CFL Preview Week Eight: The Bye Week Part 1

In week eight in the CFL, four teams have a bye. The Edmonton Eskimos, Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts and Hamilton Tiger Cats will all have to endure the gruelling bye week that no one ever enjoys!

But, though it may be a bye week for some teams, it most certainly won’t mean a bye for my weekly predictions!

The more and more I think about it, I like the idea of this bye week. My record isn’t the best in the world, and maybe I just need fewer games to pick.

Friday August 21st Doubleheader
Game One: Saskatchewan Roughriders at Montreal Alouettes

The Roughriders will look to exact revenge on the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal this week. Montreal embarrassed Saskatchewan at home earlier in the year, so it should be an intense game.

The Riders have been anything but consistent this season, but they are getting players back from injury slowly. Their offensive line has improved, and Wes Cates has finally found his game.

If Wes Cates can get going against the Montreal Alouettes, it could take the pressure off of Darian Durant.

Montreal is a tough match for any team. They can hurt you on offence in multiple ways and their defence has been stingy.

Montreal is always a tough place to win at, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders have had their share of struggles their. Yet you can never count out the Roughriders, who win when they are not expected too and lose when they are favoured. Yet, beating a red hot Alouette team at home may be too much to ask.

My Pick: Montreal

Game Two: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at BC Lions

In BC, it will be a battle of two gunslingers, as Lion’s pivot Jarious Jackson faces off against Bomber’s pivot Michael Bishop.

Both sitting in their respective division basements, both teams will look to move up the standings.

The Lions have been doing just enough to win ball games recently, winning two in a row. They will hand the ball to Jarious Jackson in this game. Jackson has impressed with the deep ball, but has also been inconsistent. While he will likely test the Bombers defence deep, he also needs throw the intermediate routes as well.

Look for rookie running back Martel Mallet to continue his success.

The Bombers on the other hand are in a lot of trouble. Michael Bishop has been inconsistent, and the team doesn’t have any proven stars on offence except for Fred Reid and Terrance Edwards.

Luckily for the Bombers, BC’s run defence is pretty bad, so Fred Reid could have a huge game. If the Bombers can get Fred Reid going, and their defence plays well like it has in the past, they may have a chance to pull off the upset.

My Pick: Winnipeg

CFL Preview Week Seven: The Wild West

Could the real contender in the Wild Western Division please stand up?

Six weeks through the CFL season and there are few certainties.

The Montreal Alouettes and Hamilton Tiger Cats seem to be firm contenders in the East, but not one team in the West has stood up. Through a series of missed opportunities, we are still uncertain who the powerhouse in the West is.

Three of the teams currently sit at 3-3 while the BC Lions pulled to 2-4 last week by beating the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Speaking of that game, it contributed to my two incorrect picks last week. In the other, I picked Winnipeg to upset Calgary, which almost did happen. After going 2-2, I am still below .500 with my picks.


Prediction Time
Disagree with my picks. Tell me your picks down below.


Thursday Aug. 13th
Game One: Calgary Stampeders at Edmonton Eskimos

The Calgary Stampeders fought back last week to get back to .500, whereas the Edmonton Eskimos missed a glorious opportunity to sit atop the West by losing to the Hamilton Tiger Cats. In this years first installment of the "Battle of Alberta," tempers should be high.

Ricky Ray continued his inconsistent play last week. He threw for a lot of yardage, but also tossed two interceptions. Still, Ray looks to be regaining his solid form slowly. Throw in the fact that Edmonton now has somewhat of a running game, and their offense suddenly isn’t looking so anemic.

Look for the Eskimos to attack Calgary’s inexperienced secondary with Kamau Peterson, Maurice Mann, and Fred Stamps.

Calgary, on the other hand, is still off course without star receiver Keynon Rambo. Luckily, players like Jermaine Copeland have stepped up.

Edmonton has a stingy front seven, so running the ball with Joffrey Reynolds may be tough. If Calgary can establish him, however, they could open up the passing game and terrorize Edmonton’s defense.

With two teams that look to be fairly equally matched, this game could come down to who can run the ball and control the line of scrimmage the best. This game will likely be a close contest, but Edmonton is playing at home. Their natural grass is still one of the toughest turfs to play on, and that may be the advantage they need.

My Pick: Edmonton


Friday August 14th
Game One: BC Lions at Toronto Argonauts

Things are starting to look up for the BC Lions. They got an ugly win against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last week and are facing one of the most struggling teams in the CFL, the Toronto Argonauts. Fresh off a shut-out loss against the Montreal Alouettes, the Argonauts are desperate for a win.

For the game, the Argos have benched former MOP Kerry Joseph in favour of back-up pivot Cody Picket. The news was a bit shocking, seeing as Toronto has a lot of other problems than just the quarterback position. Still, a change was perhaps necessary. Pickett will look to rejuvenate a struggling Argos offense.

To do this, it would be smart to get Jamal Robertson involved. BC’s run defense is one of the worst in the league and they could get a big game out of Jamal Robertson.

Similarly, the Lions need to establish the run with rookie sensation Martel Mallet. Mallet is a hard runner which is good because Toronto has a tough front seven. Buck Pierce didn’t have an amazing game last week, but he did a little better job of taking care of the ball. This will be crucial against an Argos team that will be looking for any break they can get.

Upon first glance, it would appear that the Lions will win this game. They are coming off of a victory and Toronto is struggling. The game is in Toronto, however, and road games are never a sure thing. Toronto will likely get a good running game going against the Lions, which will help Cody Pickett settle down. If Pickett has any success at all, look for Toronto’s stingy defense to take care of the rest.

My Pick: Toronto

Saturday August 15th
Game One: Montreal Alouettes at Winnipeg Blue Bombers

They have beaten the Toronto Argonauts and the Hamilton Tiger Cats, and now it is time for the Montreal Alouettes to prove they are indeed top dogs in the East by beating Winnipeg. In fact, Winnipeg has also beaten Toronto and Hamilton, but I’m pretty sure no one thinks they're top dogs in anything.

