Well here we are back. Happy Marcuss Monday. I was just talking Jason
before we got on. Good weekend. I guess if you're a Commander's fan,
I don't know. I mean they still we took the Eagles here to
overtime. I'll take that as win. We got the Bears coming up this
week. But you know, we can talk swift ties today if we want.
I think everyone's a little tired about what'll be talking some damn Canadian football
here, gentlemen, how are we doing? Evan back on the program,
Evan, how are you? Yeah, I'm doing well. I know I
missed last week unfortunately, but we're back now. Had a couple of you
know, good games this weekend. I actually saw a couple of teams,
you know, clinch playoff spots, which is always fun, always exciting.
So I'm happy to dive into that here. Yeah, the Mariners can no
longer break my heart. The fiercely eliminated. We're done. We're done,
They're out. It's cracking season all the time. We have a preseason against
and Night will be going to and then, like I said, Commanders Threason
and Night Football. I feel bullish on that right now. So that to
me, that's the end of the season. If we can't do that.
Jason, your bills, like you said, dice to fish here putting up
tremendous points. How are you feeling, Tiecats clinched ride as well, we're
officially playoff ound Yep. Great football weekend for me, and I mean,
you know, one thing I wanted to bring up to start was the passing
of Hall of Famer George Reid, who was one of the greatest CFL running
backs and figures around the Canadian Football League all time and honestly played his entire
career for the rough Riders. Obviously, you know, me being a pretty
young person, I didn't get to see him play. But this guy,
just looking at his statistics, eleven time a thousand yard rusher in the Canadian
Football League, I ventured that's probably a CFL record, So, I mean,
just an incredible career for him, and he's one of the all time
greats. So sad to see him go and rest in power. Yeah,
I saw that come out. It was late last night, right, and
I saw Randy and everyone kind of put that out. See, I wanted
to make sure we talked about that off the top of the show, a
couple of other news items. Big Game obviously coming up this Friday in BC
whatever, Vancouver. I will be in attendance there at Dorothy and I we
have our airbnb and all that, so we will be there making the trek
up to BC plays for that game, leaving hopefully immediately after Dorothy school.
So I don't know if we'll be they're doing like a gravy bowl Thanksgiving.
I don't, you know, there's you weird. I don't know what you
Canadians do. You know? It's like we're celebrating the Thanksgiving in October.
But we'll be up there for that, so that'll be exciting. So if
you around, say hi, we'll be getting drinks afterwards. Evan excited to
get to go back at you or BC Place earlier this season. Yeah,
I mean, you know, it's a it's a really nice spot. I
think you'll enjoy it, and you know, I'm hoping that well, I've
been the BC Place a couple of times, but obviously, you know,
we'll cross Hamilton off the list, hoping to get to a couple more you
know, CFL venues, especially the ones you know that maybe feel a bit
more. I don't know if I want to use the word remote, but
like you know, you went to Regina for the Great Cup and you know,
Winnipeg. I feel like those would all be cool spots to visit.
So definitely on my list. I'm hoping to get up there at some point.
Jason Game of the Year thus far, I feel like stakes I don't
think could be higher to me. You know, and we'll talk, we'll
preview the games, but I think I don't I think BC needs that first
place in the West. Do you disagree, and the importance of that of
not having to go into Mosaic, Yeah, yeah, do you feel Yeah,
yeah, I definitely agree. I think the Lions definitely need to win
this game on Friday Night. I mean I take it as basically, you
know, a playoff game in and of itself, because i mean, like
you saw last year how difficult was even with Nathan Roke to go in there
and get a win at ig Field from playoff time. So I'm really excited
for this week's game. Yeah, we'll talk. Liients. You know,
it seems like they showed up this week. You know, we had Andrew
on the show, and I don't know, I like to kind of getting
his perspective, because I know we've been a little critical about you know,
coach Rank and kind of the locker room and everything during the season, and
good to kind of see like how do they compartmentalized kind of wins and losses?
And so. Have you missed Andrew's interview on the Friday Show? The
other thing, this is tremendous news, I think. Yeah. To me,
I'll respect to carry Underwood and this Underwood in the Sunday Night football theme
song. But Green Day here announced Saturday. I got the email. I
was at the aw wrestling event, so I know they did it. I
think halftime, but the Hambleton game. I'll give my thoughts on this,
but I'll defer to YouTube first, since you actually are in the target demographic
where I am no longer in the eighteen thirty four target demo. Evan,
what do you make of this Green Day? I think this is tremendous.
Yeah. I mean, look, I'll say this much. You know,
I wouldn't consider myself to be a huge Green Day fan, but you know,
Green Day is one of those bands where it's like I feel like when
I was growing up, you know, they were always on the radio,
you know, I know several of their songs. Again, and I'm not
you know, a fan, I don't really listen to them regularly, but
there's no denying, you know, the impact that they've had on you know,
music across the US, and you know especially I mean if you look
at I mean, I think they peaked you know, back uh, you
know, two thousands, right, so maybe nineties. I'm not again,
this is even getting well. I mean, I'm at the very edge of
that eighteen to thirty four demographics, so you can't quote me on any of
this, but no, man, I mean, look, I'm definitely excited.
I think, you know, you combine this with Carrie Underwood, it's
a it's a very good showing. And you know, I know that there's
been you know, some backlash in recent years of you know, not having
you know, Canadian performers you know, at the at the games, but
I completely agree read. I think this is a massive get you know,
for the Gray Cup. And I was definitely surprised to see you know,
Green Day, you know, pop up during the announcement, which I think
happened at halftime of that Hamilton Calgary game. Yeah, and this is because
this is was his you know, and you're finely well, I don't even
you know, I kind of agree like that that's great because I'm just you're
trying to hit all different demos here, right, and people are tired of
the country, Like Jason, what do you make of this? I think
it's fantastic. Honestly, the Green Day personally is one of probably my top
five favorite bands, like ever. I mean, I always say, do
they even have a bad song? It's like they have just so many popular
songs, and you know, they were, you know, pretty relevant even
recently, so I think that, you know, it was a great get
for the CFL halftime show. It was funny. I was at the game
with my buddy and he was like, any guesses for the halftime show and
I was just randomly I was like, I don't know green Day, and
the end a few minutes later, I was announced as Green Day, So
that was pretty cool. But yeah, I think it's great because they're one
of like, you know, there's I can't think of many bands that are
as popular across a wide range demographics as Green Day. I know, my
dad even likes Green Day. All my siblings like Green Day, so I
mean, they're very popular across the wide age range, which is very important
for a halftime show like this. Yeah, I did see, and Evan
was talking anyway, And I love Bob. I love Bob Irving, friend
of the show. He's been on, you know, Green Days. An
American band. I don't the mishmash off the Georgia line and whatever the heck.
Country artist we had last year was definitely not a Canadian either, So
I think I think that that's okay to me. It's getting in it,
and you you brought up the point like your dad likes it. I went
to a Lesson Jake show a couple of weeks ago and similar age range.
They're nowhere near as obviously as popular, but you know, they've been doing
this now thirty years, and you're getting to the point where the people my
age and older are bringing their kids to the show, right, And so
it's almost like this weird circle of like we were seeing ten year olds mosh
pitting, and like the safest mosh pit in the world because it's a bunch
of forty five year old dads like kind of like with them helping it.
