Cnotes 2017 Canadian Football League Picks/Trends/News thru Grey Cup !!

[CNOTES]

CFL


Friday, June 23


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Friday's CFL betting preview and odds: Stampeders at Redblacks
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Calgary Stampeders at Ottawa Redblacks (+5.5, 55.5)


The Ottawa Redblacks begin defence of their Grey Cup title when they host the Calgary Stampeders in a rematch of the title game Friday. The Redblacks pulled off one of the biggest upsets in Grey Cup history when they shocked the Stampeders 39-33 in overtime after falling short against the Edmonton Eskimos 26-20 in the championship game the previous year, and hope the pieces are in place to make their third straight appearance in the title game.


"You can always be proud of it and remember it but it's important to turn the page," Ottawa coach Rick Campbell told reporters. "Our goal is to be a playoff team and see what kind of damage we can do from there." The Stampeders were unable to parlay a 15-win regular season into a Grey Cup victory and will be eager to begin their quest to return to the championship game. Bo Levi Mitchell won the CFL's Most Outstanding Player award after throwing for 5,385 yards and 32 touchdowns, and formed one of the most feared quarterback-running back tandems in the league with Jerome Messam, who won his first career rushing title with 1,198 yards, and the dynamic duo hopes to exact a measure of revenge in the nation's capital. "It took a long time to get over what happened," Messam told reporters. "We have a lot of guys that were here last year and they still have that bad taste in their mouth."

TV: 7:30 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPNews

LINE HISTORY: The Stampeders opened as 2.5-point road chalk and by Thursday evening that number was to 5.5. the total hit the betting board at 55 and has been bumped up a half-point to 55.5.

ABOUT THE STAMPEDERS (2016: 16-3-1): DaVaris Daniels is on the verge of becoming one of the league's most prolific receivers after catching 51 passes for 885 yards and nine touchdowns in 11 games en route to earning the CFL's Most Outstanding Rookie award in 2016. Calgary's secondary, which recorded a league-high 80 pass breakups, is banged up as Brandon Smith is out for the foreseeable future while all-stars Tommie Campbell (hamstring) and Jamar Wall (foot) are questionable for the season opener. Andrew Buckley, who tied a CFL record for the most rushing touchdowns by a Canadian quarterback with eight, earned the backup role behind Mitchell and former Iowa Hawkeyes star Ricky Stanzi beat out Mitchell Gale for the third option under centre.

ABOUT THE REDBLACKS (2016: 10-9-1): Ottawa begins life without Grey Cup MVP Henry Burris, who retired after the historic victory, but Trevor Harris is a more than capable replacement as he threw for 3,301 yards and 16 touchdowns in 12 appearances last season.The Redblacks raided the Toronto Argonauts by snapping up wide receivers Diontae Spencer and Kenny Shaw, and defensive back A.J. Jefferson after losing Ernest Jackson and Chris Williams, who combined for 165 catches and 20 touchdowns last season, in free agency. Ottawa released 25 players Sunday, including former Toronto wide receiver Tori Gurley and Shakir Bell, who rushed for 1,058 yards in two previous seasons with Edmonton, to meet the league's roster requirements ahead of Week 1.


TRENDS DATING BACK TO 2016:


* RedBlacks are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games as a home underdog of 3.5-10.0.


* Over is 6-1 in Stampeders last 7 games as a favorite of 3.5-10.0.


* Over is 7-1 in RedBlacks last 8 games overall.


* Over is 4-0-1 in the last 5 meetings.

CONSENSUS: The road chalk Calgary Stampeders are getting 57 percent of the action from Covers users and the OVER is getting 51 percent of the totals wagers. View full consensus data for this matchup here.


EXTRA POINTS


1. Calgary has won 14 or more games in four consecutive seasons.


2. The Stampeders have won four of their last five season openers.


3. The Redblacks led the league in passing yards per game (343.9) in 2016.

 

[CNOTES]

FRIDAY, JUNE 23


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


CGY at OTT 07:30 PM


OTT +6.0


O 55.5

 

[CNOTES]

RECAP


NO DECISION: REDBLACKS, STAMPS TIE GREY CUP REMATCH


CFL.CA STAFF


OTTAWA — Brett Maher and Rene Paredes exchanged field goals in overtime and, for the second season in a row, the Ottawa REDBLACKS and Calgary Stampeders tied a football game, 31-31.


Trevor Harris threw three touchdown passes while the Stampeders erased a late 14-point deficit to force overtime nearly seven months after the cross-division foes forged an all-time classic in the 104th Grey Cup in Toronto last November.


While the REDBLACKS won that game, this Week 1 matchup produced no decision on an overcast Friday night at Ottawa’s TD Place.


Harris finished his night with 300 passing yards, three touchdown passes and an interception on 33-of-45 passing while reigning MOP Bo Levi Mitchell checked in with 376 yards and two touchdowns while completing 31 of 48 attempts. Meanwhile, Marquay McDaniel, who left the Grey Cup with an injury, led all pass-catchers with 114 yards on 10 receptions.


The drama was hardly unexpected for two teams that have always been closely matched considering four of their last six meetings have needed overtime. Last season the clubs tied 26-26 in Week 3.


Both sides aim to settle the score once and for all on Thursday, June 29 in the latter half of a home and home in Calgary.


After the two teams combined for 72 points in Ottawa’s Grey Cup victory last November, Friday’s rematch took a much different tone early on. Neither offence could get the ball rolling out of the chute but after three straight punts to open the first quarter, the REDBLACKS turned a Jerome Messam fumble into three points off the foot of the newly-acquired Maher.


With the first 15 minutes providing only the trio of points, Mitchell and Harris each settled into a rhythm after that. On Ottawa’s fourth possession of the game, Harris connected on six straight passes including a six-yard touchdown to the running back William Powell, capping off a nine-play drive and, after a two-point conversion to Greg Ellingson, extending the REDBLACKS’ lead to 11-0.


While the Stamps’ offence slumbered through the opening frame, punting twice and fumbling, the 2016 Most Outstanding Player came to play for the second. Mitchell’s 43-yard completion to DaVaris Daniels along the sideline set up an 11-yard chip shot by Paredes, then, late in the half, the Stamps’ offence was given one more chance to tie the game.


Completions to McDaniel and Kamar Jorden moved the Red and White into scoring range before one of the game’s more bizarre plays got Calgary back on the board again. On a first-and-goal from the nine, Jorden lost control of the football just as he was crossing the goal line. While the REDBLACKS recovered and returned the fumble for an apparent six points the other way, the CFL Command Centre confirmed the original ruling on the field — that the ball crossed the plane of the goal line before coming loose.


With the Stamps in the end zone for their first time in 2017, it was business as usual on the two-point try as Mitchell hooked up with McDaniel, tying the game at 11 apiece through 30.


The REDBLACKS broke the tie early in the third, mounting a 10-play, 56-yard drive resulting in a 27-yard field goal by Maher to make it 14-11. But Mitchell’s 35-yard pass to Daniels, which needed to be challenged and overturned on a close play along the sideline, set up a 20-yard field goal by Paredes to even the score again.


