Hamilton vs Edmonton GDT

[dd]

I think Edmonton gets its first win of the season. Hamilton lucked out last week blocking a punt and beating the hopeless Argos. I think MBT and Lewis will have a day vs ticat secondary

[Blueforlife]

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/07/27/ticats-take-on-elks-to-close-out-week-8/

I think will be a close game

[Blue In BC]

I have no idea what to expect in this game. MBT is still a turnover machine. Elks run game is not great.

Either way one or both of these teams will continue to make changes to their rosters. That will indirectly be more of an immediate issue but might help going into TC 2025 finding the right pieces.

I'm not sure either of their starting QB's will be back in 2025, but that's a separate issue.

[Blueforlife]

I have no idea what to expect in this game. MBT is still a turnover machine. Elks run game is not great.

Either way one or both of these teams will continue to make changes to their rosters. That will indirectly be more of an immediate issue but might help going into TC 2025 finding the right pieces.

I'm not sure either of their starting QB's will be back in 2025, but that's a separate issue.

BLM and MBT are playing reasonably well this year (yet int issues MBT)
BLM has great #s

[dd]

Edmonton's moving the ball better in their first drive than Toronto did all last night!!

[Blueforlife]

Looks like bad BLM tonight
2nd throw and a duck

[Blueforlife]

Leggs money, looks to have found his game x2

[J5V]

BLM and MBT are playing reasonably well this year (yet int issues MBT)
BLM has great #s

BLM is well past his best-before date but is still twice the QB MBT is. MBT is a strange one and whenever I see him play I'm happy we have Zach.

[Blueforlife]

Mbt duck #1

Nice pick

[Blueforlife]

Hammy makes them pay TD! Edm sends the house and defaults on mortgage lol

[dd]

Why rhthey heck did I take the elks in Pickems. They won't win a game this year!! Truly a hopeless team. The fans are going to get ugly and rightfully so. MBT stinks. Bring in Ford.

[Blueforlife]

Mbt looks bad

[dd]

Buh bye Thompson, you stink. Bring on ford in 2nd half. They are going nowhere with Thompson. Nowhere.

[J5V]

Nice of Dunigan to say it all worked out last night for the Argos so that's good. What a tool!

I really hope the Bombers take what has happened the last two games personally and start embarrassing the officials and the other teams in this league. Hopefully it starts with BC.

[Big Daddy]

Suitor - "a wise decision to - not only dive, but dive...head first.  Seen a guys (sic) - couple guys - take a hit when they go feet first".

This may not be the dumbest thing suitor has said, but probably today so far.

Although I just tuned in so I am open to correction...

[GOLDMEMBER]

Man oh man those poor Elk fans. This is brutal bad.

[dd]

For the love of god why is MBT still in this game. Jackson is the problem in Edmonton. Their offense has always stunk. Sticking with MBT down 26 points is confirmation he's incompetent.

Somewhere Chris Jones is laughing his *ss off!!

[GOLDMEMBER]

I cannot believe Ford has not been given a chance. Completely disgraceful.

[Big Daddy]

Man oh man those poor Elk fans. This is brutal bad.

I hate the elks for making me feel sorry for them.

Elks/eskimos, and oilers - there's overlap dislike there.  More than enough to go around.

It is sad what they are enduring. Reminds me of our lot in the late '90's.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Well it is 34-8 continue playing that pathetic whiny QB piece of trash?

What did Ford do to not ever be given the chance?

[GOLDMEMBER]

I hate the elks for making me feel sorry for them.

Elks/eskimos, and oilers - there's overlap dislike there.  More than enough to go around.

It is sad what they are enduring. Reminds me of our lot in the late '90's.

it reminds me of the Tim Burke year. Or the Mike Kelly year. Or the Jeff Reinbold years.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The Elks have given up. What a terrible look. Might be their worst season yet. Yikes.

[Blueforlife]

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/07/27/ticats-take-on-elks-to-close-out-week-8/

I think will be a close game

This aged poorly

[GOLDMEMBER]

I hate MBT. He is a loser QB. Elks please pull him for Ford!

[Blueforlife]

Elks are bad and making bad decisions but the language from some posters isn't respectful imo

[J5V]

They asked Jackson at half time about MBT or switching to Ford. He said MBT was his QB. Deserves to be fired.

[J5V]

Elks are the free space on the bingo card.

[Pete]

no win situation, if Ford does well fans will be screaming why didnt we put him in sooner,

[GOLDMEMBER]

Suitor - "a wise decision to - not only dive, but dive...head first.  Seen a guys (sic) - couple guys - take a hit when they go feet first".