Winnipeg has recently seen new life with quarterback Michael Bishop added into the line-up. Bishop has been an immediate upgrade over Stefan Lefors and almost led the Bombers to victory over the Stampeders.

But the big reason for the improvement in Winnipeg’s offense is Fred Reid. Reid rushed for 176 yards against Calgary last week, and he will be the player to watch on Saturday. Winnipeg should look to get Reid involved in the run game and the passing game. The Bombers can also look to their other big gun on offense, Terrance Edwards.

The Montreal Alouettes, on the other hand, have a balanced offensive attack. They can hurt you on the ground with Avon Cobourne, or go to the air with Ben Cahoon, Jamal Richardson, and Kerry Watkins. Winnipeg’s defense has been better as of late, but it is a big task shutting down the Als offense.

Fans in Winnipeg have new faith since Michael Bishop arrived. But as a Roughriders fan all I can say is, give it a few weeks. Sure, Bishop looks good at times, but he will ultimately choke when the pressure is on. Montreal is likely going to key on Fred Reid all game, forcing Michael Bishop to throw the ball a lot and likely turn the ball over. On the other side, Anthony Calvillo should do enough to get an important road win.

My Pick: Montreal


Sunday August 16th
Game One: Hamilton Tiger Cats at Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Hamilton Tiger Cats are 4-2? Is this the same team who has been so bad for so long? Every game so far, fans have been saying, “This is the real test for Hamilton.” Well so far, they have passed most of those tests. They have swept the BC Lions in two games and beaten the Edmonton Eskimos, proving they are indeed for real. Still, they will get another test this week against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The Riders have been so inconsistent this year. They look good one week against a tough opponent, and then falter the next week against an easy one. Ken Miller doesn’t seem to be inspiring the Riders to do well, and it has surely shown in their play.

Luckily, the team will be getting back defensive end John Chick, who should help stabilize the defensive line. Unluckily, however, the team will be without star middle linebacker Renauld Williams for some time. This isn’t good when DeAndra Cobb is coming into town.

Cobb has been the story of the year so far. He is tearing it up in the ground game and should pose a problem to a weak Riders run defense. Gary Etcheverry’s defense, which is good at creating turnovers, will have to also focus on shutting down Cobb. Without a running game, Quinton Porter will have to throw the ball to beat the Riders. This could only bode well for the Riders.

On offense, the Riders need to get the ball to their playmakers. With Wes Cates in the backfield and receivers like Jason Clermont and Weston Dressler, the Riders have no shortage of talent. The offensive line also needs to do a much better job giving Darian Durant protection.

Finally returning home after a two game road trip, the Riders will be playing in front of a loud home crowd. But will they give them anything to cheer about? I never thought I would pick Hamilton to win in Regina, but they have DeAndra Cobb on their side. Without Renauld Williams in the middle, I’m not sure Saskatchewan can stop the run this week.

My Pick: Hamilton
My Record: 11-13 (46%)

CFL Preview Week Six: Playing For Schultz

Week five was a typical week in the CFL, one full of surprises.

From the unexpected debut of Michael Bishop for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, to Edmonton’s impressive victory of the then undefeated Montreal Alouettes. The Hamilton Tiger Cats ran over the BC Lions at home and Saskatchewan silenced a lot of doubters by going into Calgary and stealing a win.

Well these surprises made for an entertaining week, it certainly was not favourable for my picks. Thanks to Montreal’s collapse, Winnipeg’s narrow victory, and Saskatchewan finally waking up, I went 1-3 with my picks last week.

My record is now up to 9-11, but I refuse to believe that I will stay in this funk! We all heard the saying before, ‘it’s not how you start but how you finish.” Well I plan to prove that from now on by making some solid picks.

Prediction Time
Disagree with my picks… well you’re probably right. See if you can do better by commenting down below.

Friday Double Header

Game One: Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes

The Montreal Alouettes showed us one thing last week; they are human, not all mighty super gods. And, contrary to Chris Cuthbert’s beliefs, will not go 18-0 this season. The Alouettes will welcome in their bitter rivals to town, the Toronto Argonauts.

A couple of questions will factor into the result of this game. Is Toronto’s offense capable of playing like they did earlier in the season, or have they reverted back to last year’s offense? And was last weeks loss to Edmonton the wake-up call that Montreal needed, or are they going to have a hangover from the loss?

The only thing that will prevent this game from being a blow-out in Montreal’s favour, is Toronto’s suddenly impressive defense. The front seven, lead by Adriano ‘the kissing bandit’ Belli, Ronald Flemons and an impressive linebacking core have helped make Toronto’s defense one of the top defense’s in the league. Toronto will likely send the house at Anthony Calvillo, blitzing like crazy to throw the crafty pivot off his game. It will also give Anthony Calvillo less time to throw the ball, which will in effect eliminate the deep game.

Toronto may have a decent time stopping Montreal on offense, but the Argo’s offense is porous. Kerry Joseph is struggling and Jamal Robertson’s productivity has all but disappeared. Without Arland Bruce, Toronto is lacking a deep threat at receiver.

As mentioned, Toronto’s defense will likely prevent this game from being a blow-out, but it won’t deliver them a win. Toronto will have to move the ball consistently against Montreal to win the game, but this has been easier said than done for Toronto. Montreal is going to be angry, and playing in front of their home crowd.

My Pick: Montreal

Game Two: Saskatchewan Roughriders at BC Lions

With long time defensive tackle Scott Schultz’s surprising retirement earlier this week, the Saskatchewan Roughriders will be thinking of Schultz as they travel to hostile BC Place to take on the Lions. After a two game losing streak, the Riders seem to have things back on track, whereas the Lions are in a funk.

In all honesty, this game may well be a blow-out for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The Riders have played well in recent years at BC, much like the Lions have played well in Saskatchewan. The Lions run defense is porous, and Saskatchewan will attack them with a healthy Wes Cates. The Riders were lacking an effective running game in their first game against the Lions, which resulted in a close game.

A solid running game should tire out a talented Lions secondary, and open up the passing game for Darian Durant and receivers Weston Dressler, Chris Getlzaf and Jason Clermont.