The home team’s response was a quick one, however, thanks in large part to an unexpected contributor in Brendan Gillanders. The former Ottawa Gee-Gee went over the 50-yard mark with a 14-yard surge deep into Calgary territory before, on second-and-six, Harris found Juron Criner in the end zone for the major.


While the nine-play, 65-yard scoring drive over 4:09 put the REDBLACKS back in the driver’s seat with a 21-14 lead heading into the fourth, the defending champions weren’t done there. After a quick two-and-out by the Stamps’ offence, Harris picked up right where he left off, going straight to Brad Sinopoli for two first downs before eventually threading the needle between Stampeder defenders to the newcomer Stangby for a 32-yard touchdown. Harris completed five of his seven passes on the drive, culminating with his third touchdown of the night to make it 28-14.


Just when it seemed like the REDBLACKS might be ready start milking the clock and putting their stamp on a season-opening win, Jamar Wall gave the visitors new life when he stripped the ball from the hands of Gillanders. Wall recovered at the Ottawa 24 and on the ensuing play, Mitchell hit third-year national Lamar Durant in stride in the end zone, giving the Stamps a quick six and cutting the deficit to 28-21 with 7:03 remaining.


A critical stop on defence put the ball back in the hands of Mitchell, while the Stamps’ offence avoided a scare when Jorden was ruled down by contact before fumbling the football. The Stamps rode the Messam train into the end zone the rest of the way, No. 33 rumbling 19 yards and then capping the drive off with a three-yard run to make it 28-28 with 2:01 to go.


The final two minutes couldn’t solve anything and, like these two clubs and their fans have become so accustomed to, overtime would be required.


In the extra frame, with the REDBLACKS knocking on the doorstop, Calgary became the benefactor of some good fortune when Harris’ pass was tipped before landing into the lap of Wall, immediately ending the scoring threat. But on the ensuing drive, Paredes, usually one of the CFL’s most consistent kickers, missed the potential game-winner from 37 yards out.


Paredes made good on his next attempt after that, leaving Ottawa with one last chance to either tie the game with a field goal or win it with a touchdown. Ottawa’s second-down try was stymied and Maher was forced to put the ball through the uprights to clinch the single point in the standings.


After his early fumble, Messam finished with 65 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries to go with 19 yards on five catches.


Daniels made two highlight-reel catches along the sideline, both of which might have gone for scores had he not run out of room, but left the game injured the fourth after hauling in four passes for 90 yards.


Jorden was targeted 11 times for the Stampeders, catching five of those passes for 72 yards and a score.


For the REDBLACKS, Powell looked elusive in his first game since 2015 after suffering a season-ending Achilles injury last year in training camp. But the veteran back was forced to exit the game while his replacement, Gillanders, rushed for 80 yards on 12 carries in relief — although his fourth-quarter fumble proved costly for the REDBLACKS.


Sinopoli led Ottawa with 88 yards on eight catches while Ellingson also chipped in with eight receptions for a total of 66 yards.


Stangby, stepping in for Kenny Shaw, who left early after apparently aggravating an injury suffered during training camp, was impressive in his CFL debut, making a highlight-reel touchdown grab and finishing his night with 61 yards on five catches.


In the end, while the result isn’t what fans might hope for, Friday night’s contest produced 53 first downs and 853 yards of offence.


The rematch will be played at Calgary’s McMahon Stadium on Thursday with plenty more fireworks expected.

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday’s six-pack


— Golden State paid the Bulls $3.5M for the pick they grabbed Jordan Bell with.


— Chris Paul, Blake Griffin both opted out of their contracts, are free agents.


— Toronto Blue Jays are 0-9 this season when trying to get back to .500.


— Orioles have allowed 5+ runs in 20 consecutive games, first team to do that since 1924.


— Louisville’s Donovan Mitchell Jr was drafted #15 Thursday; his dad works in the Mets’ community relations office, so good for them.


— RIP coach Frank Kush, who won 176 football games at Arizona State and is a main reason why ASU is now in the Pac-12. He also coached the Colts for three years.


*************************


Saturday’s List of 13: Random stuff with weekend here……


13) Can you imagine being a high school/college pitcher, being really excited about the draft, and then being picked by the Colorado Rockies? Can’t be a good feeling- Coors Field is the worst pitchers’ park in the major leagues, thanks to the high altitude.


12) Must be fun recruiting for teams at Fresno State these days, with alums Derek Carr, Aaron Judge and Paul George in the news so much, all for very good reasons.


11) Miami Marlins batters swung at 71 of Max Scherzer’s pitches Wednesday; they missed 30 of them and got only two hits. Scherzer threw 118/121 pitches in his last two starts; you wonder if they’ll give him an extra day of rest, or make sure he is held under 100 pitches in his next start.


Don’t want your meal ticket getting burned out in June, especially when you have such a big lead in your division.


10) Mets’ TV guy Keith Hernandez was exasperated watching the Dodgers pummel the Mets this week; late Wednesday night, with LA way ahead of another game, Mets’ skipper Terry Collins was writing down some notes on a card.


“What could he possibly be writing on that piece of paper?” Hernandez said.


9) Dodgers are 21-4 when they hit 2+ homers in a game, 4-16 when they don’t hit any homers, 23-6 when they hit one.


8) San Antonio is moving up from AA to AAA baseball next year; they’re going to get a new ballpark at some point. Sounds like Colorado Springs is out as a AAA city- hard to have your young pitchers throwing in high altitude, without losing their confidence.


Amarillo is expected to take San Antonio’s place in the AA Texas League.


7) NBA’s projected salary cap will come in at $99 million, $5M higher than last year, but about $2 million less than estimates in April. The crummy playoff season, with so many fewer games than there could’ve been, was blamed for the decrease.


The luxury tax was lowered from $121 million to a projection of $119 million.


6) When the Colorado Rockies had their expansion draft in 1992, two of the guys they picked are now major league managers— Joe Girardi and Brad Ausmus.


5) Minnesota Twins/Cleveland Indians will play two regular season games in Puerto Rico next season.


4) Kansas City Chiefs gave coach Andy Reid a contract extension, then surprisingly fired GM John Dorsey, who had been with the Chiefs for four years.


3) Remember a few years ago, when a guy named Frank McCourt owned the Dodgers and got into a nasty divorce dispute involving the ball club with his future ex-wife? Well, that ex-wife is now going to be the US ambassador to Belgium. Hope she can get the baseball package on TV over there.


2) IUPUI was invited to replace Valparaiso in the Horizon League. Valpo replaced Wichita State in the MVC, after the Shockers jumped to the AAC.


1) Woman named Nina Skye was recently fired from her teaching job at a religiously-affiliated preschool in Los Angeles; the reason?


Turns out Christian preschools aren’t fond of their teachers being porn stars.


Whoops.

 

[CNOTES]

Saturday, June 24


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EDMONTON (11 - 9) at BRITISH COLUMBIA (13 - 7) - 6/24/2017, 10:00 PM
There are no Top Trends with records of significance that apply to this game.


