The Red Zone

Week 1 Wrap

Warning Signs Came Early For Lumsden

Pick The Winners: Week 2

Power Rankings: Week 2

New Views and New Rules

The morning after the night before – Als/Stamps

The morning after the night before – Argos/Ti-Cats

Grey Cup Ring Leaves Burris With Federer Feel

Pick The Winners: Week 1

Power Rankings: Week 1

Let's Get It On!

Pre-Season Week A Wrap

Eskimos Outlook: The More Things Change...

Camping with Sammy Okpro, Part 2

Are You Ready For Some Football?

Jack Bedell — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:37:00 GMT

Week 1 definitely had a little something for every fan. There was a high-scoring rematch of last year’s Grey Cup, a couple of nailbiters, and some serious defensive line play leading to sacks all over the place. There was even a blowout for fans like me who like lopsided affairs.

Three brand-new head coaches led their teams onto the field for the first time, one to great success, the other two not so much. Brand new offensive systems made stunning debuts, some for piling up yards, others looking stuck in second gear. And, of course, there was Jesse Lumsden going down. Again.

It was a great way to kick off the 2009 season, and if the four tilts were any indication of how the year’s going to go, we’re on for a nice ride. The fact that only half of the home teams could pull off a victory (by the skin of their teeth, no less) speaks margins about the levels of competitiveness and unpredictability we’re going to see.

SCORE ONE FOR THE OFFENCES

If the old adage that defences come out of the blocks faster than offences to start the season were true, someone forgot to mention it to the Montreal Alouettes, Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Argonauts, and Edmonton Eskimos. These squads combined for nearly 1,600 yards of total offence in week 1.

In Edmonton, Ricky Ray put on an air show putting the ball up 41 times for 318 yards and a TD. Ray squashed any concerns about how the Esks’ offence would perform without Lumsden, completing over 70% of his passes and building some instant rapport with Andrew Nowacki and Maurice Mann.

On the road against the Ti-Cats, Kerry Joseph answered his own critics by destroying Hamilton’s defence with his arm and his feet. Playing with renewed confidence under new head coach Bart Andrus, Joseph really impressed me with his quick, accurate reads and with his ability to rip off yards on the ground at will.

And Anthony Calvillo…Well, he was Anthony Calvillo—nearly perfect in building an insurmountable first-half lead for the Als. The combination of some new wrinkles in Montreal’s playbook and Calvillo’s ball distribution had the Stamps on their heels from the get-go.

THE DEFENCE SACKS BACK, THOUGH

Week 1 saw an incredible 28 sacks posted by seven teams. Saskatchewan’s Gang Green led the way with nine against B.C.’s overmatched o-line, and trust me, those sacks were just the tip of the trouble the Riders gave Buck Pierce and company. Once that pressure started coming, so did the picks and fumbles.

All totaled, the sacks in week 1 might just have been the most impressive show of defensive aggression and speed I’ve seen in several years. And if that form holds true for the next few weeks, you can bet depth at pivot is going to be put to the test around the league.

PRIME-TIME PERFORMERS

High marks have to go to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ front seven, too. Stevie Baggs and company posted nine sacks, and generally made Buck Pierce’s clock in the pocket tick faster than he could stand all game long.

My vote for defensive player of the week would have to go to the dean of the Riders’ secondary, vet Omarr Morgan, though. With six tackles and two picks, Morgan had a heck of a debut.

Props have to go to Wes Dressler, too. He crushed any notion of a sophomore slump with a seven-catch, 154-yard night against the Lions’ primo secondary.

It wasn’t all Riders in week 1, however! Jamal Robertson did some fine work on the ground for the Argos, piling up 134 yards on 14 carries. Chip Cox was a real dervish for the Als playing LB for the first time, making 6 tackles and running back a fumble for the TD that sealed the game. And Javy Glatt had a heck of a game for B.C., snagging a pick-six and seven tackles to keep his club in the game.

WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS DOOMED TO GO WRONG

Going 1-3 in week 1 doesn’t look too good on the stat sheet, but I ‘ll take an Als' win any day, even if it busts me below .500!

This week, I’m going with Calgary and B.C. to bounce back, and for Montreal and Saskatchewan to stay on a roll.

UP NEXT

Check back early next week to get my take on how the action went down in week 2. I’ll also take a look at how the league’s new rules have gone so far this season.

Until then, take care. And try not to scream for any quarterbacking or coaching changes for at least a few more weeks!

Andy Baechler — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:57:00 GMT

Coming out of Canadian University football as the most prolific running back of all-time, Jesse Lumsden had all the ingredients necessary to become an instant success at the professional level. At 6'2" and 228 pounds, he was certainly bigger than your prototypical running back in both the CFL and NFL. If that didn't have pro scouts drooling, a 40-yard dash time clocked consistently around 4.4 seconds ensured pro teams that there was plenty of speed to go along with his great size.