As I said, the Riders should very realistically win this ball game, but they were supposed to win against Edmonton too. Saskatchewan needs to be focused going into the game and get the job done.

If the Lions want any chance to win this game, they need to get Paris Jackson and Geroy Simon more involved. Simon and Jackson are the Lions best players on offense, but their success has been limited. Establishing the running game with talented rookie Martel Mallet could help.

It is always a close contest when these bitter rivals face off, but BC has lost their spark this year. With so many veterans released, and not enough quality players stepping into their place, Wally Buono has had his hands full making this team a winner. Saskatchewan has the momentum on their hands, whereas BC is coming off of two humiliating losses in a row.

My Pick: Saskatchewan

Saturday Double Header

Game One: Edmonton Eskimos at Hamilton Tiger Cats

The Eskimos and Hamilton Tiger Cats have both had their struggles in recent years. Hamilton has not had a winning season in ages and Edmonton just came off a two year drought from the playoffs last year. Yet, both of these teams find themselves in a good position so far this season. The Eskimos are tied for first in the West and the Hamilton Tiger Cats are in striking distance of first in the East.

Both sporting identical 3-2 records, this game should show which of these teams has what it takes to go to the next level.

Ever since there comeback victory in Saskatchewan, the Eskimos have been playing great. They handed the Montreal Alouettes their first loss of the season, and are starting to look like contenders.

Edmonton is having success on the ground with Calvin McCarty and Arkee Whitlock, and Ricky Ray is back on track in the passing game. Edmonton’s defense is also looking much better under the guidance of Richie Hall.

But Edmonton is facing off against a Tiger Cat team that is equally impressive. Star running back DeAndra Cobb has been eating defense’s alive, and Quinton Porter is improving each game. This game may very well be won in the trenches. The team that can run the ball and protect their quarterback the best, may be the team that wins the game.

Both Edmonton and Hamilton are fairly equally matched on paper, but Hamilton does have home field advantage. In a game that appears to be this close, that may be the advantage they need.

My Pick: Hamilton

Game Two: Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Calgary Stampeders

In week two, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers got their first win, in the process dropping Calgary’s record to 0-2. Calgary will look to exact revenge as they welcome the Bombers into town.

I have to give Bomber’s head coach Mike Kelly credit. After the horrible play from all three of his quarterbacks, Kelly brought in Michael Bishop and got him ready to play on short notice. Bishop threw for 213 yards with one touchdown and interception, and did enough to get the Bombers the win.

It would appear that Winnipeg has it tough against the Calgary Stampeders, but the CFL is hardly predictable. With Stefan Lefors at the helm in week two, the Bombers handled the Stampeders quite easily. The Bombers have a talented running game, and Michael Bishop seems to play well against the Calgary Stampeders.
The Stampeders offense is still playing well this year, even without Kenyon Rambo in the line-up. Henry Burris still has plenty of tools at his disposal, such as Joffrey Reynolds, Jermaine Copeland and Nik Lewis. But they are matching up against one of the top defenses in the league, led by the fierce Doug Brown, Barrin Simpson in the middle, and the ball hawking outside linebacker Shideq Shibazz.

While the Stamps may have the advantage on paper in this game, I think it is time to stop piecing Calgary to win just because they are the defending Grey Cup Champions. It’s a new year, and Calgary will have to show they still have what it takes to win this year. Calgary’s defense is not as good as the Bombers defense. If Michael Bishop can put up some points on the Calgary defense, the Bombers may pull off yet another upset in the CFL.

My Pick: Winnipeg

My Record: 9/20 (45%)

CFL Preview Week Four: It’s Time to Regroup

I’m not going to sugar coat it, I got almost all of my picks wrong last week. It was ugly. After going 1-3 last week, my record now stands at 6-6.

In fairness, the picks were rather difficult to make last week and there were definitely some surprising results. For the first time all year, I picked the Calgary Stampeders to lose in their game against the Toronto Argonauts.

The reason?

Toronto was on fire even though they had lost to Saskatchewan and Calgary had let me down for two week in a row. So naturally Calgary goes out and plays amazing, blowing out the Argos.

In my other wrong pick, I thought Winnipeg would beat the Hamilton. After a 6-6 first half score and an interception return for a touchdown by Winnipeg, this looked very possible. Then Winnipeg reject Kevin Glenn comes in against his former team and lights it up! Definitely an unpredictable week three.

I think many teams in the CFL were sharing my disappointment when it came to week three. The Edmonton Eskimos were lit up by Jarious Jackson and the Lions at home, allowing passing touchdown after passing touchdown. Saskatchewan also felt Edmonton’s pain, as they fumbled and bumbled to an agonizing loss to the Montreal Alouettes. And the Argos lost badly to the Toronto Argonauts, making fans wonder if the team is for real after all.

The best thing for these teams to do in week four is forget, but learn from the past. Focus on the basics, such as taking care of the football, establishing a productive offense, and avoiding key mistakes.

Prediction Time

Thursday July 23rd
Game One: Montreal Alouettes vs. Hamilton Tiger Cats

Montreal’s first game against the east this year sees them hosting the underdog Hamilton Tiger Cats. In a supposed battle of the titans last week against the Riders, Montreal proved they are the top dogs in the league. Hamilton on the other hand, continued their impressive early start to the season by beating the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Pride and first place will be on the line in this bitter Eastern battle.

Montreal’s Keys to the Game:

AC Throw and AC Run: Really two of the biggest threats for the Alouettes may in fact be league leading running back Avon Cobourne and Anthony Calvillo. We saw last week how effective Cobourne really is running the ball, and Montreal should continue to call his number last week. If Cobourne struggles, Anthony Calvillo will have to set the offense back on course.

Take Care of the Ball: One of the big reasons that Montreal struggled against Saskatchewan in the first half was that they didn’t take care of the ball. Careless fumbles led to a lot of missed opportunities. Hamilton is known to pounce on your mistakes this season, and they will be eager to get a momentum changing turnover.

Put the Pressure On: Whether it be Kevin Glenn, or Quinton Porter behind center, pressure will be the key to stopping Hamilton’s offense. Hamilton has developed a good receiving core this year with Chris Davis, Prechae Rodriquez and Dave Stala, so it will be key to not allow Hamilton’s quarterback time to get the ball to these playmakers.