So I think it's great. I mean, I think they're mega Superstar.
I think they have a CD coming out, so that kind of makes sense
that they're doing that. But you know, uh, you want to market
the CFL Gray Cup halftime show as a big deal. I mean this is
uh, you know, widely viewed in terms of like Canadian interest per year.
Right, even if you're not watching the CFL, You're going to watch
the Gray Cup. And so I think this is tremendous. Uh, you
know burned, right, you guys had Nickelback and Bieber and stuff. But
to me, like, I don't know green Day the longevity of it.
I think Nickelback probably burned hotter, but I think green Day has certainly burned
a lot longer than the nickel Back at Yeah, certainly, Jason. How
so Bieber, when did Bieber do it? And was that he at the
height of his power when Bieber was the Gray Cup show? Was that tremendous?
Yeah, that was a huge deal. That was the for the hundredth
Grat Cup in Toronto, So it was it was a huge deal in twenty
twelve and it was justin Bieber, Marianna's trench, Carlie Ray Jepson and I
think it was Gordon Lightfoot of ball people that was part of that as well.
So it was a big deal and they made you made it a big
deal for that game at Roger Center. We'll well, we'll be there.
Yeah, maybe maybe they'll maybe they'll be a little let's see a little let's
put together a little media event here, let's get in with the Green Day.
Maybe we can do all that stuff. So here we go Week seventeen
here coming up. Obviously we have our wonderful CFL stats on here. Uh,
Jason, the Calgary Hamilton game, you were in attendance, we had
the announcements and kind of all that stuff. What did you make of that
Saturday night? Well, I mean, first of all, from the Calgary
perspective, I mean, this team just looks lifeless. Uh. I think
you could stick a fork in them, even though they're not mathematically you know,
eliminated yet because you know, Saskatchewan's just going on a skin of their
own. But I just don't see them getting you know, two or three
more wins the rest of the season that will be necessary for them to make
the playoffs. They just look like a team that's completely I said lifeless at
this point. And then from the Hamilton perspective. I thought that this was
the best I think I've seen the Tikats defense look this season, other than
maybe that game at BC. I thought they looked really, you know,
tremendous throughout this entire game. They really didn't give up very many big plays.
And on offense, it was kind of weird because they gave Powell the
quick hook and they brought in Matthew Schiltz, and Schiltz immediately comes in and
throws I think it was like a seventy yard touchdown to Tim White, and
that was really the turning point of the game because Calgary was up six nothing
at that point and then Hamilton was able to you know, even that score
up and didn't really look back from there. So I thought it was a
really strong game from the Hamilton perspective, even though they didn't win by a
whole bunch. Yeah, I mean, I think if you, I mean,
this is a typical Calgary fifteen, Like if you can score twenty plus
more points, like I think you're going to beat Calgary. They just haven't
proven. I was kind of reminded me of listening to the pregame for the
Jets Chiefs last night, where they're like the Jets are going to need to
be able to put up twenty five points plus to beat the Chiefs, and
they haven't proven that they've been able to do that. Look at the game
last night, I mean they weren't. They weren't able to do that.
So, yeah, Evans seen your boy here Shilts coming back in this way.
Did you make of Hamilton's Yeah, I mean, you know, this
was a very a very good outing by Hamiltons, and in a game that
you know, it was nice to see them sort of clinch you know,
playoffs at home. I think again, you know, we there was a
lot of a couple of weeks ago it seemed like, you know, this
might have not been possible, and we were very you know, hesitant to
kind of you know, lock in Hamilton as a playoff team. But again,
they've sort of, you know, really built things up, you know,
in these last couple of weeks here, you know, of the season
and now obviously you know, I mean that they look capable. I you
know, I we'll see how they you know, ride with them, you
know, some of the bigger teams in the playoffs, right, but they
certainly look capable. Really impressed to get Yeah, you know with with Schiltz,
I know you brought that up. Really impressed with his performance, you
know, him coming in two hundred and twenty five yards on eleven completions is
you know, pretty outstanding. You don't see that very often. I mean,
again, a lot of big playability. I'm sure that uh, you
know, seventy yard touchdown or whatever it was to Tim White helped out.
But yeah, definitely a nice performance by Hamilton all around. And then uh,
you know, Jason brought up the defense. You know, I know
we don't we don't talk a lot of defense on this show, but you
know, guys like jamir Thurman, will Sunderland, you know, they all
stood out. And then yeah, Calgary, I yeah, I have to
agree with everything that's already been said. You know, I feel like Calgary,
you know, even if they're not mathematically eliminated, I don't know how
you you know, view this as a playoff team. Every time you kind
of say that they have to win, you're you're pulling for them. They
just can't get the job done. So unfortunately, you know, it's been
one of those years for Calgary. Again, very very uncharacteristic for them since
during the playoffs every year, but it really just kind of has been one
of those years where you know, they're never really able to get over the
hump. And keep in mind, Calgary has flashed a lot of good things,
you know, even though I think we've been a bit critical at times.
You know, Calgary has you know, had their games where they looked
you know, complete, and they were able to you know, impress especially
on the offensive side of the ball, where things have been you know,
it feels like they've been really slow and conservative. But yeah, I mean
overall, you know, Calgary, we just you know that this was a
game where I thought they honestly had a chance. I thought maybe they could,
you know, surprise Hamilton's just because Hamilton's kind of been in their groove
and you know, maybe they were going to get a bit too comfortable.
But no, I mean they Hamilton stood tall and Calgary was just you know,
just a bit short. So you know that's it's too bad, but
uh, you know, life goes on. You know, I think it's
a time, you know that it really proves that the CFL is changing.
You know, if Calgary starting to uh you know, slow down a bit
and possibly be looking at you know, making some significant changes in the offseason,
Jason, in terms of you know, Shilts coming in here, and
obviously it's early Monday, we'll kind of figure out stuff this week, but
like, is that the game plan moving forward? What did you make of
that in terms of getting too the playoffs here, Well, they've had some
weird strategies the past couple of years with their quarterbacks. I mean remember last
year when they had at times they were playing Dane and Matthew Schiltz, like
in the same game when they were both healthy. So I mean we could
see that like a platoon situation where you know, Howel starts the game and
Schiltz comes in again, and then you know they kind of go back and
forth with that and kind of ride the hot hand. But I mean,
I think because Schiltz finished this game, he'll probably get the start next week.
But like I said, with the strategies that they've deployed in the past,
and you also have to bring up the potential for believe by Mitchell's return,
you know, that could throw a wrench in the whole thing. So
it should be very interesting to see, you know, you know, who's
going to be under center for the tie Cats in the coming weeks. Yeah,
I don't. I mean, we do this a lot like XFL.
