Game Thread: Ottawa at Montreal Monday October 9th

[jerrym]

The Als should take the Redblacks - the talent difference was obvious last week.

[AngeloV]

Montreal wants to make sure they stay in 2nd. I think they will take this at home.

[ArgoRavi]

Montreal wants to make sure they stay in 2nd. I think they will take this at home.

No way in hell that I am picking Ottawa in this one, although they may surprise all of us.

[OV Argo]

A Rider win vs. Hamilton on Saturday eliminates Ottawa from the play-offs.

IF they are still in the race, I could see Ottawa winning, but still likely doubtful - their coaching staff is just way too dumb.

[Will]

I'm surprised to see that Ottawa is still mathematically alive.

[ArgoRavi]

I'm surprised to see that Ottawa is still mathematically alive.

Like Edmonton last night, their hopes are hanging by a thread.

[jerrym]

Below are the Als and Redblacks injury reports. Missing Mauldin will definitely hurt the Ottawa defence. On the Als side, the big name is Stanback, who is questionable.

https://www.cfl.ca/2023/10/05/redbla...-out-on-thurs/

[Mocha]

Not sure who to cheer for in this one, but I expect Montreal to win.

I think losing Mauldin will hurt the Redblacks even more than losing Stanback will hurt the Als.

With Mauldin out, even more emphasis will be on Bryce Carter to pressure Fajardo. But that also means the Als O-line can pay more attention to blocking Carter.

The part I put in red text below is cause for concern with the Als. Fajardo will have to put it together to beat the Ticats in the ESF.
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Here's the PFF preview:

OTTAWA REDBLACKS VS. MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Ottawa suffered a tough loss to these Alouettes last week, and that essentially closed the book on their playoff chances. While they are not officially eliminated yet, it’s currently out of their hands as Saskatchewan needs to win just one more game and it’s over. QB Dustin Crum played his worst game of the season last week, forcing bad throws (three turnover-worthy plays) and missing open looks. He finished with a grade of just 53.9 overall. He’ll need to bounce back for Ottawa to have any chance in this one. Montreal is looking to win and keep a hold on their home playoff game, as they are currently one game up on Hamilton for second in the East. QB Cody Fajardo’s struggles continued last week (53.9 passing grade) and he was lucky it didn’t cost them. In the six games since his return from injury, Fajardo has a league-low passing grade of just 59.1 and 12 turnover-worthy plays to just six big-time throws.

MATCHUP TO WATCH:
LT NICK CALLENDER, MONTREAL VS. EDGE BRYCE CARTER, OTTAWA

Looking at the numbers, it’s been a very good season for Carter off the edge. He’s currently tied for second with 63 total pressures, and his pass rush win rate of 13.3% ranks seventh among edge rushers. But last week was a tough week for him. He finished with just one sack and one additional pressure. In fact, when he matched up against Callender, he didn’t record a single pressure. He also didn’t contribute against the run either. Callender is the highest-graded left tackle in the CFL this season at 75.2 overall. But his pass-blocking efficiency score of 96.4 ranks eighth. When he’s beaten, it often ends in a sack. So he’ll need a repeat performance and keep Carter off the stat sheet if Montreal is going to have the same success as last week.

PLAYER TO WATCH:
WR AUSTIN MACK, MONTREAL

Mack missed last week’s game due to injury, but it looks like he should be back for this one. Ultimately, they didn’t need him, but Montreal’s offense definitely could’ve used Mack last week. He’s been a Redblacks killer this year. In the two previous games he played, Mack put up 13 catches for 236 yards. He picked up eight first downs, had four explosive plays and made three contested catches in those games. Mack has been one of the best receivers in the CFL this season and is averaging 2.23 yards per route run, which ranks second among outside receivers. Mack can do it all, from making guys miss after a short catch, to taking shots over the middle, to hauling in deep bombs. Watch for him to have a big impact in this game.

[Will]

Down 26 and with 6 minutes left in the game, Mr. Bob Dyce elects to kick a field goal.

[kellynjk]

What a bad, boring game! Shame that the Thanksgiving Day game couldn't have been abit more of a real contest to maybe draw in some more fans. The BC / Winnipeg game Friday night was so entertaining, but I wonder how many fans stayed up to watch it.

[OV Argo]

Down 26 and with 6 minutes left in the game, Mr. Bob Dyce elects to kick a field goal.

Yep - pathetic & embarrassing (and the Ottawa radio post-game was all over that). Guess he didn't want a shut-out on his resume ? WTF ???

Dyce & staff & GM need to go there; same deal for the Riders staff; and the EE crew; and Dickenson in Cowtown is just not a winning HC, but they might have a replacement from within.

[Argo57]

Yep - pathetic & embarrassing (and the Ottawa radio post-game was all over that). Guess he didn't want a shut-out on his resume ? WTF ???

Dyce & staff & GM need to go there; same deal for the Riders staff; and the EE crew; and Dickenson in Cowtown is just not a winning HC, but they might have a replacement from within.

