CFL Fantasy Podcast, Week 14: Holy Masoli!

CFL.ca Staff

TORONTO — With Mike Reilly off the docket in Week 14, the Fantasy spotlight belongs solely to Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.

The Ticats’ pivot answered some pressing questions the last couple of weeks, throwing seven touchdowns to just one interception while leading his team to a third straight victory. That caveat: Masoli’s recent breakthrough came against the Toronto Argonauts, who rank among the worst defences in the CFL.

How can Fantaasy players approach Masoli’s sudden production, especially with his soaring salary and a tough Calgary opponent next on the schedule?

“That’s what I’m still worrying about — it’s not that he can’t get the yards, it’s the touchdowns, and I’m not so sure they’re going to come this week up against a defence like Calgary’s,” said Hannah Nordman.

Masoli was the hot topic during this week’s CFL Fantasy Podcast, which can be heard in its entirety below:

You can listen to previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes, Google Play or Spotify.

For Pat Steinberg, who joined Nordman and Jeff Krever on this week’s podcast, Masoli’s spike in production is noteworthy. However, context is also important, especially considering the Argos’ struggles to stop the pass.

“I think you have to take that into context,” said Steinberg. “My opinion on Jeremiah is we’re talking about one of the top-end quarterbacks, and I think the guy knocking on the door to enter the same conversation as Mike Reilly and Bo Levi Mitchell. I think he is multi-talented, he is able to do a lot of things on the field that most other quarterbacks in this league can’t do.”

Masoli ranks second in the CFL in passing yards (3,576) and first in quarterback rushing yards (387). While his season-high in Fantasy points is 33, which he reached in last week’s win over the Argos, he’s hit a floor of 17 points in every game but one.

The knock on Masoli has been the turnovers — he’s already thrown 11 picks this season — but as Krever points out, with Masoli, you take the good with the bad.

“You kind of like the aggressiveness that’s there,” said Krever. “For Fantasy, that’s gold. That’s what you want in your quarterback — a guy who’s not afraid to sling the ball around.

“The example was the long touchdown to Brandon Banks. He’s trying to fit that in between three guys and it ends up going for a long touchdown to Brandon Banks. That’s Jeremiah Masoli. You’re going to get interceptions, but you’re going to get explosive plays. I love that.”

The podcast trio also weighed in on the Riders’ terrifying defence, the Stampeders’ running back situation along with injuries, locks and bargains, and everything else you need for Week 14 in CFL Fantasy.

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