For the better part of a decade, fans and pundits alike have been pining for a more competitive CFL East Divison. Too often of late, the division has been a foregone conclusion both within and without.
Aside from a few one-off challenges from Toronto and Winnipeg, the Montreal Alouettes have had the division under wraps by the end of September each season. And the other three teams in the East have been looking over their shoulders at looming crossover teams from the West.
While the numbers suffered a slight correction in 2009 with the Als and Hamilton Ticats winning the majority of their East/West battles, those cross-divisional match ups have pretty much been Nolo Contendere in recent memory.
If the first three weeks of 2010 are any indication, though, it looks like the East might just be back in business with a vengeance. And that’s both in terms of its own race and in its ability to compete with teams from the West.
Now that I’ve had a chance to watch each team both home and away, here’s my take on what I’ve seen:
Hamilton Ticats
Well, it’s safe to say the Ticats showed up this past weekend primed and ready to kick off the 2010 season against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Unfortunately for Ticats fans, this past weekend was week 3 of the 2010 season!
After being pegged by many pundits as a legitimate threat to the Als’ eastern dominance, the Ticats sleep-walked through a 49-29 week 1 drubbing at the hands of the Bombers. Week 2 saw an improved performance against the Stampeders, but the result was the same, a tough 23-22 loss.
In week 3, though, the team most people thought would open the 2010 campaign finally showed up. The Ticats offence operated with great tempo and efficiency behind Kevin Glenn sizzling 29 of 36 passing display for 336 yards and three majors.
Hamilton’s aggressive secondary shut down Winnipeg’s deep passing game, and the Ticats front seven held Buck Pierce in check on the ground, finally pushing him to the sidelines with a knee injury.
With Dave Stala coming back to form, Mo Mann looking like he’s finally back to full speed, and Marquay McDaniel and Arland Bruce III moving chains regularly, the Ticats certainly proved they can be as dangerous as any team in the league offensively. And when you consider DeAndra Cobb has yet to get untracked this season, things can get even better.
Montreal Alouettes
After last Friday’s 16-12 win at Empire Field, the Als managed to come out of a grueling three-game road trip to open their season with a 2-1 record. Instead of earning rave reviews for their toughness and resiliency out west, though, the Als are currently receiving fire for their “slow start.”
While I’d have to agree those two victories were of the ugly variety, don’t count me among those pundits prepping Montreal’s eulogy just yet. Both wins came against teams absolutely desperate to avoid 0-2 losing streaks at home this season, not to mention how difficult it’s been for Montreal to come out of Commonwealth Stadium and any venue in Vancouver with Ws for the past several years.
And the Als’ one loss, a 54-51 double-overtime instant classic in Regina, came at the hands of a team with absolutely everything working in its favour to open the season with a win—a rabid, sell-out home crowd, the burn of last season’s Grey Cup loss, and host of big-play talent healthy and ready to rock and roll. Even with all that tilting the field towards green, the Als gave the Riders all they could handle for 60 minutes and some change.
All that said, there are a few storm clouds looming over the defending champs. The Als’ secondary, particularly Billy Parker, Etienne Boulay, and Jerald Brown, have shown a propensity for giving up big plays and bigger penalties in man coverage. The front seven has failed to generate the pressure you’d expect from guys like Anwar Stewart, John Bowman, and Shea Emry. And the inability to get Avon Cobourne off has caused a few hiccups in the redzone.
With Anthony Calvillo showing no signs of a drop-off, however, and receivers like S.J. Green, Jamel Richardson, Ben Cahoon, Brian Bratton, and Kerry Watkins making plays, you’ve got to figure the Als will be in the mix come November. Plus, they’ll have the experience of eking out a few wins early to fall back on when the competition heats up heading into the playoffs.
Toronto Argonauts
The real surprise of the 2010 season in the East for me, though, has to be the Argos cohabitating in first place with Montreal after three games.
As soon as Toronto flushed its previous coaching staff and cadre of QBs, I knew this season would be full of positives steps. I’d be lying if I told you I thought the Argos would be 2-1 after facing Calgary and Hamilton to open their campaign, however.
Considering it had been a while since Jim Barker had been behind the bench and the fact that the Argos were going with Cleo Lemon at QB, the learning curve was sure to be steep. Add to that mix opening the season with games against two teams picked by some to be Grey Cup Contenders, and it would have been better than par for Toronto to earn platitudes for new-found discipline and competitiveness with a scrappy 0-3 start.
