Every CFL week includes enough highlights for fans to talk about until football returns a week later, and a few lowlights that keep fans shaking their heads. The LWOS CFL team takes a look with Three and out week two at the highlights and lowlights of the week that was in the CFL.
Three and Out Week Two
Game of the Week: B.C. Lions vs Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The B.C. Lions showed the CFL why they will be a tough opponent all year. Defence wins championships, and by that, the Lions are early favourites to win the 2016 Grey Cup, as they showed against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The Lions played lights-out, shut ’em down, slobber-knocker defence on Friday night. Combined with a fantastic return game, featuring Chris Rainey, the Lions made short work of the Tiger-Cats, winning 28-3 at Tim Hortons Field.
Lions quarterback Jonathan Jennings had a solid outing but has not yet reached his potential. Lions running back, Shaquille Murray-Lawrence, scored his first CFL touchdown after filling in for Jeremiah Johnson, who was banged up early in the second half. Lions receiver, Shawn Gore had one of his best nights with 116 yard effort on just four receptions. Emmanuel Arceneaux had the lone receiving touchdown.
The Lions, who are 2-0, will look to continue this surprisingly strong play moving forward.
–Kelly Bale (@LWOSKBale)
Player of the Week: Chris Williams, Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks 28-13 win over the Montreal Alouettes was due in part by flashy receiver, Chris Williams.
Williams was quarterback Trevor Harris‘ favourite target Thursday night, catching seven passes for 187 yards and one touchdown. Williams did much of his damage in the second half as he caught five passes for 170 yards including a long 52-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter which put the game out of reach for the Alouettes. Williams’ seven catches led to 14 of the 28 points scored by Ottawa in the win.
At times, Williams looked unstoppable with his deadly speedy and elusiveness to blow by defenders. The Alouettes do not have a bad defence, but Williams made them look silly.
Williams and his Redblacks are 2-0 now and will look to move to 3-0 in their home opener against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday night.
– Casey Dulson (@Casey_Dulson)
Unnecessary Participation: Duron Carter and Rick Campbell Collision
Duron Carter’s accidentally-on-purpose collision with Rick Campbell included many faults. From the officials, to the player, to the head coach, everybody was in the wrong.
What got Carter fired up was the late hit by Jermaine Robinson following Carter’s touchdown grab, which went unpenalized. In a league that penalizes the slightest of touches, it was a surprise no flag was thrown for the hit on the defenceless receiver. Robinson was flagged for pass interference, which would make no sense because Jonathan Rose was covering Carter on the play. Officials were wrong there, a penalty for a hit on a defenceless receiver may have stopped the whole situation.
Carter was wrong when he started walking towards the Ottawa bench. Carter insisted post-game to the media that he did not say a word – which is true according to the replays as he kept his lips sealed – but he had no business walking that close to the bench with that much swagger. Get up, thank your quarterback and get back to your bench. Carter made a bee line for the Ottawa sideline right after getting drilled by Robinson. Carter’s immaturity blossomed on that celebration, and he needs to fix that going forward.
Campbell was possibly as immature as Carter on the play. The head coach was a few feet from the sidelines when he leaned his shoulder into Carter and flopped once he made contact with the receiver. Campbell said that “there was some chirping going on“, which is not true unless it was coming from his own players. Carter did not move his lips at all, and Campbell should not be accusing Carter of something he did not say. Campbell exaggerated every possible detail on the incident because he knew he can get away with a lot more than Carter, which is completely wrong.
– Nicholas Di Giovanni (@LWOSNick)
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