October 6, 2015: Ottawa RedBlacks vs. Toronto Argonauts

[AngeloV]

We should do likewise with the temporary fix of Alix, he was horrid on both punts and kickoffs.
Somehow bring back Palardy and do the ratio shuffle especially as we get into the colder weather and the punter can be crucial.

Wow...a 43 yard NET average is horrid? It probably is higher than any punter is averaging in the league right now.

[R.J]

Wow...a 43 yard NET average is horrid? It probably is higher than any punter is averaging in the league right now.

43.3 (260 yars/6 punts = 43.333333) was Alix's average not net average.
Leone, Waters, Maver (IMO the best punter in the league), Early, Hajrullahu, Bede, Shaw, Maher and Pfeffer all have higher averages.

[1argoholic]

I though our punting was good last night. I thought Harris was good other then a few throws. The Laing penalty on Burris was a total farce as Burris was fighting to get away. Laing just lost his mind for a minute and took his helmet off and I don't blame him really. We have the best rookie receivers. To have found three very solid starters plus Spencer. Our return game still needs help and I'm sick of seeing different guys all game long.
Owens catch all in all has to be one of the best I've seen and I've been following the team since the late 60's. The throw looked long and he just went all in to grab it. He made it look to easy. Love Owens.

Why only use Steele once? I can't figure Milanovich out. He's a very conservative coach to say the least.

Now we'll need to keep winning and hope that Ottawa can handle Hamilton twice. A tie with Ottawa on top gives us the east. Other then the Calgary game we have winnable games. Anytime I show any confidence they crap it.

[Wobbler]

A good punting range is great, skilled directional punting is great, but IMHO the most important attribute a punter can possess is reliability. A shanked punt at the wrong time can be disastrous.

One game offers limited data, but Alix (like Palardy before him) was reliable.

[AngeloV]

43.3 (260 yars/6 punts = 43.333333) was Alix's average not net average.
Leone, Waters, Maver (IMO the best punter in the league), Early, Hajrullahu, Bede, Shaw, Maher and Pfeffer all have higher averages.

Agreed on the average, but as I posted earlier, Ottawa averaged less than 1 yard per return, so net average was in the 43 range. None have higher net averages than that.

I know you really wish they had kept Pfeffer, but I don't believe he will ever be a good punter. Alix is not much more experienced than him, but he had no problem with directional punting. Pfeffer is horrible at it.

[R.J]

Agreed on the average, but as I posted earlier, Ottawa averaged less than 1 yard per return, so net average was in the 43 range. None have higher net averages than that.

I know you really wish they had kept Pfeffer, but I don't believe he will ever be a good punter. Alix is not much more experienced than him, but he had no problem with directional punting. Pfeffer is horrible at it.

I didn't know that Ottawa only averaged less than 1 yard on returns, haven't checked the stats but I do recall William s making some gains, either way you and I both know net average doesn't tell the whole story, coverage plays a huge role in it. Also, I didn't make my post to put a negative spin on what Alix did, he performed decently, I just felt that we have to put it into perspective. As for Pfeffer, I only put his name down because he showed up on the CFL website when I looked for the punting stats. I think everyone here knows my thoughts on Pfeffer and the Argonauts, along with my thoughts on Pfeffer punting abilities, I would rather not beat that dead horse again lol.

[Argo57]

I say sign and pay Harris as the starter.

Sign and pay Ray as the backup, plus sign and pay Ray as the new quarterbacks coach. Two jobs for which he is supremely qualified, plus a nice transition into the next phase of his football career. And, he gets some decent pay by CFL standards.

This scenario would set up the Argos nicely in the coming years!

Exactly what I have suggested in the past, having Ray stay as a playing assistant may be a good option, no one has more knowledge of the position and CFL and he strikes me as having the right personality for this.
Harris isn't going anywhere period!!

[Argo57]

Tate took Calgary's deal because it paid him a higher base salary, the other offers were incentive based. Collaros did turn down more money from Ottawa in order to play closer to home and the Ticats were also a playoff ready team.


That's sounds nice in theory, but what if Ray still wants to be a starter, along with being paid as such.

If Ray wants to remain a starter approaching the same salary level it won't be in Toronto.

[jerrym]

If Ray wants to remain a starter approaching the same salary level it won't be in Toronto.

After watching Harris all year, I have changed my opinion to the Argos have no option but to keep Harris over Ray into the future because of his performance, age and lower injury rate.

[jerrym]

Both on the field and statistically it was one hell of a night for Harris, who had 5 passing TDs and was only 3 yards short of 400 yards passing, in addition to having the poise to march down the field in dying seconds to score the winning TD.

[argotom]

After watching Harris all year, I have changed my opinion to the Argos have no option but to keep Harris over Ray into the future because of his performance, age and lower injury rate.

Are we starting this again, very volatile for both sides of the issue?

[argotom]

Wow...a 43 yard NET average is horrid? It probably is higher than any punter is averaging in the league right now.

I just looked at the game stats, was hoping to find the distance for all punts instead of the grand total.
So here it is: Alix 6 punts with a 43.3 average and the longest was 49 yards.
Maher 7 punts with a 45.9 average and the longest was 58 yards.

Again, this is the gross amount does not calculate the return or the net effect.
There was no kickoff stat available.
Bottom line, I did not notice a particularly good hang time since the camera does not show.
Finally, what does it say if the RB released Maher?
It says that team was not happy with the guy.
Why should we when Palardy was better the week before.

[jerrym]

Good news for Burris, Ottawa and the league as it appears that Burris's injury will not prevent him from playing in Ottawa's next game.

http://ottawacitizen.com/sports/foot...tart-next-game

[AngeloV]

I just looked at the game stats, was hoping to find the distance for all punts instead of the grand total.
So here it is: Alix 6 punts with a 43.3 average and the longest was 49 yards.
Maher 7 punts with a 45.9 average and the longest was 58 yards.

Again, this is the gross amount does not calculate the return or the net effect.
There was no kickoff stat available.
Bottom line, I did not notice a particularly good hang time since the camera does not show.
Finally, what does it say if the RB released Maher?
It says that team was not happy with the guy.
Why should we when Palardy was better the week before.

You can get the full boxscore on the below link

http://www.cflstats.ca/game/2015070/orb-tor-2015oct06

Ottawa had 5 punt returns for 3 yards, Argos had 5 for 51. Alix averaged just under 43 yards net, while Maher averaged just under 36.

[jerrym]

Here's the url for Owens great catch for the winning TD if anyone wants to see again and again.

http://www.cfl.ca/video/index/id/117677

[jerrym]

The following site previews the Rider - Tiger Cats game that could have an important role in determining whether Argos finish first, as a Hamilton loss and an Argo win on Monday would leave Toronto alone in first place. Considering the Tiger Cats great early home winning record over the last two years, I am also surprised to find the Tabbies have lost 3 of their lost 4 home games. Go Riders go.

The Roughriders cling to their playoff lives in Hamilton when they face the Tiger-Cats in a must-win game from Tim Hortons Field. The Ticats meanwhile look to rebound from losing 3 of their last 4 home games and keep pace in the East.

http://www.cfl.ca/video/index/id/117701

[argotom]

You can get the full boxscore on the below link

http://www.cflstats.ca/game/2015070/orb-tor-2015oct06

Ottawa had 5 punt returns for 3 yards, Argos had 5 for 51. Alix averaged just under 43 yards net, while Maher averaged just under 36.

Thanks for the site, very extensive.

[AngeloV]

Thanks for the site, very extensive.

No problem.

[gilthethrill]

Just got done watching the game on PVR. My heart can't take this much longer from this group of under appreciated, under funded Warriors. I can see it now on the Ticats forum..."Owens was offside on the catch"....To sweep Ottawa for the season...to look horrible on that 3 game losing streak and be, in my opinion the favorites to win the East is just incredible. Thanks to the RedBlacks organization for being such great hosts. The Argos are the best sports story in 2015.

[ArgoRavi]

The only catch in recent memory that I find to be as good (and perhaps even better) was SJ Green's catch in OT back of the end zone at Regina..forget the year, but it was something.

That was the season opener of 2010. I certainly don't recall a better catch ever by an Argo and the fact that it was such a clutch catch has to factor in on just how monumental it was.