Grey Cup Game Thread - Ottawa versus Calgary - Sunday November 25th

[jerrym]

I'm going with Calgary. After losing two Grey Cup games in a row, they are obviously very talented, as their record demonstrates even with their injuries, and are extremely hungry because of their previous defeats. They also know that a third loss will raise major personnel questions that are likely to lead to changes that go beyond the usual losses to free agency, retirement and the NFL, to say nothing of possible losses to the new Alliance of American football.

[jerrym]

Bo has been running around during the Grey Cup festivities saying that the Stampeders won last year's Grey Cup except for three plays, an interception, a 100 yard fumble return and a whatever. I say whatever because you could say that in most CFL games the losing team would have won except for three plays. Bo, get over 2017. You lost. Focus on winning the game you still can this year.

[Argo]

While I laud the consistent, indeed perennial, success of Team Winning Formula, I agree with those Edmonton fans: "Anybody But Calgary".

I see that all six "CFL Writers" Weekly Picks are for Calgary. Bollocks... Ottawa FTW !

[Argo57]

Bo has been running around during the Grey Cup festivities saying that the Stampeders won last year's Grey Cup except for three plays, an interception, a 100 yard fumble return and a whatever. I say whatever because you could say that in most CFL games the losing team would have won except for three plays. Bo, get over 2017. You lost. Focus on winning the game you still can this year.

Another reason to cheer for Ottawa!

[jerrym]

Here's the Ottawa Redblacks depth chart:

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.ne...PTH-ROSTER.pdf

[jerrym]

Davaris Daniels who has been out since mid September will be playing, as will Bakari Grant, who did not play in the West Final, according to the depth chart:

https://d3ham790trbkqy.cloudfront.ne...-chart-Cgy.pdf

[ArgoRavi]

I am picking Calgary in this one by a score of 32-26.

[jerrym]

Dan Ralph gives a position by position breakdown matchup of the Grey Cup players below.

http://3downnation.com/2018/11/25/po...grey-cup-game/

[paulwoods13]

Stamps win the Grey Cup in the fifth straight lacklustre postseason game. This was a very disappointing season, in terms of memorable games and entertainment value. Really hope the decrease in coaching staff size leads to a better product.

[Argo57]

And so ends a pretty underwhelming CFL season, the offseason might actually offer better entertainment value this year.

[ArgoFan1]

Stamps win the Grey Cup in the fifth straight lacklustre postseason game. This was a very disappointing season, in terms of memorable games and entertainment value. Really hope the decrease in coaching staff size leads to a better product.

What have you been watching??? The previous two Grey Cups were among the best. Overtime in 2016 and a miraculous Argo comeback in 2017. I cannot believe you would say such a thing, unless you were not really watching.

[jerrym]

When former Argo Feoli-Gudino broke free to score a 55 yard TD, I thought Ottawa had a chance for a comeback, but Terry Williams' punt return TD changed the complexion of the game and provided Calgary with an edge that was never overcome. I was surprised that Leone punted straight down the middle of the field with 20 seconds left in the first half when punting out of bounds or at least to edge of the field would likely have prevented a return, especially since Williams already had scored 3 return TDs during the season. Even a short punt to a non-returner would likely have a had a better outcome.

[ArgoRavi]

I didn't think this season was all that bad of a season but it is never as fun when the Argos have such a horrible season as they did this year. I think that a couple of QB injuries and having two teams' receiving corps absolutely decimated did hurt the entertainment factor a bit but I hope for an outstanding season in 2019.

As for the Grey Cup game specifically, it would have been interesting to see how this game played out in ideal field conditions. This is now the third occasion in the five times that Edmonton has hosted the game that field conditions have been a factor. Perhaps this should be corrected before Edmonton gets to host again.

[OV Argo]

I didn't think this season was all that bad of a season but it is never as fun when the Argos have such a horrible season as they did this year. I think that a couple of QB injuries and having two teams' receiving corps absolutely decimated did hurt the entertainment factor a bit but I hope for an outstanding season in 2019.

