Real Football Has Begun for 2007
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by user Erooster
The “Original” North American Pro Football season has begun. That is, the Canadian Football League has started the 146 th season of pro football or the 95 th season competing for the Grey Cup.
All of the teams were in competition, except that of the suspended Ottawa Renegades. There were four games this weekend, played on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
The first game matched up the British Columbia Lions versus the Toronto Argonauts in the first game on Thursday night. It was a thrilling game that was contested at the Rogers Centre in Toronto in front of 29,157. Although exciting, it was far from a pretty game, as both teams had three turnovers. The game also had a total of eight sacks, 6 by the Lions and 2 by the Argos. The game also started the fires burning on a quarterback controversy in Toronto, between the aging Damon Allen and the nimble Michael Bishop. The defending Grey Cup champions prevailed in the contest, this week. Final score B.C. Lions 24 – Toronto Argos 22.
The second game on Thursday pitted the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the Edmonton Eskimos. The game was highlighted by two competing storylines. The first storyline of note, the play of Ricky Ray, Tyler Ebell, and T.J. Acree. Ray had a monster night going 33 of 42 for 394 yards, with five touchdowns and one interception. The rookie Ebell had a night to remember with 16 rushes for 132 yards, the longest rush going for 56 yards. And the first year Esks slotback, Acree, caught virtually everything thrown to him, finishing the night with nine receptions for 123 yards. The other storyline involved Milt Stegall. Milt came into the game needing one touchdown catch to tie the all-time record. He left the game with an amazing catch in the end zone at the end of regulation and a tie for the record with 137 touchdowns. In the end, it was an even match between the two teams right down to the final score of 39 – 39.
Friday’s game saw the Saskatchewan Roughriders go into Percival Molson Stadium to face the Montreal Alouettes. Montreal is the odds on favorite to win the East this year, but their game is a bit rusty. Montreal had five turnovers, Anthony Calvillo was sacked eight times and threw three interceptions. The Green Army beat the Als 16 – 7.
Saturday’s game had the Hamilton Tiger-Cats going into McMahon Stadium to face the Calgary Stampeders. This game was a blowout from the starting whistle. The Stamps crushed the Tabbies in nearly every aspect of the game. Quarterback Henry Burris looked like an all-star connecting with all of his various weapons. Final score: Calgary 37 – Hamilton 9.
Despite other predictions made on this site, I have to give my two cents to the overall outcome of the season.
In the East:
In the West:
