Semi-Eastern Final: Edmonton Eskimos @ Ottawa redblacks

**PullTogether73** · 11-18-2016, 08:21 PM

Originally Posted by gilthethrill

Special Weather Statement for Ottawa starting Saturday night there could be 10-15 cm snow for Ottawa by the end of Sunday. Go Ottawa! Eastern team should represent the Eastern Football Conference in the Grey Cup!

Eastern teams should win more football games to earn the right to host a playoff game.
A winning record at least would be a good start.

(Gil and I clearly disagree on the current format in case anyone was unsure.

)

**argotom** · 11-18-2016, 09:46 PM

Just a gut feeling how Henry's magic will win the day on Sunday.
Especially since the Esks were rather fortunate to win in Hamilton.

**gilthethrill** · 11-18-2016, 09:58 PM

Originally Posted by GreyDragon

Eastern teams should win more football games to earn the right to host a playoff game.
A winning record at least would be a good start.

(Gil and I clearly disagree on the current format in case anyone was unsure.

)

HAHA....I am not sure anyone else noticed! It's hard to explain, I loathe the Crossover, but yet did not mind the North/South Divisions when there US based teams in the league.

**Argo57** · 11-19-2016, 10:44 AM

Originally Posted by GreyDragon

Eastern teams should win more football games to earn the right to host a playoff game.
A winning record at least would be a good start.

(Gil and I clearly disagree on the current format in case anyone was unsure.

)

I am an East-West Grey Cup traditionalist who is becoming more open to simply having the best 2 teams in the big game.
Personally don't care who wins tomorrow simply hope for an entertaining game next week.

**R.J** · 11-19-2016, 11:53 AM

Getting rid of the divisions doesn't solve what people are complaining about in the first place. The only difference would be that Ottawa and Hamilton wouldn't have held home playoff dates - the same teams would have made it though.

**OV Argo** · 11-19-2016, 11:56 AM

Calling for wet snow tomorrow in Ottawa for game time.

Esks went to the run game to produce a win in very windy conditions in Hamilton last week - nice to still see a CFL team think a ground game can power their offence - as the situation dictates / in a big play-off game. Tough to pass lots in strong wind; maybe also tough to pass in a snow-storm ... hmmm ... what to do on offence ? Not sure if the wind was the main factor to limit the Esks usually very productive pass attack last week, but have to think it was ? - the Ticats were trotting out 2 quite inexperienced guys at cornerback - either they were very good in shutting down Bowman & Walker and the other Esks receivers, or maybe Maas thought: too difficult to pass much, and we have a good RB and huge O-line - so let's run lots ?

**AngeloV** · 11-19-2016, 11:58 AM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

Getting rid of the divisions doesn't solve what people are complaining about in the first place. The only difference would be that Ottawa and Hamilton wouldn't have held home playoff dates - the same teams would have made it though.

And in 2016, playing at home has actually been a disadvantage.

**Argo57** · 11-19-2016, 12:49 PM

Originally Posted by OV Argo

Calling for wet snow tomorrow in Ottawa for game time.

Esks went to the run game to produce a win in very windy conditions in Hamilton last week - nice to still see a CFL team think a ground game can power their offence - as the situation dictates / in a big play-off game. Tough to pass lots in strong wind; maybe also tough to pass in a snow-storm ... hmmm ... what to do on offence ? Not sure if the wind was the main factor to limit the Esks usually very productive pass attack last week, but have to think it was ? - the Ticats were trotting out 2 quite inexperienced guys at cornerback - either they were very good in shutting down Bowman & Walker and the other Esks receivers, or maybe Maas thought: too difficult to pass much, and we have a good RB and huge O-line - so let's run lots ?

Edmonton was brilliant at running the ball against the wind in the first quarter which played a huge role in their win, Hamilton's D had no answer for it.

**Argo** · 11-19-2016, 03:31 PM

Originally Posted by OV Argo

Calling for wet snow tomorrow in Ottawa for game time.

Esks went to the run game to produce a win in very windy conditions in Hamilton last week - nice to still see a CFL team think a ground game can power their offence - as the situation dictates / in a big play-off game. Tough to pass lots in strong wind; maybe also tough to pass in a snow-storm ... hmmm ... what to do on offence ? Not sure if the wind was the main factor to limit the Esks usually very productive pass attack last week, but have to think it was ? - the Ticats were trotting out 2 quite inexperienced guys at cornerback - either they were very good in shutting down Bowman & Walker and the other Esks receivers, or maybe Maas thought: too difficult to pass much, and we have a good RB and huge O-line - so let's run lots ?

Running game? We ain't got no running game. We don't need no running game. We don't have to show you any stinkin' running game!
-- Gold Hat Milanovich

**ArgoRavi** · 11-19-2016, 04:42 PM

Originally Posted by Argo

Running game? We ain't got no running game. We don't need no running game. We don't have to show you any stinkin' running game!
-- Gold Hat Milanovich

Interestingly, the Argos were one of only two CFL teams with a 1000 yard rusher this season.

**R.J** · 11-19-2016, 06:21 PM

Originally Posted by ArgoRavi

Interestingly, the Argos were one of only two CFL teams with a 1000 yard rusher this season.

Helps when you're only dressing one rb. Argos were 6th in total rushing yards and last in rushing tds.

**Will** · 11-20-2016, 10:12 AM

Snowfall warning in effect

The weather for the west final is going to be better than the weather for the east final.

**Ron** · 11-20-2016, 10:33 AM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

Helps when you're only dressing one rb. Argos were 6th in total rushing yards and last in rushing tds.

I like what some teams were doing (like BC) where they had 2 RB's and rotated them to keep them fresh. Much better to have 2 rushers get 1250 yards and be fresh than one guy getting 1000 yards.

**ArgoRavi** · 11-20-2016, 12:18 PM

Originally Posted by SnowRogue

Helps when you're only dressing one rb. Argos were 6th in total rushing yards and last in rushing tds.

Middle of the pack in league rushing then and that is despite not having a lead for much of the second half of the season. Derek Taylor did a great analysis a few weeks back showing, not surprisingly, that a large percentage of rushing yards come with a team leading in the 4th quarter.

**Will** · 11-20-2016, 01:22 PM

Madu is banged up for Ottawa. Could be a significant factor in this weather.

**Will** · 11-20-2016, 02:31 PM

Edmonton can't get anything going offensively, Walker and Bowman are having a rough half, but the Edmonton defence also doesn't have a clue out there right now.

**Argo57** · 11-20-2016, 03:38 PM

Looks like we have a game all of the sudden.

**Gill The Thrill** · 11-20-2016, 03:42 PM

Originally Posted by Argo57

Looks like we have a game all of the sudden.

WTF is going on here...what happened to Lafrance? Why give it to Paden?...can't stand the Eskimos.

An all Alberta Grey Cup would be a disaster for the league and guarantee a non-sellout next week. Ottawa fans would only have 4-5 to travel by automobile and would probably guarantee a sellout.