The Canadian Football League is continuing to have significant problems with British Columbia Lions defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell.
Mitchell, who was suspended earlier this season for hyperextending Edmonton Eskimo offensive lineman Simeon Rottier’s shoulder, was fined this week for making throat slashing gestures against the Edmonton Eskimos in the Lions’ 19-18 come from behind victory.
Mitchell’s actions this time around only got him a fine, where a second suspension should have been warranted.
Either way, in a puzzling situation of events, Mitchell will not play tomorrow night in Regina against the Saskatchewan Roughriders because of a thigh injury. And even when Mitchell returns, he will have to meet with head coach Mike Benevides, to make sure his completely inappropriate behaviour on the football field doesn’t continue.
As far as the Lions’ defense is concerned, they won’t miss a beat. Solomon Elimimian will return to the Lions after trying out with Minnesota and Cleveland.
The Edmonton Eskimos played much better than they did a week ago against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, where they were hammered 51-8, but at the end of the day it wasn’t enough Saturday night at Commonwealth Stadium, where they lost 19-18 to the British Columbia Lions.
The Eskimos defense deserves high praise once again this season for constantly pressuring the Lions’ offense, led by Travis Lulay. However it was once again the offense that sputtered as they were only able to manufacture one second half field goal after a productive first half moving the football.
Edmonton Eskimos General Manager Eric Tillman may soon have to make a major decision. That is what to do with three high profile running backs.
On Saturday the Eskimos learned the news that running back Jerome Messam was released by the Miami Dolphins. Messam will once again be property of the Eskimos if he doesn’t get picked up by another team in the next ten days.
If Messam joins the Eskimos, there is no way Eric Tillman should keep Messam, Hugh Charles and Cory Boyd who was recently acquired from the Toronto Argonauts. Three high profile running backs could give the Eskimos leverage in their need to find a quarterback to replace the struggling Steven Jyles.
The Calgary Stampeders played their worst home game than they have in years on Saturday night at McMahon Stadium.
After a pair of lackluster performances against the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Eskimos, the British Columbia Lions proved that they were still a significant force in the Western Division with a commanding 34-8 win over the Calgary Stampeders.
Travis Lulay also showed why he was the Grey Cup Most Outstanding Player. He was flawless Saturday with 315 yards passing and three touchdowns.
Paul McCallum also went perfect in the kicking game, going four for four.
In one of the most despicable acts to come out of the Canadian Football League in quite some time, British Columbia Lions defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell has been suspended two games after hyperextending the arm of Edmonton Eskimo offensive lineman Simeon Rottier in the Eskimos 27-14 over the Lions at B.C. Place Stadium Friday night in Vancouver.
The replay clearly shows Mitchell grabbed and pulled Rottier’s arm and bent it in the process. Rottier didn’t play the second half and is doubtful for Thursday’s game in Winnipeg. No penalty was called.
Rottier has been a great friend of Edmonton’s Prospect Magazine. It is a great thing to see that Rottier was not seriously injured on the play.
The Edmonton Eskimos got in the win column Friday night at B.C. Place and recorded only the second road win by any CFL team for the 2012 season to date.
The turning point in this game once again came from a magnificent defensive play. With Edmonton leading 19-14 and the Lions threatening to score deep in Eskimo territory, Travis Lulay threw an interception to Joe Burnett, who ran 106 yards for the major score.
The Eskimos then had stingy defense the rest of the way to beat the Lions 27-14.
It was the first loss for the Lions since they renovated B.C. Place Stadium last year and the first time a home team lost this season since opening night when the Saskatchewan Roughriders trounced the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 43-16. Since then, the home teams had won 13 straight.
Hugh Charles had a big game for the Eskimos rushing for 118 yards, and J.C. Sherritt is making a solid bid for CFL defensive player of the year in the early going. On Friday he had seven tackles to lead the Eskimos.
There was a significant injury for the Eskimos though. Offensive lineman Simeon Rottier, a great friend to Edmonton’s Prospect Magazine, injured his arm late in the first half and did not return. B.C. Lion defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell could be suspended for twisting Rottier’s arm. Eskimos’ Head Coach Kavis Reed was very upset no penalty was called on the play and he should be.