We get the spring football, like, oh, we're gonna ride the hot
hand of the quarterback. I mean, Evan, did you ever see that
working like long term? You mean with Schiltz. Well, just like just
the concept of that. Like I said, Jason, I get what he's
saying, because it does seem like they've done that before. But like I
said, we've seen that in other leagues, Like, well, we're gonna
use I think you gotta ride with one. I don't think you can pull
out. Okay you had a bad drive, Okay, we gotta pull You
saw mac Joe get pulled yesterday. Like I just think you kind of got
to ride or die here. Yeah, yeah, you know, I'd have
to agree with that part of it. I mean, I think, you
know, at the quarterback position, you're looking for consistency, and if you're
swapping guys in and out of a game, you know all the time,
you know, no one's gonna really be able to, you know, put
things together in a complete manner like I know in college. You know,
one of the better examples of a two quarterback system was Sacramento State because their
team, you know, went to the playoffs and they had a very good
run at the FCS level last year with their two quarterbacks, Jake Dunaway and
Astro Hara. I believe in Dunaway is actually now, you know, with
the Ottawa Redblacks. So kind of funny how that all works out. But
my point being, you know, it's very rare to see a two quarterback
system, if that's what you want to call it. Uh, you know,
it's very rare to see that workout in my opinion, And I feel
like, you know, once once you have a guy in there, you
know who's who looks capable, you kind of just have to roll with that
for a bit, you know, bargaining setbacks. And I feel like if
you have a two quarterback system, it just creates a scenario where, you
know, it's kind of like you've got you know, two siblings fighting over
something. You know, it's it just kind of feels like there might be,
you know, might be a bit of a shift in power, because
again, quarterback is supposed to be a leader, right, It's a leadership
position. You're supposed to take accountability. And you know, if there's two
quarterbacks. It's kind of hard to you know, follow a certain one,
like you want to follow both, but then you don't know who's going to
be in. So again, it doesn't just affect the quarterback as well.
It also affects all the guys around him. You know, the receivers that
are catching the ball. You know that maybe one quarterback can run, so
you're gonna have more you know, option players or whatever. Again, there's
a lot of logistics to get go into that, but yeah, I feel
like most of the time, rolling with one quarterback is the right way to
go. So Jason, we're basically looking here. I was trying to look
at the schedule here coming up. But you know, so if we look
at the standings, right, tie Cats we gotta get. We want home
field advantage right in the semis against Alouettes coming up, they have I had
here then, So Hamilton's going into Saskatchewan right Ottawa and the Montreal and then
the next week he got BC at home and then obviously Edmonton hosting and the
Alolettes. Any prediction there, do you think Hamilton's able to make up that
game on Montreal? Probably not, because I don't see the Red Blacks beating
the Alouettes at this point, given the poor effort that we saw this past
week, and so I think that Alottes will gonna win there. Hamilton's I'm
fifty fifty about whether or not they're gonna go into Saskatchwe and win, even
though Saskatchewe's looking very poor right now themselves. You know, that's been a
house of horrors for the tie Cats. I can tell you as a tie
Cats fan, I think they haven't won there in like seven years or something
like that, Like even the year in twenty nineteen where they went fifteen and
three. That was one of their losses that year. So I mean,
I don't know if they're going to get a win there, and then there'll
be a two game gap and that would basically be it from that point.
But you know, I do think I like their chances at home against BC.
I think, you know, given what we saw in that first match
against them, and then the last week of the season and they play,
you know what on the road against Montreal, so that will be an interesting
game if it means anything at that point. So I'm really excited to see
what happens the rest of the season. But you know, I think at
the end of the day, I don't see the Alouettes giving up that second
place spot to Hamilton. So let's so, and you're a lot more knowledgeable
about all these playoff seedings and standings, like so, you know, let's
crazy world here. BC shows up Friday, right, kicks the pants off
Winnipeg. Do they have to stay a game up on Winnipeg or like is
it because the tiebreaker? And I like, are we are we still having
to you know, like going into Hamilton's here and we've got the host calorie?
Like, what do you make a BC at the end of their schedule
if you are able to get the game up. Yeah, if if if
BC wins this weekend against Winnipeg, they'll have the tiebreaker and they'll be because
they have the same record right now, there'll be a game up, So
they would effectively have a little bit of you know, of a cushion there
to drop a game if they so happen to lose against Hamilton in a few
weeks for an example. So I think, like I said, that game
on Friday is absolutely huge. I think it decides basically everything, And I
mean it could have looked even better for BC. If Toronto was able to
hold on and beat Winnipeg on Friday night. But unfortunately for the Lions it
didn't happen, so they'll have to take care of business themselves. Yeah,
because I mean, if you're looking here, you got you know, like
I said, the Friday game, Hamilton, You're going into Hamilton's and then
hosting Calgary the kind of end up the year, Evan, I guess any
other thoughts we'll get to the other games or any other thoughts Calgary or Hamilton's
here, no Jason, anything else on this Hamilton's faithful where they were was
it was the hammer rockin. Yeah. It was a great crowd, I
felt like because Calgary is not necessarily a big draw, like you see,
like the fans really come out for the Toronto games, and you know that
the games like against the marquee opponent, like say like a Winnipeger or maybe
even a BC. But I think for it being a game against Calgary,
I thought the crowd was really excellent. I think it was around twenty three
thousand there on Saturday night, So I thought it was a great crowd and
a great atmosphere for that announcement for Green Days, the halftime show. All
right, so let's get in here. Let me get back over so Montreal
going into Ottawa. Here, we'll go Jason first on this while I get
it pulled up. Thoughts on this one, I don't have many thoughts on
this one because I didn't get a chance to really watch too much of this
game. My main takeaway would be that just the Red Blacks, just like
Calgary, they're they're very similar teams. They came out with no fight in
this one. Once again, it was twenty two to nothing entering the fourth
quarter. They had multiple turnovers in the red zone. They had a situation
where, you know, I think they were down by seven points at that
point of the game early in the second quarter, and they threw a pick
six to Mark Antoine de Qua, who was having an excellent season by the
way, from Montreal. So, I mean, Red Blacks just a very
disappointing effort for them. I thought that this game would be a lot closer
than it ended up being, but ultimately they didn't show up to play and
then Montreal. Nothing spectacular from them, but defense continues to be a big
story. Fajarda was solid and this one didn't turn the ball over William stand
back getting some good yardage and efficiency there. So that was good to see
from them. But I think the big takeaway was Outawa just showing up flat
once again. Yeah, we had an Arbuckle appearance here as well, seven
of nine. Yeah, I guess so, I, like I said,
I didn't catch too much of the game, but uh, yeah, I
was kind of shocked when I looked at the box score and saw that he
got into some action because they were very, very reluctant to play him like
ever since that those first couple appearances at the beginning of the season. Yeah,
I don't know. I mean krum here, like we said, come
back down, they come back down to Earth. I mean, I certainly
think he's played well enough to kind of carry the team next year, at
least to kind of be in that contention. Evan thoughts on this. I
know this is kind of the Saturday afternoon and they're kind of I think it
was even like early than that here on the on the West Coast. Yeah,
I watched. I watched a good chunk of this game, I think,
you know, first half and then a bit into the third quarter.
Yeah, this game to me felt like it was over pretty quickly. You
know, it was just clear that I mean, you know, Montreal kind
of came out and it don't you know, keep in mind it was slow,
but I just didn't really feel like, you know, Ottawa had the
juice in that game to get things done. But I will say a couple
of notes. I was really impressed with the way Justin Crum spread the ball
around to his receivers. It almost reminded me of Vernon Adams and BC.
And you know, obviously he didn't have the artig he threw two picks.