Head-to-Head Series History
BRITISH COLUMBIA is 4-1 against the spread versus EDMONTON over the last 3 seasons
EDMONTON is 3-2 straight up against BRITISH COLUMBIA over the last 3 seasons
3 of 5 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


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Trend Report
---------------------------------


Saturday, June 24


10:00 PM
EDMONTON vs. BRITISH COLUMBIA
The total has gone OVER in 4 of Edmonton's last 6 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
Edmonton is 1-5 SU in its last 6 games when playing on the road against British Columbia
The total has gone OVER in 5 of British Columbia's last 6 games at home
British Columbia is 4-1 SU in its last 5 games


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CFL
Dunkel


Week 1


Saturday, June 24


Edmonton @ BC Lions


Game 355-356
June 24, 2017 @ 10:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Edmonton
114.887
BC Lions
122.373
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
BC Lions
by 7 1/2
66
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
BC Lions
by 3
58
Dunkel Pick:
BC Lions
(-3); Over


------------------------

 

[CNOTES]

CFL Record: Best Bets & Opinions


Date W-L-T % Units


06/23/2017................... 2-0-0............ 100.00%................... +10.00
06/22/2017................... 0-2-0............... 0.00%.................... -11.00


Total............................ATS.......................O/U.....................Total


06/23/2017....................1 - 0.....................1 - 0..................+ 10.00
06/22/2017....................0 - 1.....................0 - 1 ..................- 11.00

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Saturday, June 24


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Saturday's CFL betting preview and odds: Eskimos at Lions
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Edmonton Eskimos at BC Lions (-3.5, 60)


The BC Lions look to build on a promising 2016 campaign when they open the new season at home against the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday. The Lions won 12 regular-season games under coach Wally Buono and notched a playoff victory for the first time since 2011 after going a combined 16-20 over the previous two years, and hope to take another step forward by beating the Eskimos for the third consecutive time in Vancouver.


"Winning is critical early in the season," Buono told reporters. "If you want to be a contender then you have to play and act like a contender." Edmonton's top brass decided to shake things up after a disappointing fourth-place finish in the West Division. The Eskimos, who won the Grey Cup in 2015, sneaked into playoffs via to the crossover rule, and general manager Ed Hervey paid the price with his job in the offseason, but Edmonton returns a core group of veterans who are hungry to keep pace with Calgary and BC in the West. "I definitely think we're a better team," Edmonton quarterback Mike Reilly told reporters. "We're a little more experienced than we were last year and our news guys have done a great job of competing and picking up the systems very quickly."

TV: 10 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2

LINE HISTORY: The hometown Lions opened as 3-point favourites and that number was bet up mid-week as high as 4.5 Thursday evening since the number has faded down to 3.5. the total hit the betting board at 57.5 and has been bet up 2.5 points to an even 60.

ABOUT THE ESKIMOS (2016: 11-9 SU, 9-10-1 ATS, 11-9 O/U): Reilly enjoyed a banner year as he led the league in passing yards (5,554) and total touchdowns (37), but will have to make do without explosive playmaker Derel Walker, who joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after catching 198 passes for 2,699 yards and 16 touchdowns over the past two seasons. Edmonton must also absorb the loss of special teams ace turned star linebacker Deon Lacey, who signed a futures contract with the Miami Dolphins after recording 103 tackles and three interceptions in 2016. Cory Greenwood was brought in from the Toronto Argonauts during free agency to replace Lacey but tore his ACL on the second day of training camp and will miss the 2017 season.

ABOUT THE LIONS (2016: 13-7 SU, 13-7 ATS, 11-9 O/U): Rookie linebacker Micah Awe looks to fill the void left by Adam Bighill, who signed a three-year futures contract with the New Orleans Saints, after recording 109 tackles with BC in 2016. Jason Arakgi, who is the CFL's all-time leader in special teams tackles, surprised many in the organization by abruptly announcing his retirement following the 42-10 preseason victory against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on June 16. Jonathon Jennings seems poised to join the CFL elite at quarterback after throwing for 5,226 yards and 27 touchdowns last season but will have to wait to connect with marquee free agent signing Chris Williams, who is not fully recovered from a torn ACL suffered at the tail end of last year.

TRENDS DATING BACK TO 2016:


* Lions are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 Saturday games.


* Over is 5-1 in Lions last 6 home games.


* Over is 5-1 in Lions last 6 games as a home favorite.


* Eskimos are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 meetings.


* Eskimos are 1-5 ATS in their last 6 meetings in BC.

CONSENSUS: The home chalk Lions are getting 62 percent of the action from Covers users and the UNDER is getting 55 percent of the totals wagers. View full consensus data for this matchup here.

 

[CNOTES]

PREVIEW


LIONS, ESKS OPEN SEASON WITH WESTERN SHOWDOWN


CFL.CA STAFF


VANCOUVER — One win.


That’s how close both the BC Lions and Edmonton Eskimos were from advancing to last year’s Grey Cup.


The Lions lost to the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Final while the Eskimos fell to the eventual Grey Cup Champion Ottawa REDBLACKS in the other division final when they crossed over to the East.


“It feels like yesterday we were leaving Calgary in the Western Final and that taste is still bitter in my mouth,” receiver Bryan Burnham told BCLions.com.


The disappointment of being so close to competing on the CFL’s biggest stage has no doubt lingered in the minds of Lions and Eskimos players alike, but both teams will have the opportunity to pick up where they left off at BC Place on Saturday night.


BC’s offensive core from the 2016 season has remained intact.


Quarterback Jonathon Jennings had a breakout 2016 campaign, ranking third in touchdown passes (27) and passing yards (5,226). He is flanked by last year’s touchdown leader Emmanuel Arceneaux as well as the equally dangerous Burnham, who together formed the second-most illustrious duo of the 2016 campaign.


The Lions will have to wait for their biggest off-season addition, dynamic receiver and one of the CFL’s fastest players in Chris Williams, but the return of Nick Moore gives the Lions plenty of weapons on offence in the meantime. And if BC’s prolific passing attack isn’t enough, the Lions’ league-leading rushing attack from last season returns mostly intact, led by the dangerous duo of Chris Rainey and Jeremiah Johnson.


While most of BC’s offence remains in one piece, the defence tells a different tale.


Last year’s dominant linebacker duo of Adam Bighill and Solomon Elimimian, commonly referred to as ‘Team 100’, has been split up. Bighill is now with the New Orleans Saints, leaving some big shoes to fill at weak-side linebacker. The Lions addressed that need during free agency by signing former Winnipeg Blue Bomber Tony Burnett, who will get the start in Week 1 in rotation with promising young off-season addition Micah Awe.


On the defensive line, the Lions are without Alex Bazzie and Jabar Westerman, both free agent departures, but the biggest changes come in the secondary. With hopes of generating more big plays on that side of the ball, Head Coach Wally Buono has moved Loucheiz Purifoy to safety while Chandler Fenner takes purifoy’s spot at SAM linebacker.


Despite all the changes, the Lions believe they’ve improved since finishing second in the CFL with a 12-6 record a year ago.


