Grey Cup Thread: Calgary Stampeders vs. Ottawa Redblacks

[Will]

Will the Stampeders avenge their 1968 Grey Cup defeat? They probably will.

[R.J]

Hoping for a good match-up, and that Burris doesn't go on about his record of turning teams around. I'm hoping Ottawa can pull of a shocker.

[OV Argo]

Hoping for a good match-up, and that Burris doesn't go on about his record of turning teams around. I'm hoping Ottawa can pull of a shocker.

Might be a shocker to some; probably not those though who saw Calgary in Ottawa this year; game RedBlacks easily shoulda won - but a fumble late in the game and a sure/easy pick that was dropped by the later cut Ottawa safety Robinson in OT, allowed the Stamps to sneak away with a tie.

Stamps did seem to get better or become even more solid as the season wore on, but I still don't think they're that great like their gaudy record in a year of some real $hit CFL teams suggests to some. Blank has a good game passing and they mix in the run, and they can score with the Stamps IMO. Stamps superior kicking game could prove the difference plus Finch is very under-rated as a returner (best dual guy in the league IMO); but the RedBlacks could also surprise by winning the turn-over battle; they could also hope for a repeat of some cold, snowy weather that they just got battle tested in.

[PullTogether73]

I hope each team wears the same uniforms they wore yesterday.

The almost identical looks would make things very interesting.

[gilthethrill]

Will the Stampeders avenge their 1968 Grey Cup defeat? They probably will.

Was Burris on Ottawa's roster for that game?

[OV Argo]

Was Burris on Ottawa's roster for that game?

Hee, hee - his rookie season?

That 68 Ottawa team had one of the most talented CFL offences all-time probably: one of, if not, the best, CFL QBs of all time, plus, weapons like Vic Washington, Bo Scott & Ronnie Stewart as backs, speedsters like Whit Tucker and Margene Adkins at receiver, big tight end Jay Roberts, vet O-line (Washington & Scott departed for the NFL after this game; Adkins the next season - I think it was).

Ottawa had to hang-on for a 3 point win in that game though - that was a good Stamps team - some of whom helped win the 71 GC vs. the Leo Cahill led Argos.

[gilthethrill]

Hee, hee - his rookie season?

That 68 Ottawa team had one of the most talented CFL offences all-time probably: one of, if not, the best, CFL QBs of all time, plus, weapons like Vic Washington, Bo Scott & Ronnie Stewart as backs, speedsters like Whit Tucker and Margene Adkins at receiver, big tight end Jay Roberts, vet O-line (Washington & Scott departed for the NFL after this game; Adkins the next season - I think it was).

Ottawa had to hang-on for a 3 point win in that game though - that was a good Stamps team - some of whom helped win the 71 GC vs. the Leo Cahill led Argos.

Although I was just a snot nosed 1 year old, I have read stories about NFL scouts at that Grey Cup saying that Ottawa's QB (some guy named Russian Jackson), could have easily played in that league in addition to Scott and Adkins.

[Argo]

...a year of some real $hit CFL teams...

We're #1 ! (Or should that be "#2" ?)

[ArgoRavi]

I think that this game will be much closer than many are suggesting. Ottawa tied the Stamps early in the season in a game that they should have won, as OV mentioned, and then were within a score in the final few minutes after coming back from a sizable deficit in the game in Calgary. Henry Burris played in neither of those games and he is still Ottawa's best QB.

[OV Argo]

Although I was just a snot nosed 1 year old, I have read stories about NFL scouts at that Grey Cup saying that Ottawa's QB (some guy named Russian Jackson), could have easily played in that league in addition to Scott and Adkins.

Bo Scott and Vic Washington had pretty decent, productive NFL careers; Adkins only lasted a bit and just returned a few kick-offs.

Jackson was the best QB in ALL of football back then IMO - sorry bout that Johnny Unitas ;o)

[gilthethrill]

It will be an interesting offseason in Ottawa if Burris has a big game Sunday and comes out with a win. That could really mess up Harris and his $400,000 salary next season. I thought Mitchell came off as being a bit of a jerk Sunday when he told that Calgary employee to "Get outta my way" when he went out to throw a warmup pass.

[AngeloV]

It will be an interesting offseason in Ottawa if Burris has a big game Sunday and comes out with a win. That could really mess up Harris and his $400,000 salary next season.

Or Burris may think: What a wonderful way to go out...as champion.

[R.J]

The Burris situation was brought up this past weekend, and according to Desjardins: Trevor Harris will be the Redblacks starting QB in 2017.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/cfl-insi...-future~999145

[doubleblue]

Bo Scott and Vic Washington had pretty decent, productive NFL careers; Adkins only lasted a bit and just returned a few kick-offs.

Jackson was the best QB in ALL of football back then IMO - sorry bout that Johnny Unitas ;o)

What a lot of the younger crowd may not know is that players like Bo Scott, Vic Washington, Margene Adlins, Leon McQuay, Jake Scott etc. etc. came to the CFL as underclassmen. Players that would be top draft picks had they stayed until their Seniors years. That got outlawed by the CFL at the request of the NCAA to stop CFL from inticing young players to leave College early. I would kind of like to see that still allowed for the CFL, where a player that drops out of College for whatever reason be allowed to play in the CFL until his draft year. Of course the rules have changed in the NFL to allow drafting of under classmen now which probably takes away many of the players that want to leave early. But the CFL can't sign anyone from the NCAA unless they go in the NFL draft first. Basketball the good ones are one and done in College, Football not so much. Maybe because College Football has become such a big business now.

[Argo57]

The Burris situation was brought up this past weekend, and according to Desjardins: Trevor Harris will be the Redblacks starting QB in 2017.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/video/cfl-insi...-future~999145

Argos should talk to Hank.

[OV Argo]

Or Burris may think: What a wonderful way to go out...as champion.

As Russ Jackson did; and both he and Blank Burris took Ottawa teams to consecutive GC appearances; Jackson was 2 & 0 there though and went out at a fairly early age for a pro athlete after 2 straight championships - unparalleled? - can't think of another such example in pro team sports ?

[PullTogether73]

Argos should talk to Hank.

No.

[Argo57]

No.

Other than Ray what better than any option they currently have?
Henry still plays at a high level, has personality and could help bridge the gap to allow the team to develop a young QB especially if Ray packs it in.

[PullTogether73]

Other than Ray what better than any option they currently have?
Henry still plays at a high level, has personality and could help bridge the gap to allow the team to develop a young QB especially if Ray packs it in.

Trading (Burris is signed for next year with Ottawa) for a 41 year old QB doesn't inspire confidence in planning the future of the Argonauts imo. Surely, whoever is GM next year would have a better vision of where to take the team than that?

[paulwoods13]

I just don't believe that Ott will cut Burris if he leads them to the Cup, or that Burris will quietly accept a demotion to second string behind Harris. For that reason -- to see how this all plays out -- I'm cheering for Ott to win and Hank to have a monster game. But my head tells me the Stamps are on a mission for Mylan and will win but not cover the spread.