Arbuckle came in after, you know whatever. But Ottawa I think had five
receivers with over four catches in that game, which I thought was very impressive,
you know, definitely getting a lot of guys worked in. And then
on the Montreal side, I know, what's his name, Austin Mack was
out this game, so you had cold Speaker filling in. You know,
three catches for sixty yards standback really impressed me in this game. Wasn't and
you know, it wasn't a terribly you know, exciting performance, I guess,
but six and a half yards per carrying a touchdown is extremely respectable.
Just felt like you know, he was kind of a workhorse and you know,
really nice to see him again kind of you know, progressed through the
course of the season because we we had talked about at the beginning of the
season that you know, he was a bit slow with the injury and everything,
and you know, coming off that and then you know, he this
was kind of, I think, a big year for him. And you
know, he's you know now in these last couple of weeks, seems like
you know, he's trying, he's finding his way, i should say,
and you know he was doing that a bit, you know, a couple
of weeks ago too, here and there that there was definitely signs things were
going in the right direction. But the one you know, really interesting takeaway
that I had from this game, and you know this is kind of a
bit random, but you know, there was a play in this game that
really got some you know traction on Twitter, and I'm talking like it kind
of went viral and it was I believe justin yes, the onside punt,
and I had no idea, you know, what was going on or why
you know that was important, like I thought, you know, to me,
I thought the cool play of the game was when I think Montreal missed
a field goal and then Ottawa returned it and then the ball went out of
you know, Ottawa's hands right back into I believe it was Siba Sue maybe
he had the ball, and then it was like this really weird turnover.
But yeah, the onside punt gained a lad of traction. You know,
everyone was like, you know, why would you do that? You know,
it doesn't make any sense. And then I think it was Trey Watson
was in the XFL right now, he used to put with Montreal. He
said, man, like, you wouldn't understand the CFL unless you were reading
the rule book during the game, you know what I mean. And yeah,
it was just one of those things where I don't know. I was
like scratching my head during the game, like what is he doing? And
I went on Twitter and I'm like, geez, like this is getting a
lot of a lot of attention for some you know, random CFL play on
a Saturday, but hey, I mean more publicity for the league, you
know. And it was definitely talked about, you know, afterwards for a
bit, so that I guess was nice to see. But was this I
mean, so this is on perfect. Yeah, very odd here. Yeah,
I mean I think it's fine as a novelty, like you know,
happens once. I've never seen this before. I thought it had to travel
a certain amount of yards, but I guess not. I mean he tried
to like Antwi himself tried this play earlier in the year against BC. It
backfired on him. I think he uh, it was a bumble and it
ultimately cost the Alouettes in that game. But yeah, I think it's fine
for like a one time thing. But if this becomes a thing that people
try, I think it makes the look the league look bad. I think
ultimately at the end of the day, it looks really silly. I feel
like and they would have to put some kind of amendment. But I think
if it's just this one time, I think it's it's fine. I just
don't get so we're second in eighteen here. I just don't understand, Like,
what is the purpose of this. It looks more like an accident than
anything else. Yeah, for some reason, I don't know why, but
it resets the down, so we got a first down into that, Like,
like, it doesn't make sense to me. I think it should be
because apparently the rule is as long as you kick it behind the line of
scrimmage and it crosses the line of scrimmage and you recover it bond beyond the
line of scrimmage, it's a first down, but I think it should be
you know, it has to be beyond the first down market. I think
that makes more sense to me. But I mean, at the end of
the day, like I said, I don't think we're gonna see this on
a regular basis, and if it does, I think the CFL will have
to do something about it. So I'm taking it back. I tweeted last
night during the Chiefs game, Hey, I agree people talking CFL rules better
than the NFL and all that stuff, because he got my home serious like
that. I take all that back. I take all that back that this
is a legal forward play. Then they were able to reset that. Evan,
this is absurd. Yeah, I mean, and I again, I
didn't realize, like until I, you know, started doing some research.
I was like, you know, why would he do that? And I
realized, you know, you can get an automatic first down doing that.
But I will say, extremely risky play, Like I'm surprised, you know,
it makes me, well, I shouldn't say, it makes me happy,
but at least makes me feel a bit better knowing that you know,
someone has tried this before and lost the football, because the reality is like
it looks like, I mean, you know, you're taking a huge risk,
you know, letting the ball out of your hands and having it roll,
even just for a couple of yards, there's any defenders in that area,
someone could fall on it, and you know it's a turnover. You
lost the fumble essentially, So yeah, I agree with Jason. It's like
it's cool, you know, for maybe one time, but like if people
think that this is like a new trick that's gonna work, you know,
every time you've got a long second down, I think you might be sorely
mistaken. I hope, Well I don't hope, but I almost. It's
like it's one of those things where you know, maybe maybe we will see
it play out where a team you know, unfortunately you know, loses the
football and gives up you know, good field position of the other team just
to really you know, bring the point home and to learn a lesson because
I don't know, that's like, that's got to be one of the weirdest
things ever. Like in I've ever seen in any level of football, not
even like you know just NFL or you know, high level Pro Bowl,
but you know college even like high school. I mean that's like that feels
like something that would happen like at the high school level to miss uh if
he Haddson Nielsen on the college why is he doing? Why is he doing?
Okay, that's crazy, all right? Anything else on this one,
I mean you would think of anything that that would be Bob Dyce would be
died on that up not Montreal. You know you think Bobby diyas the special
teams guy, would be doing that. Jason. Anything else on this one,
Yeah, I guess I'll give a couple of shot outs for each team.
So from Montreal. Like I said, William stand back, It's good
to see him playing well. Reggie Stubblefield, I think he's been a really
good addition for the back end for the Alouettes. He had eight tackles,
two sacks, and the interception in this game, so really filled the stat
sheet. Mark Antoine de quap excellent season, pick six in this one.
And then for the Red Blacks up Raylan Addison had his best game in a
long time, seven matches for ninety four yards and then clay On Lang defensive
tackle, who I used to think was one of the best Canadian players in
the CFL, but it's went quite the last couple of years. He had
a big game in this one for a couple of sacks. And then I
guess I was looking ahead here. Yeah, we were talking before we at
Montreal going, uh where is it Ottowa coming into Montreal doing these home at
home again. It really feels like set up here for outlets to take a
second here in the East. Jason, how do you feel tie cats traveling
in and will you be making the journey with your boys for semis? Oh
the Semis? No, No, I probably will not be going to Montreal,
but you know i'd love too. I planned to make it there one
day. That's one of the stadiums I haven't been to, along with all
the other Western ones, but I think, yeah, at the end of
the day, I probably won't end up traveling to that one. It's it's
interesting because basically we're gonna have almost a repeat of last year's playoffs. It
looks like because I think Montreal's gonna hold on the second, so it's gonna
be Hamilton traveling to Montreal. The only thing different this year. It looks
like saskatch one's gonna make it. But yeah, I think BC's probably gonna
finish second. If if they lose this game on Friday, they'll probably finish
second. So I mean, yeah, it looks like deja vu for for
CFL fans. Well, and that's way I mean, and I've said this,
it mays has to get on here, but you know, yeah,
swap out Saskatchewe for Calgary if the BC's in second place, so you know,
host them at host them in Vancouver and then traveling to Winnipeg and that
that is to me, it gets terrifying on that going here, h BC
hosting Saskatchewan. I got a little close at the end, but I feel
like some of this was we took the foot off the gas in terms of
defensive stuff. Here, Evan, we'll talk go to you first. Yeah,
you know, I didn't get to watch a ton of this game.