This may not be the dumbest thing suitor has said, but probably today so far.

Although I just tuned in so I am open to correction...

Speaking of well passed expiry dates Suitor and that slow mind of his sure is!

[GOLDMEMBER]

Hey Glenn you are on camera maybe look at your audience instead of the floor.

[Blueforlife]

Nice to see Ford move the ball, I'm a big fan of his.

[Big Daddy]

Elks are bad and making bad decisions but the language from some posters isn't respectful imo

Not sure what you mean?  Did someone say something disrespectful?  Not being a smart-@ss, genuinely wanting to know

[Big Daddy]

Speaking of well passed expiry dates Suitor and that slow mind of his sure is!

Thank you - I was wondering if anyone noticed that, or noticed my comment.  suitor's comment was next level stupid.

[GOLDMEMBER]

BLM looks good!

[Blueforlife]

Nice touch on that ball

[J5V]

Ford to Gittens ... TD!

[Blueforlife]

Not sure what you mean?  Did someone say something disrespectful?  Not being a smart-@ss, genuinely wanting to know

Not a fan of the name calling, so easy to get your point across without being nasty imo

I have always used the argument, if you won't say it to their face at practice don't say it here.  Love the debate and honesty (positive, negative, neutral) but there is a way to express yourself while respecting the league, players, management and coaches.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Cobb brutal

[dd]

What is Milanovich thinking with that challenge?? You're absolutely embarrassing this poor team at home, with 5 minutes left in a 37 point game and you challenge their TD?? There was nothing to challenge. Quit wasting time. The elks have given up anyways and just want to go home.

[Blueforlife]

I wouldn't have BLM in the game, is old BOO back?

[GOLDMEMBER]

Fair to say Ford is far more effective than the McWhiner

[Blueforlife]

Not respectful to use improper player names imo
Ford >> MBT

[GOLDMEMBER]

Wow. Way to go Trey!

[Blueforlife]

Ford is a magician on the run!

[Blueforlife]

Flutie could avoid tackles just like Ford can.  Not sure what Suitor is talking about.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Flutie could avoid tackles just like Ford can.  Not sure what Suitor is talking about.

Suitor is thinking more about his pourage and tea post game.

[Blueforlife]

Nice finish Ford!

[GOLDMEMBER]

WOW Ford 2 tuddys in 2 drives.

Why did they wait to bloody long?

[Blueforlife]

Sayles was double covered Suits wow he has called a bad game

[GOLDMEMBER]

Sayles was double covered Suits wow he has called a bad game

seems to have no clue other than his own little world.

[Blueforlife]

Looks like bad BLM tonight
2nd throw and a duck

This aged poorly

[GOLDMEMBER]

Ford is super entertaining to watch play ball.

[Blueforlife]

So proud of Ford

Yes garbage time but he is shinning!!!!!

[GOLDMEMBER]

Trey 3 for 3

JJ is a complete fool to not start Ford at the half minimum. Firable offence.

Ford is looking amazing!

[J5V]

WOW Ford 2 tuddys in 2 drives.

Why did they wait to bloody long?

You have to remember this is garbage time. Ford is perfectly capable of looking terrible.

[Pete]

also perfectly capable of looking great and at least is giving elks fans a reason to cheer

[M.O.A.B.]

What's the possibility that the Elks will cut MBT and goes with Ford the rest of the season?

[GOLDMEMBER]

You have to remember this is garbage time. Ford is perfectly capable of looking terrible.

Well that is like, your opinion man. 

[GOLDMEMBER]

What's the possibility that the Elks will cut MBT and goes with Ford the rest of the season?

who the feck knows...LOL

[dd]

Conventional wisdom says you make a Qb change at the half to restart your teams offense. Waiting another. Quarter and 3/4 is waaay too little too late. The elks have given up on MBT. Jackson has no choice but to start him next game, MBT has lost the locker room, they know he can't get it done. Period.

The elks are a sorry looking team. Kudos to Ford for coming in and giving it his all when those around him had quit. I hope he gets the start next game and we ve seen the last of MBT. He's just awful as a Qb. Awful.

[J5V]

Don't get me wrong, I like Trey Ford, he's a good athlete and can beat you with his legs. They were saying his throwing is much improved so that's good. That was always the knock on him.

[dd]

What's the possibility that the Elks will cut MBT and goes with Ford the rest of the season?