I’d add Orlondo Steinauer to that list.
Looks like some opportunities will be available for some of the up and coming coordinators in the CFL to advance themselves.

[OV Argo]

I’d add Orlondo Steinauer to that list.
Looks like some opportunities will be available for some of the up and coming coordinators in the CFL to advance themselves.

Scotty M takes over as HC there?

Ego-Jones likely gets more time, cause he's such a genius and just needs more time, + they're too cheap /$$$s consideration ?

Riders need a total overhaul.

Dickenson might have too much of an ego to relinquish a lot of control in Cowtown ?

Ottawa org. / ownership - who knows if they have any kind of brains? - doesn't seem so when they went out and hired those 2 dullards Khari & Miles - was that forced on Dyce or did he approve ?

[Argo57]

Scotty M takes over as HC there?

Ego-Jones likely gets more time, cause he's such a genius and just needs more time, + they're too cheap /$$$s consideration ?

Riders need a total overhaul.

Dickenson might have too much of an ego to relinquish a lot of control in Cowtown ?

Ottawa org. / ownership - who knows if they have any kind of brains? - doesn't seem so when they went out and hired those 2 dullards Khari & Miles - was that forced on Dyce or did he approve ?

Do you think Ottawa also will take a run at Milanovich?
The Riders need to clean house from top to bottom I agree.
Chris Jones will probably get more time in Edmonton which I don’t think is justified.
Changes may come in Calgary who aren’t accustomed to sucking like they have this season.

[OV Argo]

Do you think Ottawa also will take a run at Milanovich?
The Riders need to clean house from top to bottom I agree.
Chris Jones will probably get more time in Edmonton which I don’t think is justified.
Changes may come in Calgary who aren’t accustomed to sucking like they have this season.

Ottawa most likely go with another recycled GOB, so they might try for Scotty M.

Riders will go GOB too.

Same old / same old.

[ArgoRavi]

One bad season after several good ones and a Grey Cup victory should not spell the end for Dave Dickenson in Calgary. In fact, I would suggest that there's zero chance that he isn't back as Stampeders head coach next year.

Craig Dickenson and Jeremy O'Day are done in Saskatchewan unless they make a magical run to the Grey Cup game.

Chris Jones and Bob Dyce will both get another season in their respective cities.

Orlando Steinauer has probably saved his job with a bit of a push in the second half of this season - just like last year. If he does boot himself upstairs, then I can see Milanovich taking over as HC there.

[paulwoods13]

One bad season after several good ones and a Grey Cup victory should not spell the end for Dave Dickenson in Calgary. In fact, I would suggest that there's zero chance that he isn't back as Stampeders head coach next year.

Craig Dickenson and Jeremy O'Day are done in Saskatchewan unless they make a magical run to the Grey Cup game.

Chris Jones and Bob Dyce will both get another season in their respective cities.

Orlando Steinauer has probably saved his job with a bit of a push in the second half of this season - just like last year. If he does boot himself upstairs, then I can see Milanovich taking over as HC there.

I agree with most of this, except I doubt Dyce survives. I 100% agree Dave Dickenson isn't going anywhere, unless he kicks himself upstairs and hands the HC job to Monson or Kilam.

[Scooter McCray]

Jones probably stays in Edmonton because of their second half improvement-although that's on him. If he had started Tre Ford from game 1 they are probably. 500 and in the playoffs.
Saskatchewan and Ottawa will be looking for new coaches.
Corey Mace will have his pick. Saskatchewan may be looking for a bigger name. Ottawa is absolutely insane if they don't bring Mace in as head coach. Alot of Argo back ups will follow him over. Argo back ups are better than most Ottawa starters.

[OV Argo]

Jones probably stays in Edmonton because of their second half improvement-although that's on him. If he had started Tre Ford from game 1 they are probably. 500 and in the playoffs.
Saskatchewan and Ottawa will be looking for new coaches.
Corey Mace will have his pick. Saskatchewan may be looking for a bigger name. Ottawa is absolutely insane if they don't bring Mace in as head coach. Alot of Argo back ups will follow him over. Argo back ups are better than most Ottawa starters.

I hope the Argo get to keep Mace; but very good OCs or DCs do not automatically make good HCs; and Ottawa might be wary of the example of Claybrooks - who took over HC at BC, from the Stamps org. too, and did not fare well.

Like to know which Argo back-ups you figure are better than most Ottawa starters ? I can't name a single sure-fire one. The Argos are far superior to Ottawa in coaching smarts, wayyyyyyy more than they are better in talent, IMO.

["Issues"Mcgee]

I gotta hand it to you, OV.

At the beginning of the season, you predicted Chris Jones' ego would cost the Elks.

And that's exactly what happened. Jones refused to go with anyone but Cornelius until it was way too late. The Elks didn't win until Ford got the start. Their season could have been completely different.