I mean I watched a bit you know here and there, but uh yeah,
I mean once again, just another you know, offensive clinic from BC.
Again. The defense, you know, they they it got a bit
close there, you know, Saskatchewan. I think at fifteen points in the
fourth quarter, so talk about a rally. But you know, I mean
again at offense is just so it's so lethal, you know, so potent,
like I mean Vernon Adams, like it's almost like if he doesn't throw
for more than four hundred yards in a game, it's a disappointment. Now,
and that's a that's a crazy number. I know it's CFL whatever,
maybe it's more of a passing league, but like man, I meant every
game, it just I think he's over four thousand now, if I'm not
mistaken, I think he hit that in this game. So you know,
Vernon again continues to be oppressive. Twenty seven to thirty six, four fifty
eight, three touchdowns. You know. The run game, you know for
BC is still a bit slow. That's something where you know, we've talked
about this before and I'm not going to touch on it too much year,
but maybe one of those things you want to lean into a bit more before
the playoffs, just to be safe, you know, just to make sure
that you have everything you know, where you want it before you go and
take on you know, Winnipeg wherever that is again, whether it's in BC
or you know at at ig Field again that we crazy how you know this
is all unfolding now when we were talking about that being one of the biggest
scenarios of the season like two months ago. But anyway, that that's a
separate story. Yeah. And then you know, the receivers for BC,
I mean, do I even need to talk about them anymore? Hollands Hatcher,
I mean, every everybody you know gets a nice piece here in that
offense, especially Hatcher in this game, you know, just had an absolutely
outstanding performance. And then you know, for Saskatchewan, I don't know,
I feel like, you know, I feel like they've had a lot of
games where they've lost and their offense continues to impress me, but it just
comes down to their own defense and you know, some turnovers here and there,
and you know, it just it seems like, you know, I
mean, Dola Gala through for four hundred and nine yards but did not have
a passing touchdown. I mean, that's that's fascinating to me, but not
necessarily for the right reason. So and again, their run game, I
mean, you know, I think we've discussed this before too, but but
their run game might even need some more work than Bcason in certain areas I
just don't even know. You know, Yes, BC and Saskatchewan have both
struggled at times running the football, but I feel like BC, at least
with my Zell, you know, they have a bit more of a higher
ceiling there, whereas I look at Saskatchewan and I'm like, I don't know,
you know, so that that's tough. But then I mean they they
had too you know. Interestingly, they BC only had one you know,
one hundred plus yard receiver and that was key On Hatcher, but Saskatchewan had
two of them and Keyan Shaffer Baker and uh Jared Starns, who you know,
I've talked about Jared Sterns at nauseam being you know, one of my
you know, favorite players. He was one of my favorite players at the
college level, and I've been very pleased with you know what he's been able
to do, you know, coming into the CFL. He signed with Saskatchewan
I think in July, so, you know, middle of the season type
thing, and has come in and has really you know, carved out a
role for himself there. But yeah, ultimately, you know, this was
a game I expected BC to win. You know, their offense continues to,
uh, you know, really impressed me. You know, one of
the more I think exciting you know offenses to watch in the entire league.
And I say that, you know, even with all the teams like Toronto
and Winnipeg, you know who go out there and you know, sling it
every weekend. I mean I've seen BC you know live you know now and
back to back seasons at BC plays and both times, I mean the story
was their offense. You know, first it was with Nathan Rourke. Second
time it was with of course Vernon Adams, who's there now. But yeah,
I mean you know that it was a pretty again just about what I
expected, you know, a couple of things that could have been better,
but BC gets to win and you know they carry that momentum into the big
game that you're going to read. Yeah you're talking here, Yeah, Vernon
and if this is you know, we can never tell with the CFL that
we have four thousand over four thousand yards now for the season. Tremendous for
that. Just a couple thoughts. And I want to get to Jason right
Rhymes was back right, he had been out, so that was good to
see Vernon here, you know, crazy for a fifty eight but giving up
like, where are the Donut boys? Are you giving it four hundred nine
yards? Did Jake Dalla Galla? I mean, Jason, what do you
like you can't give You got Winnipeg coming in. You can't be giving it
four hundred plus yards to Sacatch one. Uh, I think that's misleading.
I think I think they gave up a lot of those yards. And because
this game, Yeah, this game was I think a three touchdown lead in
the fourth quarter, and that's kind of when I stopped watching the game because
it was, you know, it was just too far to reach at that
point. But then I looked at the final score and Sascatch one scored two
touchdowns in the final five minutes, So I think that's where they got a
lot of those yards. Like Evan said, a sascatchwe can get much going
on the ground. So I think that BC's defense actually played very well in
this game. They were pretty relentless early in the game, and on the
other side of the ball, I thought that, you know, uh,
BC's offense was just clicking on all cylinders. So I think they're kind of
ramping up towards this matchup. They had a couple of poor performances a few
weeks ago, as we alluded to know the game against Hamilton, you know,
the game against Ottawa were they almost lost. But now it feels like
they're back in the swing of things and ready for that big matchup against Winnipeg.
And I think that, you know, if they play like this,
they can beat any team in the CFL and could go on a great Cup
run. Here. I mean, you gotta you gotta play sixty minutes here,
Jason. I don't like giving up garbage time TVs. To Jake Della
galla here. Yeah, in terms of yeah, you know, rushing here.
And I understand, like, well, you know, we have a
million receivers and we don't need to do that. But Evan talked about this
Jason, like, you know, we're giving my Zell thirty Like I don't
know, I feel like this is a tail as all as time we got.
This is you know, snazzy West Coast team. We're gonna go into
Manitoba here and we're gonna get crushed. They're gonna pound the rock in the
snow and then the ice. Like if have I foreseen the future already?
Yeah, I mean that seems like the biggest difference between BC and Toronto and
Winnipeg right now, it seems like, you know, Toronto Winnipeg, they
have these big, imposing running backs and Alba and Olette and Andrew Harris.
I'll have been throw in there for Toronto, whereas you know, BC,
I believe, like I would have to check, but a few weeks ago
they were dead last and rushing, and I don't think that's changed. So
I think, you know, they're much more of a finesse team and that
makes it all the more important for them to get that number one seed and
host the West Final. Evan, in terms of our boy Vernon here clean
game, three touchdowns, like we've talked about him, you know, tremendous
season, Like is there a chance that he's in the MLP discussion? I
know Farhan and Taylor they like pumping him up, but you know we keep
talking. Obviously check Kelly, but now he's not going to be playing,
Like what do you make of that with Vernon? I think he's in the
discussion, but to say that he has a good chance of winning is a
bit of a reach. And you know, I think that's more of the
emergence. Well, I mean well, let me put it this way,
Zach Colaros. We all know who has been established for a long time.
Chad Kelly is probably the most likely option to win MP. I believe just
even that you know, Toronto, you know they've got we've got like you
know what, a month left of regular season play and you know they can
pretty much rest him. Maybe that does affect, you know, his chances
for MP. I don't know, but you know, Vernon, I feel
like, yeah, I mean, Vernon should definitely be in the discussion.