Jennings says that facing off against a divisional opponent will be a good opening test for his team.


“Winning in the West is such a big deal,” said Jennings. “It’s big for us to go out there and try and be 1-0, not just overall but in the west.


“Edmonton is a really tough team,” he added. “We had some close bouts with them last year, we’re going to try and go out there and play a fast physical game.”


Williams enters the season on the Lions’ 6-game injured list but could be activated sooner. Right tackle Kevin Palmer, kicker Swayze Waters, defensive backs Buddy Jackson and Steven Clarke and receiver Stephen Adekolu are among those on the 1-game injured list for Saturday’s contest.


Waters, the big leg and former Toronto Argonaut who signed as a free agent this off-season, will be replaced by 24-year-old Ty Long.


In Edmonton, you can expect the Eskimos will once again be a threat in the West with the help of star pivot Mike Reilly. The Central Washington product and 2015 Grey Cup MVP leads an equally impressive offence with weapons that include returnees Adarius Bowman, sophomore Brandon Zylstra and former Argo Vidal Hazelton.


D’haquille ‘Duke’ Williams will also be making his Eskimos regular season debut on Saturday. The former Auburn University football star looked impressive during his first pre-season campaign, racking up 129 yards on three catches. Williams has the potential to fill the large void that was left by Derel Walker, who is currently with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.


Eskimos Head Coach Jason Maas says his team is extremely focused and prepared heading into Week 1.


“Guys are locked in,” Edmonton head coach Jason Maas told Esks.com. “Do we feel like they’re going to do some things we haven’t prepared for? Absolutely. But we’re going to be able to adjust…. We’re excited.”


While replacing Walker on offence will be key, the Eskimos look to pick up where their offence left off after leading the CFL with 418.7 net yards per game in 2016. The bigger question will be on the defensive side of things, where injuries have taken their toll before Week 1 has even kicked off.


WILL linebacker Corey Greenwood suffered a season-ending injury in camp, while late addition Forrest Hightower remains out of action in the Esks’ defensive backfield along with Marcell Young. All three have been added to the Esks’ 6-game injured list along with defensive end Marcus Howard, receiver Shamawd Chambers and offensive lineman Colin Kelly.


Travon Van and Mitchell Bryant have landed on the 1-game injured list and also will not suit up on Saturday.


With the injuries, 2015 second round draft pick Arjen Colquhoun, who just signed with the Eskimos after a year in the NFL, will make his first career CFL start at field corner.


By the Numbers:


10 – Consecutive games with a touchdown pass for Mike Reilly, a span over which he’s fired 17 in total.


18– Straight successful field goal attempts by Eskimos kicker Sean Whyte in regular season action.


23 – Rushing touchdowns scored by the Lions in 2016, the highest total in the CFL.


173 – The number of yards Adarius Bowman needs to tie Eddie Brown for 30th on the CFL All-Time receiving yards list (8,663).


The Skinny:


Both the Lions and Eskimos are led by premiere pivots with multiple offensive weapons at their disposal. Reilly led the league in passing yards last year (5,554 yards) and finished second in passing touchdowns (28) behind Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell. Twenty-four-year-old Jennings emerged as the one of the league’s premiere pivots in 2016, showcasing his mobility and strong arm week after week.


The game will also feature three of the top four receivers from last year. Bowman led the league in receiving yards (1,761), followed by the now-departed Walker. Arceneaux (1,566) and Burnham (1,392) ranked third and fourth respectively.


In a game loaded with offensive talent, the winner in Week 1 could be determined by which defence is able to put the most pressure on the quarterback and play the shut down role more effectively. BC was tied last year at the top of the league in sacks (52) while veteran defensive linemen Almondo Sewell and Odell Willis will be looked upon to lead that way in the trenches for the Eskimos.


Kickoff is slated for 10:00 p.m. ET and can be followed live via CFL.ca Game Tracker or seen on TSN and ESPN2.

 

[CNOTES]

SATURDAY, JUNE 24


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


EDM at BC 10:00 PM


EDM +4.0


O 59.0

 

[CNOTES]

GAME RECAP
ESKS FREEZE LIONS COMEBACK IN WILD FINISH AT BC PLACE
CFL.CA STAFF

VANCOUVER – A wild final three minutes came down to who had the ball last as the Edmonton Eskimos opened the regular season with a 30-27 win over the BC Lions Saturday night in Vancouver.


After the Eskimos surrendered a two-score lead in the fourth, Mike Reilly had the game in his hands with under 40 seconds remaining and delivered a strike to a wide open Brandon Zylstra in behind coverage for a 76-yard gain to set up a chip-shot Sean Whyte field goal with zeros on the clock to take the victory.


Well before the Esks had a chance to pull out the dramatic win, they were propped up by a sensational debut from newcomer D’haquille Williams who recorded 110 yards and a touchdown on four receptions.


Quarterback Mike Reilly finished 20 of 28 for 315 yards and two touchdowns while running back John White had 104 yards on the ground to complement Zylstra`s 152 yards receiving.


Both offences stumbled out of the gate, executing well on first down but struggling to convert on second once they reached midfield. After two consecutive Lions punt singles, the Esks took an early 3-2 lead with four minutes left when Sean Whyte knocked an 18-yard field goal through. The boot was set up by a 44-yard reception from newcomer Williams.


The Esks had a chance to build on their small lead when Odell Willis and JC Sherritt teamed up to force a Jonathon Jennings turnover but they were forced to settle for a 20-yard Whyte field goal.


Unfortunately for Sherritt and the Eskimos, the star linebacker went down at the start of the second quarter, favouring his left leg, and had to be helped off. Sherritt was all alone in the middle of the field when he suffered the non-contact injury and was seen being tended to on the sideline near his left ankle where typically achillies injuries are found.


The defences continued to hunker down for the majority of the half until the Eskimos put up the first significant score of the game. Reilly found Zylstra open down the seam for a 44-yard gain before the Esks QB hooked up with what seems to be his new favourite target in Williams. Reilly stood in the pocket and delivered a deep ball to the endzone where the former Auburn receiver climbed the ladder, snagged the pigskin and landed inbounds for his first CFL touchdown and a 13-5 lead that Edmonton could take to halftime.


Even though the Edmonton offence created separation before the break, it was their defence in the first half that was the story despite the loss of Sherritt. For the most part, they contained Jennings in the pocket and held him to just 104 passing yards.


On the other sideline, the Esks defence was the least of the Lions’ worries who had two big plays called back on penalties. A 90-yard punt return touchdown by speedster Chris Rainey was brought back on a holding call and a 43-yard Nick Moore reception went for not after another hold along the offensive line.


The Lions came out with a different scheme offensively it seemed in the third quarter and despite not posting a major they did move the ball well. Jennings found Moore and Manny Arceneaux over the middle on consecutive plays to set up a 27-yard field goal from K Ty Long.


Jennings and Moore connected once again on the next BC possession, leading to yet another Long field goal to cut the Edmonton lead to 13-11 midway through the third frame.


