Elks: Edmonton Eskimos Thread 2015 Part 3 : Off to the GC!!!

[Replacement*]

Not calling him out for that per say, but to hear some of the earlier comments before the game, you'd swear he was Goliath and was going to tear us a new one. My point is, is that even the biggest toughest dudes go down, despite the rhetoric.

What exact comments are you referring to other than nothing. I made one comment saying that IF the Esks allowed Messam to rush for 100 yds it would be a problem. I mentioned I would have preferred the Esks retained him. Neither statement is wrong or "rhetoric". I didn't see any other posts alleging anything that you are suggesting.

Want me to pull out all your critical Reilly quotes through the year. For rhetoric that is.

Or are you good...?

lets all be happy

I know this winning thing and joy in a team is a unique experience around here but lets just go with it.

 

[Replacement*]

Calgary was going to slaughter the Lions whether they had Messam or Pee Wee Herman in the backfield. They desperately wanted to have another shot, and their defence and Mitchell brought it the whole day against an overwhelmed Lions team. He had a chance yesterday to turn it up against the big boys. His performance yesterday was mediocre to bad. 53 yards rushing on 13 carries? Out -averaged by the so-called non Eskimo running game with Shavers? 2 fumbles, one that was not called by incompetent officiating and the other not called for a TD. And getting the **** kicked out of him at the end so he couldn't finish the game. Even Chris Jones said, he can be tough to bring down, but good tackling usually solves that, and then getting him to go east west, as he is not that fast. Not sure what you call that kind of performance, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't call it good. Mitchell and Rogers are the drivers for that team. If Cornish manages to make it back playing next year, I wonder if Messam can hook up with a 7th team?

Messam had 56 yds in 13 carries. 4.3yds/carry

Shavers had 40yds in 9 carries for 4.4yds per carry.

Holy specious point saying shavers had the better average. The Esks had to commit more resources upfront to stop Messam which they did. This still takes away from the coverage elsewhere in the secondary which was pretty poor because the Esks had to respect the run.

Messam had one fumble. The other was clearly down with contact popping the ball out. not surprised you'd call him out on that. Was it his fault he got knocked out on a helmet to helmet hit as well?

Messam also had 46 catching yds for over 100 all purpsose yds. In two weeks this player that according to you "has proved why nobody wants him" was the biggest weapons the Stamps had in the playoffs and had over 250 all purpose yds. Considered very good figures in the playoffs..

Maybe you just dislike the player.

Messam was a useful player for Calgary. Given uncertainty of Cornish he probably will be again. I love a power back that requires multiple defenders to bring him down.

No knock on Shavers, thought he had a good game but more importantly he's a good blocker. The one point you failed to mention..

 

[Replacement*]

Winnipeg is looking a little classier.

They just want a good team for once. Leave it on there for next season as well..

theres room on the bandwagon..

Nichols must just hate this. bwahahahaha

 

[Stoneman89]

What exact comments are you referring to other than nothing. I made one comment saying that IF the Esks allowed Messam to rush for 100 yds it would be a problem. I mentioned I would have preferred the Esks retained him. Neither statement is wrong or "rhetoric". I didn't see any other posts alleging anything that you are suggesting.

Want me to pull out all your critical Reilly quotes through the year. For rhetoric that is.

Or are you good...?

lets all be happy

I know this winning thing and joy in a team is a unique experience around here but lets just go with it.

At times in the year I criticized Reilly, the O-line, McAdoo some of Jones on field decisions, and I think they deserved it. They all deserve credit now, which is being lavished upon them, and rightfully so. However, through thick and thin, I never said I was not going to follow them at any time, so I'm good with that.

So yes, let's all be happy now.

 

[Stoneman89]

Messam had 56 yds in 13 carries. 4.3yds/carry

Shavers had 40yds in 9 carries for 4.4yds per carry.

Holy specious point saying shavers had the better average. The Esks had to commit more resources upfront to stop Messam which they did. This still takes away from the coverage elsewhere in the secondary which was pretty poor because the Esks had to respect the run.

