CFL Pick'em Win'em Week 8

road teams go to *
didn't receive picks, if you texted them to me, i did not get them



Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (20-10) –cal-sask*
Trex Griffin- Snack- (21-9)- cal-sask
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (19-11)- cal-sask*
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (19-11)- cal-sask
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (20-10)- cal-sask
Shaun Starr- Mornings (20-10)- cal-sask*
Moe Khan- Snack (17-13) – cal-sask
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (18-12)- cal-sask
Sean Campbell-Midday (17-13)- BC-sask
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (16-14)- cal-sask*
Crazy Pierre- He's Nuts (17-13)-bc-sask
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (15-15)- bc-edm

CFL Pick'em Win'em Week 8

No one Likes Winnipeg,
Tor and Ham are split down the middle.
Murdocco & Griffin will not have the same record at the end of this week

Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (19-9) –Mtl, Tor
Trex Griffin- Snack- (19-9)- Mtl, Ham
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (18-10)- Mtl, Tor
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (18-10)- Mtl, Tor
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (18-10)- Mtl, Ham
Shaun Starr- Mornings (18-10)- Mtl, Ham
Moe Khan- Snack (16-12) – Mtl, Tor
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (16-12)- Mtl, Ham
Sean Campbell-Midday (16-12)- Mtl, Tor
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (15-13)- Mtl, Tor
Crazy Pierre- He's Nuts (15-13)- Mtl, Ham
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (13-15)- Mtl, Ham

CFL Pick'em Win'em Week 7 Results

Starr and I pick up a game on everyone, Cam loses one

Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (19-9) -Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Trex Griffin- Snack- (19-9)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (18-10)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (18-10)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (18-10)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Shaun Starr- Mornings (18-0)- Sask, Ham, Mtl, Cal-3-1
Moe Khan- Snack (16-12) - Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (16-12)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Sean Campbell-Midday (16-12)- Sask, Ham, Mtl, Cal-3-1
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (15-13)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Crazy Pierre- He's Nuts (15-13)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal-2-2
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (13-15)- BC, Win, Mtl, Cal-1-3

Week 8 only 2 games
Win @Mtl
Ham@ Tor

MFG CFL Pick'em Win'em Week 7

Ho-hum.
EVERYONE going SASK-WIN-MTL-CAL
only Cam going BC
and Sean &Shaun taking Ham

So don't expect much movement this week.
BORIING...
I'm telling you I shoulda picked Toronto.


Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (17-7) -Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Trex Griffin- Snack- (17-7)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (16-8)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (16-8)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (16-8)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Shaun Starr- Mornings (15-9)- Sask, Ham, Mtl, Cal
Moe Khan- Snack (14-10) - Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (14-10)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Sean Campbell-Midday (13-11)- Sask, Ham, Mtl, Cal
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (13-11)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Crazy Pierre- He's Nuts (13-11)- Sask, Win, Mtl, Cal
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (12-12)- BC, Win, Mtl, Cal

Mid Week Practice Alservations

they let me out once again! It's always nice to hit Alouettes practice on beautiful days and today was one of them.

-The practice was short maybe a an hour and 15 minutes total, it wasn't too humid and at a considerable ammount of time was spent working on the special teams.

-Calvillo was gloveless, but had his right index finger taped. he threw very sharp and direct short passes very well. I felt he missed on a couple longer throws to Brian Bratton and Jamel Richardson, but the coach seemed to feel different about when I asked him.

'I don't agree with that I thought he threw the ball very well the entire day'

Hey what do I know, I do know that coach Trestman knows QBs so lets side with him on this onl.

-#60 Andrew Woodruff took all the 1st unit snaps a Left guard, if he starts, that would make 3 LGs in 3 weeks.

-#31 Mark Estelle did not practice today but has been cleared to hit the field tomorrow, mor eon the CB position then.

-I spoke with 4 defensive players following the practice, Woldu, Wilson, Bowman and Guzman. the word 'Beast' came up on more than one occasion when defining Argo RB Cory Boyd.

