Wednesday, July 25, 2012
TSN CFL Panel at 2012 Ticat Opener
Here's a shot I took at this year's home opener at Ivor Wynne, where the TSN CFL panel was broadcasting live from the West end zone.
Tuesday, July 24, 2012
Thoughts on Where the Cats Play in 2013
Now that the Cats know that they can't play at Mac this year, where will the team play? The Cats would like to keep the team as close to Hamilton so fans can continue to attend live games. I can understand this rationale, but with television and a new stadium I'm not sure if this is a potentially big problem getting fans to come back the following season. The Cats would also like to not be too financially burnt in 2013. Cat fans attending games will probably buy more high margin merchandise, both at games and around town.
However there's a tradeoff with locations that potentially might make it worth the Cats while to play. At last year's Moncton game the league made sure the Cats didn't lose out financially from playing a home game there. There's no Moncton game this year after two years of games, so I'm sure Moncton would like another game next year under similar terms. The Cats could play two games there early and late in the season so that the cost of extra seats added could be spread over two games. Not great for local Cat fans, but perhaps good for the Cats financially. Montreal would probably work as an opponent for one of the games.
The Labour Day Classic could be played at the Rogers Centre, however the Argos might want that as one of their home games. If it was a Cats game, I'm sure a decent crowd would show up, but booze and merchandise wise, I'm not sure how it would compare to Labour Day, which the Cats traditionally make a lot of money off of.
PEPS Stadium at Laval University is a possible venue for a one off game, with the Alouettes as the opponent. According to Wikipedia the largest attended game there was 19,500 and there was an exhibition game between the Als and the Renegades in 2003. Perhaps the consortium who runs Laval's football team could guarantee money like Moncton, although I wouldn't bet on it. The game could be a test run for interest in Quebec City for a future CFL team. I haven't heard many rumours about PEPS though.
That leaves the TD Waterhouse Stadium at Western in London. Wikipedia claims it can be expanded to 16,000. One assumes the Cats would like to get to at least 20,000. The Cats could run bus and ticket combos, individually and as part of season ticket packages for Hamiltonians. Hopefully local London area fans would come out too. Assigning the Rider game would probably help for boosting attendance too.
I would doubt Western would offer the incentives that Moncton would, however they and London probably wouldn't mind the publicity, especially the big television audiences the games would bring.
I think at least one Moncton game is a given. Western will probably host the majority, with the question of how many? Potentially it could be eight regular season games, or as few as five, if two games are in Moncton, the Cats host Labour Day in Toronto and a game in Quebec.
However there's a tradeoff with locations that potentially might make it worth the Cats while to play. At last year's Moncton game the league made sure the Cats didn't lose out financially from playing a home game there. There's no Moncton game this year after two years of games, so I'm sure Moncton would like another game next year under similar terms. The Cats could play two games there early and late in the season so that the cost of extra seats added could be spread over two games. Not great for local Cat fans, but perhaps good for the Cats financially. Montreal would probably work as an opponent for one of the games.
The Labour Day Classic could be played at the Rogers Centre, however the Argos might want that as one of their home games. If it was a Cats game, I'm sure a decent crowd would show up, but booze and merchandise wise, I'm not sure how it would compare to Labour Day, which the Cats traditionally make a lot of money off of.
PEPS Stadium at Laval University is a possible venue for a one off game, with the Alouettes as the opponent. According to Wikipedia the largest attended game there was 19,500 and there was an exhibition game between the Als and the Renegades in 2003. Perhaps the consortium who runs Laval's football team could guarantee money like Moncton, although I wouldn't bet on it. The game could be a test run for interest in Quebec City for a future CFL team. I haven't heard many rumours about PEPS though.
That leaves the TD Waterhouse Stadium at Western in London. Wikipedia claims it can be expanded to 16,000. One assumes the Cats would like to get to at least 20,000. The Cats could run bus and ticket combos, individually and as part of season ticket packages for Hamiltonians. Hopefully local London area fans would come out too. Assigning the Rider game would probably help for boosting attendance too.
I would doubt Western would offer the incentives that Moncton would, however they and London probably wouldn't mind the publicity, especially the big television audiences the games would bring.
I think at least one Moncton game is a given. Western will probably host the majority, with the question of how many? Potentially it could be eight regular season games, or as few as five, if two games are in Moncton, the Cats host Labour Day in Toronto and a game in Quebec.