Messam had one fumble. The other was clearly down with contact popping the ball out. not surprised you'd call him out on that. Was it his fault he got knocked out on a helmet to helmet hit as well?

Messam also had 46 catching yds for over 100 all purpsose yds. In two weeks this player that according to you "has proved why nobody wants him" was the biggest weapons the Stamps had in the playoffs and had over 250 all purpose yds. Considered very good figures in the playoffs..

Maybe you just dislike the player.

Messam was a useful player for Calgary. Given uncertainty of Cornish he probably will be again. I love a power back that requires multiple defenders to bring him down.

No knock on Shavers, thought he had a good game but more importantly he's a good blocker. The one point you failed to mention..

I like Messam as much as you like Ricky Ray.

 

[MoneyGuy]

The Esks just stomped the best team in the CFL and the defending champs. Not a chance they lose to Ottawa.

Grey Cup game 1981 - Google it.

It was the last time these two teams played in the big one and the Esks were massive favourites, much more so than this year and the RRs almost stole it. We mounted a massive second-half comeback to win the fourth of five in a row.

This game is not a sure thing but we should win handily. I hope Burris gets a really rough ride.

 

[Replacement*]

I like Messam as much as you like Ricky Ray.

Well that's the point, haha, I'm not objective on RR. Acknowledged..

Good we see eye to eye on that.

That said I sure as hell rather have Mike Reilly playing big playoff games than the immortal Ricky Ray.

Ultimately the org was correct in moving on and not tying up so much of their salary cap in one player. We're a better, and far deeper team now due to having a more balanced allocation of cap. Meanwhile Argos again tossed out of the playoffs.

Reilly does one thing really well. He wins games. Now a longer winning streak than ANY of the past Eskimo Greats QB's have ever had in a season.

 

[Gord]

Grey Cup game 1981 - Google it.

It was the last time these two teams played in the big one and the Esks were massive favourites, much more so than this year and the RRs almost stole it. We mounted a massive second-half comeback to win the fourth of five in a row.

This game is not a sure thing but we should win handily. I hope Burris gets a really rough ride.

I hope TSN replays the game this week.

 

[guymez]

I like Messam as much as you like Ricky Ray.

One of these things is not like the other.
One is a Hall of famer...the other player isn't even remotely close to that.

I dont 'hate' Messam and I dont understand why you do but hating on a player who hasnt accomplished much of anything is one thing.
Hating on a Hall of Famer for nebulous reasons is another entirely.

 

[Stoneman89]

The Esks just stomped the best team in the CFL and the defending champs. Not a chance they lose to Ottawa.

A history lesson for you.

1981

Edmonton Eskimos - 14-1-1

576 points scored. 277 allowed





Ottawa Roughriders - 5-11

306 points scored. 446 allowed


Beat Ottawa twice. 47-21 and 24-6

Edmonton won the Grey Cup 26-23 on a last second field goal by Dave Cutler.

I don't think you can get a more overwhelming favourite than that year. A team that had been a juggernaut for 4 years, all hitting their prime, against a sad sack team of upstarts. Not saying we won't spank these guys this Sunday. Only that there are lessons to be learned from past events that stats are only as good as the paper they're written on. It has to be played on a field, not a desk. Always respect an opponent, especially a big underdog.

 

[Stoneman89]

One of these things is not like the other.
One is a Hall of famer...the other player isn't even remotely close to that.

I dont 'hate' Messam and I dont understand why you do but hating on a player who hasnt accomplished much of anything is one thing.
Hating on a Hall of Famer is another entirely.

Never said I hated Messam. Just don't think he's as good as some others think he is.

And I don't think Replacement "hates" Ricky Ray. I think hate is an overused and misunderstood word these days. People criticize Yakupov on another thread, and they're called "Yakupov haters". Ridiculous.

 

[guymez]

Never said I hated Messam. Just don't think he's as good as some others think he is.

And I don't think Replacement "hates" Ricky Ray.

Hate may indeed be the wrong word but when someone wants to see a player fail how else would you categorize things?