Absolutely, it's just a matter of you know what we'll see. I think,
you know, my only issue with Vernon, and this may be the
reason that you know he's discussed but he doesn't win, it is again,
you know, yes, he throws the ball a lot. They've been very
efficient on offense. He has these games four hundred yards, three touchdowns,
no problems. But you know, when he has an off day, it
tends to be pretty off. You know. We saw that a couple of
times, like against Toronto where he had you know, I don't even know
how many shicks. Yeah, it was agnumber. And even against Ottawa,
you know, we we talked about that. I guess that was two weeks
ago now, because I wasn't here last week, but you know, it
was just like one interception, okay, fine, and then you just kind
of start, you know, the turnover start piling up, and you know,
like that's the only that's the only tough thing. Like if you look
at if you look at I mean, it's I don't know if those are
all well, you know, it's I don't know if that's Vernon's stat line
there, but like yeah, yeah, so I know, so yeah.
So here I've got some Vernon's. Vernon's twenty eight sixteen four thousand five yards.
We got Chack Kelly here at twenty one and eleven, uh, you
know, three thirty three hundred. That was thirty four hundred yards obviously playing
you know, he was hurting the game playing. You didn't, didn't play
whatever. And then Clario's really clean here thirty and fourteen, thirty seven hundred
yards. I mean, if Vernon doesn't have that Toronto game, I think
he's really more in contention here. I mean, Jason, like, I
think Clario's head and shoulder, not head and shoulders. But I mean there's
clearly a line there. But is it what what do you make of this.
Well, it's funny. We were talking last week on the show in
Case you missed It, Evan about you know, whether or not Vernon still
had a chance in the MLP race, and I actually said no, But
now he has a game this and if they can win this week against BCS,
it's gonna be very interesting because if they finished first in the West and
Burning plays excellent from this point to the end of the season, I think
he definitely has a shot to win this award because where are you play in
the standings always seems like it has a role. It plays a role in
who wins these awards. And I mean a couple of weeks ago, I
would have said Kelly would win it, but I think because of the you
know, the statistical difference because of all the missed games, and even before
that, you know, Clariss's numbers were better than Kelly. So I think
at the end of the day, you know, Clariss is probably still gonna
win it, but there still is a chance for Burning to get back into
it because of these big games coming up. I just to me, that's
like that's the story, you know, like we've had this with Zach and
Vernon and he was with Montreal and then he got trading mid season. He's
doing all that time. If you guys hadn't listened to the interview when we
have burnon On, I guess it was preseason this year is talking about like
you know, and I had my I was paying rent in Montreal, and
I was paying rent in Vancouver and I still have my house in Tacoma,
and I'm trying to learn this rule book, like you know it have the
whole season unders belt here, come back and really kick ass. I think
it's a pretty exciting thing, especially for someone that's been in the CFL as
long as Vernon has. I mean, I know, like emotion doesn't go
into you know, you gotta look at the stats and everything here. But
it's an interesting discussion. Evan, any other thoughts on that. Yeah,
I mean, look again, I wouldn't rule Vernon out. And the reality
is, you know, I mean if if Chad Kelly continues to rest,
you know, that might push him out. I mean, now that we're
looking at the numbers, you know, if we want to if we want
to base off that, I mean, Claro's definitely has the best ratio.
There's no surprise there when it comes to you know, touchdowns, interceptions,
everything like that. But you know, yeah, Vernon, Like the thing
is again it goes back to this upcoming game, and you know, if
Vernon can you know, if Vernon has a couple like you know that Saskatchewan
stat line that we just looked at twenty seven thirty six, four fifty eight
three touchdowns, if he can keep doing that for you know, just another
a couple more weeks or whatever, yeah, then I'd feel like, you
know, he honestly would have a good chance. You know, I still
find it hard to say that, you know, he would be the front
runner, but like there's a lot there. You know that there's really something
there, and you know, there's no denying that Vernon has been, you
know, one of the most impressive quarterbacks. Again. Yes, he's had
some turnovers, he's had some you know, mental errors, whatever, but
every quarterback has that, and you know, I feel like, you know,
right now, I don't know right now, it's a bit up in
the air, but you know, if if in these final few weeks he
really goes out there and continues to make a statement, I don't see why
you'd take him out of that discussion. I just I'm I'm happy, you
know, And I think, like you said, if you take the Toronto
game out, I think this is an entirely different discussion. But you know,
everyone's allowed. You're entitled to do a bad game or two. It's
you know, it's a the eighteen game, you know, twenty one week
season. I think you're allowed to have that. I just, like I
said, longevity of it. You here's someone that I think a lot of
people that hit kind of written off and Okay, he's in Montreal or became
like I know, like as much as I loved him as a person,
I was a little worried, like, Okay, now this year and this
we got all these toys he's playing with and like, I think he's been
great. I think he's matured into it. I know, and he's a
fan of man. I know, we're big fans in the group, Jason.
Any other thoughts on Burnin, they're just a story of kind of where
he's at right now. Yeah, I'm really happy for him. I feel
like this is you know, his place in the CFL. This is like
it feels like he's really found at home. I mean it looked like,
you know, a couple of years ago. He looked great in Montreal,
but I mean things just kind of developed there and for whatever reason, they
decided to bring in Trevor Harris and they decided to you know, make him
the starting quarterback there. And then obviously he ended up leaving too. But
things, you know, ended pretty poorly in Montreal. But I think this
is really where he belongs in the CFL, and it's good to see him,
you know, finally, you know, settle in here, because he's
a guy that came to the CFL with a lot of hype and a lot
of people were saying this guy is like an ideal fit for the CFL game,
and that was like years ago. So you know, it's finally great
to see that he has settles in here. And you know, is in
the MP discussion and one of the name I wanted to throw out into the
MP discussion. He won't get any serious consideration of winning it, but Brady
Olivera has had an excellent season, one of the best seasons by a running
back we've seen in quite a few years in the CFF AL And I mean,
you know, if we didn't have all these excellent quarterbacks, because that's
really what happens when you talk about the MLP discussion. If a quarterback's having
a great season, they're gonna win that award. But you know, the
years that there's not really that outstanding quarterback, that's when you usually see a
positional player win it. But I think at the end of the day,
Olivera deserves a shout out as well because his numbers this year have been excellent.
Yeah, and then Ken ken Friedan's his check chiming in the chat,
he says the two games are the Argo's loss, Kelly was hurt or did
not play, the fact that he's not playing here at the end of the
season. You know, they clinched first because of I know, I know,
but it's I mean, it's it's it's like the news cycle and okay,
we're moving you know, we're moving on here, you know, I
mean, you're gonna stat compare their uh my other thing. And then we'll
get to the last game here in terms of Saskatchewan just because obviously presumably we'll
see a BC or whoever has to I think it's Saskatchewan takes on BC here,
right, Sascatchewan takes on Winnipeg and in the playoffs, I think it's
a walk in the park. But what do you make here, Jason,
And we'll get Evan Sauz will move on here real quick. But just Saskatchewan
moving forward kind of following here in the standings a little bit. Well,
it's weird because they're almost surely going to make the playoffs, but yeah,
it looks like they're just set up to lose in that you know, West
semifinal. And I know they've beaten Winnipeg and BC like once before, but
I think at the end of the day, they don't look super close to
those teams right now. And the last time we saw Winnipeg play Saskatchewan,
Winnipeg you know, destroyed them in that game in the playoffs would be you
know, on the road in Winnipeg, and likewise for the Saskatchew one versus
BC matchup. So I think at the end of the day, they're kind
of stuck in the in the middle here. They're gonna make the playoffs unless
Calgary has a sudden resurgence. Here Ottawa runs off three straight wins. But
I think at the end of the day, I don't know what to make
of them, because yeah, they really don't look like they have anywhere to
go right now, because it looks that they're gonna make the playoffs but not
do anything else. Yeah, I just I mean super disappointing. Again.