As for the Grey Cup game specifically, it would have been interesting to see how this game played out in ideal field conditions. This is now the third occasion in the five times that Edmonton has hosted the game that field conditions have been a factor. Perhaps this should be corrected before Edmonton gets to host again.

Agreed Ravi (and wasn't the game where Pat Woodcock scored on the then longest GC TD pass play, for the Als, in Edmonton too - with a worse / more slippery field?)

Maybe there is a reason/explanation; but I find it very hard to believe that field couldn't have been ice free - not like it was minus 20 or anything like that - can they not have a system of tarps and heaters over the field for say 2 days prior to the GC game and ensure the field does not get icy ? Is there no such modern technology ???

[AngeloV]

Agreed Ravi (and wasn't the game where Pat Woodcock scored on the then longest GC TD pass play, for the Als, in Edmonton too - with a worse / more slippery field?)

Maybe there is a reason/explanation; but I find it very hard to believe that field couldn't have been ice free - not like it was minus 20 or anything like that - can they not have a system of tarps and heaters over the field for say 2 days prior to the GC game and ensure the field does not get icy ? Is there no such modern technology ???

Agreed OV. Practices should have been held off the Commonwealth field, and grounds crews should have done everything possible to keep the surface playable.

[Will]

It's a little odd -- coincidental or not -- I don't know how many of you know Steve Coady from Twitter, but he was in Edmonton and commented that the sidewalks and all that were also slippery and did not appear to be treated. Not necessarily relevant to a sporting facility, but seemed to go beyond just the stadium.

[paulwoods13]

What have you been watching??? The previous two Grey Cups were among the best. Overtime in 2016 and a miraculous Argo comeback in 2017. I cannot believe you would say such a thing, unless you were not really watching.

What part of "this was a very disappointing season" did you not grasp? I didn't say fifth straight lacklustre Grey Cup -- I said fifth straight lacklustre postseason game. Which means all of them -- this season.

[paulwoods13]

I didn't think this season was all that bad of a season but it is never as fun when the Argos have such a horrible season as they did this year. I think that a couple of QB injuries and having two teams' receiving corps absolutely decimated did hurt the entertainment factor a bit but I hope for an outstanding season in 2019.

As for the Grey Cup game specifically, it would have been interesting to see how this game played out in ideal field conditions. This is now the third occasion in the five times that Edmonton has hosted the game that field conditions have been a factor. Perhaps this should be corrected before Edmonton gets to host again.

'

How many really memorable, really exciting games were there this year? The opener in Wpg (altho few people likely stayed up until the delayed end), the Argo comeback vs. Ottawa, and maybe a couple of others. And a whole of 22-14 type games with few big plays and tons of two-and-outs. That's how I'll remember 2018 overall.

[AngeloV]

Wasn't the best of season's but I don't think it was as bad as you are indicating. BC had a few thrilling home games, as did Winnipeg. Lower scoring but the Argos back to back games against Edmonton both were pretty good too. Calgary at Hamilton was a great game, and I'm sure if I went through the schedule, I would find a lot of others that were also good.

[paulwoods13]

This should probably have its own thread but IMO the league has slowly and steadily become less entertaining for most of the past decade or so, with some exceptions along the way. IMO it's because of a combination of factors: way too much coaching (football is overcoached, with too many coaches and too many schemes); not as many good skill position players coming up here because the NFL now gets some of the guys we used to get; the increase in roster size, which has created tons of "situation substitutions" designed mostly to stop offences, and has meant players aren't as tired so aren't as likely to make mistakes that create big plays; clock rules to accommodate substitutions that have meant fewer snaps per game; and maybe some rule changes. Unfortunately, I don't think it's possible any more to declare that the CFL is more entertaining than the NFL. IMO, and especially in view of the disadvantages it faces from being such a small league, with every team on national TV every week, the CFL needs to come to grips with entertainment value soon or it will eventually face an existential crisis.