Fearless Prognostication...

The CFL season kicks off tonight in Montreal as the two time defending Grey Cup Champs (I hate writing that by the way) host the B.C. Lions, who in my mind will be the most improved team in the entire CFL this year. Not that losing in double OT in the play - off's is anything to be ashamed of, but given their start last year
(0 - 7, the momentum they gained over the last half of the season and into the post season served them very well. Here we go, in no particular order with my picks for the week, my picks for the season, as well as my genereal thoughts.

Week One

B.C. @ Montreal:
Montreal 33; BC 29

Winnipeg @ Hamilton:
Hamilton 27; Winnipeg 13

Toronto @ Calgary:
Calgary 24; Toronto 21

Edmonton @ Saskatchewan:
Saskatchewan 34; Edmonton 24

The Predicted Standings at Season's End

EAST

1. Montreal Alouettes
The Alouettes are still the Alouettes. Despite the loss of Ben Cahoon, the CFL's all time leading reciever, the Als return 75% of the starters from last seasons Grey Cup victory in Edmonton. When you still have the likes of Jamel Richardson (who I am sure still gives Omarr Morgan nightmares) and S.J. Green, they are still very dangerous with their passsing attack; especially when you have the league's best triggerman firing the bullets. The run game will be the X factor with this team. Avon Cobourne split for the Steel City, leaving a three dog race for the starting job which was earned by Brandon Whitaker. While we haven't heard a whole lot from Whitaker, Jim Popp knows talent and I am sure this kid will be fine.
Defensively they improved their secondary with the addition of Dwight Anderson (biggest jackass in the league) and didn't lose much, if anything in this area. Shea Emry and Chip Cox are two of the most underrated players in the league I believe.
As said earlier, the Als are the Als and they will be right there at the end again as they look for the trifecta.

2. Hamilton Tiger - Cats
The days of the Als running away with the East are over. Not because they are slipping, but because Hamilton is catching up. The Tiger Cats will go tooth and nail with the Als all year. Kevin Glenn had a fantastic season last year, and many of the key cogs from last years offense remain. Throw in the addition of Avon Cobourne and they are more dangerous than they have been in a few years.
Defensively, they have the best linebacking corps in the league. Knowlton, Johnson and newly acquired Rey Williams will be huge for the Cats. They will need to be as the secondary is young and largely inexperienced. The ability to pressure the QB on a regular basis will also aid with the secondary.
They won't win the East title during the regular season, but in a one game showdown in November, they could easily be in Vancouver at season's end.

3. Toronto Argonauts.
I struggle to see why so many peoplpe are enamored with the Argos. They still have Cleo Lemon at QB, no significant improvements were made to their recieving corps, and short of Cory Boyd, they don't scare me at all. Offensively, Boyd will carry the ball a lot. They will need to mix Chad Owens into the equation on offense more regularly to scare teams.
Defensively, you scan expect them to be solid again. However, I don't think they are going to be able to shut teams downs all year, meaning eventually Lemon and what I consider the lack of an offense will be the achilles heel of this team.
You know the Flyin Hawaiian will leave his mark as a returner which will be the most exciting aspect of this club.
They make the play - off's but only because Winnipeg is still too young to make a lot of noise. They are the lesser of the two weakest teams in the league. On a side note, Jim Barker is a loud mouth who looks like he should be selling used cars rather than being the Head Coach of a pro football team. Look at that guy's physique; it oozes sprinkles and whipped cream.


4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The future is bright in Winnipeg. They have sold a record 21, 000 season tickets this year, they are one year away from a new stadium, and they are on the rise. Unfortunately they continue to climb this year before they reach the peack.
Offensively, a ton of potential exists at the Wide Reciever positions to go with the already proven Terrence Edwards. Fred Reid is a premier running back. The biggest question for the Bombers if Buck Pierce. He has never played an entire season because of injury, and this year their back - ups are more or less raw rookies who have hardly seen the field. If Pierce stays healthy, they are competitive. If not, its a long season in Winnipeg, but look on the bright side, the Jets are back.
Defensively, they will again be a team who puts a ton of pressure on opposing QB's. Jovon Johnson is as dangerous as anyone at returning the football.
This team will be relevant again, just not this year. Paul Lapolice is a good coach, and I can only hope they reward him for continuing to improve this football team.

