Stench

Wow. What can you say about that game? I think the obvious TSN turning point was that early third down gamble where they gave the ball to Lumsden rather than sneak it with Printers. As I recall, it was within range of a gimme sneak, so a dumb call. Sure Lumsden could have gotten around the defenders crowding the box and ran for major yards, but at that point, just take the first down. I've heard Ron Lancaster say if you can't get a yard, you don't deserve to win and that was definitely the case here. It is a bit sad to say a play like this breaks the team, but it really changed the complexion of the game and cut down on the Cats chance to win.

Printers didn't have a great game, but he didn't have a terrible game either. He played hard and didn't appear to give up under pressure and made some first downs. Better than we've had there in the last couple of years, but it didn't seem to help much. The running game was pretty poor. I don't know if Montreal was ready for the run or what. Consequently, we had no play action at all from what I saw from my seat in section 5 and we need that if we are going to be successful.

Receiver wise, I saw a few small positive things. Woodcock made a few completions and frankly I was surprised to see him on the field as I thought the Cats were going with four American receivers. Maybe he was on with five receiver packages. Mitchell seemed to make a few plays in the middle, which was nice to see, but he bounced a ball off his knee early that was another TSN turning point. Hopefully over the next few games he'll be more consistent. Miles made no game breaking plays.

Jonta Woodward seemed to have a few penalties called against him. I know that tackle is now an American position, however I have a theory that American offensive linemen statistically take a lot more penalties, especially procedure. Just a theory, but you have to wonder how many points a bad procedure call is worth. Anyways, I'll be watching Woodward from now on.

On defence, as I said in my previous post, the Cats will lose if they can't stop 2nd and long. I know if your team has a terrible record, they probably are bad at 2nd and long, however the Cats the past few seasons have seemed to be especially poor at 2nd and long. 2nd and 10, 2nd and 3, it seems that it is equally likely for the other team to get the first down. That pattern seemed to continue today. A few 2nd and long stops early in the game and the outcome could have been completely different.

Linebacker play was also mediocre in my mind. The secondary was ok. Sure there were some completions, but considering the way the game went, they weren't terrible. The line sometimes got pressure, and there were a few sacks, however too many times a slowfooted Cavillo made a positive play when things looked bad.

Special teams were ok. Not much more to say.

I thought the Cats were a bit on the short end of the stick penalty wise, however considering the way they played you can't blame the refs.

Next week versus Toronto? Going into this game, I can't say I was too hopeful for a win and now I'm even more negative. Maybe the team can put it together and get a win. They need to be able to stop the 2nd and longs in the first half and get their offence back on the field and getting some chances. Maybe Toronto's inherent weakness against the run will work for us.

Forgot a prediction, BC to win tonight. They're losing now, so you can't say I changed my pick.

I liked the halftime show. What can I say, the tiger was cool.

No Jason Maass to blame this year. Sigh.