I mean last year, I know there was a lot of you know,
heads being called for because obviously they'm hosting the Great Cup and everything, but
to feel like, I don't know, I don't know what you do here,
Jason, any other sat Saskatchewan I mean Evan Sorry no, oh yeah,
Sascatchewan. Yeah, yeah, I mean just kind of yeah, I
feel like what everyone else has already said. I mean, you go,
you know, whatever they're gonna have to do, it's gonna be on the
road against a really tough team, and you know, I just I don't
really see them doing too much. It's been an interesting season for Saskatchewan.
I feel like they have a lot to work with, you know, I
always say that, you know, whether they win or lose, they have
a lot of pieces there. But you know, obviously Trevor Harris getting hurt
as early as he did, I think kind of, you know, well,
it certainly didn't derail this season if they're in playoff contention, but it
feels like they've had a lot of you know, shifting components, even outside
of the quarterback position. I mean, yeah, you went from Trevor Harris
to Mason Fines and now Jake Dola Gallis seems like the guy, and you
know, I'd be comfortable, you know, moving forward with Dola Galla depending
on what happens with Trevor Harris. I do think he will be back.
But again, you know, Dola Galla can maybe go to another team next
year. And I think I've brought that up where you know, you have
a good showing in Saskatchew when you can go do something somewhere else. But
anyway, you know, with Saskatchewan in particular, I just feel like they
have a lot of a lot of moving pieces and things kind of kind of
got shaken up for them early. So it's been a real mixed bag with
them. You know. Fortunately, they do have games where they're exciting to
watch, and you know they have they have you know, one against I
think that, you know, interestingly enough, I feel like and if we
want to talk about playoffs here real quick, I was just running through scenarios
in my head. Unlike Montreal in the East, the Saskatchewan has actually beaten
you know, some of the better teams. They've beaten Beast, they've beaten
Winnipeg before, and that to me really stands out. Again, I unfortunately
feel like, you know, that's just I feel like, you know,
it's it's gonna be too strong in the playoffs and they're not gonna be able
to overcome that. But like I look at Montreal and I'm like, at
the rate you know, things are going at Hamilton could go into Montreal and
I think they could win that game, and you know, I think that
would set up a very interesting you know, Eastern Final. You know,
I guess that would be between Hamilton and Toronto. But yeah, just just
a lot there. You know, it's for Saskatchewan again, going back to
my original point, you know, I would say there's season overall. I
mean, if you make playoffs, I'd call it a success, given how
much uncertainty there was. Again, but uh, you know, yeah,
no denying that. There's still some work that needs to be done. And
obviously this was a big h This was a year of change for them.
This was their first year. You know, you moved on from Cody Fajardo,
you know, you moved on from you know, some of the coaches.
Yeah, Jason Moss right, so you know, definitely a change there.
But you know, I feel like there is a bright future for a
team like Saskatchewan, and you know you can't say that for everybody else in
the league. Right now, last game here, we'll get to kind of
the weird game, and I thought we had Ron Smith on the show previewing,
kind of talking CFL going the end of the weekend. Like you know,
people have been very critical like why was in this game earlier in the
Gray Cup rematch, really, you know, didn't didn't amount for a lot.
We saw Brian Scott here in Friends of the Show did not have the
best outy and Jason, what do you what do you make of this one?
Winnipeg they trounta felt like they had a shot there. Yeah. I
enjoyed the game for the most part, but like you said, when Brian
Scott got put into the game in the fourth quarter, I felt that kind
of ruined, ruined the vibe of the game. Like honestly, I thought
that there was really pointless to kind of put him in there. I think
because you have four other games. If you want to give Bryan Scott a
full other game, you have four other opportunities to do that, But why
take Cameron Dukes out when he's playing relatively well against a very good team that's
still trying to win, Like you want to give your backups really good you
know experience, uh, and you know game situations. You're playing against the
Winnipeg team that wants to win this game. This was a perfect scenario for
Camera Dukes to finish this game and and try to get Toronto the victory here,
even though it didn't mean anything for them, but it was quality reps
that you could have gotten Cameron Dukes, but instead you you pull him in
the middle of the fourth quarter for a guy that hasn't played, you know,
in the league right now, sorry in them in the league this season.
And I don't know, it was just such a weird vibe at the
end of that game because you know, Toronto basically just conceded it to Winnipeg.
And I thought that for the most part, Toronto played very very well
in this game. They came to play and I thought that, you know,
they looked really great in the first half, but ultimately I feel like
they conceded the game in the in the fourth quarter by putting in Brian Scott.
Yeah, maybe sad here. You know, I love Brian. Bryan's
been on the show and obviously tracking him going up there, and you know,
there was a lot of things with the XFL and everything else that Evan,
what did you make of Brian Scott's at first performance this season? Yeah,
well, you know, Brian's been around and I was very I was
very pleased to see him come into the game. I understand it was weird
timing and I understand, you know, it might have not been the right
decision, but you know, we like we haven't seen Brian play since you
know what USFL last year, and he only played in the couple games before
getting hurt. You know, it's been a long time since he has been
on the field. And the fact that you know, he's still around in
twenty twenty three, you know, with a major pro franchise, you know,
one that has the potential to you know, win a championship even if
he's not starting. I find that to be a very a very formidable,
I guess is the term accomplishment, you know, A very like I mean
I remember when he he was like the Spring League MVP, and that feels
like, you know, decade ago now and times. Yeah, so you
know, it's it's been a it's been a long time that Brian's been around.
But I think the real story here, and again I'm sure Brian will
you know, get another opportunity hopefully, you know, down the stretch here
in the next couple of weeks. So you know, I wouldn't. I
know, this wasn't his best day, but again, it was only a
couple of snaps, you know, I'll give him a break, right,
and it was weird timing and all that. But the real story here,
I think was Cameron Dukes. And of course, you know this one,
you know, was was pretty special. You know Mike Davis, who I
work with, you know, in Vegas. He he was the guy who
you know, brought Cam Dukes in, you know, to the Arena game
and he played in Vegas prior to you know, going to Toronto. So
we were, you know, we were very happy about that to see him,
you know, go up there and get the start, and he's kind
of you know, he's almost I guess the poster child in a sense,
like you know, if you I'm not trying to make a pitch here to
anybody, but it's like you know, if you develop your game and you
take a chance, you know, things like this can happen where you're getting
off oportunity elsewhere and you can play on a higher stage. And you know,
Cam Dukes, you know, in this game, he really impressed.
