Jul 26, 2016
CFL Fantasy: Masoli finishes with a flourish
The word crazy would not be enough to describe some of the CFL games this past week. Here are the best of Week Five in TSN Fantasy Football, CFL Edition, presented by Moores.
TSN.ca Staff
,The word crazy would not be enough to describe some of the CFL games this past week. While many players benefited from those contests, one player put on a historic performance in what could be his last start of 2016.
Here are the best of Week Five in TSN Fantasy Football, CFL Edition, presented by Moores.
Passers
Jeremiah Masoli, Hamilton – In possibly his last start before Zach Collaros’ return, the sophomore quarterback went out with a bang against the Eskimos. He connected on 31 of 38 passes for 391 yards and three touchdowns. He set a new CFL record for consecutive completions with 23 and he rallied the Tiger-Cats back from a 25-point deficit to beat the Eskis’ 37-31 on the road. It was Hamilton’s largest comeback in the franchise’s history. The comeback, the record setter and the three TDs all came in the second half. It was one if not the greatest second-half performances in CFL history.
Mike Reilly, Edmonton – Last year’s Grey Cup MVP continued to be one of the best fantasy players early on this season. In a losing effort to the Tiger-Cats, Reilly completed 32 of 42 passes for 354 yards and a trio of touchdowns. The Central Washington product is leading the league in passing yards (1,580), and touchdown passes (10) after this week.
Ricky Ray, Toronto – For the Argos to get their first win at home they needed their best players to show up, and Ray answered the call. The 12-year veteran looked like the player of 2014 before shoulder surgery cost him most of the 2015 season. Ray completed 29 of 34 passes for 235 yards and three touchdowns in Toronto’s 30-17 victory over Montreal. However, the game of football can be cruel sometimes, as the pivot left the game with a left knee injury in the fourth quarter. Coach Milanovich said it may be an MCL sprain, similar to one Ray suffered in 2013 which forced him to miss six games.
Receivers
Brad Sinopoli, Ottawa – Pregame Redblacks’ Greg Ellingson predicted his teammate was going to have a big day. The CFL fantasy world should have listened because he was right on the money. Sinopoli led all receivers in fantasy points this past week thanks to a 152 yards and two touchdown performance against the Roughriders.
Naaman Roosevelt, Saskatchewan – The second-year receiver is continuing to make an impact. He brought down eight balls for 182 yards and a touchdown in the Roughriders’ first win of season against the Redblacks. This stat line came with quarterback Mitchell Gale making his first career start. Roosevelt has opened the season with 100-plus receiving yards in three of the four games.
Andy Fantuz, Hamilton – If you were one of the owners that stood by Fantuz after a rough performance last week against the Als, good on you. In the Ticats’ comeback victory over the Eskimos, Fantuz hauled in six catches for 80 yards and two majors.
Derel Walker, Edmonton – With the ways he’s been playing in the early part of 2016, there aren’t many terms to describe Walker other than ‘future superstar.” Against Hamilton he made 12 grabs for 140 yards and a touchdown. The 25-year-old has put up seven or more catches for over 140 yards in three of the first four games.
Weston Dressler, Winnipeg – The 5’7 receiver had his best game as a Blue Bomber so far. The nine-year veteran caught 12 balls for 118 yards and a score. It marked the first time since July of 2013 he made double-digit catches in a game.
Runners
Brandon Rutley, Montreal – The Argos’ continued to have trouble stopping opposing tailbacks. Rutley compiled a total of 72 yards and a major in the Als’ road loss to the Boatmen. The 28-year-old led all backs in fantasy points this week.
John White, Edmonton – The ground game in the CFL is at an all-time low in the league’s 58 year history. With that being said some backs have made the most of their opportunities. White had a total of 56 yards and a score on 12 touches. The third-year running back has found the end zone on average once per contest this season.
Jerome Messam, Calgary – The hard physical runner for the Stampeders worked for every single yard in the team’s 33-18 victory over the Bombers, putting together a total of 95 yards on 17 touches. He’s averaged a total of just fewer than 105 yards per game in his past six meetings against Winnipeg.
Notes
Brock Jensen filled in nicely for the injured Trevor Harris in the Redblacks loss to Roughriders. He completed 20 of 29 passes for 271 yards and two TDs…Eskimos WR Adarius Bowman caught nine passes for 111 yards and a score against Hamilton. He has hit the century mark in every game this season… Argos WR Kenny Shaw hauled in nine balls for 86 yards and a score in the team’s win…Als WR Duron Carter accumulated 124 yards and a score against Toronto…Wide out Luke Tasker led the charge for the Ticats with 11 grabs for 146 yards… Stamps pivot Bo Levi Mitchell hit 29 of his 41 throws for 310 and 3 TDs. His weapons benefited from his production: WR Anthony Parker snatched 7 balls for 81 yards and a major, while teammate Marquay McDaniel almost put up the exact same numbers with 7 grabs for 80 yards and a score in a win against the Bombers.