Elks at Stamps Labour Day Game Thread Mon 5PM CT

[GOLDMEMBER]

An Elk win here would do Big Blue a solid here.

Hopefully Mr Ford returns.

[Blue In BC]

Having the Elks and Stamps split their series might be the best option for us? Elks are closing the gap on the rest of the west.

As long as Bombers continue winning, it won't matter. That's the key.

[J5V]

Having the Elks and Stamps split their series might be the best option for us? Elks are closing the gap on the rest of the west.

As long as Bombers continue winning, it won't matter. That's the key.

That's exactly why the big game-winning drive by the offense was so important last week. It put us another 2 points ahead of the Elks and Stamps. If we make the playoffs this year I'll look back at that performance as the key one that got us there.

[GOLDMEMBER]

That's exactly why the big game-winning drive by the offense was so important last week. It put us another 2 points ahead of the Elks and Stamps. If we make the playoffs this year I'll look back at that performance as the key one that got us there.

That drive could of easily cliched us 1st place in the division. Time will tell.

[The Zipp]

Having the Elks and Stamps split their series might be the best option for us? Elks are closing the gap on the rest of the west.

As long as Bombers continue winning, it won't matter. That's the key.

I think you may be right about the split. 

[TecnoGenius]

My hunch is split because neither is really better than the other at this point.  Sure, each is trending in different directions, but trends can reverse.

I think I'd rather have CGY win because facing CGY in a playoff game presents us with a known quantity.  We know how to beat CGY.  EDM, especially with Ford, is a wildcard.  Who knows what to expect from them any given Sunday.

[DM83]

Ford is crap.  Just a publicity stunt. Can't read a defense. First read covered- he looks to run around. Contain him and make him play like a professional qB .  MacLeod is three times the QB is.

Maier can't contribute much.  If no pressure he is adequate.

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

Edmonton Elks bench kicker Boris Bede ahead of Labour Day Classic
By 3Down Staff -September 1, 2024

The Edmonton Elks appear to have pulled the plug on the Boris Bede era ahead of their most important game of the season.

The veteran kicker has been listed as a healthy scratch for the annual Labour Day Classic against the Calgary Stampeders. The Elks paid a significant sum to bring in the 34-year-old East Division all-star on a two-year contract this offseason and it has not paid off.

Through 11 games, Bede has connected on just 18-of-25 field goal attempts. His 72 percent conversion rate is the worst in the CFL and the lowest in his career since 2016. After missing another critical kick in a tight Week 12 loss to the Montreal Alouettes, his fate was sealed.

37-year-old Global kicker Dean Faithfull will get the nod for this marquee matchup. The former British soccer player was the Elks' primary placekicker as a rookie last year, connecting on 22-of-28 attempts for a conversion rate of just 78.6 percent.

In addition to the special teams switch, the Elks will get some marquee names back in the lineup after injury. Canadian quarterback Tre Ford will dress after missing the last two contests with a rib issue but will not start over veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Star returner and burgeoning young running back Javon Leake will also be back in action after a one-game absence, forming a backfield trio with Kevin Brown and Justin Rankin.

On defence, veteran defensive back Loucheiz Purifoy is back in action and will return to his regular spot at free safety. Former first-round CFL Draft pick Daniel Joseph will also dress for the first time at defensive end since joining the team midseason.

To make room for the moves, quarterback Jarret Doege and defensive back J.J. Ross have been demoted to the practice roster. Global linebacker Les Maruo (calf) has been placed on the one-game injured list, while Canadian linebacker D.K. Bonhomme (hamstring) will go on the six-game.

The Edmonton Elks (3-8) will visit the Calgary Stampeders (4-6) for the annual Labour Day Classic on Monday, September 2 at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/09/01/edmonton-elks-bench-kicker-boris-bede-ahead-of-labour-day-classic/

[gobombersgo]

All-star OL Sean McEwen returns to Stampeders' lineup for Labour Day Classic
By 3Down Staff -September 1, 2024

The Calgary Stampeders will have one of the best offensive linemen in Canadian football back in the lineup for the Labour Day Classic.

Veteran centre Sean McEwen is ready to return after nursing a hand injury the last two weeks. The six-foot-three, 299-pound blocker has dressed for 124 career games and made 119 starts with Toronto and Calgary, including nine this season at centre. He is a four-time division all-star and three-time CFL all-star.

While the interior of the offensive line will receive a boost, the Stamps were forced to put left tackle D'Antne Demery (hand) on the one-game injured list. Rookie Eric Smith will step in for him as he did earlier in the season, but may not be the only change on the left side of the line. Guard Bryce Bell (calf) is listed as a game-time decision, with Rodeem Brown and Kyle Saxelid being the next two men on the depth chart.

Elsewhere, the Stampeders have cycled through a number of changes to the backend of their roster and should look dramatically different on special teams with the return of veteran Canadian linebacker Adam Konar, homegrown receiver Tyson Middlemost, and Global defensive back Bailey Devine-Scott. The pass rush rotation will also see the addition of defensive tackles Charles Wiley and Kail Dava, the latter of whom will be making his first appearance after being poached from the B.C. Lions' practice squad.

Getting knocked down to the practice roster to accommodate the changes are Canadian receiver Rysen John, American defensive back Kenyon Reed, and Global fullback Ron Tiavaasue. Canadian defensive ends Elliott Graham and George Idoko will be healthy scratches, while defensive tackle Kwadwo Boahen (back) was placed on the six-game injured list.

The Calgary Stampeders (4-6) will visit the Edmonton Elks (3-8) for the annual Labour Day Classic on Monday, September 2 at 6:00 p.m. EDT.

https://3downnation.com/2024/09/01/all-star-ol-sean-mcewen-returns-to-stampeders-lineup-for-labour-day-classic/

[pdirks67]

Wow - between the two teams, there are five American RBs on their depth charts.

[Jesse]

Wow - between the two teams, there are five American RBs on their depth charts.

Is that unusual?

[TecnoGenius]

Is that unusual?

You bet!  Even 3-RB-dressing teams like TOR never dressed 3 IMPs -- one's always a NAT (like AH33).

What on earth does EDM have up their sleeve?  Are they planning a 75%-run game?  If Ford can be in for a lot of snaps that will put CGY in a bind: Ford + 2 IMP RBs at the same time and who knows what direction they are going or who has the ball.

And all 3 RBs for EDM are legit game wreckers.  It'll be intriguing!

[TecnoGenius]

Check out CGY's IN/OUT list... they just quietly got a lot stronger.  Still, they only really have 1-2 "real" receivers, especially compared to EDM!  I think CGY will surprise to the upside.  Might it be enough for a win?