Hamilton’s Keys to the Game:

Run Cobb Run: Montreal loves to put the pressure on opposing offenses, so Hamilton should go to DeAndra Cobb early and often. Running is a great way to counter the blitz, and if it successful, it will open up the passing game where stars like Rodriquez and Davis can take over.

Minimize Mistakes: Whether it be a missed tackle that leads to a long gain, or a turnover that leads to points, Hamilton can’t afford any mistakes against Montreal. Montreal is so good that if you give them a chance, they will bury you.

Don’t Sit Back: Since Anthony Calvillo and Montreal’s offense can hurt a team in so many, it might be tempting to sit back and not let any big plays go down. Hamilton however needs to be aggressive, blitzing and attacking Anthony Calvillo. If Calvillo has time, he will pick Hamilton apart.

Both Hamilton and Montreal have proven to be very good football teams this year. Montreal has been pretty dominate in every game, though they showed some weakness against the Rides. Hamilton is riding a high following two straight wins, and they will play hard for a chance at first place. Montreal however is just to good. If Hamilton is indeed the Cinderella team this year, then Montreal is the big orge who will stomp on Cinderella.

My Pick: Montreal

Friday July 24th
Game One: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Toronto Argonauts

In another heated eastern rivalry, the Argos and Bombers will look to shake off last weeks losses and come up with a huge win. Winnipeg lost against the Hamilton Tiger Cats thanks to their old friend Kevin Glenn, and Toronto got stamped by Calgary.

Winnipeg’s Keys to the Game:

Put up Points: As obvious as it sounds, Winnipeg needs to score points to win the game. Winnipeg only put up 13 points last season, six of those on an interception return for a touchdown. Mike Kelly needs to prepare a better game plan, and Stefan Lefors needs to be sharper.

Run it Down Their Throats: Giles and Reid form one of the best running back combos in the league. Reid has a lot of explosiveness and Giles is very shifty. Toronto has some holes in their defense, and Winnipeg needs to wear them out with the running game.

Shut Down Robertson: We saw what happened last week when Jamal Robertson was shut down. Toronto became one dimensional. Winnipeg has a good front seven and they will need to focus on stopping Toronto’s running game, forcing Kerry Joseph to throw the ball all day long.
Toronto’s Keys to the Game:

Protect Joseph: Kerry Joseph is a very mobile quarterback, but he needs protection from his offensive line. Calgary got a lot of pressure on Joseph which forced him off his game. Joseph is best when he has time to set his feet and get in to his throw.

Establish a Running Game: When Jamal Robertson gets going, Toronto is usually very successful on offense. Rob Murphy, Dominic Picard and the rest of the line need to get a good push and spring holes for Jamal Robertson.

Stop the Run, Win the Game: So far, Winnipeg hasn’t had a ton of success throwing the ball. They have relied a lot on the run to win football games, and if Toronto could contain Fred Reid, they could win the game.

Winnipeg is always a better team at home. Stefan Lefors plays better and the crowd is behind them. Toronto has benched Arland Bruce for the game, taking away a big playmaker for their team. It is hard to have much faith in the Argos, especially with a big playmaker like Bruce out of the line-up. Winnipeg might not have the advantage of knowing Toronto’s plays in advance, but they should still do well.

My Pick: Winnipeg

*Game of the Week**
Game Two: BC Lions vs. Calgary Stampeders*

Two western teams fresh off big victories will square off in BC, as the Lions host the Calgary Stampeders. Jarious Jackson was the story for the Lions in week three, as he was came in for the injured Buck Pierce and helped romp the Eskimos. Calgary finally got back to their winning ways against the Argonauts. Always a bitter rivalry, this game should prove to be one of the best this week.

BC’s Keys to the Game:

Air it Out: BC needs to continue to air the ball out this week. With talented receivers such as Paris Jackson and Geroy Simon, the Lions have all the talent they need. Calgary’s secondary is still young and inexperienced, and BC could get some big plays.

Change it Up: As mentioned, Calgary’s defense is young and the Lions should take advantage of this. BC should use a lot of misdirection plays that could catch Calgary off guard and spring BC for some big gains.

Make Calgary Settle for Short Gains: Calgary went to the short passing game against Toronto last week and it worked effectively. Still, BC would be smart to let Calgary settle for these short plays because the more they do, the more chance there will be for them to make a mistake. If BC plays to close to Calgary’s receivers, players like Keynon Rambo could burn them deep.

Calgary’s Keys to the Game:

Run with Reynolds: Jofffrey Reynolds still hasn’t got going this season, but there is always a possibility he can take over a game. Reynolds has had success against the BC Lions before, and Calgary should try to get him going.

Avoid Turnovers: BC has a ball hawking secondary who loves to get interceptions. Burris needs to make smart throws and avoid turning the ball over.

Keep on Eye on BC’s Big Guns: Paris Jackson and Geroy Simon are both talented recievers, and they both killed the Eskimos last week. If Calgary loses track of either of these receivers in coverage, they could burn them for a big play.

Both Calgary and BC are coming of big wins. However, it appears that Jarious Jackson, the man who orchestrated the win for BC won’t be starting. Instead inconsistent Buck Pierece will get the start. I think this is a mistake personally, and it will swing things in Calgary’s favour.

My Pick: Calgary

Saturday July 25th
Game One: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Edmonton Eskimos

It is a homecoming party in the prairies. Former Rider Maurice Lloyd, Kitwana Jones and defensive coordinator Richie Hall are all returning to Saskatchewan to face the Riders. After leaving the Riders to coach the Eskimos this season, Hall has struggled so far. The Riders on the other hand started the season strong with two straight wins, and then faltered with a blow-out loss against the Alouettes.

Saskatchewan’s Keys to the Game:

Give Cates the Ball: Wes Cates returned last week but he was a bit rusty. With another week of practice in, Cates should be ready to go and the Riders should give him the ball. Cates always has success against the Eskimos.