Edmonton improved to 3-1 while B.C. dropped to 2-2. The Eskimos grade this week is a B+ (A on defense, B- on offense).
The British Columbia Lions, who are winless at 0-5 to start the season have found a premier wide receiver to compliment Geroy Simon.
According to Dave Naylor of TSN, the Tiger-Cats have traded wide receiver Arland Bruce III to the British Columbia Lions for a third round pick in the 2012 CFL draft and a conditional draft choice.
Bruce III was disappointed with his diminished role in Hamilton this season, requested a meeting with head coach Marcel Bellefeuille and general manager Bob O’Billovich. In last week’s 34-26 win over the Montreal Alouettes, Bruce III didn’t receive a catch, despite the fact that quarterback Kevin Glenn had 295 passing yards– including 107 yards to David Stala, 59 yards to Avon Cobourne and 54 yards to rookie Chris Williams.
It’s Monday morning and that means a new 15 Minutes of Fame video from Jim and Geoffrey.
In this week’s episode, our heroes discuss the Edmonton Eskimos and their loss in the final week of the CFL’s regular season.
They also discuss the Edmonton Oilers and what positives and negatives can be taken from this young season. The Taylor Hall jersey number controversy is also up for debate.
Some discussion of the MLB World Series champion San Francisco Giants is had and in Quick Hits this week, some CFL and NHL issues are debated.
Check it out:
Lot’s more after the jump. Click “continue reading.” ———————> (more…)
This weekend we will receive an answer to a question that we have been waiting anxiously for all fall– who will travel to Regina for the Western Division semi-final?
Currently the Eskimos have the upper hand. They control their own destiny. It’s simple. Win and they’re in. However, a loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders tomorrow night at Mosaic Stadium in Regina (5pm, TSN) coupled with a B.C. Lion win tomorrow in Hamilton (12pm, TSN), means the Lions are going to the playoffs.
My gut feeling is that both teams will win. But my gut hasn’t been very accurate lately. I was wrong with the World Series and am only 14-13 over the last two weeks in picking NFL games, and I’m not even going against the spread.
It’s Monday, and that means a new episode of 15 Minutes of Fame.
This week, our heroes discuss the Edmonton Eskimos and their big win over the BC Lions and what this means for their still-alive playoff hopes.
They also discuss Gilbert Arenas of the NBA’s Washington Wizards and his fake-injury-turning-into-a-real-injury saga.
The Oilers are also on tap this week as usual – will the backup goaltenders ever play? Find out.
Lastly, watch Jim well up with tears as we say a fond farewell to the Commonwealth Games in Dehli, India.
Check it out:
Lot’s more after the jump. Click “continue reading.” ———————> (more…)
With the CFL’s regular season complete in just over a month from now and the NFL’s regular season now kicking into high gear, no time is better than the present to watch this magnificently physical sport.
Here are the games I’ll be watching this weekend.
Saturday–7:30pm–CFL–B.C. Lions @ Calgary Stampeders–TSN–The 9-2 Calgary Stampeders can clinch a home playoff game this evening with a victory, against a 3-8 Lions squad they have dominated in recent outings. Calgary has won the last eight regular season games against B.C. , with the Lions last win coming on November 3, 2007. Don’t expect the Stampeders to activate newly acquired running back Jesse Lumsden of their practice roster any time soon. Calgary just has too much depth at that position, led by Joffrey Reynolds and Jon Cornish.
“The Edmonton Eskimos are pathetic”, she told me. I won’t go into too much detail because John Short has already summed everything up nicely in his latest column, but unlike John, I’m losing faith that this team will make the playoffs.
Yeah, the Bombers and Lions haven’t played that great either, but Winnipeg’s defense and British Columbia’s offense have shown great signs in the last few weeks. Offensively and defensively, the Eskimos have been shall I say “pathetic”.
The Canadian Football League is continuing to have significant problems with British Columbia Lions defensive tackle Khalif Mitchell.
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