Posted:
#1
YTD: 0-1
Hamilton -2
Well, based on the first two weeks of the season we have a matchup here of the worst two teams in the league. One team can't stop anybody and one team can't move the ball. So why Hamilton? For a couple of reasons.
First of all I think Saskatchewan has a few built in excuses for their poor play. There was a massive turnover there in the offseason not just losing a few key players but also with every coach on the staff except the offensive coordinator being replaced. They switched to a new defense and they have had a lot of injuries and switching guys in and out of the lineup. People may be mad in Riderville but I also think they understand that a team that has had this much turnover will take a few weeks to get the kinks ironed out and build some chemistry. No one is saying Durant should be replaced or Marshall should be fired. And that is the key difference between the two teams in the game. If Hamilton loses this game Kevin Glenn will lose his job and the coach might too as there have been rumblings of it this week. While both teams are 0-2 I see this as a far more desperate spot for Hamilton.
Secondly, IMO Hamilton is just a better team. Their defense was torn up last week but I still really like this unit. Baggs, Williams, Johnson, and Knowlton are probably 4 of the Top 10 defensive players in the entire league and these guys always play well at home. In Week 1 they allowed 1 offensive TD which is in line with just the 16 they allowed in 10 home games last year. It's true Glenn has sucked in two games but let's remember he threw for 5,000 yards last year and had the single best season in TiCats history. I'm willing to give him another shot.
Home team + More desperate team + Far better defense = Sign me up.
BC Lions +2.5
While Edmonton has surprised so far this year and I do think they are in for some regression, this play is more of a bet on BC than it is a fade of Edmonton.
Again I feel (actually I know) I have the far more desperate team at a fair price. The Lions are 0-2 and need this game bad. They started last year 1-7 and it ruined their year. Coming into 2011 all they talked about was getting off to a good start and now here they sit at 0-2 which places extra importance to prepare well this week and come out and get it done. While they are 0-2 they could easily be 2-0 if not for some huge dropped passes in both games that cost them. I believe the final count from last week was 6 or 7 drops including 2 dropped two point conversions, one of which was by veteran Geroy Simon. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the point is the talent is there and contrary to his numbers Lulay is making good throws to receivers who get open they just aren't squeezing the ball. BC has played a lot of young receivers and these guys are pretty good, I know I've been impressed. Once these kids start holding on to the ball this team will be pretty good. I took them +400 to win the West Division regular season title before the year and i could be wrong but I think the talent is most certainly there.
Buono as a fav is a disaster but year after year he gets his guys to buy in as road dogs going 1-0 ATS so far this year, 5-3 ATS last year, 6-2 in 2009, 6-0-1 in 2008, and 4-0 in 2007.
GL this week.
Hamilton -2
Well, based on the first two weeks of the season we have a matchup here of the worst two teams in the league. One team can't stop anybody and one team can't move the ball. So why Hamilton? For a couple of reasons.
First of all I think Saskatchewan has a few built in excuses for their poor play. There was a massive turnover there in the offseason not just losing a few key players but also with every coach on the staff except the offensive coordinator being replaced. They switched to a new defense and they have had a lot of injuries and switching guys in and out of the lineup. People may be mad in Riderville but I also think they understand that a team that has had this much turnover will take a few weeks to get the kinks ironed out and build some chemistry. No one is saying Durant should be replaced or Marshall should be fired. And that is the key difference between the two teams in the game. If Hamilton loses this game Kevin Glenn will lose his job and the coach might too as there have been rumblings of it this week. While both teams are 0-2 I see this as a far more desperate spot for Hamilton.
Secondly, IMO Hamilton is just a better team. Their defense was torn up last week but I still really like this unit. Baggs, Williams, Johnson, and Knowlton are probably 4 of the Top 10 defensive players in the entire league and these guys always play well at home. In Week 1 they allowed 1 offensive TD which is in line with just the 16 they allowed in 10 home games last year. It's true Glenn has sucked in two games but let's remember he threw for 5,000 yards last year and had the single best season in TiCats history. I'm willing to give him another shot.
Home team + More desperate team + Far better defense = Sign me up.
BC Lions +2.5
While Edmonton has surprised so far this year and I do think they are in for some regression, this play is more of a bet on BC than it is a fade of Edmonton.
Again I feel (actually I know) I have the far more desperate team at a fair price. The Lions are 0-2 and need this game bad. They started last year 1-7 and it ruined their year. Coming into 2011 all they talked about was getting off to a good start and now here they sit at 0-2 which places extra importance to prepare well this week and come out and get it done. While they are 0-2 they could easily be 2-0 if not for some huge dropped passes in both games that cost them. I believe the final count from last week was 6 or 7 drops including 2 dropped two point conversions, one of which was by veteran Geroy Simon. Coulda, woulda, shoulda, but the point is the talent is there and contrary to his numbers Lulay is making good throws to receivers who get open they just aren't squeezing the ball. BC has played a lot of young receivers and these guys are pretty good, I know I've been impressed. Once these kids start holding on to the ball this team will be pretty good. I took them +400 to win the West Division regular season title before the year and i could be wrong but I think the talent is most certainly there.
Buono as a fav is a disaster but year after year he gets his guys to buy in as road dogs going 1-0 ATS so far this year, 5-3 ATS last year, 6-2 in 2009, 6-0-1 in 2008, and 4-0 in 2007.
GL this week.
0
i thought their d came within inches of ray numerous times last week, but ray was just on fire putting it on the finger tips. hamiltons d at home willl be lights out all year. i agree saying skatch lost to 2 good teams at home is an excuse due to the way they lost.
This week i gotta respectfully disagree with your Ham play.
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