Edmonton Vs Calgary 1

7/5/2008 10:48:31 PM

Even coming off of a short week, and with a Calgary team that was dominant against B.C. the week prior, we still felt going in as if we should win the game. Although, we did make it a very dramatic ending, we still found a way to do what was needed and closed them out. Aside from Calvin Bannister and Wes Lysack, I had the best seat in the house to see Jason Tucker and Ricky Ray rekindle some old magic. Very seldom will you hear me say, "that was a catch that I doubt I could have made" but it is applicable in this case. Not so much because it was one handed, or because he had to take a hit and hold onto the ball, but more because of the adjustment that Jason made on the ball once the flight of it changed his angle. That, along with laying out horizontal for deep balls are two skills that I have yet to find a comfort zone with in my own game (always something to work on). That being said, I feel like we allowed that game to be entirely to close. Offensively, we allowed ourselves to stall out on 2nd and short plays which cannot happen. We failed to capitalize 3 times in the red zone, and didn't turn the turnovers that our defence created into points. Those three issues alone could preface a post-loss rant from me, but thankfully that won't be necessary seeing as how we won the game and all. Winning will not mask mistakes in my eyes though. While I felt that we played fairly well as a receiving corps, and it was wonderful to introduce the CFL to Kelly Campbell, I felt that we left at least 21 points out on the field. I'm critical of us because I see what we should be based on the scheme and personnel that we have in place. 40 points in my mind should be a realistic goal of ours each and every week offensively. If anyone has the capacity to score points in bunches in this league, I think it's us. Our red zone package and short yardage run game must pick up asap.

Around the league, I must say that it speaks to that parity of the league that I've talked about when Grey Cup finalist (and odds-on favorite to win it all) Winnipeg, and record wins setting B.C. lions both start off 0-2. The home and home that they face over the next two weeks, I anticipate being some of the most physically demanding, and hard hitting football that takes place all year.

Other things I've noticed in the CFL this week.

· Jesse Lumsden is moving laterally in the hole this year…trouble for everybody.
· 5 broken legs in the CFL this year thus far…somebody knock on some wood for me.
· Montreal still has several players injured…could be interesting when they return.
· Hamilton rushed 41 times in the Toronto win…we passed 48 times in ours. Different strokes for different folks I suppose.
· Calvin Armstrong 6'8" cut blocked Calvin Bannister (5'9") during our game…something to see.
· Ken Yon Rambo is elevating his game this year.
· Wes Cates in the fourth quarter is a problem.
· Avon Coburn is a serious threat to any team, in a lot of ways.
· Sideeq Shabazz plays so much bigger than he is in real life.
· Terrance Edwards has an unbelievably understated game.
· Kelly Campbell is my early pick for ROTY.
This eastern swing is crucial. We need to go at 2-1 or better in the next 3 wks. ©

Kp8