Take Care of the Ball: The Riders cannot turn the ball over! It seems that the Riders have been very successful this season except for when they turn the ball over. The thing is, most of these turnovers have been fumbles, which shouldn’t be happening.

Where’s Clermont: The Rider have neglected to use Jason Clermont this season. Clermont is perfect for catching short passes and turning them into big gainers.

Edmonton’s Keys to the Game:

Protect Ray: Rick Ray has struggled during the season, but he hasn’t gotten any help from the offensive line. The o-line needs to give Ricky Ray time to get the ball out to his playmakers.

Run the Ball: The Eskimos have failed to run the ball at all this season. Saskatchewan is a bit weak against the running game, and Edmonton could have success in the game if they develop a running game.

Put Pressure on Durant: We all saw last week that Darian Durant isn’t good when he pressure on him. Edmonton’s defensive line has been there bright spot this season, and they should try to create as much pressure as they can against the Riders.

With plenty of former Riders returning to Mosaic Stadium, it should be a heated atmosphere. The Riders crowd is always loud and should cause problems for the Eskimos on offense. Ricky Ray always has the potential to have a big game, but the Eskimos are struggling a lot right now, and the Riders are still playing very well this season.

My Pick: Saskatchewan
My Record 6-6 (50%)

CFL Preview Week Three: Expect the Unexpected

There were a few sure things fans of the CFL were expecting heading into the season.

They were expecting the Montreal Alouettes to be one of the dominant teams in the Eastern Division. Teams like Hamilton and Winnipeg were expected to struggle greatly, and even the BC Lions were expected to enter a rebuilding year.

In week one of the 2009 season, the script was followed nicely. Montreal handled the defending Grey Cup champions easily, Hamilton and Winnipeg both struggled and the BC Lions also lost.
In week two, there were a few surprises. Fans were expecting Montreal to beat the Eskimos, but the fact that Montreal put up 50 points was shocking.

In a pair of upsets, the Hamilton Tiger Cats outlasted the BC Lions and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers handled the Calgary Stampeders.

If week two taught us anything, it is that we should expect the unexpected. There are a number of intriguing match-ups this week, that shou bvld make for some difficult picks.

Prediction TimeEvery week I will predict the winners of each game. Disagree with my picks? Comment down below with your picks and see if you can do better

Thursday July 16th

Game One: Edmonton Eskimos vs. BC Lions

In a battle of two struggling teams, the beleaguered Lions will stagger into Edmonton to take on the Eskimos. The 0-2 Lions have already lost two games they could have potentially won this season, and will look to take out their anger on the Eskimos.

Edmonton on the other hand is 1-1, but is likely still reeling from their 50-16 defeat at the hands of the Alouettes.

Edmonton has been having a lot of problems on the offensive side of the ball, and they will need to be more productive if they hope to beat the Lions. The running game can be an important part of the offense, and Edmonton’s has struggled all year long.

Whether it be Arkee Whitlock or Calvin McCarty, the Eskimos offensive line needs to do a better job blocking.

In the passing game, Edmonton needs to try and go deep. They tried to stretch the Alouettes defense on a few plays, but struggled. Unfortunately for Edmonton they are playing against a solid secondary.

On defense, Edmonton needs to try and throw Buck Pierce off of his game by applying pressure. When Pierce to throw the ball he can make good reads. But when he is pressured he struggles.
BC should also look to utilize the running game. Martel Mallet has improved each game, and if BC can get him going their offense could have success.

More importantly, Buck Pierce and the rest of the offense need to make smart decisions and take care of the football.

On defense, the Lions should put the pressure on Ricky Ray. The “immortal” Ray has struggled this year at times, largely due to pressure from the opposing defense.

It is always hard to win in Edmonton, but the Eskimos are struggling a lot right now. Though the Lions are 0-2, they have played decently in their first two games. Edmonton is doing alright on defense, but they are struggling greatly on offense.

If Edmonton can’t score a lot of points, Buck Pierce, Geroy Simon and the rest of the Lions just may steal the show.

My Pick: BC

Friday July 17th

Game One: Calgary Stampeders vs. Toronto Argonauts

Both the Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders are coming off losses, but these two teams are heading in opposite directions. The defending champs are 0-2 on the season, and have looked nothing like the team who won the Grey Cup.

The Argos on the other hand, have looked solid like a team on the rise. Under the guidance of Bart Andrus, the Argos currently hold a 1-1 record.

Calgary will have a chance at home this week to turn their season around as the welcome Toronto into town.

Calgary has been struggling in all phases of the game.

For the Stampeders to improve, they will need to go back to the basics. On offense, they need to work at establishing the run with Joffrey Reynolds. Last year, Reynolds led the league in rushing and the Stamps had one of the best records in the league. In both games this year they have failed to get him going.

Henry Burris also needs to play better if Calgary hopes to best Toronto. Burris threw three more interceptions last week. Burris needs to go back to what worked for him last season and start living up to his contract.

On defense, the Stampeders will need to focus on stopping the run. Jamal Robertson has been nearly unstoppable for the Argonauts this season. When Saskatchewan started to shut down Robertson, the Argos offense struggled.

If Toronto wants to get a tough win on the road, they will need to continue their tough play. Expect a healthy dose of Jamal Robertson and Kerry Joseph on the ground, as the Argonauts will try to wear out the Stampeders defense. Toronto shouldn’t be afraid to test the Stamps pass defense, as their secondary has struggled.

On defense, Toronto need to be aggressive, but not take bad penalties like they did against the Riders.

If Toronto can shut down Joffrey Reynolds, it will make the Stampeders one dimensional on offense.

Calgary has failed to live up to expectations so far this season. If I had looked at the schedule before the season had started, I would have never picked Toronto to win this game. But this isn’t the Calgary team that won the Grey Cup, and this isn’t the Toronto team that only won four games last season.

My Pick: Toronto

Saturday July 18th

*Game of the Week*

*Game One: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. Montreal Alouettes*

In a battle of the titans, the 2-0 Saskatchewan Roughriders will face the 2-0 Montreal Alouettes. Montreal is averaging 45 points a game this season, and Saskatchewan broke out for 46 points last week.