After a couple sniffs with the NFL's Seahawks and Redskins, Lumsden landed in the CFL. So it was finally time to play football. No more speculation as to whether or not he'd stick in the NFL. No more guessing as to whether or not he'd be drafted No. 1 overall in the CFL draft. It was just a matter of sitting back and seeing what he could produce on the field in game situations.

That's where injuries started to come into play. Consecutive season-ending shoulder operations limited him to just 19 games in two seasons with the Tiger-Cats. After just five touches into his stint with the Eskimos, the Burlington, Ontario native left with a dislocated left shoulder, which had already been surgically repaired twice.

Lumsden insists that the most recent injury has not damaged any of the work done from previous surgeries. He's also adamantly denied rumours that this latest setback could be career-threatening, and has vowed to do all of the rehab work necessary to return to the Eskimos' backfield. His work ethic and dedication cannot be questioned. As tough as the past few years have been for Lumsden physically, they surely must have been equally difficult from a mental standpoint, and he should be commended for the way he's handled all of the adversity and criticism.

While some are quick to pass off Lumsden's injury problems as flat-out bad luck or poor timing, his unique size and running style also must be factored into the equation.

You don't become the most-statistically accomplished running back in CIS history without taking a couple hits along the way. Yet there were times even in his university years at McMaster where injuries crept into the picture. He missed time in both the 2003 and 2004 Yates Cup games due to wear and tear from the season.

The workload for Lumsden at Mac certainly wasn't light, yet around CIS circles it was his durability that was brought into question. On top of that, Lumsden developed a unique running style for somebody of his stature. Instead of using his size to run down the middle between the tackles, Lumsden's tendency to run the ball outside, quickly became apparent. Any time a running back possesses great speed and big-play ability as he does, getting to the outside and into open space is certainly where you want to be. But Lumsden's preference to bump a run to the outside, looking for the big gain seemed especially apparent. While he could certainly get away with it at the university level, there were those that questioned whether or not he would be able to withstand the wear and tear of a grueling 18-game CFL schedule doing the same thing.

Running backs endure as much punishment as anybody on the field, and the list of ball carriers who have had their careers cut short due to injuries is overwhelming. Were there warning signs early on in Lumsden's career that suggested injuries might get in the way? Possibly, yes.

When Lumsden does return to the Eskimos' backfield, is there a chance injuries will once again resurface? Of course, but with a good head on his shoulders, an unyielding drive to succeed, and the physical makeup to succeed in the CFL, don't expect the Eskimos to bail on their running back anytime soon.

Bob Coatsworth — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 21:18:00 GMT

Here are our Week 2 selections:

WEEK 1 RECAP:

Andy 2-2

Jack 1-3

DJ 3-1

Bob 3-1

James 2-2

Jann 2-2

Bob Coatsworth — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:25:00 GMT

Montreal's win in Calgary earned them a consensus No. 1 rank coming away from the opening games of the regular season.

Here's how the rest of the teams stack up in the Week 2 edition of our power rankings:


Andy Baechler	Jack Bedell	D.J. Bennett	Bob Coatsworth	James Ladd	Jann Shreve	Consensus
Montreal	Montreal	Montreal	Montreal	Montreal	Montreal	Montreal (48)
Calgary	Calgary	Sask.	Calgary	Calgary	Sask.	Calgary (40)
B.C.	Sask.	Calgary	Sask.	Sask.	Calgary	Sask. (37)
Sask.	Edmonton	Toronto	B.C.	B.C.	Edmonton	B.C. (27)
Toronto	B.C.	B.C.	Toronto	Edmonton	Toronto	Edmonton (23)
Edmonton	Toronto	Edmonton	Edmonton	Toronto	B.C.	Toronto (22)
Winnipeg	Winnipeg	Winnipeg	Winnipeg	Winnipeg	Hamilton	Winnipeg (11)
Hamilton	Hamilton	Hamilton	Hamilton	Hamilton	Winnipeg	Hamilton (7)

Last Week - 1. Calgary (48); 2. Montreal (40); 3. B.C. (35); 4. Saskatchewan (29); 5. Edmonton (26); 6. Winnipeg (18); T7. Toronto (10); T7. Hamilton (10)

*Consensus Ranking - Votes from all six are added together to determine overall ranking in the poll. Eight points are awarded for a first-place vote, seven for a second-place vote, etc. Total points are displayed in parentheses in the Consensus column.

Jann Shreve — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 20:08:00 GMT

In 'Any Given Sunday', Coach Tony D'Amato played by Al Pacino said that "football is a game of inches." Since Instant Replay has revolutionized the way all games, especially football, are officiated, the race has been on to make Instant Replay and officiating more efficient. Coaches and players are demanding, the integritiy of the league is on the line, as well as that of the official. Games and championships are both influenced and decided by officials. In another step by Head of Officiating, Tom Higgins has put in use the Command Centre.