-The last few practices I've noticed the Als implement some trickery, (ex: the KOR end around with Chip Cox vs Sask). Fake field goal, flee flickers and hook and ladders are all in play, apparently.

-Alot of people have been asking about KR\WR #0 Andrew Hawkins, I know our good friend HerbZ from The Gazette is on the case of the dissapearing twitter feed... make sure to read him this week www.alsinsideout.com and www.montrealgazette.com, or just pick up the paper.

-It's back on the road for the Als, they are 2-1 away from PMS.

MFG CFL Pick'em Win'em Week 6 results

8 of you went 3-1
4 of us went 2-2.
Whittaker drops out of the lead group,

Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (17-7) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal -3-1
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (16-8) Mtl, Edm, Win, Cal -2-2
Trex Griffin- Snack- (17-7)Mtl, Tor, Win, Cal -3-1
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (16-8) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal -3-1
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (16-8) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal -3-1
Moe Khan- Snack (14-10)Mtl,Edm, Win, Cal -2-2
Shaun Starr- Mornings (15-9) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal -3-1
Sean Campbell-Midday (13-11)Mtl, Edm, Ham, BC -2-2
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (14-10) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal -3-1
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (13-11) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal -3-1
Crazy Pierre- He’s Nuts (13-11) Mtl, Tor, Win, Cal -3-1
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (12-12) Mtl, Edm, Win, Cal -2-2

Week 7 Ddue on Thursday at 8pm
BC @ SASK
Ham @ Win
Mtl @ Tor
Edm @ Cal

The Tale of The Alouettes

The Tale of the Alouettes

By #39 Jerald Brown

“This is the Tale of the Alouettes
You have the offence, they’ll score many points
You have the defense, they’ll stop you from scoring many points
Then you’ll have the offence of the Als, that may not score as many as used to
And the defense will step up
Then you have the defense of the Als that will give up more points then used to
And the offence will step it up
Special teams have been the most consistent
We just find ways
We rally around each other
The offence down because they ain’t scoring and used to scoring
All we asked for is to support us
Because we got your backs
So support us, cause we support one another
That’s what makes us go”

--Aug 6th, 2010 McGill Stadium Locker Room--

Post Game Alservations: Down to the Wire

Well that was another doozy of a game. If the Alouettes and Riders meet up again in Edmonton come November I don't think anyone would be disappointed.

On to the Alservations...

-I've said it many times, but it deserves to be said again, Darian is a Superstar in the CFL.

-Coach Miller called Durant a bit off tonight, he was right. Sure he had 445 yards, but the two INTs were on him.

-The Pass interference calls on the Als were iffy at best tonight.

-Wes Cates single handily turned a 4 point game into a 14 point game with his 15 yard penalty at the end of the 2nd quarter.

-Tim Maypray has two MFG (name drop) returns this year against Saskatchewan.

-Anthony Calvillo's finger was still crooked in the post game interviews

-We all love Ben, but this is probably his last season in the CFL for the Hall of famer.

-Watching Jermaine McElveen makes one think Keron who?

-Does anyone know what makes Weston Dressler so good, is it his speed or size?

-2nd and long is still killing the Alouettes Defence, one can only wonder how long bend but don't break philosophy can work, well at least another, its the Argos next week.

-Calvillo had 229 passing yards in the 1st half, 23 in the 2nd.

-If you weren't at the game, it was LOUD on the field during the final series.

Als are back on the road next Saturday in Toronto

Saskatchewan & Durant in for a Rough Ride

I was possibly thinking that this could be the week that the Alouettes finally drop one at Percival Molson Stadium. But then Darian Durant had to throw a wrench into the "possible" plan.

Durant only got on the field once this week and I saw him after he landed in Montreal, he did not sound good or look good. I cannot in my good mind take the Riders.

The Alouettes on their part have played their best two games on the season at home blowing out Hamilton and Toronto, so they have no given me any indication not to take them.

