to happen, unfortunately. At best, Maciocia gets promoted. But hey, now that we're an offical Playoff Team (TM), maybe we should make him President, CEO, GM, and Coach.

He did win a Grey Cup in his first year, which earned him a stay of execution to some extent, but four years and Zero home playoff games might get the attention of a money-conscious guy like Rick LeLacheur. Maybe.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:08 PM MST reply actions

I don't care no more Doogie, now the Esks are out.

by spOILer on Nov 15, 2008 2:09 PM MST reply actions

Final score: Montreal 36 Edmonton 26

Looks pretty respectable, but this really wasn't a close game. Montreal played prevent in the fourth, especially on offence, and a couple of Too Little Too Late plays made it closer than it should have been. But when we needed big plays on offence, we got nuttin'.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:15 PM MST reply actions

I hate to say it, but I'll be pulling for Montreal against either Calgary or Vancouver. Of course I'm an East Coaster by birth.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:15 PM MST reply actions

Ray's accuracy has looked horrible this game.

That comment is more accurate than 90% of Ray's passes today. Read the thread above (at your own risk) and I'll bet you'll find at least half a dozen comments from me about off-target throws. Ricky never had it today from the get-go. His defence and ST held him in for awhile, but when Montreal dialled it up he had no response until it was 36-13.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:18 PM MST reply actions

I'm pulling for Montreal, too. Mom's a Montrealer, which is why I'm the only one in the 'sphere with love for the Habs. ;) But still, I really wanted to see Edmonton in the Grey Cup, so this game was painful to watch.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 2:19 PM MST reply actions

And it occurs to me only now that you could have mentioned this on LT's site: isn't he big on the CFL, too?

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 2:34 PM MST reply actions

Montreal took Zero penalties in this game.

Meanwhile, Eskimos generated the following out of their backfield:

Harris: 3 rushes, 3 yards
McCarty, Harris, Ray: 0 rushes

McCarty: 4 catches for 14 yards
Maurer: 1 catch for 2 yards
Harris: 0 catches

By my count that's 19 yards of total offence out of the backfield. Which might be the worst such total in the history of the league.

49 passes, 3 rushes, and 2 sacks. Way to balance the ol' offence, there, Danny.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:35 PM MST reply actions

And it occurs to me only now that you could have mentioned this on LT's site: isn't he big on the CFL, too?

Yeah I put something up on his Reddox post, and right around then he started his new GDT and the conversation moved elsewhere. I guess I could have tried again but am reluctant to do too many self-promoting links.

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 2:40 PM MST reply actions

I guess I could have tried again but am reluctant to do too many self-promoting links.

I hear ya.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 2:55 PM MST reply actions

Oh yeah, one final thing: what problem are you encountering when trying to comment on my site? Just so I can help sort it out.

by Doogie2K on Nov 15, 2008 3:29 PM MST reply actions

Doogie: I click on "comment on this post" and I get a weird looking page and whatever I click I seem to get nowhere. Today it actually says "sorry but this board is currently unavailable".

Probably just me being a cyberdoofus ...

by Bruce on Nov 15, 2008 4:01 PM MST reply actions

When you click "Comment", it should take you to the Sports forum. Unfortunately, there aren't dedicated threads for each individual post -- it's coming -- so you'd have to make a new topic to discuss the post, and in order to do that, you have to click "Register" near the top of the page.

The errors you're getting are not what I'm getting, even when I'm logged out, so I don't know what to say there. Could've just come at a point when the forums were borked because Matt was tinkering, or the hamster was asleep, I honestly couldn't tell you.

by Doogie2K on Nov 16, 2008 4:58 PM MST reply actions

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