Located at the CFL head offices in Toronto, its purpose is to speed up the time between a coach's challenge and the decision being handed down. The system is identical to the one used in the NHL but even with that in mind there's a chance the system's efficiency won't translate to meet football concerns. The Command Centre debut during the Argos-Ticats game had me feeling a bit apprehensive because in my mind, I was thinking that if a call is missed on a system like that, all hell can break loose. The response of outrage would have to double because the technology is supposed to help you get the clearest possible view and I don't mean in terms of a call a fan doesn't like because it goes against their team, I mean an actual wrong call. I'm not crazy enough to think that any replay system has the power or ability to make every viewer happy, but win or lose it should drastically cut down the number of those militant grouches and sore sports that live to blame a game outcome on the officiating.

It's a lot of pressure to put on a new system. I suppose it's no different than pressures put on any change in the league whether it be new coaches, players or general managers. In my opinion, the Command Centre hit the mark in week one. There weren't many challenges but the time between challenge issued and decision made seemed much quicker to me and I think the calls were right. It's likely for the best that the calls challenged weren't particularly difficult to come to a decision about but all the same, so far, it's seems like it's delivering on what it's meant to do. I can't help but admire the CFL's ambitions to assert an accurate and reliable officiating system. The technology is there, it would be silly not to use it. I think it would be safe to say that I won't be the only fan watching how this Command Centre pans out. I really am hoping the best for it.

Along with getting a better view of inches and quarterback throwing motions, I hope this new clarity given to officials will be able to better determine intention when objectionable conduct calls are concerned. Not challengeable by coaches, perhaps, in a better world, the extra views could curb unnecessary fines if not correcting when an official assigns a penalty to the wrong jersey number (which sometimes happens). It's a bit too soon to put that kind of pressure on this Command Centre, but I can dream of a CFL world in harmony can't I? What I wouldn't mind seeing as well are more former players, either CFL or CIS, encouraged to go through the officiating program to get an even more realistic interpretation on objectionable conduct and major foul penalties.

As for the new rule changes, the fan suggestions that were picked are good ones and I'm still looking forward to seeing how the changes develop. For week 1 though, I saw some fumbles in the "wildcat" formation attempts which was a bit amusing to me but I'm looking forward to seeing more creative approaches to the running game. I did enjoy the kick-offs after field goals (which I didn't think I would). It would've been nice to see Dominique Dorsey around with this rule switch. I can already tell the extra challenge will end up being pivotal on at least a couple of occasions and I am looking forward to it. Hard to improve on a good thing but so far (yes, week 1 is early but I stand by it) so good.

Whether there are eventual glitches to this system, I think that this is a step in the right direction for league officiating and pending a catastrophic missed call; I think it will do well. Let's keep it moving.

James Ladd — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:54:25 GMT

My notes and observations while watching an entertaining Grey Cup rematch.

Beauty of a catch by Kerry Watkins on the Alouettes first TD.

Anthony Calvillo looked like the AC of old. He didn’t register an incompletion until late in the 2nd quarter, completing 75% for the game.

Rookie Titus Ryan made a splash in his debut. He had a 104-yard TD on a kickoff return and was Calgary’s 2nd leading receiver.

Calgary’s special teams were just that – special. Ryan scored a TD, Markus Howell returned a punt 35 yards and the Stampeders blocked a pair of punts.

Mark Estelle turned the tide, picking off Henry Burris in the end zone in the 4th quarter. A touchdown would have given Calgary the lead.

The game was effectively over the minute the refs upheld the fumble ruling.

Montreal’s O-line gave Calvillo time to throw, didn’t allow a sack and paved the way for Avon Cobourne to rush for over 100 yards. It’s a testament to the good things that can happen when you keep a group together – Bryan Chiu (13 years with Montreal), Scott Flory (11 years), Paul Lambert (7 years), Josh Bourke (3 years) & Jeff Perrett (3 years).

Both teams have to be disappointed in turning the ball over 4 times each, but you have to admit it added to an exciting game.

James Ladd — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:26:42 GMT

Some notes and observations I jotted down last night while watching the season opener:

Jamal Robertson had a nice opening to his season. He ended with 14 carries and 124 yards (his 2008 single game highs: 13 carries, 118 yards).

Lin-J Shell picks off a Quinton Porter pass in the end zone late in the 2nd quarter killing Hamilton’s momentum. I can’t help but think that if that pass is thrown to the corner Hamilton scores a major.

It’s a good thing Porter has some mobility, he seemed to be under pressure on almost every drop back. If it wasn’t for his scrambling you can bet the Argos would have had more than 6 sacks. This may be a product of the new faces on the O-line still coming together.

That hit by Will Poole made me wince

Prechae Rodriguez made a heckuva catch in double coverage to score a TD late in the game.

Toronto’s defence held the Ti-Cats to 118 rush yards on 21 carries (5.6 yard average) - last season Hamilton averaged 7.5 yards per carry in their 3 games against the Argos.

I know it’s a rivalry game, but I can’t imagine either coach was impressed with the number of major fouls. I’ve got 11 tallied between the two teams.

