Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — A Grey Cup rematch unfolds for the third time this year, oddly in the Eastern Final. Henry Burris and the REDBLACKS are well-rested and peaking at a good time while the Eskimos have won six of seven and could be the first crossover team ever to make it to the Grey Cup Championship.
With a trip to Toronto on the line, CFL.ca looks at which team has the advantage at each major position heading into Sunday’s playoff game in Ottawa.
Quarterbacks
Mike Reilly left the Eastern Semi-Final with an injury but says he’ll play. If he can’t, it’ll be James Franklin. On the other hand, has any quarterback thrown the ball with more authority lately than Henry Burris? Put this one in the category of ‘too close to call’ for now but keep an eye on the status of Reilly.
ADVANTAGE: PUSH
Running backs
Mossis Madu has come on strong for the REDBLACKS and could be a playoff X-factor, but he won’t likely stack up to what John White and Shakir Bell bring for the Eskimos. Both dressed in Edmonton’s Eastern Semi-Final win and White in particular was a man possessed.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Receivers
Four 1,000-yard receivers for the second straight season for Ottawa but one of them, Chris Williams, won’t play. Hard to argue with the REDBLACKS’ pass-catchers but in the end, nothing beats the combination of Derel Walker and Adarius Bowman, who combined for 3,350 yards – the highest total between two teammates in CFL history. A slight lean here.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Offensive line
The REDBLACKS’ O-line was the best in the CFL last season but injuries have caught up. A return by SirVincent Rogers could help immensely but in the end, Edmonton’s mammoth group of blockers up front led by Matt O’Donnell is as close to immovable as it gets. Edmonton’s O-line vs. Ottawa’s D-line will be a matchup to watch.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Defensive line
The Eskimos’ D-line played a major role in winning the Eastern Semi-Final as Mike Benevides’ defence continues to improve. In Ottawa, meanwhile, the addition of Cleyon Laing should make quite a difference. The REDBLACKS stopped the run better and generated more sacks so give them the edge.
ADVANTAGE: OTTAWA
Linebackers
The addition of Taylor Reed has solidified an Ottawa linebacker corps that spent a good part of the season looking for an identity. On the other side, JC Sherritt is one of the best middle linebackers out there while Kenny Ladler and Deon Lacey can make a game-changing play in an instant. It’s real close but we like Edmonton’s group just a tad more.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
Defensive backs
This season was a bit of a re-tooling year for these secondaries but the talent’s there on both sides of the ball. With five 1,000-yard receivers running around on the field, this could be the battle that defines the Eastern Final. Don’t forget about Pat Watkins locking it down at corner for the Eskimos.
ADVANTAGE: PUSH
Return game
This one’s up in the air depending on whether the Eskimos decide to deploy Troy Stoudermire or not. Their top return man sat last week so they could get Shakir Bell into the lineup. For now, in Ottawa, Jamill Smith has proven his worth as an explosive returner that can change a game in an instant.
ADVANTAGE: OTTAWA
Kicking game
Chris Milo has been good for the REDBLACKS but Sean Whyte is the most consistent kicker in the CFL. Anything inside the 50 for Whyte is pretty much automatic, a luxury not afforded by most teams in the league – including Ottawa.
ADVANTAGE: EDMONTON