They won't cut him, they need a backup Qb, so he ll get the clip board the rest of the season. Unless they bring back cornelieus, which I doubt, he's just as bad as MBT. The team is going nowhere with him. At least Ford gives them hope and can scramble with the football and make some plays. Thompson can't do either.

Jackson looks like a fool now sticking with him so long tonight. They're on the road next week in Regina, a tough place e to win, but with Ford, he'll chew up the clock and score points, so they have a hope at winning a low scoring game. They have no hope, zero, with MBT.

[TecnoGenius]

Everyone bashing MBT is overlooking the fact that EDM's OL is way worse than our OL.  And that's saying something.

It wasn't that MBT didn't get the expected 2.7s, he wasn't even getting 1s.  Watch the 2nd and 3rd Qs again and look at how long MBT had.  Might as well not have an OL at all.  And not only was their pass pro horrific, but their run block was non-existent.  Brown was just eaten up at the LoS every attempt.

MBT is just like Zach: he needs a decent pocket.  You give him a bit of time and he'll be a good QB.

This is why Ford looks good: Running Ford is literally the only answer for a team with a garbage OL.  But teams will tear him apart when he's anointed #1 and EDM will still get (mostly) no wins.  The problems are too deep.

[TecnoGenius]

Somewhere Chris Jones is laughing his *ss off!!

I knew firing Jones would backfire.  Jones would have eventually gotten them some wins.  They were building up to it like WPG is.  Now, there is zero hope at all and EDM will end worse than last year.

[TecnoGenius]

They asked Jackson at half time about MBT or switching to Ford. He said MBT was his QB. Deserves to be fired.

MBT is the QB.  At least he was.  You have to show support in the media for your guy.  With MBT EDM had the hope of getting to a cup -- slim hope, but hope.  With Ford starting there is zero chance they get anywhere near a cup.  Maybe Ford gets you a couple of more wins than MBT short term, but he's not your long term solution.

[TecnoGenius]

no win situation, if Ford does well fans will be screaming why didnt we put him in sooner,

From a marketing and CYA perspective, what Jarius did is the perfect solution!  Wait until complete garbage time (down by 28+?) when you know the D is in prevent, and put your flashy mobile guy in to get some easy yards & TDs.

Boom, you've just given your fan base excitement and hope even though it is completely hopeless.  If they started the game with Ford they'd still be losing bigly but there'd be no excitement and no hope.  Don't believe me: wait until next week... if they start Ford.

I just feel sorry for those who took the under!

[TecnoGenius]

You have to remember this is garbage time. Ford is perfectly capable of looking terrible.

Truth.  See: next week.

Everyone needs to chill and remember: Ford isn't Rourke.  The problems in EDM are overwhelmingly huge.

[TecnoGenius]

What's the possibility that the Elks will cut MBT and goes with Ford the rest of the season?

Since everything they've done to date is dumb, sure, it's possible.

But they don't cut MBT: they trade-bait him.  What's the word on Kelly passing his "sensitivity training"?  If Kelly is still out, MBT back to TOR.  If T.Harris gets extended on 6GIR, maybe MBT to SSK.  With SSK's decent OL, MBT might look half decent.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Since everything they've done to date is dumb, sure, it's possible.

But they don't cut MBT: they trade-bait him.  What's the word on Kelly passing his "sensitivity training"?  If Kelly is still out, MBT back to TOR.  If T.Harris gets extended on 6GIR, maybe MBT to SSK.  With SSK's decent OL, MBT might look half decent.

Agree MBT is still a capable QB and could slide in and help almost any other team other than the Elks (helkless) as a very competent secondary QB when the starter goes down.  Don't think there is an opportunity for him to start anywhere else but I'd take him as a backup in a nano-second.


I'd trade Strev. for him in a nano-second, as he offers much more

[TecnoGenius]

I'd trade Strev. for him in a nano-second, as he offers much more

Interesting thought.  MBT would make a good #2.  But I don't think he'll hang around being #2; his head is too big and he wants to be nothing but #1.

But if we made that (never gonna happen but interesting thought) trade MBT/Strev, we'd also have to pick up a SY guy again... I'd take Prukop (so there's another trade!), or even Caleb (no passing!).

[theaardvark]

Interesting thought.  MBT would make a good #2.  But I don't think he'll hang around being #2; his head is too big and he wants to be nothing but #1.