Andy Baechler — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:47:00 GMT

There aren't many similarities between Henry Burris and Roger Federer. Federer is perhaps the best to ever play his sport, while the same cannot be said about Burris. Federer is a record-breaking phenom who will leave his sport as the most statistically-accomplished player of all-time. Burris, not so much.

The list of differences go on and on. But hear me out. At the 2009 French Open, Roger Federer took home his first title at Roland Garros to complete the career Grand Slam and tie Pete Sampras' record for all-time major titles. Since that victory, Federer's play has been described by those in tennis as "loose," "relaxed," and "confident."

After winning the Grey Cup last season and finally earning a championship ring, in which he was the heart and soul of the offence, it seems as though a massive weight has been lifted from the shoulders of the Stamps' gunslinger. In fact, he'd probably tell you that himself. The Grey Cup title completes things for Burris. Sure he won one in 1998, but he was just a snot-nosed kid standing on the sideline back then.

So what does this mean for Burris and his future? Well, only time will tell, but in the meantime, the Stamps seem pretty sure the future is bright. The 34-year-old just signed a four-year contract extension, and will now be under centre in Calgary until 2012.

There is often a concern in professional sports that a after reaching a milestone accomplishment, a player struggles to maintain the same motivation and drive and, as a result, end their careers on a downhill slide. There's also the other end of the spectrum. Let's call it, the Federer-effect. That is, instead of falling into complacency, the athlete's performance actually improves with the so-called "pressure" off.

There's something to be said for an athlete who plays free, relaxed, and with a clear state of mind. I am by no means a sports psychologist, but this much I know: Burris still has the hunger to win. He already has great chemistry with the solid group of returning players in his offensive huddle. At this point in his career there's no defence he hasn't already seen. And with a brand new contract in front of him, job security is not an issue.

None of these things guarantee a straight-sets victory and return to the Grey Cup, but they certainly make an early-round exit seem highly unlikely for the Stamps.

Bob Coatsworth — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 23:40:00 GMT

Here are our Week 1 selections:

Bob Coatsworth — Sun, 28 Jun 2009 22:54:00 GMT

With Week 1 on the doorstep, here are our first power rankings for the 2009 season:


Andy Baechler	Jack Bedell	D.J. Bennett	Bob Coatsworth	James Ladd	Jann Shreve	Consensus
Calgary	Calgary	Calgary	Calgary	Calgary	Calgary	Calgary (48)
Montreal	Montreal	B.C.	Montreal	Montreal	Montreal	Montreal (40)
B.C.	Sask.	Sask.	Edmonton	B.C.	Edmonton	B.C. (35)
Sask.	B.C.	Montreal	B.C.	Sask.	B.C.	Sask. (29)
Winnipeg	Edmonton	Winnipeg	Sask.	Edmonton	Sask.	Edmonton (26)
Edmonton	Winnipeg	Edmonton	Winnipeg	Winnipeg	Hamilton	Winnipeg (18)
Toronto	Hamilton	Hamilton	Toronto	Toronto	Toronto	Hamilton (10)
Hamilton	Toronto	Toronto	Hamilton	Hamilton	Winnipeg	Toronto (10)

Jack Bedell — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 06:07:00 GMT

I say it every year, and I always get the same furrowed expressions in return, but I actually enjoy the pre-season. While the games are no indication of where teams are headed come November, they do allow an excellent opportunity to judge each squad’s depth and potential.

Heading into the 2009 regular season, I have a pretty good idea how Henry Burris, Ben Cahoon, Geroy Simon, Doug Brown, Joffrey Reynolds, and a host of other top-shelf players are going to perform. I don’t need pre-season to reveal what’s already on record, but to know how teams are set up behind these stars, there’s just no substitute.

So, what did I learn this pre-season? Plenty. Some of it expected, and some a little surprising.

A FEW THOUGHTS ON WHAT WENT DOWN

The thing that most impressed me watching this year’s set of pre-season tilts was the quality and depth of quarterbacking around the league.

In Montreal, Anthony Calvillo, Adrian McPherson, Chris Leak, and Ricky Santos all distinguished themselves. B.C. has its own quartet of exceptional passers in Buck Pierce, Jarious Jackson, Zac Champion, and Travis Lulay. Edmonton kept three of its four nice prospects with Ricky Ray, Jason Maas, and Jared Zabransky. Hamilton boasts four quality players in Quinton Porter, Kevin Glenn, Adam Tafralis, and Jason Boltus. And that’s not even mentioning the trios in Saskatchewan and Calgary that have some serious athleticism of their own.

The pre-season also demonstrated that the CFL isn’t wanting for new running backs either. Winnipeg’s Lavarus Giles and Yves Bernard made big enough impressions that Joe Smith was sent packing. The Als’ Brandon Whitaker and Chris Jennings bit off some serious yardage, too. And Hugh Charles gave Riders fans hope that the team’s running game will be in good hands if Wes Cates has to sit out a bit.

All in all, I’d say the league is well-stocked with first and second-year players ready to perform at a high level based on the pre-season we just witnessed.

