The Canadian Press
Is it too early to start labeling players as busts? After all, we’re only into Week 7 of TSN CFL Fantasy presented by Leo Vegas, and while some players have established themselves as breakout performers, tagging someone with the dreaded B-word feels rushed.
However, this week could push several big names toward bust category as Fantasy users continue to shy away from once-proven talents who — in some cases, no fault of their own — have yet to wake up and smell the aroma of the fresh Fantasy coffee that many poured into their cups over the past several years.
This week’s version of Start/Sit will point out a possible bust or two, yet at the same time attempt to put faith in a couple of bust-worthy performers in hopes of keeping them out of Fantasy purgatory.
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Calgary at Ottawa
Thursday | 7:00 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: CGY (-5.5)
O/U: 50.5
Start: Calgary Defence, $5,281 Salary
Some of the names have changed, but the Stamps defence remains solid, ranking third in total yardage allowed per game (336.6) and are tied for second in fewest rushing yards allowed (89). What makes them a great play is that they face the league’s worst offence in the REDBLACKS, who manage a mere 319.8 yards per contest along with a league-low 5.2 yards per play.
With Jonathon Jennings ($6,158) getting another start for Ottawa, Fantasy users should jump at the fact the Stamps have yet to allow a pass completion of better than 30 yards while recording a league-high 12 interceptions. That plays perfectly against the error-prone REDBLACKS, who have tossed a combined nine picks. In short, just play the Stamps D and enjoy.
Sit: The REDBLACKS’ Receiving Corps
Starting an Ottawa receiver this week is a fool’s errand. Granted, Jennings should be more productive than the goose egg that represented his Fantasy point output last week, but the REDBLACKS’ passing attack was struggling when Dominique Davis ($6,272) was healthy. Ottawa’s pivots have completed a paltry 61.4 per cent of their passes and have managed just five completions of better than 30 yards. The REDBLACKS have failed to record a passing major in four of five games this season, and it’s downright insane to envision Jennings tapping into his inner 2016 and lighting up the Calgary secondary.
Toronto at Edmonton
Thursday | 9:30 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: EDM (-12.5)
O/U: 51.5
Start: Martese Jackson, RB/RET, Eskimos, $3,071 Salary
Up for a wicked roll of the dice? If so, then Jackson is a high-risk play who could net serious rewards for the bold. Jackson is off to a sluggish start as a kickoff returner, averaging just 19.3 yards per runback, but faces an Argonauts return unit that has allowed 33.1 yards per return. That includes one return for a major and four returns of at least 40 yards. Granted, Toronto kickoffs are few and far between (only 15 thus far), but with such a disastrous coverage unit, Jackson would only need 1-2 shots to make starting him look genius.
Sit: S.J. Green, WR, Argonauts, $6,633 Salary
He has become the forgotten man in the Toronto passing game, as Derel Walker ($7,827), Armanti Edwards ($7,506) and running back James Wilder Jr. ($9,117) have gobbled most of the targets from McLeod Bethel-Thompson ($5,670). Green has yet to either score a major or record a catch of longer than 26 yards and hasn’t had a game of better than 72 yards receiving. Of the top 40 pass catchers in the league, Green’s 15.9 Efficiency Rating is dead last, and it’s hard to believe he’ll begin reversing his misfortunes against an Eskimos secondary that leads the league with 181.8 passing yards per game.
Mcleod Bethel-Thompson will try to get the Argos’ offence moving against Edmonton (Geoff Robins/CFL.ca)
Winnipeg at Hamilton
Friday | 7:00 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: WPG (-2.5)
O/U: 53.5
Start: Matt Nichols, QB, Blue Bombers, $9,076 Salary
This will be a game where Nichols sheds the “game manager” label for “ruthlessly efficient” pivot. The 12:1 TD:INT margin is splendid, but Nichols hasn’t received much Fantasy love because Winnipeg averages 245.8 passing yards per game. With Andrew Haris ($10,013) and a lights-out defence, Nichols has yet to be asked to throw at will, yet his 9.1 yards per attempt are a clear sign that he’s capable of trading shots with Hamilton’s Jeremiah Masoli ($11,126) if necessary. Keep in mind the Bombers have completed nine passes of better than 30 yards and will not hesitate to flick a deep ball or two.
Sit: Maleek Irons, RB, Tiger-Cats, $4,000 Salary
The rookie fared well in his first start, rushing for 61 yards on 14 carries and catching three passes for 20 yards in the Week 5 win over the Stampeders. However, Irons faces a Winnipeg run defence that turns ground games into the land of the damned. The Blue Bombers allow a mere 59.2 yards per game and have yet to allow a rushing major this season. With their ability to put away games early, opponents have averaged just over 12 rushing attempts per game against the Bombers. One has to figure Masoli will get his share of attempts, which would cut further into Irons’ production.
Saskatchewan at BC
Saturday | 7:00 p.m. ET
LeoVegas Odds
Line: SSK (-3.5)
O/U: 52.5
Start: Shaquelle Evans, WR, Roughriders, $6,044 Salary
Evans leaves defences and Fantasy owners holding their collective breaths each time he touches the ball. The breakout star leads the league with a 20.8 yards per catch average and tops the pack with six receptions of better than 30 yards and three 100-yard games that includes last week’s 158-yard, two-TD outing in the win over the Lions. He and Kyran Moore ($6,203) are the reason why Saskatchewan pivot Cody Fajardo ($6,815) leads the league with 10.2 yards per attempt. BC has allowed a league-high 14 passing majors and will be hard-pressed to contain Evans if he gets downfield.
Sit: Mike Reilly, QB, BC, $11,053 Salary
Reilly has just one game of at least 20 Fantasy points via his passing and one game of at least two touchdown passes (both against Calgary in Week 3). The Lions have failed to keep him upright, as they have allowed a league-high 21 sacks, not to mention the numerous knockdowns and deflected passes at the line of scrimmage. At this point, investing in Reilly has far more risk than reward, as the big play element he was supposed to bring has yet to develop. The Lions are eighth in average yards per pass at 7.7, a total that will be difficult to improve so long as Reilly is running for his life on each attempt.