Settling on field goals wasn’t doing the Leos any favours however and after relinquishing some of the momentum Edmonton regained control of the game and relied on their stud tailback to do so.


John White took a handoff and countered towards the left side of the line, turned up field and romped 43-yards to set up a Vidal Hazelton touchdown reception on a slant two plays later to put the Esks advantage at 20-13 to close out the third quarter.


As the fourth started however, it was the Lions offence that awoke, ignited by a turnover. A misfielded punt by the Esks and recovery by Lions put BC at the Eskimos 24-yard line. A quick completion by Jennings to Rainey preceeded a 13-yard Jeremiah Johnson run up the middle. The convert was blocked.


With barely enough time to celebrate, the Eskimos countered. A huge reception by Williams allowed White to punch in a major from two-yards out to quickly restore the two-possession lead at 27-17. The score was set up by a 50-yard kickoff return from LB Chris Edwards.


The Lions answered on their next possession with another Long field goal before getting one last shot to stage a comeback, getting the ball with 1:46 left on the clock. After surrendering a sack, Jennings bounced back and delivered. The young pivot scrambled to the left, planted and delivered a strike down field to Moore who hauled in a 62-yard reception, setting the Lions up inside the Esks five. On the next play Travis Lulay punched in a two-yard score with 56 seconds remaining to tie the game at 27.


The Lions had a chance to take the late lead but Long missed the 32-yard convert just wide left.


Next week, the Lions head to Toronto to take on the Argonauts on Friday Night Football while the Eskimos host their home opener at Commonwealth Stadium in a matchup with the Montreal Alouettes.

 

[CNOTES]

Sunday’s six-pack


Over/under win totals for college football this season


— Georgia Tech, 6


— Illinois 3.5, under -$120


— Indiana 6.5, over -$120


— Iowa 7, over -$120


— Iowa State 5.5, under -$130


— Kansas 2.5, under -$130


****************************


Sunday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a sports Saturday………


13) A’s 10, White Sox 2— Oakland had three players hit their first MLB home run in this game, the first team to do that since 1914- the Kansas City Packers.


White Sox manager Rich Renteria got tossed for the second day in a row; he’s not thrilled with the Jim Wolf/GregGibson umpiring crew.


12) Franklin Barreto is a highly-touted shortstop prospect for the A’s; he played 2B in his big league debut— he didn’t get to Chicago until Saturday morning, but homered in his first MLB game, which started at 1:30 in the Windy City. Quite a day for the young man.


11) Its been a decade since the San Francisco Giants had only one player in the All-Star Game; looks like thats going to be the case this season.


10) Jordan Spieth leads the Hartford Open after three rounds; last seven times he held the 54-hole lead, he won the tournament six times— he T2 at the 2016 Masters.


9) Canyon Barry (Rick’s son) is playing with the Knicks’ team in the Orlando summer league, but New York doesn’t have a team in Las Vegas this summer— will the Knicks sign him or will he play for someone else in Las Vegas?


Canyon Barry studied nuclear engineering in college, so NBA offenses should be a snap.


8) If I’m keeping a scorebook at a ball game nowadays, I score where the ball went, and take notes on who actually fielded the ball. If a ball is hit to shortstop but is fielded by the 3B, that is misleading, so I would put 6-3 down (noting it was hit to where the SS normally is) then note it was the 3B who actually fielded the ball.


7) Baseball transactions:
— Arizona sent OF Jeremy Hazelbaker to AAA.
— Tampa Bay activated C Wilson Ramos, DFA’d Derek Norris
— Bronx DFA’d 1B Chris Carter, brought up 1B Tyler Austin.
— Texas put P Martin Perez (thumb) on the DL.
— Astros sent P Joe Musgrove down to AAA, activated Lance McCullers.
— Giants DFA’d 3B Aaron Hill, brought up rookie 3B Ryder Jones.


6) Dodger reliever Pedro Baez drew a 4-pitch walk with the bases loaded Thursday night, first pitcher to do that since the Cubs’ Courtney Duncan on May 5, 2001.


5) Dodgers’ SS Corey Seager got a Grade 1 hamstring strain Friday, isn’t supposed to go on the DL— like the rest of us, he is day-to-day.


4) I’m skeptical of the pitch speeds radar guns give out in stadiums; those guns can be calibrated to be “hot” or “cold” and can give inaccurate readings.


For instance, when I got my speeding ticket, the gun was “hot” and therefore inaccurate. ��


3) Orioles 8, Rays 3— First time since June 2 that Baltimore held a team under five runs.


2) Mets 5, Giants 2— San Francisco is 27-50; last year, they lost their 50th game on August 12.


Jason deGrom is the first Mets’ pitcher since Johan Santana in 2010 to finish eight innings in three consecutive starts.


1) Mark Leiter Jr got his first big league win against the Diamondbacks Friday. Arizona is managed by Torey Lovullo.


Lovullo was once traded for Mark Leiter Sr on March 19, 1991, six days after Mark Jr was born.

 

[CNOTES]

PREVIEW
ARGOS, TICATS RENEW RIVALRY IN WEEK 1 FINALE
CFL.CA STAFF


TORONTO — Week 1 of the 2017 CFL season closes out with a grudge match between the QEW rival Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tigers-Cats on Sunday at BMO Field.


Both teams are looking to start the year off on the right foot after making their exits much earlier than planned in 2016. The Ticats fell in the Eastern Semi-Final while the Argos failed to secure a playoff spot following a disappointing last-place finish.


Ticats’ head coach Kent Austin says he is looking forward to what 2017 will bring.


“It’s always exciting when the season starts because you have anticipation to see how your guys are going to play,” Austin told Ticats.ca. “(It’s) the excitement of competition and winning football games and going through the journey of a football season and trying to get to the ultimate goal… It’s a lot better than sitting in the office during the off-season, that’s for sure.”


A healthy Zach Collaros will be a key part of a successful Ticats season. The University of Cincinnati product spent half of last year on the sidelines with a torn ACL he suffered during the 2015 season. Completely healed and with a full training camp under his belt, the five-year pro will be expected to lead the charge in Hamilton.


The Ticats also boast a top receiving corps with the ability to move the sticks and steal games. Fans got a brief glimpse of receiver Brian Tyms’ skill set in his two games with the Hamilton last season. He posted a team-high 114 yards on eight catches in the Eastern Semi-Final. Tyms’ CFL sample size may be small, but he has already showcased that he is capable of being a difference maker on the field.


Hamilton will be without two crucial members of its defence entering Week 1. The Ticats bolstered their secondary during the-off season by re-signing sought after free agent Emanuel Davis while also penning a deal with halfback Abdul Kanneh. The former REDBLACK helped lead Ottawa to a Grey Cup Championship last year and has been named an East Division All-Star the past two season. But both are currently on the inured list, leaving a void the rest of the secondary must fill in the season opener.


For a tattered secondary with a new defensive coordinator following the departure of Orlondo Steinauer, who took a job with college football’s Fresno State, an early-season meeting with a Marc Trestman-coached team will be a challenge.


Perhaps no team in the CFL has gone through more off-season changes than the Toronto Argonauts.


