WESTERN FINAL: Edmonton at Calgary

[gilthethrill]

Agreed - the Stumps offence has become a bit of a pop-gun joke; dropped passes all over the place last game too; and Messam & Finch are 2 good backs, but the Argos have a solid run defence (unlike the Esks).

The Stumps could win this one on the strength of their D and special teams (both return game and kicking game better than the Argos' IMO), but if Ricky Ray is given some decent protection, then i think he can do way more on offence than Bovine.

Argo D does not have to worry about Mitchell running like Reilly does. No disrespect to Messam, but Gable has always been a thorn in the Argos side.

[OV Argo]

Argo D does not have to worry about Mitchell running like Reilly does. No disrespect to Messam, but Gable has always been a thorn in the Argos side.

Yeah - Bovine has only run something like 4 times this season ? - that's fine if you have an all-around great offence, but IMO they don't, and a QB who is either afraid to run or not mobile enough is a hindrance to a CFL offence. Messam looked like he had a little something back yesterday, and Finch is a dangerous change of pace back, but they won't stick with a ground game if is stopped early; so it will be immobile Bovine, afraid to throw deep often, trying mostly short to medium passes to some receivers who just aren't that good or dangerous (the Stumps seem to come up with good young import receivers - Daniels, Jorden (dropped at least 3 right in his hands yesterday) & Michel (speed but drops problems too), as recent examples, and these guys often look good early in the season - with nice weather, field conditions and when they are new/fresh, and lots of receivers can look good when they get 8 to 12 passes a game thrown their way and against weak defences - but showing good hands, smarts and toughness in play-off weather & pressure is another matter. This Stumps offence is just not that good IMO, and I can see them scoring little against this veteran laden and talented Argo defence.

Protecting Ray against that strong Stumps pass-rush, so he can produce more points than the Stamps offence is another matter.