You know, he came out there and against one of the best teams in
the league. You know, looked like he could start multiple games and not
have a problem. You know, he was definitely you know, in a
position where you know, you could tell that he had learned throughout the season
behind Chad Kelly, and you know, he was really taken in all the
information and using his prior experience in the arena game. You know, very
impressed with what Cam Dukes did, and I think a lot of other people
were impressed as well. You know, on the broadcast, they were saying,
you know, this game, to some degree, you know, we
all viewed this was an automatic win for Winnipeg. And yes, they still
got the victory at the end of the game, but for a while,
I mean it looked like, you know, Toronto was just going to keep
Dukes in there and they were gonna roll past Winnipeg. And you know that
the entire Toronto team played very well with him at the Helm. So yeah,
I was really impressed, you know, with with how that went down.
And I feel like, you know, I mean, I you see,
there's too much time left in the sea, he's in tour. I
would just take Chad Kelly out of the picture, like I think Chad,
you know, has to play again obviously before you know, they go to
the playoffs, and I hope that goes without saying. But again, in
this game proved that you know, if you need Cam Dukes to play,
he'll be there, and you know he's gonna play in a high capacity.
And I think that, you know, if you're Toronto, that's very that
makes you feel a bit more comfortable because I think someone mentioned it on TSN.
They were saying, uh, you know, the only question that Toronto
really had was you know, who's the backup, you know, who's the
guy that's gonna come in if something happens to Kelly during the season. And
you know, obviously it was kind of a you know, between Dukes and
Scott, nobody you know, really knew. I mean, hell, but
Ben Holmes was in there at one point. But I can't bring up that
name on this show, but nah, you know, overall, yeah,
I was very I was still very impressed with Toronto, even though Winnipeg got
the win. And yeah, I mean I think that I know that was
a lot about quarterbacks, but I mean we can get into some other some
other parts of the game here, but I'll let I'll let you talk first
read. Yeah, Jason, just you know, it's interesting and this has
been the discussion here for a couple of weeks now with Chack Kelly and everything
else. Torano I mean really kind of almost a beating Winnipeg with something.
And I saw a lot of like online like well they're they're not resting everyone
or they did you know, I mean there's still it's still a football game.
But what did you make? Yeah, I was shocked, how you
know, intense the argos were in this game. I mean, yeah,
besides the quarterback, I feel like they didn't really rest too many players.
I think a couple of guys on the defensive side, like Sean Oakman I
think rested for this game. But I thought that they played with a lot
of intensity. Ajoe Eleett I think, strangely only had the one carry in
this game, but it went for you know, a big play, and
I thought that you know, you know, the Artgos played with a lot
of intensity in this game, and I thought they were legitimately trying to win.
But and that's why I was very confused by their decision in the fourth
quarter to bring in Brian Scott. And let me be clear, I'm not
ripping on Brian Scott. I'm just saying that I thought that Cameron Duke's deserved
to finish that game with how he was playing, and that there are other
opportunities to get Brian Scott a full game with the four games they have left
in their season. So I think, you know, going forward, in
terms of Chad Kelly, I think that they're going to play him next week
because I think they're gonna play him for the home games. I think that's
my theory about it, because you know, the fans there deserve to see
him play. But I think at the end of the day, I think,
you know, for a game like this in Winnipeg, I don't think
they wanted to show the Bombers too much in terms of you know, they're
starting quarterbacks. So I think that's why they decided to do what they did.
Yeah, I like that theory. Yeah, play chat in the home
games. I just can you imagine like a full Brian Scott game, that
I mean full Brian Scott and the Argos at the home We got all these
tools here evant anyone else who wants spotlight here before we get out, let
me take a look. I don't have too many notes on this one.
I will say, you know, not that he had, you know,
an extremely impressive game, but Deontey McMahon was someone that I you know,
scouted an interview. He went to school out here at McNeice State, and
you know, he signed with the Argos. I mean, I think he
kind of signed with them before he even entertained any other NFL opportunity. I
think he just decided that would be the best place to go, you know,
given his status, you know, coming from the FCS. But you
know, it's nice to see him getting worked in. You know, he
was a really impressive player, you know at the FCS level, one of
the best you know running backs, you know, and to see him starting
to get some work here late in the season for Toronto. He's another one
of those guys where it's like, you know, kind of like Brian Scott,
like he might not flashed a lot now, but you've got four more
weeks to do something and I'm sure they're going to keep playing him, so
that'll be exciting to follow. Maybe we'll talk about some guys on the Winnipeg
side of the ball. Yeah, Brady Olivera, I mean, I think
that goes without saying at this point, but you know, twenty five carries
one hundred sixty nine yards, averaging nearly seven yards of carry. I mean,
that's an absolute, absolute workhorse. You know. That's like, I
mean, twenty five carries, you know, for that many yards and you're
not even scoring, You're just kind of getting the ball and you know,
chugging along for a couple of first downs. I mean that's you know,
that's really good to see. And you know again that I think I know
some people might you know, not want to hear this if you're not a
Winnipeg fan, but you know, that might help them a lot in the
playoffs. I think that's almost like a secret weapon, even though we all
know how good Brady Olivera is. But yeah, I read, I gotta
say it, man. I know, I know there's this whole BC deal,
but you know, well, we'll see what happens. Yeah, I
think that's probably it. In terms of guys from that game. Again,
I enjoyed watching it. You know. Obviously you know there were some you
know, different faces, but I mean, yeah, there was enough.
There was enough starters in there. I think Toronto they had a lot of
their starting lineup in. I think they just you know, pulled some guys
earlier, like a j Olett had one carry, you know, and then
just kind of left after that. So, I don't know, interesting again,
kind of an interesting tactic. I know, we brought it up with
you know, we talked about Hamilton, like the two quarterbacks, like you
know, some of these teams, you know, pull some interesting cards out
of the hat. And then yeah, having Brian Scott in there at the
end of the game. Again, hope to see Brian in a larger capacity
having more success moving forward here over the next couple of weeks. But yeah,
ultimately that I think that's it. Well, there you go, we
did it. Like I said, big game coming up Friday, you know,
Winnipeg going in there, Jason, any other games you want to spotlight
before we get out of here, Uh No, I don't think so.
I mean I will add to Evans point about you know, britty olivera being
really important for them because I think with Winnipeg they like to hit the big
play, but they're not necessarily the best in terms of the short range passing
game. I think the running game is very important for their pacing of that
offense. So I think, yeah, Oliver a very key guy for them
going forward. Yeah, here els going into the Slaughterhouse of Horror and in
Toronto, let's see, and then Hamilton, Saskatchewan and should be excited and
like I said, I'll be up at the BC game. Should be a
good show this week. So obviously tracking the XFL USFL stuff, I think
Dan Caplan's gonna come on. I think we're gonna get him on giving his
thoughts about that. And I reached out to a couple of CFL guys trying
to get whether the CFL panelists has been avoiding me all season. We've been
going back and forth trying to get it scheduled, so maybe we can get
that pinned down or else. Sent another former player another invite to maybe come
back on, so appreciate it. Like I said, Jason suing his other
stuff on the channel and I think that's it, unless anyone has anything else.
All right, Thanks guys, we'll see you next time. And where's
my finger? All right? Take care