As a poster that tried in vain to have a reasonable conversation about Ray I would suggest to you that you are 100% wrong on the 2nd point.

No matter...his judgement regarding Ray is entirely irrelevant anyway.

 

[rboomercat90]

I was at the game and couldn't see, but I heard the hit that messam took that laid him out was a helmet to helmet hit. if that's the case you can't really call him out on that.

I'm not sure the hit was intentional as Messam kind of fell into it at the last second but it was clearly helmet to helmet. I was really surprised there wasn't a flag thrown on the play as you're not supposed to be leading with your head when you make a tackle. Officials missed so much in this game that was probably why they didn't catch that. Hard to question Messam's toughness on that hit when he got his head rocked as hard as he did. Easy to criticize him for those fumbles before that though.

 

[guymez]

Have to agree with this. Too many people getting their shorts in a knot over Redblacks getting extra love and attention. As you said, it's totally predictable and understandable. An expansion team that was worst in the league last year going to the GC the very next year. Not sure that has ever happened. And everyone loves an underdog, as they surely will be. The Eskimos just need to continue to channel that lack of attention to their game, and make Ottawa a nice feelgood afterthought next Sunday night.

I also think that being the media darlings brings with it a whole lot of distraction.

I am more than happy the Esks wont have to deal with that. They should be much more prepared to play football on Sunday.

 

[Replacement*]

Never said I hated Messam. Just don't think he's as good as some others think he is.

And I don't think Replacement "hates" Ricky Ray. I think hate is an overused and misunderstood word these days. People criticize Yakupov on another thread, and they're called "Yakupov haters". Ridiculous.

Thanks bud. I don't hate Ray, not really, I don't even know him. I did offer to drive him to the airport though.

 

[Replacement*]

I'm not sure the hit was intentional as Messam kind of fell into it at the last second but it was clearly helmet to helmet. I was really surprised there wasn't a flag thrown on the play as you're not supposed to be leading with your head when you make a tackle. Officials missed so much in this game that was probably why they didn't catch that. Hard to question Messam's toughness on that hit when he got his head rocked as hard as he did. Easy to criticize him for those fumbles before that though.

There was only one messam fumble. The result of some astute ballhawking while he was being held up. I don't fault him for it as he was carrying the ball appropriately.

Sky Dawson on the other hand coughed up the ball on solid hits. Plays that I really can't stand where a guy just cough up the ball and dies on the field because somebody lays a hurt on him.

That guy shouldn't play another game in this league after two return fumbles in a playoff game.

 

[Stoneman89]

There was only one messam fumble. The result of some astute ballhawking while he was being held up. I don't fault him for it as he was carrying the ball appropriately.

Sky Dawson on the other hand coughed up the ball on solid hits. Plays that I really can't stand where a guy just cough up the ball and dies on the field because somebody lays a hurt on him.

That guy shouldn't play another game in this league after two return fumbles in a playoff game.

After the shots he took, he may never play football again period, if he was smart. I was sitting right in front of the play where he had his first fumble and I thought Boulay had killed him after he got held up by another guy. Mind you, the Eskies laid a physical beating on the Stamps all day long as veiwed from my perch. Dawson and Messam weren't alone in the beatdown parade.

 

[Replacement*]

After the shots he took, he may never play football again period, if he was smart. I was sitting right in front of the play where he had his first fumble and I thought Boulay had killed him after he got held up by another guy. Mind you, the Eskies laid a physical beating on the Stamps all day long as veiwed from my perch. Dawson and Messam weren't alone in the beatdown parade.

Dawson looks really tiny. Like a Junior High kid caught out there on the turf.

I think after the first hit he had the fear...

That was one solid hit. It was a nice way to introduce the Stamps to the Western Final.

The Esks really did have the upper hand physically all day. Won the trenches, excellent blocking, Receivers that are hard to bring down. WE were punishing Stamps on nearly every play. Even some of the catches Rogers and other Stamps receivers held onto they paid the price.

I figured the Esks D would be an ornery mood.

Need to keep it up for one more game.