But if we made that (never gonna happen but interesting thought) trade MBT/Strev, we'd also have to pick up a SY guy again... I'd take Prukop (so there's another trade!), or even Caleb (no passing!).

i'm not sure why more teams haven't gone with a FB for SY, rather than a QB.  If you have a Streveler or Prukop, sure, that's your best option, because they can option out of the sneak.  But for a straight sneak, a FB makes more sense, plus the injury factor diving into a pile of linemen.

[Jesse]

I knew firing Jones would backfire.  Jones would have eventually gotten them some wins.  They were building up to it like WPG is.  Now, there is zero hope at all and EDM will end worse than last year.

There's no backfiring in Edmonton. Chris Jones deserved to be fired long ago. There's nowhere to go but up.

[Blue In BC]

Interesting thought.  MBT would make a good #2.  But I don't think he'll hang around being #2; his head is too big and he wants to be nothing but #1.

But if we made that (never gonna happen but interesting thought) trade MBT/Strev, we'd also have to pick up a SY guy again... I'd take Prukop (so there's another trade!), or even Caleb (no passing!).

WHY? His SMS hit would be significant compared to Strev. Unless Collaros is injured he'll never see the field anymore than Strev has. We'd lose our short yardage QB as well.

I'm not certain MBT will return to the CFL in 2025, so at best he's an emergency replacement needed for injury. That's of value if we had a better record.

[dd]

i'm not sure why more teams haven't gone with a FB for SY, rather than a QB.  If you have a Streveler or Prukop, sure, that's your best option, because they can option out of the sneak.  But for a straight sneak, a FB makes more sense, plus the injury factor diving into a pile of linemen.

I noticed Hamilton was doing this with Litre, makes sense really, you have to lung forward 1 yard, give it to a guy who loves contact and is built for tough going.

[Blue In BC]

I noticed Hamilton was doing this with Litre, makes sense really, you have to lung forward 1 yard, give it to a guy who loves contact and is built for tough going.

Yes but he's also not going to run wide or throw a pass etc etc. Defences know exactly where he'll lung. That isn't a good thing for the offence.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I noticed Hamilton was doing this with Litre, makes sense really, you have to lung forward 1 yard, give it to a guy who loves contact and is built for tough going.

i wanted the Bombers to go after Litre in F.A. to replace Jackson at FB, he's such a versatile player and wouldn't cost much, unfortunately at the time the Bombers had no money to go after anyone.

[Blue In BC]

i wanted the Bombers to go after Litre in F.A. to replace Jackson at FB, he's such a versatile player and wouldn't cost much, unfortunately at the time the Bombers had no money to go after anyone.

Sure we did. Lots of other adjustments to the roster and SMS could have been done before or during TC. He wouldn't have been expensive.

I didn't think he would want to leave the East.

[CrazyCanuck89]

The Elks screwd up the offseason.  Should have put MBTs money towards Dline and the secondary.

[theaardvark]

The Elks screwd up the offseason.  Should have put MBTs money towards Dline and the secondary.

Jones traded Ceresna for Gittens...

I don't think MBT is getting boatloads of money, reports are "up to $500k with incentives" which I'm pretty sure won't get paid, as they are usually wins/performance based

[Blue In BC]

The Elks screwd up the offseason.  Should have put MBTs money towards Dline and the secondary.

And done what at QB, roll with Ford? It might have paid off considering no wins so far. MBT has not played badly but money spent elsewhere might have made a difference. Hindsight is perfect though.

They could have won 3 or 4 of those games, somewhat like the Bombers. Close doesn't help in the standings.

[TecnoGenius]

i'm not sure why more teams haven't gone with a FB for SY, rather than a QB.  If you have a Streveler or Prukop, sure, that's your best option, because they can option out of the sneak.  But for a straight sneak, a FB makes more sense, plus the injury factor diving into a pile of linemen.

1) A FB is part of your normal AR and probably has other duties, even if just ST.  A SY-only #3 QB (Prukop or Strev) is a "free dress" on the roster (forced to be on the roster! even if not dressed), and he literally has nothing else to do other than hold the clipboard.  As such, he also has nothing better to do all week than to practice and master sneaking (with maybe the odd pass).

2) A FB has other duties.  He needs to practice and master his blocking and sneak-out-TDs, among other things.  Why add to his plate?  He won't master SY whilst also mastering being a FB.  Look at how few SY dedicated QB-sneakers have become masters!  Prukop.  LeFeve.  Maybe throw Marve and Strev in there, maybe.  Look at how even dedicated ones like Caleb and Dom never quite reached that level.  Now take Litre or someone: they're going to somehow manage it along with their normal duties?