Some other newcomers that caught my eye this summer were: De’Audra Dix, Etienne Legare, Dylan Barker, Tray Blackmon, Greg Peach, Travis Lulay, and Jabari Arthur.

And I’d feel bad if I didn’t send a few props out to veterans in new places I think will be doing some real damage this season, so here’s to Jason Clermont, Kai Ellis, Mo Lloyd, Kitwana Jones, and Stefan LeFors.

ROUGH CUTS

This year’s pre-season wasn’t all about pleasant surprises and good performances, however. Thursday’s cuts were part of the cruel reality of the process of teams getting ready for the season. While few of the names of players released came as big surprises, those few definitely raised an eyebrow or two.

Of the releases, I was most stunned by Brandon Guillory and Joe Smith being out of work. Smith was kept off the field all summer and never had a chance to prove his worth to the new Bombers administration, and Guillory was caught behind a deep, and cheap, stable of pass rushers imported from the NFL ranks by the Ticats’ brass.

Then there were also the curious cases of young players who’d shown well in pre-season actions only to catch the axe. My jaw actually dropped when I read Sammy Okpro’s name on Edmonton’s release list after Okpro put in two solid performances and had a great training camp by all accounts. I’d say the same for Montreal’s release of S.J. Green and Blue Adams. And the Riders’ dumping of Casey McGahee.

While Thursday’s lists didn’t contain that many big names, the Als’ Reggie Hunt and Brad Banks stood out, as did the Bombers’ Montez Murphy, the Argos’ Tyler Ebell and Jerome Mathis, and the Lions’ Otis Amey. There was also the Riders’ placement of Wes Cates on the injury list.

Collectively, that’s a good bit of talent that won’t be on the field this weekend, and I think it says something about the quality of players in the league competing for work and the state of business under the Salary Management System.

WEEK 1 PREDICTIONS DOOMED TO GO WRONG

I don’t know if it’s the intrigue of all the new coordinators around the league, the excitement of all the new faces on rosters, the promise of this year’s rule changes to jumpstart the return game, or the fact that this has just flat-out been a LONG off-season, but I couldn’t possibly be more excited for the season to kick off this weekend. I’ve had my DVRs programmed for days, so let’s get to it.

For week 1, I’m picking Hamilton, Calgary, Edmonton, and B.C.

UP NEXT

Check back next week to get my take on all of week 1’s action (and any humble pie I’m chewing after those picks!).

Until then, take care, and let’s get it on!

Jack Bedell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 21:41:00 GMT

The first round of pre-season games is now racked, and while many of the camp battles raging around the league will remain unsettled until after the second week of exhibitions, teams now have a much better idea of who’s getting it done and who isn’t.

With rosters overflowing and cut day still a ways off, last week’s play will go a long way towards determining how reps are redistributed, even if it won’t mean many quick cuts.

Like most pre-season games, the first four of 2009 were a little rough around the edges, but that’s not to say there weren’t any surprising performances. Here’s my take on what went well and what didn’t in week one.

A FEW GOOD THINGS

The Montreal Alouettes have a little depth at pivot.

The Als’ three passers threw for a combined 24 of 33 for 188 yards and a touchdown on a night when the rushing game piled up nearly 300 yards. Not bad for a pre-season outing. Adrian McPherson was poised and opportunistic running the Als’ offence in Anthony Calvillo’s absence. Chris Leak and Ricky Santos moved the team well, too, working the ball to the backs in space very efficiently. Given the fact that you can still add Brad Banks to that posse of QBs, I’d say everyone worried about the future of quarterbacking in Montreal can relax a bit.

Different might just be better in the Peg.

New coaching staff. New QBs. Fresh faces up and down the roster. It all added up to a fast start Wednesday night against the Ticats. I know the aren’t any trophies handed out for pre-season winners, but I really have to hand it to Mike Kelly and the Bombers brass for coming out of an off-season marked by change with an organized team more than ready to compete. Stefan LeFors performed just as I expected him to perform—consistently, efficiently, and effectively—as did the other pivots on the Bombers’ roster. The team’s big-time receivers (especially Romby Bryant) looked ready for opening night. And the new-look defence played tough, especially in the secondary.

There’s some serious talent in Titletown these days.

Scoreboard aside, the Esks put in one of the most dominant pre-season performances I’ve seen in recent memory the other night against the Riders. Jared Zabransky, Lester Ricard, and Jason Maas all looked ready to play, pushing the ball up the field and leading the offence to scores. And the new faces on defence like Mo Lloyd, Kitwana Jones, and Kelly Malveaux definitely added pop on their side of the ball. Combine all that with young players like Sammy Okpro flying around on special teams, and experienced guys like Jesse Lumsden itching to contribute no matter how many downs they see the field, and it was clear watching their performance against Saskatchewan that the Esks have ballers at every position fighting to earn spots on that roster.

The Champs still have it.