WEST

1. Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Yeah, I know...homer pick, right? Not really. Yes they lost Fantuz, but aside from him, who left that was a factor in last year's run to the Grey Cup? All of the questions at receiver I don't see the problem. You still have Dressler, Getzlaf is only getting better, Koch was great when he played and I am eager to see what he can do for an entire year, Clermont is only going to see more action, and the new guys...well let's see. I liked what I saw of Wheelwright, Nunn caught everything in B.C. and we haven't seen him go deep yet. Darian is the second best QB in the league. I fully expect to see him clean up the interceptions and just continue his development into the premier signal caller in the league.
Defensively the obvious question is up front with the D - line. Montez Murphy played pretty well in the pre - season, Luc Mullinder has shown the ability to pressure the QB in the past, and I think Dario Romero up the middle is a significant improvement over Chunky. The linebackers will be strong again led by veteran Barrin Simpson, and if Freeman plays for 18 games the way he did in the play - off's last season you are looking at one of the best in the league. Minor concerns in the secondary but I am sure Richie will work things out, and we do have the best safety in the league in James Patrick.


2. B.C. Lions
Last year I thought Travis Lulay was going to soil his pants at Mosaic in the play - offs. What did he do? He played like a ten year veteran and nearly moved the Lions onto the West Final. Lulay only gets better this year in my mind, and he still has formidable targets to throw to in Geroy Simon, Paris Jackson and the newly acquired Kamau Peterson. Jamel Robertson continues to impress despite his age.
Defensively, they have a veteran secondary, but one still more than capable of getting the job done Solomon Eliminian is one hell of a football player.
They go back and forth with the Riders all year. The fact the Riders host BC twice and only travel to the west coast once, will in my opinion be the difference because the last few years neither team wins on the road.

3. Calgary Stampeders
Offensively, they can still score. Henry Burris is still got it, his recieving corps is one of the best in the league, and what a backfield with Joffrey Reynolds and Jon Cornish. So if they have such a good offense, why will they finsih third?
Well for starters the Riders and Lions are just better all around football teams. I don't think they are aware of how much losing Browner and Anderson from that secondary is going to hurt. I see them as having gone from the best secondary in the league, to the worst. Lot's of yards available through the air when the Stamps are the opponent.
They are easily a .500 team or better, but those two huge losses in the defensive backfield really hurt.
On a side note, since I clearly think the Stamps are not in the equation to be there in the end, why not allow Canadian Brad Sinopli to back up Hank? Bringing in Michael Bishop is a mind boggling decision. He is a bum...flat out...a bum I say. Oh well, just another reason to hate the Stamps. I can't wait till HEEEEEENNNNNNRRRRRRRYYYYYYYYYYY comes to town in August.

4. Edmonton Eskimos
I do not envy Kavis Reed one bit as he premiers as a Head Coach in the CFL. They will be better than last year, but in the competitive west, I still don't see them as a factor. I heard a stat last night, something to the effect that they have six raw Canadian rookies, and like 50% of their lineup is new to the organization. Eric Tillman is making moves for the future, but the future is not now in Edmonton.
Ricky Ray is still a proven QB and Fred Stamps is a very talented slotback. Although, I could do without his self profession of being the best in the league. Daniel Porter ran rough shot the last few weeks of last season and I expect him to continue in his development. However, Ray has one target only..and god forbid Ray should get hurt because that means Kerry Joseph, the guy who in my mind has made the greatest plunge in the history of this league from Grey Cup champ to completely irrelevant.
Hey, it's the Eskimos...we love to hate them too so watching them struggle for another year will be an enjoyment.

What do you think????


Out.....