With the Grey Cup done, it is time to start thinking about the Ticats 2016 season. With quarterback Zach Collaros recovering from ACL surgery, and recent comments from him indicating he may not be ready for the start of the 2016, the Ticats backup quarterback situation becomes more important.
With backup Jeff Matthews injured with a concussion in the penultimate game of the regular season for the Ticats at home against Ottawa, Jeremiah Masoli ended up playing the end of the regular season game against Ottawa, the playoff win versus Toronto and the playoff loss versus Ottawa. Masoli is a free agent in 2016. In all three games, Masoli passed for 638 yards, with 53 completions on 81 attempts for a 65.4% completion percentage, with four TD passes versus two interceptions. Masoli rushed for 129 yards on 28 attempts, for a 4.6 yards per carry average.
Matthews in 2015 passed for 1296 yards, with 98 completions from 142 attempts, with 6 TDs and 6 interceptions and a 69% completion percentage. He rushed 33 times for 94 yards for a 2.8 yard average, although a lot of those were short conversions.
Certainly Masoli wouldn't have got much consideration to keep around before the Ottawa playoff game, as his previous two games were mediocre at best. With a bit more luck Masoli could have won the Ottawa playoff game if Nadon had managed to hold on to the ball for an interception late or Greg Ellingson not made his spectacular catch.
Masoli being a free agent though means other teams could want him and Masoli himself might prefer to go to a team where he might have a shot at being the starter, as once Collaros is back, barring injury, the starting job is his. The Cats may well just decide to go with Matthews as the backup and likely season starter until Collaros comes back. If say Collaros is out for the first six games, who gives a better chance of winning, Masoli or Matthews? At this stage I'm more inclined to say Masoli, as Matthews likes to stay too much in the pocket for the wide CFL field and his running ability is weak.
Monday, November 30, 2015
Friday, November 6, 2015
2015 CFL Predictions Week 20
Last week of the regular season. Three meaningless games.
Winnipeg at Toronto
Last regular season Argos game at the dome. I suppose somewhere along the line it could be used for a Grey Cup again, but don't bet on it. Won't really be sad to see it go. I predict that Toronto manages to pull it out.
Argonauts 31 Blue Bombers 27
Hamilton at Ottawa
The one meaningful game. Hamilton is down to their third string quarterback. Hamilton could win, but that's not the way to bet.
REDBLACKS 23 Tiger-Cats 12
Calgary at BC
Meaningless game although it is a preview of the West semi-final. Messam and Harris will compete for the rushing title. Take BC because it is at home.
Lions 29 Stampeders 28
Saskatchewan at Montreal
A sad game, two teams not in the playoffs. Maybe the Riders have enough pride to get to three wins.
Roughriders 35 Alouettes 26
Winnipeg at Toronto
Last regular season Argos game at the dome. I suppose somewhere along the line it could be used for a Grey Cup again, but don't bet on it. Won't really be sad to see it go. I predict that Toronto manages to pull it out.
Argonauts 31 Blue Bombers 27
Hamilton at Ottawa
The one meaningful game. Hamilton is down to their third string quarterback. Hamilton could win, but that's not the way to bet.
REDBLACKS 23 Tiger-Cats 12
Calgary at BC
Meaningless game although it is a preview of the West semi-final. Messam and Harris will compete for the rushing title. Take BC because it is at home.
Lions 29 Stampeders 28
Saskatchewan at Montreal
A sad game, two teams not in the playoffs. Maybe the Riders have enough pride to get to three wins.
Roughriders 35 Alouettes 26
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
2015 CFL Power Rankings Week 20
1. Edmonton Eskimos
You can't really argue with tops in the division. Plus a strong victory over Montreal.
2. Calgary Stampeders
Wiped a weak Saskatchewan team and they now have Jerome Messam as well. Top two teams are quite close.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Are the REDLBLACKS better than the Ticats led by Jeff Matthews? After last week's away game it would seem so, even though they didn't score any TDs.
4. Toronto Argonauts
Toronto hasn't looked great of late although they were close to beating a motivated BC team. The Argos are deep at quarterback now.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Now Jeff Mathews is injured. And he didn't look that great against Ottawa. Still a really good defence though. Offensive line injuries are also a problem.
6. BC Lions
Getting somewhat hot late in the season with a rookie QB.
7. Montreal Alouettes
So the Als end up missing the playoffs. It was a good run.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
After a bye week I suppose they are healthier. Still no Drew Willy.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Lost big rather than by a small margin. There's always next year, but I'm not sure I trust Durant to not get injured.
You can't really argue with tops in the division. Plus a strong victory over Montreal.
2. Calgary Stampeders
Wiped a weak Saskatchewan team and they now have Jerome Messam as well. Top two teams are quite close.
3. Ottawa REDBLACKS
Are the REDLBLACKS better than the Ticats led by Jeff Matthews? After last week's away game it would seem so, even though they didn't score any TDs.
4. Toronto Argonauts
Toronto hasn't looked great of late although they were close to beating a motivated BC team. The Argos are deep at quarterback now.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Now Jeff Mathews is injured. And he didn't look that great against Ottawa. Still a really good defence though. Offensive line injuries are also a problem.
6. BC Lions
Getting somewhat hot late in the season with a rookie QB.
7. Montreal Alouettes
So the Als end up missing the playoffs. It was a good run.
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
After a bye week I suppose they are healthier. Still no Drew Willy.
9. Saskatchewan Roughriders
Lost big rather than by a small margin. There's always next year, but I'm not sure I trust Durant to not get injured.
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