 

[Cloned]

There was only one messam fumble. The result of some astute ballhawking while he was being held up. I don't fault him for it as he was carrying the ball appropriately.

Sky Dawson on the other hand coughed up the ball on solid hits. Plays that I really can't stand where a guy just cough up the ball and dies on the field because somebody lays a hurt on him.

That guy shouldn't play another game in this league after two return fumbles in a playoff game.

Hervey did a masterful job of sabotage by trading Dawson to the Stamps earlier this year.

True story.

 

[Replacement*]

Hervey did a masterful job of sabotage by trading Dawson to the Stamps earlier this year.

True story.

I loved that angle as well. I was laughing about that as the game went on. Dawson was horrible.

Pancake Dawson. Ditch Dawson. Anything but Sky Dawson other than maybe flying through it after being hit..

 

[Cloned]

I loved that angle as well. I was laughing about that as the game went on. Dawson was horrible.

Pancake Dawson. Ditch Dawson. Anything but Sky Dawson other than maybe flying through it after being hit..

Hervey has to be feeling like an absolute bawse right now.

And I wouldn't blame him one bit.

 

[Gord]

just hope the esks can keep their heads on straight. I have no fear of Reilly getting overconfident, but I can't say the same for a lot of other eskimos. especially on defense.
the only team that can beat Edmonton is Edmonton.

 

[McJadeddog]

just hope the esks can keep their heads on straight. I have no fear of Reilly getting overconfident, but I can't say the same for a lot of other eskimos. especially on defense.
the only team that can beat Edmonton is Edmonton.

these are kinda my thoughts as well.... if we play something close to our best game, we will win (barring the refs doing their best to screw us.... again).... i don't think our offence will get cocky, as they don't have the history of success that would likely allow that..... i do have some concerns about our defence though

 

[Replacement*]

just hope the esks can keep their heads on straight. I have no fear of Reilly getting overconfident, but I can't say the same for a lot of other eskimos. especially on defense.
the only team that can beat Edmonton is Edmonton.

Yeah. It was interesting to what degree Jones had to rail in the D several times during the game and how many times he was furious with their play.

As much as this D gets so much credit frankly we lose this game without a great effort by Reilly putting up several TD's and doing well in red zone.

The D were bad and gave up far too much offense easily. Calgary receivers were wide open much of the day. Whereas Reilly was having to hit receivers with a rope through normally good coverage Mitchell was routinely seeing gaps of 5-10yds drop off. If Reilly was seeing that kind of drop off in coverage he could nickel and dime passes all day.

This D is an allstar unit at every position. There is no excuse, none, to be giving up 250yds in a half in a playoff game. We weren't even coming up with stops on several 2nd and long plays. Once that Stamps needed 17yds and got it easy with a throw up the middle to a guy wide open. ?!?. What are they covering?

The D got us here, but it sure needs to be a lot better against Burris. Burris would eat this kind of coverage alive. Our coverage needs to drastically improve.

Its interesting that Jones was happy with the offense on Saturday but was incensed at the play of his defence from which he surely expects a lot more of.

 

[Replacement*]

these are kinda my thoughts as well.... if we play something close to our best game, we will win (barring the refs doing their best to screw us.... again).... i don't think our offence will get cocky, as they don't have the history of success that would likely allow that..... i do have some concerns about our defence though

Can't discount that Burris has been here several times before and just had a fantastic season.

Not sure if the regular season matchups we won in July reveal much about this matchup. All we know is Burris had a fantastic season. That worries me somewhat as that offense will have the benefit of experience in this kind of game.

This will be a game where the D needs to come up big on pass D. We can't be giving up 3-400yds passing in this one. Grey Cups invariably involve nerves and momentum. Its often a story of what team gets rolling on the day. The D have to prevent Burris from getting rolling in this game. Again I want a pass rush, I want one player spying Burris, and I want aggressive coverage going for picks. So what if we lose a couple and Burris can burn us for some long balls. Against Burris you have to get the stops and turnovers. Make him throw up a couple picks and he losses.

Burris is night and day a better QB than the vastly overrated Mitchell.