Plus looking at the line-up changes for the Als, Skip Seagreaves is better than Luc Brodeur-Jourdain and even though Brian Bratton is a big loss to the receiving core, all it means is that SJ Green will be on the field more often. That cannot hurt the Als chances.

Two players to key in on early, #4 of the Riders Darian Durant, It's a cool nice evening in Montreal so heat & humidity will not be a factor, but his stomach virus could affect hime come the 2nd, 3rd anf 4th quarters. The other player is #6 of the Montreal Alouettes Avon Cobourne, he"ll want to continue his success of last week early, he'll want his touches.

The Defence will also be better than Week 1, we will not see over 100 points combined.

Alouettes 37, Roughriders 29

CFL Pick'em Win'em Week 6

It's tight atop the standings.
No one is bleeding green. Maybe because Durant is bleeding within.
Heavy on Edmonton and Calgary as I am the only one to still have faith in Lulay, even though I don't.

Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (14-6) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (14-6) Mtl, Edm, Win, Cal
Trex Griffin- Snack- (14-6)Mtl, Tor, Win, Cal
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (13-7) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (13-7) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal
Moe Khan- Snack (12-8)Mtl,Edm, Win, Cal
Shaun Starr- Mornings (12-8) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal
Sean Campbell-Midday (11-9)Mtl, Edm, Ham, BC
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (11-9) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (10-10) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Cal
Crazy Pierre- He’s Nuts (10-10) Mtl, Tor, Win, Cal
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (10-10) Mtl, Edm, Win, Cal

No Durant No Chance

Only one more sleep until this Weeks CFL Markee Match-up between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes. The League's two top Offences will face off at Percival Molson Stadium.

The game may lose some luster if Darian Durant's stomach ailment will prevent him from playing. That is unlikely however. Durant did say today that he felt "a but out of it" but he did just arrive from the airport. He also stated that he will be starting.

It's been real humid in Montreal, it is suppose to cool down after the thundershowers tonight, but if its going to be as muggy as today, that would not be the best situation for a player that has been battling his stomach.

The key will be to watch Durant in the first quarter, see how many times he's hit, rushed and knocked down. For a guy that isn't feeling up to snuff energy lost early could be gone for the game.

If Durant can't complete the game, expect the Als to runaway with it. Ryan Dinwiddie and Cole Berqquist aren't the budding superstars in the CFL that Durant is. I was leaning towards the Riders because i love the way Coach Miller has adjusted to the Als in their last two contests, but with questions surrounding Durant... I'm undecided.

My picks will be up with the rest of the gang on MFG's Pick'em, Win'em tomorrow.

Alouettes have some Popp

So the Alouettes finally decided to announce that Jim Popp will be staying with the club through 2014. It's not really a surprise, Jim Popp has been with the team since 1996 when the Als made their return to Montreal.

In 14 seasons under Popp The Alouettes are 168-88-1, the team has never missed the playoffs, played in 12 East Finals, 7 Grey Cups and won two of them. The numbers pretty much forced the organization to re-sign him at any cost.

It was funny talking to the players today. Because Jim Popp is a great asset for an owner and a team president because he finds ways to fit so much talent under a very small Salary Cap. For the players, you would think he's just the guy that can get talented players at a reasonable price.

"I think he's honest with everything that he does" -Anwar Stewart
"Everyone in this locker room can thank Jim and the whole staff for bringing us in, we appreciate what he's done for us" -Anthony Calvillo
"He gave me an opportunity, because I was out of work" -Avon Cobourne

Of Course no one expects negativity from any Alouette players when commenting on a member of the organization. So I had to ask Calvillo about Popp The Negotiator.

"When it comes to negotiating, at times it can be a different person, but that's what he does and he's good at that"

I think Calvillo hits the nail on the head. To go along with finding talent anywhere and convincing players to not only come north to Canada but to a province where language "could" be an issue, he gets them sign for salaries that work best for the team.

