CFL Fantasy Podcast, Week 20: Cat scratch fever
Arthur Ward/CFL.ca
TORONTO — The CFL’s top Fantasy offence is a little scratched up these days.
June Jones’ Ticats have been an offensive juggernaut this year, ranking first in the league with 314.6 passing yards per game despite having already lost Jalen Saunders and Chris Williams to season-ending injuries.
Sign up and play TSN CFL Fantasy today!
Then there was last week’s disastrous outcome, which, in sports terms, aptly describes the team’s visit to the nation’s capital, where the Ticats lost not only the fight for first but also the services of Brandon Banks for the rest of the 2018 season.
“I don’t think there’s any debate that Brandon Banks is the top receiver in the CFL,” said Pat Steinberg. “From that perspective it’s devastating that he’s out. For me, so much of this offence has run through Banks — what he’s able to do, how much attention he’s able to take, and some of the things he does away from the ball. That’s no longer an option for Hamilton.”
The impact of Banks’ loss remains to be seen — both on the field and from a Fantasy perspective — and it was the leading topic for Steinberg, Jeff Krever and Hannah Nordman on this week’s CFL Fantasy Podcast:
You can listen to previous episodes and subscribe on iTunes, Google Play or Spotify.
For the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Banks’ loss means others will have to pick up the slack. Luke Tasker ($9,179) becomes the top option in Hamilton, while Mike Jones ($4,087) and recently-signed Marquay McDaniel ($3,740) can also expect an increase in their involvement.
The X-factor in all of it could be Terrell Sinkfield, a former 1,000-yard receiver with the Ticats who’s returned from the National Football League — and possesses the same type of elite level speed as the injured Banks.
“It seems devastating,” said Nordman, “but when you look at what they have there and the options, it’s not like they have a Calgary situation where one goes down and another one goes down. Tasker’s value shoots up, Sinkfield’s role is going to pick up in a big way. McDaniel may be another guy to keep an eye on. And Mike Jones is already doing some pretty good things, he’s had a couple of really big games. He can pick up some of that slack and go off.”
Krever and Steinberg are a little more skeptical, specifically with regards to Masoli’s continued production. The last time Banks was sidelined, Masoli had a season-low 4.4 points in a loss to the Stamps.
“I’m really curious about Masoli here,” said Steinberg. “He has been probably the most consistent quarterback both in CFL Fantasy and statistically in the league. Now he’s lost his number one target — how does he adjust?”
“Those guys, and June Jones, were the three that came together at the same time to make something special there,” added Krever. “You take Brandon Banks away and I’m curious to see whether Masoli is the same player and whether the Ticats can move the ball without him, because that changes everything.
“If you take away the most explosive player in the CFL from that offence, who’s losing out? That’s my fear with the Ticats. I’m worried about a loss of production across the board, for every player on that offence.”
Replied Nordman: “Give Masoli more credit. He deserves more than that.”
The podcast trio also discussed a slumping Bo Levi Mitchell, Round 2 of Johnny Manziel vs. James Franklin, and the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ receivers in the latest from the CFL Fantasy Podcast.