Both Montreal and Saskatchewan are playing well on offense, defense, special teams, and are well coached. What a matchup!

Darian Durant cut down on the turnovers against Toronto, and the Rider offense was effective. Avoiding turnovers will be crucial against the Montreal Alouettes, as they will pounce on any mistake.

Saskatchewan should try to develop the run with running back Hugh Charles, who had a pair of touchdown and showed a wicked back-flip against the Toronto Argonauts. The Riders should also look to big time targets Andy Fantuz and Weston Dressler.

On defense, the Riders need to try and disrupt Anthony Calvillo. Calvillo isn’t often sacked, but if the Riders can get some pressure on him, it could put him off his game. If not, Calvillo could torch the Riders defense all night long. Luckily, Gary Eteceverry is known for bringing new defense to the game. Stevie Baggs should be a force to reckon with.

Montreal will likely use a balanced attack on offense like they’ve been doing so far. Calvillo will spread the ball around to multiple players and use Avon Coburne when they need to,
The best way to stop Sasktchewan is to put pressure on Darian Durant, but the young offensive line has been giving him a lot of protection. Montreal will also need to key on slot backs Andy Fantuz and Weston Dressler.

This game is also really hard to call. Montreal has been the hottest team so far, but Saskatchewan hasn’t been bad themselves. They have played aggressively on defense and Darian Durant is coming into his zone.

Anthony Calvillo is always solid, but he is going into a hostile Mosaic Stadium where the fans will be loud and proud. If this game was in Montreal I would definitely pick Montreal, but you can’t count the Riders out at home.

My Pick: Saskatchewan (Tough Call)

Game Two: Hamilton Tiger Cats vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Fan or not, you had to be happy for the Hamilton Tiger Cats last week, as they not only won a game, they won a game on the road in a different time zone. Winnipeg also has something to cheer about, as they dethroned the defending Grey Cup Champions on the road.

Both teams will look to continue their success and the winner will move up in the Eastern Division.

Hamilton got a much better effort out of Quinton Porter in week two, and new running back DeAndra Cobbs. They will need a continued effort from both of these players in week three.
Hamilton needs to utilize their stars on offense. Quinton Porter needs to manage the game for Hamilton. Also expect a healthy dose of DeAndra Cobbs and Prechae Rodriquez.

On defense, Hamilton needs to focus first most on the running game. Fred Reid and Lavaerus Giles have been solid on the ground for the Bombers, and shutting them down will put pressure on Stefan Lefors.

Winnipeg on the other hand, will try to use the running game as much as they can. Terrance Edwards should also be a go to guy for the Bombers, as he stepped up last week with Derrick Armstrong’s absence.

On defense, Winnipeg needs to continue to be aggressive. They need to flow to the ball prevent the Tiger Cats from getting a big play.

This is really a hard game to predict, as both teams were so bad in week one and good in week two. There will definitely be a lot on the line as both teams play in the East. The game really could go anyway, but I am always hesitant to pick the Tiger Cats.

My Pick: Winnipeg (Another Tough Call)
My Record: 5-3 (63%)

CFL Preview Week Two: Forging an Identity

Week one of the CFL season has come and gone, and with it, we have begun to learn a bit more about each team.

In the pre-season, we only see a mere glimpse of what each team has to offer. This often leads to a few surprises in the first week. I also found it made some games a bit more harder to pick because we hadn’t seen any team in action yet.

Some teams are happy with the first impressive they’ve made so far.

Others are hoping that they just had the opening day jitters.

Take the Hamilton Tiger Cats for example. They opened the season with yet another disappointing loss, this one at the hands of the Toronto Argonauts. Hamilton needs to win this week to show fans that they aren’t the same Tiger Cats of old.

On the flip side, there are teams like the Toronto Argonauts and Saskatchewan Roughriders, out to prove that their week one wins weren’t a fluke. A win in week two would make a strong case for either of these teams.

When week two comes to a close, we may get a better idea about how each team will far in the upcoming season. Games like this early in the season are crucial for teams looking to build a strong identity.

Some teams will fall in a hole early at 0-2, some will strike even and 1-1, and others will sit on their throne at 2-0.

Last week, I went 3-1 with my predictions, and this week I feel more confident. In fact, I would go as far as to guarantee I will be flawless this week.

Prediction Time: Every week I will predict the winners of each game. Disagree with my picks? Comment down below with your picks and see if you can do better

Thursday July 9th Game One: Montreal Alouettes vs. Edmonton Eskimos

In a battle of two 1-0 clubs, the winner of this game may sit alone atop the standings in their division.

More so, this game will feature two of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league.
The veteran gunslinger Anthony Calvillo will look to continue his early season success. On the other side, Ricky Ray will look to play a little better than in week one, where he was in no means flawless.

Montreal ran over the Calgary Stampeders in their first game, using both the running and passing game effectively. The Als scored 17 unanswered points to start of the game. So how can Edmonton hope to stop Montreal on offense?

Luckily for Edmonton, they did look very impressive on defense in week one, especially there front seven. They generated a lot of sacks and tackles in the backfield against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Usually, a defense tries to focus on one area of the opposing offense, but this would be a mistake against the Als. Edmonton needs to focus on playing smart all around defense. They need to flow to Avon Cobourne whenever he runs the ball and gang tackle him. When Anthony Calvillo drops back to throw, Edmonton needs to generate pressure to throw the veteran pivot off of his game.

Unfortunately, this is easier said than done.

Without Jesse Lumsden carrying the ball, the Eskimos will need to look to new means on the ground. Whether it be Arkee Whitlock or Calvin McCarty. If the Eskimos are one-dimensional on offense they will struggle.

In the passing game, Ricky Ray needs to test Montreal deep. Edmonton was too complacent against the Bombers and they only scored 19 points.

Montreal on the other hand, needs to continue what they’ve been doing on offense… score points in bunches. The only flaw in Montreal’s offense last week was that they lost some of their aggression as the game progressed.

On defense, Montreal should try and throw Ricky Ray off his game. If Montreal can force Ray to make some mistakes, it could mess up Edmonton’s offense.