Big play offence. Check. Aggressive defence. Check. Solid special teams. Check. On a night when the majority of their stars were on the sidelines by the end of the first frame, the Stamps still managed to grind out a quality win against a talented B.C. Lions club not without its own cadre of talent. Whether it was Jabari Arthur crashing onto the scene with his 81-yard catch and run TD, or back-up pivot Drew Tate making his case for a roster spot with some stick throws, or big LB Juwan Simpson getting some heat on the passer, Calgary had the look of a deep, prepared squad ready to make another run at a title.

AND A FEW THAT NEED SOME WORK

Slow starts will kill the ‘Cats.

Granted, Hamilton made a heck of a comeback against the new-look Bombers to make a game of it. But that’s the main trouble with comebacks—you’ve got to put yourself in a big hole to start one. And 26-0 at the half is just too big a hole to dig out of. Even given good pass protection and a more-than-adequate rushing attack, the Ticats’ offence just couldn’t finish in the first half against the Bombers’ D. Windy conditions aside, that’s got to be priority one in Steeltown heading into week two of the pre-season.

It’s tough to have a running back derby on four carries.

Kerry Joseph definitely grabbed the ball the other night against the Alouettes when it was offered to him. He moved well to buy time and gain yards, and he put points on the board with some tremendous individual effort. For the most part, so did the Argos’ other pivots. Unfortunately, in the midst of all that passing offence, the Argos’ running backs only had the ball handed to them four times. No matter what coverage the defence presents, that’s a tough ratio to execute effectively week in and week out in the CFL. Especially when there are some quality backs on the field itching to prove they deserve the starting nod come opening day. I’ve got not doubt we’ll see the backs carry a heavier load next time up, and given the level of the talent in the backfield in T.O., I’m eager to see it happen.

Newsflash: the Roughriders’ backfield needs Wes Cates healthy.

Aside from Stu Foord ripping off a few decent carries, the Riders looked like a team in need of a feature back in Edmonton. The lack of a consistent threat out of the backfield really made it difficult for Saskatchewan’s offence to get any sustainable rhythm going. And I have to believe that played a part in the five sacks the Riders’ surrendered. Considering Cates might not be ready to go opening week, Gang Green needs someone to step up quickly to provide some ground support for Darian Durant and company.

The Lions are going to need some happier returns.

With Ian Smart likely to earn the starting RB slot by week 1, somebody in B.C. is going to have to step up to claim the kick and punt return duties to keep Smart fresh enough to make an impact on offence. Other than Damian Sims, who was adequate, but unspectacular, returning kicks, none of the other returners opened eyes against the Stamps. Trestin George dropped his shot, and neither Otis Amey nor Darren Toney gave off much heat. Hopefully, the next game will offer a different story, or Smart’s just going to have to put on his cape and save the day himself.

UP NEXT

I’ll take a look at the final week of pre-season games, and give my take on how all the roster battles shook out. I might even uncork a few predictions for the season.

Until then, enjoy the games while it’s only roster spots at stake. In a week and a half, they’ll be for real points.

Andy Baechler — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 18:01:00 GMT

A lot has changed in Edmonton since last year. Richie Hall takes over as head coach after making the move from his defensive-coordinating duties in Saskatchewan. As new head coaches so often do, Hall brings with him a cast of his own assistants. Jim Daley takes over as the defensive co-ordinator, while Stacey Hairston and Jeff Bleamer overlook the secondary and offensive-line units respectively.

A familiar face moves into the role of receivers coach as fan-favourite Jason Tucker will try to impart some of his years of knowledge on the rest of the Eskimo receivers.

On the field, there are plenty of notable changes for the green and gold. Big-play receiver Kelly Campbell has joined the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccanneers, while former Rider linebacker Maurice Lloyd moves into the middle of the Eskimos' defence for the 2009 season. A new-look backfield is headlined by free-agent acquisition Jesse Lumsden, while Kai Ellis joins the Eskies' d-line after coming over in a trade with the Blue Bombers.

Usually when a team undergoes a dramatic facelift like this, it takes some time for them to develop enough chemistry in order to meet expectations, but don't expect that to be the case for the Eskimos. Ricky Ray returns under centre and is armed with perhaps the most-explosive receiving corps in the league.

A lethal aerial attack should make things easier for Lumsden and the rest of the Edmonton running backs. Offensive co-ordinator and quarterbacks coach Rick Worman returns for his third season of playcalling, which is bad news for opposing secondaries, who watched Ray finish the 2008 campaign as the league's top passer.

On the other side of the ball, some new faces in the front seven are protected by an impressive secondary. With Jason Goss, Lenny Williams, and Jonte Buhl all returning, look for the Eskimos' secondary to not only limit big plays, but make some big plays themselves.

There is plenty to be excited about for GM Danny Maciocia as the 2009 regular season approaches. With so many new faces joining the green and gold, don't be surprised if this team gets hot down the stretch. Just don't be surprised if they are hot out of the gates either.

Jack Bedell — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 15:46:00 GMT

I managed to catch up with Sammy Okpro right after last week’s pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders to continue our conversation about how his training camp is going.