It began in the front office with Jim Popp taking over as the general manager after two decades in Montreal. And Popp brought a friend in former Alouettes Grey Cup-winning coach Trestman, who will lead the charge on the sidelines after Scott Milanovich moved on to the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars as quarterback coach.


“[Sunday] is really the starting point,” Trestman told Argonauts.ca. “[Sunday’s] the test. It’s the first test to finding out about where we are as an offence and certainly as a football team… We’re playing against two of the more dynamic defensive ends in the league, certainly, and a defence that is going to bring it from different places, from different structures.


“We’re going to get tested physically and mentally up front in our protections and in our run game.”


The multitude of changes also continues on the field with an offence that looks next to completely different than it did a year ago after Toronto released four receivers last October.


Veteran S.J. Green leads Toronto’s new look receiving core after he was sidelined most of last season with knee ligament damage. The 32-year-old spent a decade in Montreal before being acquired by the Argos in an trade two months ago.


The Double Blue also picked up Armanti Edwards via trade from the Saskatchewan Roughriders and signed free agent Jeff Fuller.


The Argos’ offence will once again be led by veteran quarterback Ricky Ray. The 37-year-old and future hall of famer is entering his 14th CFL season and ranks fourth all-time in passing yards.


Despite the numerous new faces in the front office, coaching staff, and offence, some of the most impactful off-season additions could be on the defensive side of the ball.


The Alouettes sent shock waves throughout the league when they released all-star linebacker Bear Woods. The reigning 2016 East Division’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player did not remain a free agent for long and was eagerly scooped up by the Argos just over a week later.


Woods may be the missing piece for an Argo defence that’s also added Cleyon Laing and Marcus Ball to complement second-leading sack getter in 2016 Shawn Lemon. Not to mention the hiring of 2013 Grey Cup-winning coach Corey Chamblin, who returns to the CFL for the first time since mid-2015 to coach the Argos’ defence.


Also of note, three former Ticats will start on Toronto’s defence on Sunday, as Rico Murray, Cassius Vaughn and Johnny Sears Jr. have switched sides in the rivalry.


While the Ticats have dominated the Southern Ontario rivalry of late, two proven winners in Chamblin and Trestman look to turn the tides.


Let the 2017 chapter of the Toronto and Hamilton rivalry begin.


By The Numbers:


3 – Argos starters that spent last season with the Ticats (Rico Murray, Johnny Sears Jr. and Cassius Vaughn)


4 – The number of touchdown passes Ricky Ray needs to become the sixth quarterback in history to reach the 300 mark.


6 — 300-yard games in eight starts for Zach Collaros against his former team. The next closest against any other opponent is two.


24 – Receiving yards needed by S.J. Green to reach the top 60 all-time.


126 – Tackles posted by Bear Woods last season, leading the East Division and finishing second overall in the league


The Skinny:

Both the Argos and Ticats are looking to start 2017 strong after finishing last year’s campaign below the .500 mark. The QEW rivalry will be intensified with a number of former Ticats making their debut in double blue, but not just on the field.


Argos receivers coach Tommy Condell led Hamilton’s offence for three seasons before suddenly stepping down at the start of 2016. Johnny Sears Jr. and Rico Murray will start in the secondary for the Argos after spending the last two and four seasons respectively with the Ticats. Cassius Vaughn will be in the lineup after he was released by the Ticats last month. He played nine games with Hamilton at cornerback last season, but has made the transition to SAM linebacker with his new squad.


Kevin Elliott was part of a group of four receivers that were abruptly cut by the Argos near the end of the 2016 regular season. He will look to pick up where he left off with the Ticats last season, registering 220 yards through three games.


Kickoff is slated for 4:00 p.m. ET and can be followed live via CFL.ca Game Tracker or seen on TSN and ESPN2.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL Record: Best Bets & Opinions


Date W-L-T % Units


06/24/2017................... 1-1-0 .............50.00% ......................-0.50
06/23/2017................... 2-0-0............ 100.00%................... +10.00
06/22/2017................... 0-2-0............... 0.00%.................... -11.00


Total............................ATS.............. .........O/U.....................Total


06/24/2017................... 1 - 0 ............. ......0 - 1.....................-0.50
06/23/2017....................1 - 0.....................1 - 0..................+ 10.00
06/22/2017....................0 - 1.....................0 - 1 ..................- 11.00

 

[CNOTES]

CFL
Long Sheet


Week 1


Sunday, June 25


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAMILTON (7 - 12) at TORONTO (5 - 13) - 6/25/2017, 4:00 PM
Top Trends for this game.
TORONTO is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in all games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 5-13 ATS (-9.3 Units) in all lined games over the last 2 seasons.
TORONTO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in home games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 3-13 ATS (-11.3 Units) in home lined games over the last 3 seasons.
TORONTO is 19-37 ATS (-21.7 Units) in a home game where the total is greater than or equal to 52 since 1996.


Head-to-Head Series History
HAMILTON is 6-1 against the spread versus TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
HAMILTON is 6-1 straight up against TORONTO over the last 3 seasons
4 of 7 games in this series have gone OVER THE TOTAL over the last 3 seasons


-----------------------------


CFL


Week 1


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Trend Report
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Sunday, June 25


4:00 PM
HAMILTON vs. TORONTO
Hamilton is 1-6 SU in its last 7 games
Hamilton is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games on the road
Toronto is 0-5 ATS in its last 5 games
Toronto is 1-5 ATS in its last 6 games at home




-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------


CFL
Dunkel


Week 1


Sunday, June 25


Hamilton @ Toronto


Game 357-358
June 25, 2017 @ 4:00 pm


Dunkel Rating:
Hamilton
111.216
Toronto
102.191
Dunkel Team:
Dunkel Line:
Dunkel Total:
Hamilton
by 9
52
Vegas Team:
Vegas Line:
Vegas Total:
Hamilton
by 3
54
Dunkel Pick:
Hamilton
(-3); Under

 

[CNOTES]

CFL


Sunday, June 25


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sunday's CFL betting preview and odds: Tiger-Cats at Argonauts
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Toronto Argonauts (+3.5, 56)


The Toronto Argonauts host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the season opener for both teams Sunday. The new-look Argonauts overhauled their management team by bringing in general manager Jim Popp and former Chicago Bears coach Marc Trestman, and the duo who led the Montreal Alouettes to back-to-back Grey Cups in 2009-10 hope to work their magic in Toronto, which missed the playoffs in two of the previous three seasons.


"The only thing I know for sure is that we have a bunch of guys who really love football and who have really worked hard," Trestman told reporters. "That's the platform we're going to work off as we head into the season." The Tiger-Cats look to rebound from a disappointing season by their lofty standards as they finished with a losing record for the first time since going 6-12 in 2012. Hamilton lost six of its last seven games in 2016, including a 24-21 home setback to the Edmonton Eskimos in the East Division Final and hope a healthy Zach Collaros, who missed eight games with injuries in 2016, can lead the Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup after back-to-back appearances in 2013-14. "I'm very grateful for the position I'm in and I try to live up to the expectations I set for myself every day," Collaros told reporters. "It's something to keep working at and all that matters is who's holding the trophy at the end of the year."