Monday, July 23, 2012
CFL Week 4 2012 Power Rankings
1. Saskatchewan Rough Riders
Lose and make it into first place. Strange, but at least the points for and points against are good over the season which is usually a good sign of team strength. Durant appears to be legitimately back as a quarterback. Rob Bagg being out for nine games hurts, but Dressler and Getzlaf are still impressive.
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Two straight baby! After beating the Alouettes handily at home this past week with Burris having a ridiculous pass completion percentage, the Cats offense is looking good. The defence is starting to come around and the special teams have been awesome. Need to show they can win on the road to show they are for real.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
How has this team won three out of four? Defense I guess. I don't understand it, but they beat the Lions and held them to 14 points in BC. Can't argue with wins though and they get the Bombers next
4. BC Lions
I still think this team has talent, but after losing two in a row I'm starting to wonder. One would have thought an offense with Lulay and Simon would be more potent, but perhaps Geroy is starting to show his age.
5. Calgary Stampeders
I don't really like Calgary, and I'm not a huge fan of Kevin Glenn as a quarterback, with the Stamps Tateless for the rest of the year, however Glenn has usually been a 500 quarterback and position five in the power rankings makes sense. Nik Lewis showed his still has it.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Anthony Calvillo is looking somewhat meh. Is this the year when his skills finally decline? The Als still have a lot of offensive weapons, but the Montreal defense and sieve would be a good word analogy question. Too many shootouts and you'll get burnt a lot.
7. Toronto Argonauts
Beat someone other than the Blue Bombers and I will be more impressed. Offense still needs work, although Ray probably will end up being one of the more reliable quarterbacks by the end of the year.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
This pick was easy. At least the Bombers are only two games out of first place. That's something. I guess.
Lose and make it into first place. Strange, but at least the points for and points against are good over the season which is usually a good sign of team strength. Durant appears to be legitimately back as a quarterback. Rob Bagg being out for nine games hurts, but Dressler and Getzlaf are still impressive.
2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Two straight baby! After beating the Alouettes handily at home this past week with Burris having a ridiculous pass completion percentage, the Cats offense is looking good. The defence is starting to come around and the special teams have been awesome. Need to show they can win on the road to show they are for real.
3. Edmonton Eskimos
How has this team won three out of four? Defense I guess. I don't understand it, but they beat the Lions and held them to 14 points in BC. Can't argue with wins though and they get the Bombers next
4. BC Lions
I still think this team has talent, but after losing two in a row I'm starting to wonder. One would have thought an offense with Lulay and Simon would be more potent, but perhaps Geroy is starting to show his age.
5. Calgary Stampeders
I don't really like Calgary, and I'm not a huge fan of Kevin Glenn as a quarterback, with the Stamps Tateless for the rest of the year, however Glenn has usually been a 500 quarterback and position five in the power rankings makes sense. Nik Lewis showed his still has it.
6. Montreal Alouettes
Anthony Calvillo is looking somewhat meh. Is this the year when his skills finally decline? The Als still have a lot of offensive weapons, but the Montreal defense and sieve would be a good word analogy question. Too many shootouts and you'll get burnt a lot.
7. Toronto Argonauts
Beat someone other than the Blue Bombers and I will be more impressed. Offense still needs work, although Ray probably will end up being one of the more reliable quarterbacks by the end of the year.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
This pick was easy. At least the Bombers are only two games out of first place. That's something. I guess.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Ticats Alouettes Lineup Rundown
Offensive line is the same as last week, although Hage is listed behind O'Neill at centre. Everything is the same with receivers as last week, Williams and Giguerre as the wideouts and Grant and Fantuz as the slots. Looks like Stala comes in for five and six receiver sets. Chevon Walker again starts as the running back.
There is a change on the defensive line. Import Greg Peach is one of the ends, with McElveen as the other. Brown and Rose are in the middle. Regular linebackers with Knowlton in.
Non-import rookie Bucknor is listed as one of the corners with Tisdale as the other. Thomas is again one of the defensive halfbacks. Non-import Hinds is listed as the backup safety behind Webb, which is a little odd since he seemed to be playing some corner last week or at least on the field often.
So six non-import starters on offense and one on defence. Probably worth watching if Peach is an upgrade over Crable as an end. Considering the Cats have one sack from their defensive line over the first three games things can only get better.
There is a change on the defensive line. Import Greg Peach is one of the ends, with McElveen as the other. Brown and Rose are in the middle. Regular linebackers with Knowlton in.
Non-import rookie Bucknor is listed as one of the corners with Tisdale as the other. Thomas is again one of the defensive halfbacks. Non-import Hinds is listed as the backup safety behind Webb, which is a little odd since he seemed to be playing some corner last week or at least on the field often.