During the tilt, Okpro had some monster special teams plays, the finest of which was a huge tackle that caused a turnover for the Esks. It was one of those game-changing plays that turns a tight game into a rout, and it was definitely nice to see Sammy get a little taste of that kind of performance.

How are you feeling now that the first pre-season game is in the books?

Sammy Okpro — “I am feeling much better. It feels as if a big weight is off our shoulders. When you have virtually a new team and new coaching staff, there is always the question of how long it is going to take for the team to gel. Personally, I feel the same way after being on hiatus for a year. It felt great getting back into the mix of things. When you haven’t played a single down in a year, doubt creeps into your mind whether you can do it or not. I feel I’ve now silenced my own voices in my head.”

What were some of the highlights of the Esks’ performance for you?

SO—“I think the biggest highlight was our teams’ depth. It was a pretty close match leading into half time, but we were able to pull away in the third quarter. Our ability to run the ball and stop the run also stood out as we struggled in both those categories last season. A highlight for me, personally, was my forced fumble on kick-off in the second half.”

Was film review more fun after the big win?

SO—“Film review is always much better after a win. Even though there were plenty of mistakes to be corrected, they weren’t costly, and we were given more lenience with a big win. For me, I had two assignment errors on defence and none on special teams. So for myself, it was a pretty good day. Several vets made comments on how well I played on special teams and told me to keep building on it.”

You brought some serious pop on that special teams tackle that caused a turnover. Is high-octane special teams a major part of your focus this camp?

SO—“It was the most important focus for me. If I am unable to play in the defence, I have to earn my spot on the special teams. I have worked really hard to master the skills last year in order to be ready for this year. Coach Thorpe, if not the best special teams coach in the CFL, is close to the top. He was pretty hard on me last year cleaning up the little things, even though I was on scout team. I feel I am much more polished this year than opposed to last year.”

What are your goals heading into the second pre-season tilt?

SO—“To be better than I was in the first pre-season game, and take care of the detail. That has been our motto throughout camp and for the rest of the season. If every individual takes care of his job we will be okay. I would like to be 100% on my assignment.”

How’s your routine change going on the road with a short week of prep?

SO—“It hasn’t really changed all that much given that we are still in training camp. However, Coach Hall allowed us to take our pads off for a couple of practices to save our legs. We will be flying out the day of the game, so it will not affect us too much this week.”

Is the team still in evaluation mode, or will the vets see more action this week?

SO—“I believe the team is for the most part still under evaluation as our roster is still very deep. There is a lot of talent across the board. We should expect to see the vets play at least a half with the guys battling for spots coming in for the other half.“

Are your reps in camp giving you any indication of where you’re standing on the depth chart these days?

SO—“Yes, they are drastically different than last year, where at times I didn’t receive any reps during practice. This year, I had started off slated as #3 spot for safety but following the pre-seaon game, I have since moved up to #2. The coach has notified me that I will be receiving more reps this game than I did in the last pre-season game. So I will also have a fair shot at competing for the starting safety spot.”

How are the vets helping with the development of the defence?

SO—“They are helping a tremendous amount. Mo Lloyd and Kitwana Jones have been very vocal on pursuit, tackling, and communication. These three parts are vital for success on defence.”

Any pressure on you this week? Or will you just get your work in and have faith in the coaches’ roster decisions?

SO—“I feel the most pressure occurred during last weeks match. As it was our first game for our team in front of a home crowd. Also, it was my first shot to prove to my teammates that I belong on the field. After a good outing last week, I feel I have gained that respect from my peers and am looking forward to building on it. There still is a little pressure to perform well and play up to the expectations, but that just comes with the territory.”

Andy
Baechler

Jack
Bedell

D.J.
Bennett

Bob
Coatsworth

James
Ladd

Jann
Shreve

Edmonton
vs.
Montreal

Calgary
vs.
Winnipeg

Hamilton
vs.
B.C.

Sask.
vs.
Toronto

Jack Bedell — Mon, 15 Jun 2009 22:20:00 GMT

It’s definitely been a long time coming since the final gun sounded in Montreal at the Grey Cup last year, but the 2009 CFL season is finally set to kick off Wednesday night. With a full slate of preseason games on tap this week, we’ll have our first chance at getting a few answers to the questions we’ve been chewing on all off-season.

I might be one of the few people to admit it, but I really enjoy preseason games. The game plans may be vanilla, the vets may be on the bench in a hurry or absent altogether, and the first look we get at new players might be the last in many cases. Still, there’s just no better gauge of team depth than a preseason tilt.

Coming off an off-season that saw several head coaching and coordinator changes and a fair share of personnel movement, all four preseason games offer some intrigue this week. Familiar faces in new places, new schemes, players returning from injury, rookies looking to make immediate impacts—I’m stoked for kick off!

Here’s a quick breakdown of the things I’ll be keeping an eye on game-by-game:

Montreal at Toronto - Wednesday, June 17, 7:00 PM ET

Not only is this the first game of the year, but it just might be the most intriguing match of the week.