Instead, the Argos have made solid decisions on and off the field since Barkers hiring, and the results have come quickly.
Despite opening the season on the road against probably the toughest defensive coordinator a CFL rookie QB could face in his first outing, Lemon and the Argos managed to enter their last possession of the game down only a single score with a good chance to tie things up before Chris Jones dialed up the perfect blitz to cause a turnover and end the game.
In wins over Hamilton away and Calgary at home, Lemon has proven to be a quick study, learning protection schemes and escape routes on the fly. RB Cory Boyd has also proven to be a beast, leading the league with 283 yards on 47 carries.
Watching how quickly the Argos have gotten themselves together this season, I’d have to agree with Coach Barker—they’re no longer the free space on the bingo card for their opposition.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
There’s been quite an about-face in Winnipeg, too, this season. Out is the rudderless Mike Kelly administration. In is Paul LaPolice and a staff of well-prepared, media-friendly coaches who’ve changed the whole feeling around Big Blue, not to mention installing a pro offence that’s improved the product on the field considerably.
Even sitting at 1-2 on the year so far, it’s clear all the changes have given the team some traction, starting first and foremost with new pivot Buck Pierce.
Pierce jumped out of the gate in his first two games for Winnipeg absolutely on fire, passing for over 600 yards and five TDs while rushing for 192 yards and two TDs. No doubt, he showed up in the Peg ready to play as advertised.
As B.C. Lions fans can attest, Pierce deserves to have his picture in the dictionary next to “fiery competitor.” And watching the Blue Bombers play the first three weeks this year, it’s pretty clear that attitude rubs off on teammates quickly.
Unfortunately, as Lions fans know all too well, Pierce should have his picture installed under “brittle” as well. All those running yards took a toll on his shoulder forcing him out of practice, and a knee sprain picked up in last weekend’s loss to Hamilton is going to knock Pierce out of action for at least a week.
Winnipeg’s defence has shown it has the ability to put pressure on the quarterback, and their secondary has shown a nose for the ball. But without Pierce, it remains to be seen if that’ll be enough for the Bombers to keep progressing under the new regime.
Ex-Riders QB Steven Jyles will be under centre in week 4. My money had him winning the starting job outright in camp, so I’d expect the team to be in games with or without Buck Pierce. It may even give Fred Reid a chance to break out with his first 100-yard effort.
By Jack Bedell
Despite what CJAD play-by-play man and CFL.ca columnist Rick Moffat might think, the Montreal Alouettes’ slogan for 2010, “Stay the Course,” is about as far from a conservative approach as the team could have as they get ready to defend their 2009 Grey Cup championship.
If the Als had chosen “Keep Chugging Along” or “Ho, Ho Status Quo” as their motto for 2010, Moffat might have a case. But when you’ve set your sites on excellence like Montreal’s head man Marc Trestman has the past two years, staying the course involves taking some extraordinary measures and making some very difficult decisions.
Unlike some successful championship teams in recent memory, the Alouettes have not chosen to simply maintain their roster and schemes from 2009. They’ve embraced proactive change by overhauling one-third of their playbook, and by making some hard coaching/personnel decisions, like the recent firing of new special teams coordinator Richard Kent or the choice to allow veterans Davis Sanchez and Keron Williams head to B.C. this past off-season.
The hallmarks of Marc Trestman’s Alouettes have been preparation, self-discipline, and focus. All of these characteristics are never-ending pursuits. Complacency in any of the above would mean regression. The Als’ veteran core—manned by high-character, top-shelf players like Anthony Calvillo, Ben Cahoon, Paul Lambert, Scott Flory, Anwar Stewart, Shea Emry, John Bowman, et al—would never stand for that.
Probably the most striking evolution the Alouettes have undergone on Trestman’s watch has been the steady strengthening of the group as a team. It’s been said before ad nauseum, but it bears repeating: there are no egos on the Als. Every player has an important role to play, and every player accepts that role along with the responsibility that goes with it.
In the past, offensive droughts, defensive ineptitudes, special teams gaffes, injuries, or retirements might have derailed Montreal. Now, the team truly has a next-man-up, next-game-is-the-most-important attitude that drives it week to week. Pure progression, no matter what.
If the offence fails, the defence kicks it up a notch, and vice versa. When a player like Bryan Chiu retires, Paul Lambert steps up. If a marquee player goes down, the team trusts in the depth GM Jim Popp has built up and down the roster.