TV: 4 p.m. ET, TSN, ESPN2

LINE HISTORY: The Tiger-Cats opened as 3.5-point road chalk and as of Saturday night it hasn’t moved off the opening number. The total hit the betting board at 54 and has been bet up two full points to 56.

ABOUT THE TIGER-CATS (2016: 7-12 SU, 6-12-1 ATS, 8-10-1 O/U): Collaros hasn't been able to shake the injury bug as he's missed at least five games in each of the past three seasons and Jeremiah Masoli will be ready to deputize for the former University of Cincinnati quarterback after throwing for 2,695 yards and 15 touchdowns in Collaros' absence last year. Andy Fantuz was named the East Division's Most Outstanding Canadian after catching 101 passes for 1,059 yards and five touchdowns but will begin the season in a front-office role after tearing his ACL in the penultimate game of the 2016 regular season. Hamilton shored up its secondary by snapping up free agent Abdul Kanneh and re-signing all-star Emanuel Davis, but both players are doubtful for the season opener.

ABOUT THE ARGONAUTS (2016: 5-13 SU, 5-13 ATS, 8-8-2 O/U): Toronto added receivers S.J. Green, Jeff Fuller and Armanti Edwards in an effort to kickstart the passing attack, which ranked second-last at 260.9 yards per game in 2016. Quarterback Drew Willy, who was traded to Winnipeg for all-star T.J. Health and a first round pick midway during the season, was unceremoniously released while veteran offensive lineman Greg Van Roten left the team to try his luck with the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL. Toronto snapped up all-star linebacker Bear Woods, who was surprisingly released by the Alouettes after recording 126 tackles last year, and hopes his presence can solidify a defence which gave up a league-worst 31.6 points per game last season.


TRENDS DATING BACK TO 2016:


* Argonauts are 1-11 ATS in their last 12 games overall.


* Argonauts are 0-6 ATS in their last 6 games as an underdog.


* Tiger-Cats are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 meetings.


* Tiger-Cats are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 meetings in Toronto.


* Over is 4-1-1 in the last 6 meetings in Toronto.

CONSENSUS: The road chalk Tiger-Cats are getting 57 percent of the action from users and the OVER is getting 51 percent of the totals wagers. View full consensus data for this matchup here.


EXTRA POINTS:


1. The Tiger-Cats have won five of the last six regular-season meetings with the Argonauts.


2. Toronto QB Ricky Ray has missed 24 games over the last two seasons.


3. Hamilton has dropped 11 of its last 12 season openers.

 

[CNOTES]

SUNDAY, JUNE 25


GAME TIME(ET) PICK UNITS


HAM at TOR 04:00 PM


HAM -3.5


U 55.5

 

[CNOTES]

GAME RECAP
JUNE 25, 2017


RAY SHREDS TICATS FOR OVER 500 YARDS PASSING AS ARGOS TAKE OPENER AT BMO


TORONTO — Led by quarterback Ricky Ray, the Toronto Argonauts defeated their rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats 32-15 in the final game of the first week of the 2017 CFL season.


Ray had an impressive first outing of the 2017 season, passing for 506 yards – a career high for the quarterback and the third-highest in Argonauts history. His previous career-high was 505 yards in a single game. The Argos’ veteran pivot connected on 32 of 42 passes and one touchdown.


Although Ray was the star of the show, his performance didn’t outshine Toronto’s receivers as three different wideouts surpassed the 100 yard mark – DeVier Posey, SJ Green and Jeff Fuller all caught over the century mark.


DeVier Posey was Ray’s favourite target of the afternoon, catching seven passes for 147 yards and one major score. SJ Green also found chemistry with Toronto’s offence in his first game as an Argonaut, catching seven passes for 124 yards. While Jeff Fuller caught three passes for 104 yards.


Both teams traded two-and-outs on their first possessions but it didn’t take long for Toronto to find their groove.


On the Argos’ next series, Green made his presence felt in his first game as an Argonaut making two big catches to help move the sticks down the field to set up for Lirim Hajrullahu’s 12-yard field goal. That score put Toronto up 3-0 early in the first quarter.


Green first hauled in a 26-yard catch followed immediately by a 13-yard one-handed grab as he started to find chemistry early with Ricky Ray.


The Tiger-Cats struggled early in the contest as the Argos defence held Zach Collaros to no points in the first quarter.


Hamilton’s Sergio Castillo conceded a two-point safety with three and a half minutes left in the first quarter to extend Toronto’s lead to 5-0.


When Toronto got the ball back, Ricky Ray and his offence kept things rolling.


Just as the second quarter began, Cody Fajardo scored the game’s first major score on a quarterback sneak after Green and Fuller’s 32 and 31 yard gains respectively helped move the chains down the field. With Hajrullahu’s convert, Toronto extended their lead to 12-0.


Hamilton’s first point of the contest came after Castillo’s punt was conceded in the end zone and Toronto still led the contest 12-1 early in the second frame.


Just when it looked like the Ticats were staring to find a groove – Collaros connected with Kevin Elliott, Brian Tyms and Luke Tasker for 12, seven and 13 yard gains respectively – the Argos defence was right there to answer. Marcus Ball knocked down a Collaros pass that was intended for Tasker and Johnny Sears Jr. took down the Hamilton pivot for a sack. The Tiger-Cats had to settle for three points, as Castillo kicked a 34-yard field goal to cut Toronto’s lead to 12-4.


The Argos responded with a field goal of their own, as Hajrullahu’s 46-yard attempt was good, to extend their lead to 15-4 with just under five minutes left in the first half.


Nearing the end of the second quarter, Hajrullahu’s field goal attempt was blocked by Will Hill and popped into the arms of Richard Leonard who took the ball 84-yards down the field to score the Tabbies first major of the contest. Collaros found Tyms for the two-point convert and the Tiger-Cats cut Toronto’s lead to 15-12 heading into half time.


Just 32 seconds into the second half, the Argos scored once again.


This time, Ray connected with Posey for a 79-yard touchdown score on the first play from scrimmage, adding to Toronto’s lead (22-12).


Toronto’s defence continued to roam around the field and keep Collaros and Hamilton’s offence off the score board as the third quarter got started.


Hajrullahu missed a 49-yard field goal attempt for a single point adding to Toronto’s lead in the third quarter (23-12).


The Tiger-Cats made their way down the field on their next possession – 40 yards in eight plays – setting up for Castillo’s 35-yard field goal as the third quarter winded down. That score cut Toronto’s lead to 23-15 as Hamilton started trying to claw back in the second half.


The Argos added another the points to their lead as the third quarter came to a close with a 50-yard field goal from Hajrullahu to extend Toronto’s lead to 26-15.


After moving down the field 84 yards, Hajrullahu kicked a 27-yard field goal to add three more points to his team’s lead (29-15).


Collaros and the Ticats difficulty with Toronto’s defence continued on their next posession, as Cassius Vaughn intercepted the Hamilton pivot’s pass intended for Tasker.