Both teams desperately will want to go to 2-0, but there a number of things going against the Eskimos in this game,. They are playing away from home against one of the hottest teams in the CFL. Throw in the question marks in their running game, and the odds don’t seem to favour the Eskimos this week.

My Pick: Montreal

Friday July 10th Game One: Winnipeg Blue Bombers vs. Calgary Stampeders

Calgary’s “Grey Cup” part last week was spoiled by the visiting Montreal Alouettes. Montreal simply played with more intensity than the defending champs. The only thing worse for the Stampeders than losing at home in week one, would be falling to 0-2.

The “New Look” Bombers weren’t awful in week one. They only lost by two points to the Edmonton Eskimos, but the Bombers definitely need to improve their effort if they hope to stick with the Stampeders.

If Calgary hopes to avoid falling to 0-2, they will need to improve on offense. Calgary failed to develop a running game last week and their passing game was far from stellar.

If it wouldn’t have been for the solid play by Titus Ryan and the rest of the special teams, Calgary wouldn’t have had a chance in week one.

Establishing Joffrey Reynolds should be the biggest priority for the Stamps on offense. Every time Reynolds can burst out for a first down, it will put less pressure on Henry Burris. And of course, Calgary needs to take care of the ball.

On defense, Calgary should key on Bomber’s running back Fred Reid. Reid was solid in week one and could be a game changer for the Bombers. They should also look to put pressure on Stefan Lefors.

Winnipeg showed a lot of creativity in their play calling in week one. This is fine, as long as they are able to move the ball consistently. The Bombers offense struggled in week one.
To improve their offense, the Bombers need to pound the ball with Fred Reid, who had success in week one. Success in the ground will take pressure off of Stefan Lefors.

Montreal had a lot of success against the Stampeders in week one when they got pressure on Henry Burris, and the Bombers should look to continue this trend.

While it would appear that the Stampders will win this game easily, people also said the same thing about the Bombers-Eskimos game last week, yet it was a close one. Winnipeg is at home and Calgary struggled in week one. However, they were playing a tough Montreal team, and I have to have some faith in the defending champs.

My Pick: Calgary

Game Two: BC Lions vs. Hamilton Tiger Cats

The second game of the double header also features two more winless teams. In week one, BC suffered a lot of turnovers in their loss against the Saskatchewan Roughriders where as the Hamilton Tiger Cats simply were out played by the Toronto Argonauts

Both teams will look to avoid going 0-2.

The obvious key on offense for the BC Lions is avoid turnovers. The Lions had six turnovers against the Riders, and will struggle a lot if they do so against the Hamilton Tiger Cats
I liked what I saw out of Lions running back Martel Mallet. Mallet ran the ball hard against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, and the Lions should continue to use him against the Hamilton Tiger Cats.

The offensive line needs to protect Buck Pierce better this week, so he has a chance to get the ball out to Paris Jackson and Geroy Simon.

On defense, BC should key on Hamilton’s biggest star, Prechae Rodriquez.

Hamilton couldn’t get the job done at home, and now they will have to travel to the confines of BC Place.

Quinton Porter had some success for the Tabbies in week one, but he will need to be better in week two. Hamilton should try to utilize the running game against the Lions.

Much like the Riders got pressure on Buck Pierce in week one, the Tiger Cats should also try to throw Pierce off of his game.

Both teams will be desperate to get their first win of the season. Hamilton needs to give the fans something to cheer about. Unfortunately, it will be tough to get a win at BC. The Lions struggled last week against a tough Riders defense, but should find success against the Hamilton Tiger Cats
My Pick: BC

Saturday July 11th

*Game of the Week*

*Game One: Toronto Argonauts vs. Saskatchewan Roughriders*

The Saturday tilt between the Argos and Riders is intriguing enough to be this weeks game of the week.

Both teams will hope to improve to 2-0, Kerry Joseph will face his former team once again, and the Riders will travel to the place where they won the Grey Cup in 2007 and play against the quarterback who got them there.

In week one, the only flaw in the Riders performance was the turnovers. Darian Durant showed that he has the potential to be the Riders starting quarterback. He moved the ball effectively when he didn’t turn it over.

Against the Argos, the Riders will need to take care of the football. The offensive line will also need to give Darian Durant protection so he can get the ball out to his playmakers. Hugh Charles also showed success on the ground last week and the Riders would be smart to use him often.

On defense, the riders need to contain Kerry Joseph, who can always hurt a team with his legs. They will also need to keep an eye on player of the week Jamal Robertson. Robertson ran wild against the Hamilton Tiger Cats in week one. Saskatchewan’s defense generated a lot of pressure against the Lions, and should continue to do so against the Argos.

Toronto executed their offense effectively in week one, and they didn’t even have to rely on Kerry Joseph running the ball. Toronto should continue to pound the ball with running back Jamal Robertson.

On defense, Toronto needs to put pressure on Darian Durant. We saw last week that if Darian Durant has pressure on him, he may make mistakes. This could lead to turnovers.

Both teams had success in week one. Toronto was merely flawless and Saskatchewan was stellar besides their turnovers. Toronto may feel confident at home this week, but they need to realize they aren’t playing against the Tiger Cats any more.

My Pick: Saskatchewan
My Record: 3-1 (75%)

CFL Week One Preview: Calgary-Montreal Headlines Exciting Opening Week

With the CFL season started, tune in often for complete coverage. I will be coming out with two articles on the CFL per week during the regular season. In one, I will preview the games to come and offer my predictions and in the second, I will recap the games, hand out some awards and display power rankings.

If you are looking for in-depth coverage of the CFL, you are in the right place. If you are looking for a place to learn ballroom dancing… well then you are in the wrong place.

The wait is finally over!

The long heated off-season has withered down, the gruelling training camp has winded down, and the final rosters are set for a new season. Seven teams will be trying to dethrone the defending Grey Cup Champion Calgary Stampeders.

The quest for the Grey cup will begin this Wednesday, when the CFL opens up with a double header. It doesn’t matter how you did last season or what your record was—every team is undefeated and has a chance to become the next Grey Cup Champions.