So six non-import starters on offense and one on defence. Probably worth watching if Peach is an upgrade over Crable as an end. Considering the Cats have one sack from their defensive line over the first three games things can only get better.
Friday, July 20, 2012
CFL Predictions Week 4 Part B
Edmonton at BC
The Lions are only favoured by 8.5 at home, which seems a bit charitable. Sure The Eskimos waxed the Bombers like the Kardashian sisters at half price day at the beauty salon, but the Lions aren't the Bombers. Steven Jyles versus Travis Lulay? I'll take the Lions, unsurprisingly.
Lions 35, Eskimos 25
Montreal at Hamilton
Both teams are coming off victories at home, although the Alouettes were pretty much gifted a victory by Kevin Glenn. The Cats looked great in the first half, and pretty mediocre against the Argos in the second half. The Cats had awesome special teams, with reigning CFL Rookie of the Year Chris Williams making two special teams TDs. The Alouettes have some good weapons to surround Anthony Calvillo. The Cats are favoured by a mere two points at home. I'll go with the home team, considering the success CFL home teams have had this year.
Ticats 29 Alouettes 27
The Lions are only favoured by 8.5 at home, which seems a bit charitable. Sure The Eskimos waxed the Bombers like the Kardashian sisters at half price day at the beauty salon, but the Lions aren't the Bombers. Steven Jyles versus Travis Lulay? I'll take the Lions, unsurprisingly.
Lions 35, Eskimos 25
Montreal at Hamilton
Both teams are coming off victories at home, although the Alouettes were pretty much gifted a victory by Kevin Glenn. The Cats looked great in the first half, and pretty mediocre against the Argos in the second half. The Cats had awesome special teams, with reigning CFL Rookie of the Year Chris Williams making two special teams TDs. The Alouettes have some good weapons to surround Anthony Calvillo. The Cats are favoured by a mere two points at home. I'll go with the home team, considering the success CFL home teams have had this year.
Ticats 29 Alouettes 27
Parity, Maybe?
No more defeated teams left in the CFL last night after the Riders lost to the Stamps at home. I would be remiss not to point out I predicted a Calgary victory. Apart from Winnipeg, it looks like there is a lot of parity in the CFL this season. That's probably better for ratings and attendance.
Kevin Glenn winning last night isn't a huge surprise. He's basically a 500 quarterback for his career. Sometimes he'll throw a stupid interception that blows the game and sometimes he'll throw a bunch of TDs at the end to win. You never really know. At least Calgary has a chance this season, although they will have to hope good Kevin Glenn shows up in the playoffs.
Kevin Glenn winning last night isn't a huge surprise. He's basically a 500 quarterback for his career. Sometimes he'll throw a stupid interception that blows the game and sometimes he'll throw a bunch of TDs at the end to win. You never really know. At least Calgary has a chance this season, although they will have to hope good Kevin Glenn shows up in the playoffs.
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
CFL Predictions 2012 Week 4, Part A
Winnipeg at Toronto
The Bombers are winless and Pierceless heading into Toronto. The Argos are coming off a close one, losing in Hamilton. The Argos are favoured by a relatively massive 8.5 points. Is Bomber coach Paul LaPolice's job in jeopardy? Maybe. Ricky Ray has been effective against better teams and the Argos should have an easy win.
Suck People 30, Bombers 16
Saskatchewan at Calgary
The Riders are unbeaten and the Stamps Tateless, having to make due with Kevin Glenn, who has a penchant for interceptions that give away the game. One problem for the Riders is the non-import receiver Rob Bagg is on the nine game injury list. The Riders are favoured by 3.5 points on the road. I'm going to go against my better judgment and say the Stamps win at home.
Stamps 35, Riders 32
The Bombers are winless and Pierceless heading into Toronto. The Argos are coming off a close one, losing in Hamilton. The Argos are favoured by a relatively massive 8.5 points. Is Bomber coach Paul LaPolice's job in jeopardy? Maybe. Ricky Ray has been effective against better teams and the Argos should have an easy win.
Suck People 30, Bombers 16
Saskatchewan at Calgary
The Riders are unbeaten and the Stamps Tateless, having to make due with Kevin Glenn, who has a penchant for interceptions that give away the game. One problem for the Riders is the non-import receiver Rob Bagg is on the nine game injury list. The Riders are favoured by 3.5 points on the road. I'm going to go against my better judgment and say the Stamps win at home.
Stamps 35, Riders 32
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