Redblacks at TiCats GDT Sat 2PM CT (on CTV)

[TecnoGenius]

Good grief. Hamilton receiver digs hard to make the catch on the ball and the officials blow it dead (meaning they think it hit the ground). It didn't. It was a good catch. Can these officials just not see?

Well, the angle given wasn't enough to tell.  It looked like a catch, but can't be positive.  Of course, TSN won't show more angles because it would "make the league look bad", heaven forbid.

[TecnoGenius]

Welp, I'm not sure why that perfectly good catch that was ruled a non-catch wasn't overturned but whatever?!?

That type of ref screwup can't be auto-reviewed.  HC would have to challenge it.  Overturning it would be very, very hard given the new standard, even with some better camera angles.

In any case, it would be a lot like MOS's famous lose-yards challenge... because they blew it dead, any YAC would be thrown away.  Did he have the 1st down at the point of the catch?  If not, pointless to challenge.

The R was correct though: refs are supposed to let it play out if they aren't certain, and let video sort it out.  I wonder who the ref blowing it dead was...

[TecnoGenius]

Dunbar having a great game, eh!  The CFL player page must be wrong as they only show him playing since '23... wasn't Dunbar in HAM for their GC stretch vs us?

Nice to see him regaining his great form.  He used to be so good, but has been doing basically nothing since leaving HAM.  Coming back "home" for him was the right move for both parties.

[TecnoGenius]

Masoli!

I love seeing Masoli show everyone he still has it (whenever his body isn't breaking, that is).  Always said he'd be a great #2 here.  Or even short-term #1 (like 1 season rental if needed).

I haven't finished this game yet, but Masoli getting 2 big drives plus the 2PAT... huge.  Even with HAM playing a bit of prevent.  This game should have been in the bag at halftime.

[TecnoGenius]

How do the refs not see Hamilton

O lineman with a handful of d lineman's shirt. Out in the open.

League is clearing mandating a much higher requirement before holding is flagged.  To my eyes, holding flags are way down in '24.  It's always had to be pretty egregious, but this year takes the cake.

The guy has to be way past the holder (not a side-armbar-hold) and the hold has to be right near the ball, not some far-away nothingburger.

While I like my officiating to be "more perfect" (to the written rules), I do get and kind of like how the games aren't slowed down and drives ruined by the previously-copious holding flags.  They just have to be consistent, and so far they seem to be.  If they keep it up all the way through to the GC, then I'd say it's a good change.

[TecnoGenius]

Ottawa looks like they may have found a replacement for Armstead with Kahlan Laborn. He looks like he runs hard and has some zip.

Many RBs look superstar in their first 1-4 starts.  Remember EDM's brown?  Then enough film accrues and Ds start shutting them down.  Then it's the usual tough slogging.

I'd say Bell looked better than Laborn today, and Bell has very few starts, too.

[TecnoGenius]

Hamilton looking good, too bad they didn't play this well right out of the gate, they'd be in position to make the playoffs.

HAM winning a few down the stretch will mean there may be ZERO teams eliminated from the playoffs before the trade deadline!  That is bad news for teams like us who may be wanting to stock up on various positions at the last minute (for IR reasons).

It's ironic and unfortunate: the years we were killing it and had few injuries, teams were eliminated early; this year when we probably need some quality bodies, most teams are pretty close in the standings.

[J5V]

Many RBs look superstar in their first 1-4 starts.  Remember EDM's brown?  Then enough film accrues and Ds start shutting them down.  Then it's the usual tough slogging.

I'd say Bell looked better than Laborn today, and Bell has very few starts, too.

I agree that Bell looked very good today except for his ball security issues. My comment was only in response to yours about them regretting letting Armstead go and that they may have found a replacement. Of course we won't know for a while. Let's see how he does.

[TecnoGenius]

I agree that Bell looked very good today except for his ball security issues. My comment was only in response to yours about them regretting letting Armstead go and that they may have found a replacement. Of course we won't know for a while. Let's see how he does.

That's the beauty of it: we're could both be right, just too early to tell.

The alternative is Laborn and Bell could have sucked rocks!  Since they didn't, that counts as a win, and means they possibly could be keepers.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

That's the beauty of it: we're could both be right, just too early to tell.

The alternative is Laborn and Bell could have sucked rocks!  Since they didn't, that counts as a win, and means they possibly could be keepers.

Glad to see Ottawa bringing in bigger RB's, it took them too long to figure that out.  Their original starter Devonte Williams  who is smallish, may not have a job when he comes back.

[Jesse]

I agree that Bell looked very good today except for his ball security issues. My comment was only in response to yours about them regretting letting Armstead go and that they may have found a replacement. Of course we won't know for a while. Let's see how he does.

I  don't think they're going to regret letting Armstead go, regardless of finding a replacement. It was for off-field reasons.

[Waffler]

Considering the dearth of MOP candidates, usually we have a good idea by now, I would say Dru Brown has to be in the conversation for getting Ottawa to the playoffs despite an off game. Who hasn't had an off game this year?

As for the Bombers my vote is Sergio.

https://3downnation.com/2024/09/10/opinion-this-is-officially-the-weirdest-m-o-p-race-in-cfl-history/

[ModAdmin]

I  don't think they're going to regret letting Armstead go, regardless of finding a replacement. It was for off-field reasons.

I've never understood this mentality.

You get an opportunity to play pro football.  You get to start.  It is a potentially stepping stone to greater things.  And you blow it due to off-field activities.  Mind blowing.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I've never understood this mentality.

You get an opportunity to play pro football.  You get to start.  It is a potentially stepping stone to greater things.  And you blow it due to off-field activities.  Mind blowing.

A lot of suppressed anger in some football players due to their difficult backgrounds and broken homes, they can barely contain lashing out at opponents on field, it seems almost gang like. I think it's gotten worse in the last 5 years with on-field behaviour degrading.  How, how, how it's gotten worse? I dunno, something to do with the sorry state of society.

[dd]

Considering the dearth of MOP candidates, usually we have a good idea by now, I would say Dru Brown has to be in the conversation for getting Ottawa to the playoffs despite an off game. Who hasn't had an off game this year?

As for the Bombers my vote is Sergio.

https://3downnation.com/2024/09/10/opinion-this-is-officially-the-weirdest-m-o-p-race-in-cfl-history/

Ya, Brown was dreadful last game , pulled and Masoli came in. Zack had a slow start but has come on lately. Based on his teams record, fajardo has to be in the conversation and Kelly blew away BC in BC. I think the MOP race comes down to one of those four and whatever team gets hot and goes on a Rollin the playoffs, threat the guy who ll be MOP