Use the free dressed QB.  Nobody needs two #2's (backup QBs)!  It would be too expensive and they'd probably kill each other competing.  Use that 3rd as SY.  WPG showed the league this is the best path for nearly a decade now.

[TecnoGenius]

There's no backfiring in Edmonton. Chris Jones deserved to be fired long ago. There's nowhere to go but up.

Oh yes there is!  Jones wasn't getting blown out by 40 before garbage time this season, was he...  The most embarrassing EDM game came 2 weeks after Jones was fired.

So there is somewhere else they can go... back to 2 years ago where they lost most every game by 3+ scores.

BinBC is right: and being "close" makes fans waaaay happier than being down 20 after 1.5 quarters.  Aren't us WPG fans happier losing by 3 than having a 2014 team that we know is going to get killed?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sure we did. Lots of other adjustments to the roster and SMS could have been done before or during TC. He wouldn't have been expensive.

I didn't think he would want to leave the East.

Other than retaining their own I don't think the Bombers signed anyone in free agency.  Litre is from BC, played at Simon Fraser and spent the first 6 years of his CFL career playing for western teams, so I don't think he'd have a problem leaving the East.

No matter, I think MCI has a bright future as an underused FB/TE that rarely touches the ball.

[Jesse]

Oh yes there is!  Jones wasn't getting blown out by 40 before garbage time this season, was he...  The most embarrassing EDM game came 2 weeks after Jones was fired.

So there is somewhere else they can go... back to 2 years ago where they lost most every game by 3+ scores.

BinBC is right: and being "close" makes fans waaaay happier than being down 20 after 1.5 quarters.  Aren't us WPG fans happier losing by 3 than having a 2014 team that we know is going to get killed?

Well, agree to disagree. Jones should have been canned long before he was. I don't believe he was going to turn it around. So now there's an actually probability of improvement that didn't exist before.

[blue_gold_84]

Well, agree to disagree. Jones should have been canned long before he was. I don't believe he was going to turn it around. So now there's an actually probability of improvement that didn't exist before.

He should've never been hired again. That's where the Elks organization mucked up, and now they gotta deal with the fallout.

Chris Jones is a goof.

[Jesse]

He should've never been hired again. That's where the Elks organization mucked up, and now they gotta deal with the fallout.

Chris Jones is a goof.

He never should have been hired as a HC. He DEFINITELY should never have been hired as the GM/HC/DC. It's one of those situations where you did not need hindsight at all. Everyone knew it was dumb the second it happened.

Just incompetence from the top down in Edmonton.

[theaardvark]

Other than retaining their own I don't think the Bombers signed anyone in free agency.  Litre is from BC, played at Simon Fraser and spent the first 6 years of his CFL career playing for western teams, so I don't think he'd have a problem leaving the East.

No matter, I think MCI has a bright future as an underused FB/TE that rarely touches the ball.

We didn't sign an non bomber FA's, and were not able to even sign all the bomber FA's we wanted to.  So, unless a player was super good AND super cheap, there is a reason the bombers were not active in FA.

[Blue In BC]

We didn't sign an non bomber FA's, and were not able to even sign all the bomber FA's we wanted to.  So, unless a player was super good AND super cheap, there is a reason the bombers were not active in FA.

Griffin was signed after the Stamps released him.

[blue_gold_84]

He never should have been hired as a HC. He DEFINITELY should never have been hired as the GM/HC/DC. It's one of those situations where you did not need hindsight at all. Everyone knew it was dumb the second it happened.

Just incompetence from the top down in Edmonton.

He exposed himself for exactly who he is when he bailed on the Riders after the 2018 season. He should've never been given another opportunity in this league.

[Jesse]

He exposed himself for exactly who he is when he bailed on the Riders after the 2018 season. He should've never been given another opportunity in this league.

Beyond being an ***, he's just incapable of the job.

[TecnoGenius]

Beyond being an ***, he's just incapable of the job.

But he was coming within a hair's breadth of winning most games... just like us.

EDM won't win any of the next 4 games.  They went from dissatisfied to disaster, disorganization and disunity.

Jarius shouldn't have taken the job: he'll be the next sacrifice when they don't win until garbage season.

[dd]

The only hope Edmonton has is start Ford at Qb. He will run for his life, gain yards, chew time off the clock, and eventually score. Putting in MBT they're going to get what they've always got--a Qb who can't run or throw well, goes 2 and out and gives the other team the ball back asap