The Argonauts made coaching and administrative changes in the off-season, changes some would say were modeled after the Alouettes successful moves last season. And coming off a 2008 campaign that fell short of expectations, it’s going to be interesting to see how these changes pay off in similar fashion to Montreal’s.

Since lashing himself to the mast, new Argos coach Bart Andrus has made several good decisions to change the course of the squad. Installing Kerry Joseph early, and loudly, as the team’s number-one pivot was a bright move. And by all accounts, Toronto’s draft was a hit. I’ll definitely be keeping a close eye on how well Andrus’ playbook fits the CFL field in this first dressed rehearsal, and I’m definitely eager to see how the running back situation sorts itself out in the Big Smoke with Tyler Ebell and Jarrett Payton getting their first shots in the Double Blue.

The Alouettes will be looking to improve upon their Grey Cup season last year as they enter year-two under Marc Trestman. With the roster, coaching staff, and schemes mostly intact going into ’09, it’s going to be very interesting to watch the tempo the team is able to set in all the phases of the game. Probably the most intriguing battles to keep an eye on will be the fight for the starting safety spot between Matthieu Proulx and Etienne Boulay and the duel for second-string pivot featuring incumbent Brad Banks, Adrian McPherson, and Chris Leak.

Hamilton at Winnipeg - Thursday, June 17, 8:00 PM ET

Of the eight teams in the league, the Bombers probably eschewed continuity most this off-season. Coming off a sub-par season and quick playoff exit last year, the Bombers changed head coach, bringing in Mike Kelly from Edmonton, and purged their roster big time. Word out of the ‘Peg is that the change has brought order and direction to camp. It’s also brought in two new pivots, Stefan LeFors and Richie Williams, to compete for the starting nod. LeFors is the front-runner, but he has to put the job on ice with a strong pre-season to hold off the competition.

The Ticats have gotten bigger and faster this off-season with GM Bob O’Billovich pulling the strings, strengthening their roster top to bottom. The Bombers’ tough pass rush should provide a good test to see how Hamilton’s new pivot, Quinton Porter, is progressing under Marcel Bellefeuille’s tutelage. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on the Ticats’ level of talent in the second half to see how much they’ve really improved the team depth. I’m loving the addition of Kevin Glenn as Porter’s backup, by the way; he should be worth his weight in gold as insurance.

Saskatchewan at Edmonton - June 17, 9:00 PM ET

There’s been plenty of change in Titletown, too. New head man Richie Hall makes his debut Wednesday night for the Esks, and I can’t wait to see how his defence plays. Edmonton has made a concerted effort to get faster and more aggressive on D, bringing in Mo Lloyd and Kitwana Jones from Saskatchewan. The Esks will also be sporting a new-look secondary full of speed and ball skills. On the other side of the ball, the Esks have added Jesse Lumsden to provide some ground support for Ricky Ray, so you can bet I’ll taking a peak at the o-line and running attack to get an early read on how that’s going to work out.

From the outside, it looks like the Riders have been on a roller-coaster ride since the season ended for them last November. The GM’s in a bit of a legal bind, the QBs are young and untested, the defence has lost a few of its playmakers, and their star back is slow recovering from off-season surgery. All that said, some of the best young talent in the league is on Saskatchewan’s roster, and they’re as healthy as they’ve been in two years. I have to admit, it’ll be strange looking at Jason Clermont in a Riders’ uni, but I can’t wait to see him catch passes in front of his home crowd. I’m also eager to see how Renauld Williams grasps the reins as leader of Gang Green’s defence.

B.C. at Calgary - June 17, 9:00 PM ET

B.C. heads into 2009 sporting serious revisions along both lines. With bad boy Rob Murphy in Toronto and solid vet Kelly Bates in Winnipeg, the o-line charged with protecting Buck Pierce’s backside will have a new look (and presumably a new attitude!). On D, Cam Wake is now in Miami, and Wednesday’s game will be Ricky Foley’s first chance to lay his claim on the spot. The receiving corps will also have a huge hole to fill with Clermont gone, and the running back derby will be in full effect with six backs vying to fill Stefan Logan’s vacancy. There’s definitely as much up for grabs this pre-season as I’ve seen on Wally Buono led Lions club as I can remember, and it’s going to a blast watching it sort out.

Calgary has had the offence to win a Grey Cup for a few years now, but last season new defensive coordinator Chris Jones finally put together a defence to get the job done. The Stamps have been practicing with great tempo and attitude so far this summer, and this week’s game should give us a great indication of how ready the champs are to defend their title. I’ll be watching Miguel Robede and the rest of the young guys looking for spots on the Stamps’ defensive front, and I’ll be checking out new playmakers like Jabari Arthur on offence, for sure.

I know nothing counts in the standings until July 1, but there’s still plenty at stake in these pre-season tilts. Win or lose, all eight teams start their road to the Grey Cup this week, and it’s our first shot at seeing some of the talent and team chemistry that’s been cooking in camp.

Kick it off already!