(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gb48IIbbwAMZCUd?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gb47-P3bwAI1nwd?format=jpg&name=4096x4096)
Canadian LB Fraser Sopik returns for Argos in East Final
By 3Down Staff -November 8, 2024
The Toronto Argonauts will have a couple of impactful National players back in the lineup for the Eastern Final, including linebacker Fraser Sopik.
The 27-year-old defender has been out for a month with a hand injury but will return to action this week. He is expected to back-up American rookie Isaac Darkangelo, who logged 35 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles, and a forced fumble in eight games this year.
Sopik has enjoyed a career year since joining the Argonauts in free agency this offseason, establishing himself as a starter at weakside linebacker prior to the injury. Through 15 games, he has amassed 57 defensive tackles — nearly double his previous career total of 33 — while adding six special teams tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble.
Also returning to the lineup is defensive back Jonathan Edouard, who appeared in six games and made three starts at cornerback earlier this year before suffering a serious arm injury. The Florida native, who counts as a National after graduating from Carleton, notched six defensive tackles, a special teams tackle, and an interception. He'll now provide depth in the secondary behind safety Royce Metchie.
To make room for the moves, rookie Canadian defensive end Tyson Hergott and defensive back Tyshon Blackburn have been returned to the practice roster, as has American defensive tackle Jordan Williams.
American receiver Damonte Coxie remains a game-time decision after missing last week's East Semi-Final with a knee injury. The six-foot-three, 200-pound target made 59 catches for 860 yards and four touchdowns over 17 games this season, setting new career highs in receptions and yardage. He was the team's second-leading receiver behind rookie Makai Polk.
If Coxie is unable to go, it is expected that Williams will re-enter the lineup as he did last week.
The Toronto Argonauts (11-8) will visit the Montreal Alouettes (12-5-1) for the Eastern Final on Saturday, November 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EST at Percival Molson Stadium.
https://3downnation.com/2024/11/08/canadian-lb-fraser-sopik-returns-for-argos-in-east-final/
Alouettes' REC Austin Mack game-time decision for East Final
By 3Down Staff -November 8, 2024
The Montreal Alouettes will have a decision to make regarding their top receiver ahead of the East Final.
Former all-star Austin Mack has been listed as a game-time decision due to a nagging hamstring issue. He did not practice on Thursday, with head coach Jason Maas dubbing it a treatment day.
The 27-year-old has played in just three games since returning from the NFL earlier this year, recording 10 catches for 145 yards. In 2023, he caught 78 passes for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games while putting up big numbers in the team's Grey Cup run.
Canadian Regis Cibasu and returner James Letcher Jr. are the only backup receivers on the roster if Mack is unable to go, though it is likely that Reggie White Jr. would be activated from the practice roster.
Montreal will also face uncertainty at right tackle, where rookie starter Josh Donovan remains out with a knee injury. Veteran replacement Jamar McGloster is also a game-time decision due to a hand issue. Recent Global signee Nouredin Nouilli is listed as a healthy scratch and could serve as an emergency replacement.
Back in action for the Alouettes after sitting out the regular season finale are trio of Canadians — linebacker Frederic Chagnon, offensive lineman Kristian Matte, and defensive end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund — as well as American returner James Letcher Jr. American offensive lineman Donny Ventrelli has been returned to the practice roster, while Canadian defensive end Brock Gowanlock, offensive lineman Theo Grant, receiver Nate Behar, and American returner Tyjon Lindsey have been made healthy scratches.
The Montreal Alouettes (12-5-1) will host the Toronto Argonauts (11-8) for the Eastern Final on Saturday, November 9. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EST at Percival Molson Stadium.
https://3downnation.com/2024/11/08/alouettes-rec-austin-mack-game-time-decision-for-east-final/
Toronto has removed #33 Kenneth George & add #95 Jordan Williams
Danny Maciocia said Mack is playing.
I think Toronto pays Montreal back for last years upset playoff win and they go in and upset Montreal today
This is a request from the 'Riders - Bombers thread. I thought that the response belonged here.
Quote from: The Zipp on November 09, 2024, 03:23:33 AMthanks - pretty good crew, who is doing the east final?
Tom Vallesi- referee
Troy Semenchuk - umpire
Ron Barss - down judge
Walt Hawrysh - line judge
Pierre Laporte - side judge
Rob Skaggs - back judge
Jim Carlisle - field judge
Ben Major - backup ref
Georgina Paul - spare official
Emily Clarke - spare official
Al Bradbury - replay official
Hoping for a better game here than last year. Always a bummer when a big game like this gets out of hand so early for one team. Except if you're the team laying the beatdown of course.
this game should be a good one. montreal has the defence to get after Chad.
i predict montreal wins.
mcmanis is a beast..he looks ready.
pic #1 for chad
then a fumble - aaaarggooos ball
argos are so good at punching the ball out
Maas is going to have a stroke by halftime
augh the horns of Montreal, is there anything more annoying in the CFL than this!!!
defensive battle, Montreal offense shutting down Toronto's O and Argo D scores a pick six.... going to be a tight game all the way
man i wish we could have signed Sankey last season. perfect replacement for bighill
Grant 😢
Argos get a defensive touchdown and a ST team TD, if their offense can show up they might just win this game!!
Quote from: markf on November 09, 2024, 08:18:01 PMGrant 😢
Ya his 5th TD of the year!? Yep, glad we didn't re sign that slug!! He's the game breaker we ll need today
Montreal keeps shooting themselves in the foot with turnovers.
Quote from: dd on November 09, 2024, 08:18:33 PMArgos get a defensive touchdown and a ST team TD, if their offense can show up they might just win this game!!
Well they're offense just showed up!!
looks like maas and fajardo used up all their luck in last years's Greycup.
also
als D forgot how to tackle.
Another turnover by Montreal. The sound of horns turns to boos, I love it!!
All these turnovers are super costly to Montreal, so many today in scoring territory.
Fajardo also really streaky today, alternating between playing quite well to playing quite mediocre.
Quote from: Cool Spot on November 09, 2024, 09:11:26 PMAll these turnovers are super costly to Montreal, so many today in scoring territory.
Fajardo also really streaky today, alternating between playing quite well to playing quite mediocre.
all true
chad gone down ...maybe just a cramp
Quote from: The Zipp on November 09, 2024, 09:15:48 PMchad gone down ...maybe just a cramp
Looks worse than a cramp? Originally I thought he took a helmet to the shin, but the replay didn't look like it. Maybe ankle?
bringing out the stretcher...
oh boy
It looked like his shin was bent the wrong way but you'd think he'd be screaming in pain unless he's in shock
can you imagine. maybe a broken leg
toronto hangs on to win and they go into the grey cup with arbuckle
and dinwiddie is the coach
don't even want to say the rest
Quote from: The Zipp on November 09, 2024, 09:21:44 PMcan you imagine. maybe a broken leg
toronto hangs on to win and they go into the grey cup with arbuckle
and dinwiddie is the coach
don't even want to say the rest
Yup, history repeats itself
Quote from: The Zipp on November 09, 2024, 09:21:44 PMcan you imagine. maybe a broken leg
toronto hangs on to win and they go into the grey cup with arbuckle
and dinwiddie is the coach
don't even want to say the rest
We rest of the league would hate it, but the universe owes us this.
Argos have to respond and score at least a field goal, I expect Karey to come out smashing people
Quote from: Jesse on November 09, 2024, 09:31:07 PMWe rest of the league would hate it, but the universe owes us this.
well the part i didn't want to say is that sask potentially would be able to play a team without their starting qb in the cup again.
Quote from: The Zipp on November 09, 2024, 09:32:42 PMwell the part i didn't want to say is that sask potentially would be able to play a team without their starting qb in the cup again.
The part you didn't mention is that Toronto broke Kevin Glenn's arm and Dinwiddie cost us an easy win.
Our taking the Cup back has been foretold.
Broken leg for sure
Dumb challenge
Quote from: Jesse on November 09, 2024, 09:36:45 PMThe part you didn't mention is that Toronto broke Kevin Glenn's arm and Dinwiddie cost us an easy win.
