MMQB: Elks stampede their means again into the combo
Make it 5 wins MMQB: Elks stampede their means again into the combo of their final six.
With a convincing 37-16 win Saturday evening, the Edmonton Elks have swept their OK Tire Labour Day Weekend home-and-home collection with Calgary for the primary time since 2004. Whereas a playoff berth isn’t assured and with numerous work left, it actually is good to see Edmonton again within the combine.
Greater than something, I’m joyful for Elks followers. Saturday’s crowd of 32,144 supplied an superior environment at Commonwealth Stadium. And truthfully, that’s all the time been the case when that place is packed so we shouldn’t be shocked but it surely’s been some time since a house recreation in Edmonton has felt like that. Elks followers have an thrilling workforce with every little thing to play for, and so they confirmed out for an enormous recreation.
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I’m joyful for Eugene Lewis. The proficient receiver joined Edmonton for 2023 in his first alternative to hit it huge in free company. His first season noticed the Elks battle to a 4-14 document whereas accidents restricted Lewis to only 12 appearances. One yr later, although, Lewis has racked up greater than 200 yards in his final two outings, is a top-10 receiver general and has 5 landing catches.
I’m joyful for Tre Ford. Edmonton’s electrical quarterback was one of many key catalysts for this yr’s turnaround earlier than getting harm in Edmonton’s Week 10 win over BC. As an alternative of dropping his job to damage, Ford is confirmed to return to the starter’s function when the Elks are again at it in Week 16 after a bye this week and deservingly so.
I’m joyful for McLeod Bethel-Thompson. As did the workforce, the veteran pivot struggled to start out his profession in Edmonton. However Bethel-Thompson has bounced again admirably in reduction of Ford. Since taking again over, MBT has gone 3-1 as a starter, which incorporates greater than 700 passing yards and 5 touchdowns in back-to-back video games towards Calgary. You possibly can guess Bethel-Thompson’s confidence will probably be far greater if he’s known as upon once more down the stretch.
The Elks are the second-most profitable franchise in CFL historical past and nobody has captured extra Gray Cup titles than they’ve over the past 5 many years. However after the final 4 seasons, it’s been robust for followers in Edmonton to get excited. It’s nice to see that narrative altering because the Elks sit tied for a playoff spot with 5 video games remaining.
DON’T LOOK NOW
You bought a sure feeling when William Stanback spoke to CFL.ca’s Vicki Corridor again in April. You recognize…the sensation of a man who’s able to show a bunch of individuals unsuitable. That has definitely performed itself out as Stanback continues to impress in his first season with the BC Lions, particularly lately.
It was maybe most obvious Friday evening as Stanback rolled into his previous stomping grounds — and simply as he instructed CFL.ca’s Don Landry he would final week — stomped his solution to 128 speeding yards and a landing in a 37-23 win over Montreal. Everybody understands enterprise is enterprise, however that doesn’t imply Stanback didn’t have a little bit additional incentive going up towards the workforce that minimize him unfastened earlier this yr.
“You possibly can’t actually say somebody fell off or misplaced a step once they haven’t been given the ball,” Stanback instructed Corridor previous to the season. “Anybody who ran for over 1,000 yards final season, take a look at their carries in comparison with mine. I nonetheless common over 5 yards a carry.
“I perceive. I see that stuff on Twitter and generally Fb too. However I don’t actually care about what the critics say about me. I’ve by no means even had 200 carries a season. So, if I get 200 carries this yr arising, simply think about what number of yards I’ll get.”
Properly, don’t look now however Stanback is averaging precisely 5.0 yards per carry. For the primary time in his profession, he’s on tempo for effectively over 200 carries (242 to be precise). Stanback now sits second general with 810 speeding yards, which incorporates a median of greater than 101 over his final 5 outings.
One factor I refuse to guess towards in professional sports activities, and maybe even extra so on this league, is the facility of a chip on the shoulder. Stanback felt he had one thing to show getting into 2024 and, after a little bit time acclimating to a brand new workforce, he’s doing simply that.
Stanback has confirmed he’s nonetheless one of many league’s prime tailbacks.
No matter the way you prefer to calculate it, Stanback is on tempo for over 1,200 yards this season, which might even be a profession first. Robust enterprise selections need to be made in a cap world generally, which is why Stanback is not a member of the Alouettes.
However we’ve additionally discovered how savvy a enterprise resolution it may be to pounce on motivated gamers who nonetheless have lots left within the tank.
QUICK HITS
Bear in mind when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been on the way in which down? And at 0-4 and 2-6, you possibly can perceive the skepticism that existed. Nevertheless it was noticeable how unworried head coach Mike O’Shea seemed all alongside. O’Shea and the Bombers knew what they have been able to and after a Labour Day sweep over Saskatchewan, that features 5 straight wins and a share of first place within the West Division.
What an enormous win for Ottawa to kickoff Saturday’s triple header. The likes of Damon Webb, Brandon Dandridge, Dru Brown and Dominique Rhymes led the way in which because the REDBLACKS additional solidified second place within the East Division with a 41-27 win over Toronto. With six video games to go, a two-game lead, and yet one more head-to-head with the Argos, the REDBLACKS management their very own future for a house playoff date.
Lastly, kudos to CFL and Stampeders alum Alex Singleton. Not solely did the Denver Broncos’ linebacker open the NFL season with six defensive tackles and an interception, however he was additionally all class previous to the sport. Singleton sported a No. 13 Johnny Gaudreau Calgary Flames jersey on his stroll into Seattle’s Lumen Discipline on Sunday afternoon. Johnny and his youthful brother Matt have been tragically killed late final month by a suspected impaired driver. Their funeral is right now.