Repeating as Grey Cup champion is a difficult task. The list of teams that have accomplished that goal in the modern era is pretty short. But effort, planning, talent, and a high-degree of adaptability give the Als a shot at pulling it off. And you can bet they won’t be lying down in the face of the challenge. That would be the easy choice.
Accepting mediocrity or expecting setbacks would be the safe, conservative approach to 2010. Continuing a steady drive for excellence, in my book, is a bold move.
Jack B. Bedell
Nobody knows better than B.C. Lions fans how big an impact Bob O’Billovich can have on a franchise. He helped stack the Lions’ roster with talent and depth for years before moving to Hamilton after the 2007 season.
In a little over two years, O’Billovich has managed a phenomenal makeover on a club that seemed downright snake-bitten in its decisions on and off the field prior to his arrival.
Whether it was dumping a quality coach a year too early in the case of Greg Marshall, or cutting loose a GM before he could execute his plans in Marcel Desjardins, or signing a long line of underperforming, “top-shelf” talent like Josh Ranek, Jason Maas, Casey Printers, Naughtyn McKay-Loescher, or Kenton Keith, the Ticats just couldn’t get things right (for whatever reason). Until Obie showed up.
Now, in three off-seasons, O’Billovich has turned over 80% of the roster, stocking the team with real depth at all positions across the board. And he’s turned the culture of the team a full 180 degrees, creating high standards and even higher expectations.
Hamilton’s offence boasts legitimate stars in Kevin Glenn, DeAndra’ Cobb, Arland Bruce III, Mo Mann, Marwan Hage, and Jason Jimenez. The defence is stacked, too, with ballers like Jykine Bradley, Will Poole, Jason Shivers, Geoff Tisdale, Otis Floyd, Jamall Johnson, Markeith Knowlton, and Khari Long. And the Ticats special teams now sport the most accurate kicker in CFL history, Sandro DeAngelis.
The faith the team has shown in Head Coach Marcel Bellefeuille and his staff has also gone a long way toward building a winner in Steeltown. Bellefeuille’s consistent demeanor and solid decision-making, not to mention the quality of his coaching, gives Hamilton a shot week in and week out.
After breaking even at 9-9 last season, you can bet the Ticats are going to end up on the winning side of the ledger in 2010. The talent is in place, the coaching is solid, and there’s no doubt about the effectiveness of the front office.
It says an awful lot about the state of the franchise in Hamilton these days when simply making the playoffs is no longer good enough. The proof of this Ticats squad will come in how deep it goes into November.
That’s a long way to come in two and a half years. But in an East Division owned for a decade by the Montreal Alouettes, there’s still a ways to go for the Tabbies.
Earlier this week, the CFL released the official results of its 2009 Salary Management System audit. Only one club, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, violated the league’s $4.2-million expenditure limit.
According to the CFL’s figures, the Bombers exceeded the cap by $44,687. Under the terms of the SMS, the team now has to pay a dollar-for-dollar fine for that amount by way of penalty for spending beyond the limit.
Considering the amount of change ushered in during Mike Kelly’s reign in Winnipeg, especially in terms of player turnover, it’s hardly shocking that the Bombers overspent in 2009.
Granted, some of the blame rests at the feet of the club’s previous management for paying hefty off-season bonuses to players like OT Dan Goodspeed, who wound up being traded. But there’s still plenty of blame left to spread around.
Whether it’s paying out a $40,000 bonus to RB Joe Smith and then cutting him, ponying up big money to Derick Armstrong and then running the all-star off after one game, or bringing in hired gun Michael Bishop to make a bad QB situation less bad, Mike Kelly managed Big Blue’s 2009 roster a lot like he managed the media. And that ain’t good.
Photo by Mats G., on Flickr
To state the fact of the matter, things could’ve been a lot worse in the Peg.
Add the classless $60,000 pay cut they forced on Kelly’s hand-picked pivot, Stefan LeFors, and the tens of thousands of dollars saved by stashing players like Kelly Bates, Arjei Franklin, and even Barrin Simpson (for a short while) on the nine-game injury list, and the Bombers would have been looking at draft sanctions and a doubled fine right about now.
Couple this latest SMS black eye with the reported $1.2-million losses the Blue Bombers experienced last year, and 2009 has to go down as “the year that just keeps taking” for Bombers fans.