Our taking the Cup back has been foretold.
There are no easy wins in sports
Dinwiddie struggled but did well considering the circumstances
Football is a team sport but yes Glenn would have been key to our victory likely but far from a guarantee
Als D masterclass in bad tackling.
3 missed tackles of a received on the sideline.
Quote from: markf on November 09, 2024, 09:47:18 PMAls D masterclass in bad tackling.
3 missed tackles of a received on the sideline.
Coxie making them all look silly, amazing performance
Quote from: Blueforlife on November 09, 2024, 09:41:13 PMThere are no easy wins in sports
Dinwiddie struggled but did well considering the circumstances
Football is a team sport but yes Glenn would have been key to our victory likely but far from a guarantee
Dinwiddie did as bad as you could possibly do and we lost by 5 points. He single-handedly cost us what would have been as easy win with Kevin Glenn.
Quote from: Jesse on November 09, 2024, 09:54:10 PMDinwiddie did as bad as you could possibly do and we lost by 5 points. He single-handedly cost us what would have been as easy win with Kevin Glenn.
Yeah I expected him to come in with little experience and throw 5 tds lol He did as well as expected. Yes he played poorly. Football a team game. No easy wins in sports. Disagree all. Could have had Joe Montana at QB and still lost (not likely but possible). Qb driven league but it's not the only way to win. Roughly one third of CFL is ST and defense often wins championships.
Quote from: Jesse on November 09, 2024, 09:54:10 PMDinwiddie did as bad as you could possibly do and we lost by 5 points. He single-handedly cost us what would have been as easy win with Kevin Glenn.
exactly. we will never know for sure but the only way sask is winning is the way it played out. Glenn plays we win.
Quote from: The Zipp on November 09, 2024, 09:56:38 PMexactly. we will never know for sure but the only way sask is winning is the way it played out. Glenn plays we win.
Nope there are no guaranteed wins in sports even if it's undefeated against the worst. Can't count chickens before they are hatched.
Agree with never know for sure
CFL is great because it's wild and unpredictable
Arbuckle looks great
Very good game so far, not a blowout at all, and the outcome is still unclear with <1 min left.
Game over nice throw
Quote from: dd on November 09, 2024, 04:37:02 PMI think Toronto pays Montreal back for last years upset playoff win and they go in and upset Montreal today
I knew they were going to upset Montreal!! Awesome. Blow your stinking horns all you want to in the off season!!
I'd say this increases the odds of the west winning the Grey Cup. I don't see Arbuckle beating either western team in the WDF.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 09, 2024, 10:09:31 PMI'd say this increases the odds of the west winning the Grey Cup. I don't see Arbuckle beating either western team in the WDF.
Will be a close game imo. Argos are very good. But yes odds will favor the West. West can plan for Arbuckle which will hurt him.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 09, 2024, 10:09:31 PMI'd say this increases the odds of the west winning the Grey Cup. I don't see Arbuckle beating either western team in the WDF.
It shouldn't be close, but it will be. Toronto's offense was hardly dominant today but their special teams scored a TD as well as their defense. If they do the same thing in the Grey cup anything can happen.
Heck, Montreal should have won today, but they kept turning the ball over. Anything can happen in the big game and generally the underdog wins as we found out the hard way vs Montreal and Toronto in earlier grey cups
Via Matthew Scianetti
Ryan Dinwiddie confirms that Chad Kelly broke his ankle and Nick Arbuckle will be Argos starter in the Grey Cup.
Quote from: Blueforlife on November 09, 2024, 10:12:42 PMWill be a close game imo. Argos are very good. But yes odds will favor the West. West can plan for Arbuckle which will hurt him.
I think we have Arbuckle's number. I don't see it being close. Riders defence is better than the Argos and we stuffed it to them.
Indoor game and Collaros is going to shred their secondary IMO.
Argos defense is good and their special teams is really good as grant can break one at any time. I think the Argos defense and sp coal teams will keep them in the game and maybe even score like they did today but their offense is going to struggle.