So it'll be 4 more years Jim Popp steering the Alouettes ship. Stewart already has ideas on what he can do first with the new contract under his belt.

"Probably takes him maybe an hour to get his hair just right in the morning, maybe he can get a trim with this extra money he just got"

I'm sure they have clippers in the locker room.

Going Retro

To somes delight to others dismay, the Montreal Alouettes will be wearing their 1977 uniforms this Friday against Saskatchewan.
I'm a bigger fan of last years retro look, however the '77 colors & triangle will definitely bring back alot of memories for the long time Als fan.

It be interesting if one day they had the players wear the old school pads too, that be some shin splinting football.

Cobourne's Running Trend

Sorry that I missed my post game Alservations following the Als 41-10 victory over Toronto, but there really wasn't much to say. The Als as predicted are a much better team than the Argos.

It was good for Alouette fans to see the Avon Cobourne still has it, not that there was any doubt but its always a positive sign when one of the keys to the Alouettes Offence plays such a dominant role.

28 touches (20 rushes and 8 receptions) tied a career high for Cobourne who in 2008 v Win and 2009 v Ham was able to handle the ball that many times.

However this Friday the Alouettes have the fun task of facing the 4-1 Saskatchewan Roughriders, who topped the Als 54-51 Classic in the 2010 CFL Kick-Off Markee Match-up.

It seems at least against The Roughriders, As Avon Cobourne goes as do the Alouettes.

Since week 3 of 2009 The Alouettes have faced the Roughriders 4 times, with Friday's contest being #5.
In week 3 of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 146 yards, the Als won by 33 points.
In week 8 of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 101 yards, the Als won by 9 points.
In The Grey Cup of 2009, Avon Cobourne ran for 85 yards, the Als won by 1 point.
In week 1 of 2010, Avon Cobourne ran for 39 yards, the als lost by 3 points.

By golly has Ken Miller figured the secret code to unlocking the Alouettes amazing offence... maybe, just maybe. it is clear over the last year and change Miller has been able to adjust his strategy to improve each time he's faced the Als.

It's now Marc Trestman's turn.

-----Notes-----

Please note 'Als This Week' will air at 7pm(est) on The TEAM 990 Radio in montreal or www.team990.com

CFL Pick'em Win'em Week 5 Results

There's only one way to guarantee to stay on top in this pool, and that is going perfect. Nick, Gary and Trex put up their 1st 4-0's. Gallo does it for the 2nd time and Alfy and Starr push up the standings.
With Cam going 3-1, no one is below .500 on the season thru 5 weeks, talk about experts.
*Next week will separate the men from the boys.

Nick Murdocco-Franchise- (14-6) Mtl, Edm, Sask, Cal-4-0
Gary Whitaker-Franchise (14-6) Mtl, Edm, Sask, Cal-4-0
Trex Griffin- Snack- (14-6) Mtl, Edm, Sask, Cal-4-0
Mitch Gallo-4 Aces (13-7) Mtl, Edm, Sask, Cal-4-0
Joey Alfieri- NHALL Tonight (13-7) Mtl, Edm, Sask, Cal-4-0
Moe Khan- Snack (12-8) Mtl, BC, Sask, Cal-3-1
Shaun Starr- Mornings (12-8) Mtl, Edm, Sask, Cal-4-0
Sean Campbell-Midday (11-9)Mtl, BC, Sask, Win-2-2
Jack Bedell- ProPlayers (11-9) Mtl, BC, Sask, Cal-3-1
Conor McKenna- Playoff Push (10-10) Mtl, BC, Sask, Win-2-2
Crazy Pierre- He’s Nuts (10-10) Mtl, Edm, Ham, Win-2-2
Cam E2- In front of Press Box (10-10) Mtl, BC, Sask, Cal -3-1


------Week 6 due Fiday at 7pm----
Sask@Mtl
Tor@Edm
Win@Ham
Cal@BC