That turnover turned into thee points for the Argos after Hajrullahu made his 10-yard field goal attempt with just over five minutes left in the contest. (32-15).


With the clock winding down, Hamilton tried making quick work moving down the field but they still couldn’t find the end zone. The Ticats turned the ball over on downs after Collaros’ pass intended for Brandon Banks in the end zone on second down hit the upright before Cleyon Laing knocked the ball out of the pivot’s hand on third.


The Tiger-Cats last ditch effort late in the contest was not enough as they fell to their East Division rivals.


Hamilton heads into their bye week in Week 2 and Toronto hosts the BC Lions at BMO Field on Friday night.

 

[CNOTES]

WEST DIVISION


RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV


1 Edmonton 1 1 0 0 2 30 27 0-0-0 1-0-0 1-0-0


2 Calgary 1 0 0 1 1 31 31 0-0-0 0-0-1 0-0-0


3 Winnipeg 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0


4Saskatchewan 1 0 1 0 0 16 17 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-0-0


5 BC 1 0 1 0 0 27 30 0-1-0 0-0-0 0-1-0




EAST DIVISION


RK TEAM GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV

1 Toronto 1 1 0 0 2 32 15 1-0-0 0-0-0 1-0-0


2 Montreal 1 1 0 0 2 17 16 1-0-0 0-0-0 0-0-0


3 Ottawa 1 0 0 1 1 31 31 0-0-1 0-0-0 0-0-0


4 Hamilton 1 0 1 0 0 15 32 0-0-0 0-1-0 0-1-0


********************


WEEK 2


Thursday, June 29, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
9:00 PM Ottawa Redblacks Calgary Stampeders


Friday, June 30, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
7:00 PM British Columbia Lions Toronto Argonauts
10:00 PM Montreal Alouettes Edmonton Eskimos


Saturday, July 1, 2017
Time (ET) Away Home
9:00 PM Winnipeg Blue Bombers Saskatchewan Roughriders

 

[CNOTES]

Monday’s six-pack


Neutral field college football games on Labor Day weekend:


— Alabama (-5.5) vs Florida State in Atlanta


— LSU (-22.5) vs BYU in Houston


— Michigan (-3) vs Florida in Dallas


— Tennessee (-3.5) vs Georgia Tech in Atlanta (Falcons’ new dome)


— NC State (-5) vs South Carolina in Charlotte


— Colorado (-8.5) vs Colorado State in Denver


— Louisville (-27) vs Purdue in Indianapolis


— Virginia Tech (-4) vs West Virginia in Landover, MD


**********************


Monday’s List of 13: Wrapping up a warm weekend…….


13) When I was a kid 1,000 years ago, actually 1970, baseball gave the fans the All-Star vote back; it had been taken away after Cincinnati fans stuffed the ballot boxes in 1957.


It was so much fun to take the ballot and then figure out who the best players were at each position. You argued with your friends who was better than who, and that made it fun.


Nowadays, these goofy teams just openly promote fans to vote for guys on their team, even if their team sucks. No one ever mentions about voting for the best players. Every team has to be represented in the game anyway, why not just vote for the best guys?


12) New York Mets promoted Tim Tebow and his .222 batting average up a level in Class A, I’m guessing to make room at the entry level for the new players they just drafted.


I’m giving Mets’ hierarchy the benefit of the doubt here; they’re having a bad season, I’m just hoping, for their sake, they don’t plan on making Tebow a major leaguer later this season, to inflate attendance when the team is totally out of contention.


If you want to placate the fans, how about making Amed Rosario a major leaguer? He is hitting .320 at AAA and is a solid prospect at shortstop. Fans would love to see a big part of their future play in person. Just a thought.


11) I was going to give this Big3 basketball thing a shot Monday night, watch some half-court basketball with former NBA players, then I find out the games were played Sunday afternoon. Whats the bleeping point of showing games on tape delay?


By the time the games come on TV, everyone who cares about it is going to know who won.


10) Oklahoma is a 48-point favorite over Texas-El Paso in the football season opener Sept 2. Sooners have a rookie coach, they visit Ohio State the following week- they’ll have to be looking past the Miners, right? Plus they’ll keep some of their offensive weapons under wraps.


9) Northern Illinois opened up as a 2-point favorite over Boston College (a MAC team favored over an ACC squad?), but now the Eagles are a 2.5-point favorite.


8) Eight NBA teams have deals to have advertising patches on their uniforms next year.


7) June 25, 2010, Edwin Jackson threw a no-hitter, winning 1-0. He threw 149 pitches in the game. Jackson is 93-114, 4.65 in 275 major league starts- this was his 15th year in the majors.


6) One of the many reasons why baseball is cool is that the ballparks are so different. Sunday in Miami, Giancarlo Stanton hit a vicious line drive for a homer to left field. the ball barely cleared the fence, it was hit so low.


If he hits that same ball in Boston or Houston, it is likely a single, since the fences there are so much higher, and he hit it so hard, the LF would’ve retrieved the ball quickly and it would’ve been hard for Stanton to get a double.


5) Miami’s Dee Gordon has gone 310 AB since his last home run, the longest active drought in the major leagues.


4) Ichiro Suzuki became the oldest major leaguer ever to start a game in centerfield when he started for the Marlins Sunday.


3) Cubs’ SS Addison Russell left Sunday’s game with a bad shoulder, leaving Chicago with an outfield of John Jay, Kris Bryant (starting 3B), Willson Contreras (starting C). Cubs are 38-37 and just treading water; lucky for them, they’re in a bad division and still have a good shot at winning it.


2) If the baseball playoffs started today (they don’t), they would look like this:
AL: New York-Minnesota-Houston. Wild Cards: Boston-Cleveland
NL: Washington-Milwaukee-Los Angeles. Wild Cards: Arizona-Colorado


1) A guy named Bo Dietl is running for mayor of New York; he is a former NYC police detective who made $1.8M in 2015 as a security consultant— he’s done some TV work on FOX News and was in the movies Goodfellas and The Wolf of Wall Street.


Dietl has worked for both Roger Ailes and Steve Bannon as a detective in either divorce or sexual harassment cases, so that tells you where his philosophies would generally reside.


Only reason I ever heard of the guy was because he did a TV ad for Arby’s a couple of years ago; looked him up at the time, was surprised to find out he was playing himself in the commercial.

 

[CNOTES]

CFL Record: Best Bets & Opinions


Date W-L-T % Units


06/25/2017................... 1-1-0............. 50.00%..................... -0.50
06/24/2017................... 1-1-0 .............50.00% ......................-0.50
06/23/2017................... 2-0-0............ 100.00%................... +10.00
06/22/2017................... 0-2-0............... 0.00%.................... -11.00


Total............................ATS.............. .........O/U.....................Total


06/25/2017....................0 - 1.....................1 - 0.....................-0.50
06/24/2017................... 1 - 0 ............. ......0 - 1.....................-0.50
06/23/2017....................1 - 0.....................1 - 0..................+ 10.00
06/22/2017....................0 - 1.....................0 - 1 ..................- 11.00