Bring on the Argos. We're battle tested and ready to go
I'm watching this game in full for the first time: only caught some at the WDF tailgate.
Those horns are so bad and should be banned for the simple fact that they are a middle/high-frequency noise that comes through really well on TV. The booth mics, parabolic mic and sideline reporter mics pick it up really well. The fact they are intermittent on an individual basis really highlights each blow.
In comparison, the boos, cowbells and mouth-blown horns create a general lower frequency continuous din that a) isn't picked up by the mics as well, and b) doesn't translate into anything annoying on viewers' TVs. In fact, you really can't tell it's really loud at all. The WDF booth guys commented on the noise when we amped it up but it is barely noticeable on TV.
The horns should be banned, as per existing CFL rules. I'm getting to an age where just hearing them gives me a headache, certainly after 1 quarter. And that after turning the volume way lower than I normally would have it at.
If the league refuses to upset the Frenchies, then they need to buy some tech to cancel them out of the broadcast in realtime. This is entirely doable. And if they can't do that, just close the booth window, and upgrade the glass to noise-proof glass.
I read some of the other forums and everyone universally hates these things. Do something CFL! Maybe Ambrosie can do it before he leaves, because he won't have to deal with all the French heat when he leaves, and neither will the next commish who can just play innocent.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on November 12, 2024, 03:13:01 AMI'm watching this game in full for the first time: only caught some at the WDF tailgate.
Those horns are so bad and should be banned for the simple fact that they are a middle/high-frequency noise that comes through really well on TV. The booth mics, parabolic mic and sideline reporter mics pick it up really well. The fact they are intermittent on an individual basis really highlights each blow.
In comparison, the boos, cowbells and mouth-blown horns create a general lower frequency continuous din that a) isn't picked up by the mics as well, and b) doesn't translate into anything annoying on viewers' TVs. In fact, you really can't tell it's really loud at all. The WDF booth guys commented on the noise when we amped it up but it is barely noticeable on TV.
The horns should be banned, as per existing CFL rules. I'm getting to an age where just hearing them gives me a headache, certainly after 1 quarter. And that after turning the volume way lower than I normally would have it at.
If the league refuses to upset the Frenchies, then they need to buy some tech to cancel them out of the broadcast in realtime. This is entirely doable. And if they can't do that, just close the booth window, and upgrade the glass to noise-proof glass.
I read some of the other forums and everyone universally hates these things. Do something CFL! Maybe Ambrosie can do it before he leaves, because he won't have to deal with all the French heat when he leaves, and neither will the next commish who can just play innocent.
If you can adjust your sound set it for TV speaker instead of external speakers or quadrophonic surround sound, that helps emphasis the voice over background sounds. I notice the horns but they don't bother me.
Quote from: markf on November 09, 2024, 08:18:01 PMGrant 😢
Not sure if anyone noted it yet: but the Grant punt return TD was a setup. Brilliant, too.
Maas was short-kicking on purpose to try to get the ball to someone not named Grant. They did this earlier in the game and some rando picked it up for low yardage.
So TOR had a plan in place if teams want to short-kick on Grant: they told the other ST dudes to leave the ball for Grant. Then they have a designated escape side and they wait for the no-yards back-off bunching-up of the coverage, then seal up that side.
No one will have angles, no one can get out of the seal. Easy peasy TD.
The moral of the story is just kick it normally to Grant. Or maybe 10Y short. But don't kick it 25Y short hoping to get another returner.
P.S. The blocks were so good it was actually Grant's lamest TD ever. He didn't have to do anything. Lucky would have gotten that TD as well.
Quote from: Jesse on November 09, 2024, 09:31:07 PMWe rest of the league would hate it, but the universe owes us this.
I'm not sure I'd say that... don't want to tempt fate. But it certainly has a little karma motif to it. Things tend to even out over time, even after 17 long years.
Can we sign Milt to a 1 week contract? Would he get a ring just being on the PR, or would he have to be on the AR? Can we do without a STer? (half-joking... or... hmmmm)