Channeling Anger, Showing Character|Let's Talk About Jarious Jackson

All of us BC Lion fans remember what happened in that game against the Toronto Argonauts. Last Friday, Jackson came out of the game with the Lions at a 19-7 deficit. Coach Wally Buono took Jackson out for third-string quarterback Travis Lulay, who hadn't made a CFL snap last year. It was surprising to me, though, after my post I made about a month ago for the case of Jackson at starting quarterback.

“Here’s a guy who was put down,” Buono said. “I don’t want to say we didn’t embarrass him, we must have. He was devastated at half-time in the locker room. But my job isn’t to worry about how they feel, unfortunately. My job is get them to win. It’s really a tough process.”

I believe it was a really tough process. Said Jackson after being put out for Lulay:

“I was disappointed. I was very angry. I wanted to stay in there. But I took that anger, I guess, and just channeled it in a different way. I guess that gave me focus.”

It wasn't that big of a deal as Lulay only survived six plays. Coach Buono's decision was to bring Jackson back in again. Many of you may think that Jackson would just fire at Wally, but he came in and played strong after throwing three touchdown passes and stunning Toronto in a 36-28 win.

“Everybody knows that Jarious is a good guy,” Buono said. “But that showed true character. When things were the lowest for him, what did he do? He could have easily quit on us. He could have done all of the things that bad character people do. But he didn’t. He isn’t a turd. He can deal with adversity.”

And that is why I like Jarious Jackson. Just a week after the win against the Toronto, BC lost to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a week after, 37-10. On September 4, the Lions will face the Montreal Allouettes. Let's hope Jackson performs well, like he has been all year.

Sources
The CFL Report
Vancouver Sun
BCLions.com

Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes Make Cuts

HAMILTON, ON and MONTREAL, QC-The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes announced their cuts on Thursday and here they are:

HAMILTON
Released:
RB Guillarme Allard-Cameus
RB DeAndra' Cobb
WR Jacob Willis
WR Cassidy Doneff
WR Eddie Cohen
OL Francis Daneau
OT Albert Toeaina
OL Dan Oliphant
DL J.P. Bekasiak
DE Brandon Guillory
DT Alan Harper
DL Scott McCuaig
DL Mike McFadden
LB Matt Castelo
LB Isaac Brown
DB Lamont Reid
DB Desman Stephen
DB Melvin Matlock
DB Carlton Brown
DB Sean Manning

Practice roster:
WR Corey Grant

MONTREAL
Released:
QB Adrian McPherson
QB Brad Banks
WR Marco Thomas
WR Chris Nickson
SB SJ Green
DT Sean Ortiz
DE Ivan Brown
DT Martavius Prince
LB Reggie Hunt
LB Stan van Sichem
LB John Mohring

Camp Cuts: Week one

Week one of training camp is almost over and like everyone knows transactions come at a daily basis, so here they are for all eight teams:

BC LIONS:
Signed-DB William Heyward, OL Vaughn Lesuma (June 9), LB Courtney Smith

Released-C Lorne Plante, RB Charles Pierre, DB Donald Brown, OL Vaughn Lesuma (June 13), LB Marcus Richardson, RB Amos Allen, FB Lyle Green, SB Bret Anderson

Inactivated-OL Martin Bibla, DB Trestin George (June 7, reactivated June 13), OL Sherko Haji-Resouli (June 7, reactivated 13), WR Jason Jones, WR Anthony Russo

CALGARY STAMPEDERS:
Signed-WR Derrick Smith, DB Anthony Ivy, DB Ronnie Amadi, DB Perry Kyles (June 12)

Released-LB Robert Killebrew, LB Kurt Campbell, DB Lakendrick Terrell, DB Perry Kyles (June 10), WR Johnny Thomas, WR Reggie Williams (June 12)

Inactivated-DT Kenny King, G Jesse Newman, SB Reggie Williams (June 7)

EDMONTON ESKIMOS:
Signed-OL Joe McGrath (acquired in trade with Saskatchewan), WR Sean Young