We have all heard the headlines heading into the season.

“Will Tiger Cats finally make the playoffs?”

“Will Calgary repeat as Grey Cup Champions?”

Now, it is time to find out the answers to these questions.

Prediction Time:
Every week I will predict the winners of each game. Disagree with my picks? Comment down below with your picks and see if you can do better

Wednesday July 1
Game One: Hamilton Tigercats vs. Toronto Argonauts

Another instalment of the Hamilton-Toronto rivalry—what a perfect way to start the season.

Two underachieving teams last season, the Tabbie and the Argos will both have something to prove this season. A win over their biggest rivals would be a welcome start to the season for both teams.

Both teams retooled a lot over the off-season, with Toronto adding Zeke Moreno, Rob Murphy and Dominic Picard; and Hamilton adding Alexander Gauthier, Dan Goodspeed and Brandon Guillory.

It is also the debut of two new head coaches. Bart Andrus will look to right the Argos sinking ship and Marcel Bellefuile will begin his first official season as Tabbies head coach.

For Toronto, a big key to the game will be shutting down the run. Hamilton has bulked up on the offensive line and have talented running back Terry Caulley carrying the rock.

If Toronto does this, they will put more pressure on Hamilton’s starting quarterback, be it Kevin Glenn or Quinton Porter. On offense, they need to try to establish some sort of running game. If they are successful in this, Kerry Joseph will have less pressure on him and settle into his grove.

For Hamilton, a big key to the game will be containing Kerry Joseph. Joseph is known for scrambling with the football and it is usually bad for the defense when he does.

If they do this, it will force Joseph to settle in the pocket and throw the football, which he struggles with. On offense, Hamilton should look first to establish the running game. Hamilton ran all over the Argonauts last season, and should be able to do so again.

This game really could go either way. Both teams have a different look and will be desperate for a win. Hamilton is at home however, and they will have a faithful crowd behind them hoping for the start of something great.

My Pick: Hamilton

*Game of the Week*
*Game Two: Calgary Stampeders vs. Montreal Alouettes*

The second game of the doubleheader is the Grey Cup rematch from last season, when Calgary traveled into Montreal and claimed victory.

With both teams rosters pretty much intact, this game should prove to be a very heated one—and undeniably the game of the week.

Anthony Calvillo has returned for another season, determined to lead the Alouettes to the Grey Cup.

The Stampeders however, will be celebrating their Grey Cup victory and won’t want the Als to spoil the party.

For Calgary to win, they will need to attack Montreal’s defense through the air and on the ground. Montreal has the ability to put up a lot of points and Calgary may need to score a lot of points to win.

On defense, it is really hard to stop the Alouettes offense, but if Calgary can shut down the run and get pressure on Anthony Calvillo then they may be able to hold Montreal in check.

For Montreal to win, they will need to also put up a lot of points. Sometimes the best defense against Calgary is a good offense, and the more Montreal has the ball, the less time Henry Burris will be able to go to work.

When Calgary does have the ball, Montreal will need to contain Henry Burris and get pressure on him, or else he will torch their defense.

Common knowledge would say that Calgary would win this game.

They are the defending Grey Cup Champions and are playing at home. But Montreal is angry following their Grey Cup defeat, and while Calgary is celebrating their Grey Cup victory, Montreal will be there to play football.

My Pick: Montreal

Thursday July 2
Game One: Edmonton Eskimos vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers

In an intriguing third game of the season, the Blue Bombers will travel into hostile Commonwealth Stadium.

Stefan Lefors, Edmonton’s third string quarterback last season, is now the starter for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He will square off against quarterback Ricky Ray—one of the best in the business.

What makes this game so intriguing is that we don’t know what to expect from either team. Winnipeg has question marks at the quarterback position, and Edmonton is being lead by former defensive coordinator Richie Hall.

For Winnipeg, as hard as it may sound, the key is to get Ricky Ray off his game. Ray can pick a defense apart, but if Winnipeg can put pressure on him, it will force Edmonton to turn to the running game, where they don’t have many proven options.

On offense, Winnipeg should attack Edmonton’s front seven with rising star Fred Reid. If the running game is working, it will open up the passing game where talented receivers Derrick Armstrong, Romby Bryant, and Terrance Edwards will look to reek havoc.

Edmonton on the other hand, will look foremost to stop the run. Fred Reid is one of the rising stars in the game and if they stop him, it will put pressure on the inexperienced Stefan Lefors. On offense, Edmonton should try to establish the run, but if all else fails, they should make sure Ricky Ray is protected then air the ball out.

Stefan Lefors may have success in the league, but it will likely take him a while. He is competing against one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and an improved Eskimos defense.

If Lefors plays solidly, the Bombers could pose a challenge to the Eskimos, but if not it could be a long day.

My Pick: Edmonton

Friday July 3
Game One: Saskatchewan Roughriders vs. BC Lions

Returning to the stage of the Western Semi-final, the Riders will look to avenge last season's loss at home.

The game will have plenty of hype going into it, as former Rider Anton Mackenzie will return to Saskatchewan and former Lion Jason Clermont will face his former team for the first time.

It is always a bitter battle when the Lions come into Regina, and with the question marks surrounding both teams, it should be interesting to see how the game plays out.

For Saskatchewan, getting Buck Pierce off his game will be key. BC doesn’t have a proven running game, so if Pierce is put off his game, the Lions will be in trouble.

On offense, Saskatchewan should look to get the ball to their playmakers. If Darian Durant can get the ball out to playmakers Weston Dressler and Andy Fantuz, it could be a long day for the Riders.

For the Lions, pressure will be the key. Darian Durant could be thrown out of his game—and into bad reads and turnovers—if the Lions put consistent pressure him.

On offense, if the Lions can develop a running game, it would shift the momentum in their favour. And of course, if all else fails, Buck Pierce just needs to get the ball out to Paris Jackson and Geroy Simon.

Both teams have a lot of question marks heading into the season, and this game could go a long way to determine the answers. Saskatchewan does have the home field advantage, though it hasn’t always been an advantage in this series.

My Pick: Saskatchewan

My Record: 0-0