To look on the bright side, though, no matter how you take it, this latest bit of bad news definitely puts a cap on the 2009 season in Bomberville.
There’s a new sheriff in town in Paul LaPolice, a new management team in the front office, plans for a new state of the art stadium, a new set of QBs to right the wrongs of last year (maybe even one named Pierce!), and plenty of renewed hope for 2010.
Jack B. Bedell for BCLionsDen.ca
As a life-long Alouettes fan, I have to admit it hurts a little to admit it, but I’m very impressed with the decisions made by the Toronto Argonauts this off-season.
From the moment the organization decided earlier this year to put an end to the downward spiral of bad decisions the club has made since 2006 by firing Bart Andrus and his overmatched staff of NFL fringe coaches, the Argos have put together quite a run of solid, logical moves that will surely pay off between the lines.
The hiring of Jim Barker as head coach may not have been the sexy, ticket-selling move many Argos fans have come to expect, but Barker brings a kind of hands-on organization the club hasn’t seen in years.
If you take a quick look at Barker’s coaching resume, you’ll find a coach capable of putting together quality sides in no time flat. He did it in the XFL, helping forge a championship team with only a couple of weeks of preparation. He did it in his stint with the Als, marshalling a highly-strung group of receivers toward a Grey Cup.
You can’t affect such quick change and success without clarity of vision and astute personnel decisions. Haven’t seen much of that in Argoland the last couple of years, have we?
With the backing of one of the CFL’s best owners in David Braley, Barker has already gotten the reclamation project underway in Toronto. From the naming of an experienced, eclectic coaching staff that includes former Argos greats Orlondo Steinauer and Mike O’Shea, to the release of Kerry Joseph and the rest of the Argos’ QBs, to the acquisition of Jeremaine Copeland to lead by example in a locker room sorely bereft of leaders last season, the decisions made by the Argonauts have been wholehearted. No more half measures and temporary patches for the Boatmen.
Of course, no change occurs without a degree of pain. I’m sure it’s difficult for Argos fans to see quality players and quality men like Joseph, Andre Talbot, and Zeke Moreno hit the road, but like the old cliché says, “No progress without change.”
Time will tell quickly if all this change brings the Argos back into contention in the East. A lot of it will depend on how quickly new pivots Gibran Hamdan and Dalton Bell adjust to life in the Big Smoke. More will depend upon how quickly the team adapts to Barker’s new culture of accountability and effort.
I put out a call on Twitter the other day seeing if anyone would be interested in writing for BCLionsDen.ca this season. Little did I know the riches that would fall into my lap this morning. I am absolutely thrilled to announce that we have added Jann Shreve and Jack Bedell to our writing team here in the den.
Both Jann and Jack wrote for the Score.ca last year and are not only talented writers, they possess a real passion for the CFL. Their roles will be to contribute thoughts on any aspect of the league and provide an eastern persepctive of the CFL. Their experience and contacts will provide us with a new dimension to the site, and I am very excited about adding them to our team. Here is a little background about our newest writers!
Jack Bedell:
Jack Bedell has done a lot of work in CFL circles over the years. He’s based in the U.S. but has a tremendous passion and understanding of football and of the Canadian game. A fan of the Montreal Alouettes, Jack directs the creative writing program at SLU (South Eastern Louisiana University) and writes for the MontrealAlouettes.com. He also appears on a radio show to discuss the Alouettes and other football matters on the TEAM 990 in Montreal.
“I’m very honored to be part of one of the most vibrant fan sites in the CFL. I hope Den readers won’t hold my Als fanhood against me!”, Bedell said.
You can follow Jack’s wisdom of all things football on Twitter by following @JackBedell.
Jann Shreve:
A native of LaSalle, ON, Jann has been a sports fan her whole life. She has participated in athletics since elementary school and has competed in track and field for the University of Windsor. She currently plays in a touch football league in Toronto, ON.
Jann has loved football her whole life, and became an avid follower of the CFL when her brother was drafted and her mother needed the rules explained. She has a passion for writing, reading, music and playing video games.
“I’m just happy to be here, y’know, gonna go out there and do my thing, help my team by making plays and get to Edmonton in November!” joked Shreve about joining the BCLionsDen.ca team.
Jann can be followed on Twitter as @LittleMissCFL.
There is no doubt in my mind that these additions are going to take the den to another level as far as being a regular stop for Lions and CFL fans online.