Released-LB Derrick Doggett, DB Emanuel White, WR Eric Ware, LB Jason Kosec

Inactivated-DE Adam Braidwood

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS:
Signed-DB Cody Williams, DE Khari Long

Released-QB Erik Meyer, QB Josh Betts, DB John Williams Jr., OL Todd Londot

Inactivated-WR Willie Quinnie

MONTREAL ALOUETTES:
Signed-WR David Kircus, WR Glenn McKay, WR Chad Rempel (June 7), DT Darrell Campbell, LB Jay Staggs, DB De'Audre Dix, WR Keith Godding, DT Johnny Jackson (June 8), WR Dorrell Jalloh, WR Kevin Marion (June 9), DE Sean Ortiz (June 9), WR Andrew Hawkins (activated from Suspended list)

Released-C Ryan Mousseau, DE Sean Ortiz (June 7), LB Jon Abbate, DT Johnny Jackson (June 9), WR Chad Rempel (June 13), WR Kevin Marion (June 13)

Inactivated-WR Jamel Richardson, CB Stanford Samuels, DB Brandon Williams, DB Gemara Williams, LB John Mohring, RB Dahrran Diedrick

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS:
Signed-OL Jocelyn Frennette (activated), RB Jason Geathers, LB Brandon Perkins, WR Eric Morris

Released-OL Andrae Townsel, DB Derrick Johnson, SB Carl Berman, OL Joe McGrath (traded to Edmonton)

Inactivated-WR David McKoy

TORONTO ARGONAUTS:
Signed-NONE

Released-NONE

Inactivated-CB Demetrice Webb

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS:
Signed-QB Richie Williams, DL DeVon Hicks

Released-QB Darrell Hackney

Inactivated-NONE

That's it for this week, can't wait till week 2 kicks off!

CFL 2009 Season Preview: Montreal Alouettes

“It’s time to take care of some unfinished business!”

The Montreal Alouettes treaded down familiar waters last season.

The team had an amazing regular season and cruised to the top of a weak Eastern Division.

Most Outstanding Player Anthony Calvillo was at his finest, and with assistance from playmakers Kerry Watkins, Ben Cahoon, Jamal Richardson, and Avon Coburne, he helped the offense function brilliantly.

The defense was a bit inconsistent, but still solid, as Montreal made it to the Grey Cup Finals in Montreal.

But, despite the home field advantage and a roster that was loaded with talent, the Alouettes suffered yet another Grey Cup disappointment by losing to the opponent Calgary Stampeders.

It was agonizing, yet not an unfamiliar loss for the Alouettes, who have had plenty of troubles in recent Grey Cup Games.

They lost in the 2006 Grey Cup game to the BC Lions and also in 2005 to the Edmonton Eskimos.

Heading into a new season, once again with the aftertaste of defeat still in their mouths, the Alouettes will look to break their Grey Cup slump.

Veteran quarterback Anthony Calvillo has committed to another season, and 16 touchdown receiver Jamal Richardson passed on the NFL. With other play makers such as Avon Coburne, Ben Cahoon and Kerry Watkins, the Al’s look to have all the tools to make it back to the Grey Cup Finals.

But will they buckle down when it matters most?

Let’s take a closer look at the Montreal Alouettes:

What’s New?

The Montreal Alouettes didn’t have a very eventful offseason, but since they already had such a talented roster, it wasn’t really necessary. Instead, the Alouettes focused on re-signing the key components of their team.

Montreal gladly welcomed back Anthony Calvillo for another season, inking their star quarterback to an extension. They also welcomed back Jamal Richardson, who had a breakout season in the receiving core. Receivers Brian Bratton and Ben Cahoon were also inked to extensions.

On the defensive side of the ball, Montreal re-signed defensive end Anwar Stewart and defensive back Mark Estelle. They also added defensive lineman Jerome Haywood and defensive back Stanford Samuels.

During the CFL Draft, the Alouettes focused on improving their offensive line as two out of their first three picks were offensive linemen. Their big pick was local lineman Dylan Steenbergen, who should help an aging Alouettes offensive line.

In the loss category, Montreal didn’t suffer many major blows, but did lose offensive tackle Luke Fritz to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Concerns

There don’t appear to be many glaring weaknesses on the Alouettes roster, but there are still come concerns surrounding the Grey Cup runner uppers.

The obvious question heading into the Als' season is whether or not they will be able to avoid another Grey Cup defeat. But perhaps a better question is: will they have the motivation to get back?

While it seems unlikely that Montreal will lose in a weak East Division, the mood of the team is definitely questionable after yet another disappointment.

Will Montreal have the right mindset going into the season?

And while the Als do have a near perfect roster on paper, that doesn’t always translate into an amazing season. Just ask Winnipeg, who took a step back words last season with basically the same roster that got them to the Grey Cup game.

Montreal does have a few areas of concern.

Their offensive line is aging, which could lead to sloppier pass protection and run blocking.

And though he is coming off of an MOP season, Anthony Calvillo isn’t getting younger.

Perhaps the biggest question is the defense. Montreal’s defense has always seemed to be rather average, and they have seemed to falter recently in big games.

Summary

Montreal didn’t make a lot of signings during the offseason, but they also managed to keep their roster intact, which should bode well for them. Montreal’s offense should still be arguably one of the best in the league.

Anthony Calvillo is still playing at a high level, and with receivers like Ben Cahoon and Jamal Richardson, he will have plenty of targets. Watch out for star running back Avon Cobourne, who will be running the ball behind a talented offensive line.

The Als' defense has never been the best in the league, but they are fairly consistent nonetheless.

Really, there is no question that Montreal will be atop the Eastern Division.

There are so many question marks surrounding the other teams in the East, whereas there a few questions surrounding the Montreal Alouettes.

In fact, it may not be a stretch to say Montreal is a lock to make it to the Grey Cup in the East.

But when it comes down to it, will Montreal have what it takes to win the Cup?

Anthony Calvillo may only be around for one more season, so if the Alouettes are waiting for the perfect time to win the Grey Cup, the time is now!

My Prediction: Around 12 wins, a first place finish in the Eastern Division and a home playoff game.

Outstanding Player of the Year: Anthony Calvillo

Defensive Player of the Year: T.J. Hill

Canadian of the Year: Ben Cahoon

Lineman of the Year: Scott Flory

Special Teams Player of the Year: Damon Duval

Rookie of the Year: Dylan Steenbergen

The East previews are over. Next up are the West previews, starting next week. Will the BC Lions be stuck in a rebuilding year? Will Jesse Lumsden have an impact in Edmonton? And will the Stampeders have a chance to repeat? Stay tuned.

Training Camp Eve Cuts

With training camp starting today, the teams started trimming their rosters following the rookie minicamp, cuts came from five of the eight teams and here they are:

HAMILTON-DB Virgil Gray, WR Aaron Fairooz, DE Garrett McIntyre, WR Brandon Myles, DB Jacob Patek, DL Elton Patterson

WINNIPEG-DB Derrick Strait, QB Ryan Dinwiddie, WR Ivan Birungi, LB Bryan Wilson

SASKATCHEWAN-LB Carlos Armour, DE AJ Raebel, WR Toby Zeigler

EDMONTON-DB Brandent Englemon, S Tyler Everett, CB Darnell Terrell, LB Rory Johnson

MONTREAL-WR Kevin Marion, WR Javid James, SB Erik Galas, QB Brad Roach, QB Shane Boyd, G Ryan Karhut, CB Tim Sims, CB Kwasi Nkansah

In other news, the Montreal Alouettes have announced that starting defensive back Randee Drew will miss all of training camp still recovering from a August ACL surgery. The Alouettes have also announced the suspensions of WR Andrew Hawkins and DL Tim McGill.