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2009 CFL Season Preview
By GREG HARRIS, MOP Squad Sports CFL Editor
Jun 17, 2009 - 4:45:47 PM |
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It's been a while since the Stamps entered a season as defending Grey Cup champs, seven years to be exact. Furthermore, they have the added pressure of being the host city for the 2009 championship game. We haven't had a repeat champion since the '96-'97 Argos teams that were led by a prime Doug Flutie. Well, Henry Burris is no Flutie, but he ain't Marcus Crandell, either. Read on to find out how I think the Stamps--and the rest of the league--will do in '09.
WESTERN DIVISION
1. Calgary Stampeders (14-4)
The Stamps boasted the best all-around team last year, en route to the league's best record and the Grey Cup championship. They've lost a few players on the defensive side of the ball, but look for Mike Labinjo to build on his breakout performance in the playoffs and emerge as a leader of Chris Jones' unit. The offence still has plenty of weapons, and Sandro DeAngelis is the best Canadian kicker in the game. That's why Calgary's still the team to beat.
2. Edmonton Eskimos (12-6)
The Eskies were the league's most improved team in '08. Despite their fourth-place finish, they still made it to the division finals. The Eastern Division finals, that is. But I see them moving up in the West, thanks to their new secret weapon, running back Jesse Lumsden. When healthy, the second-generation Eskimo has been amongst the league's top rushers. That being said, he's struggled with injuries his whole career, and was cut by two NFL teams in past years after getting hurt. It remains to be seen whether he'll be Edmonton's missing link--or simply missing in action. In any case, his presence in the backfield should give the Esks a couple more wins this year.
3. B.C. Lions (9-9)
The Lions lost a lot of veteran players in the off-season, either via free-agency or salary cap cuts. Although coach/GM Wally Buono has a great reputation for developing talent, there are many holes to be filled on this year's roster. Notably absent is sack machine Cameron Wake, who took his game to the NFL after two outstanding seasons. And it just might be time for the man who mentored Flutie, Garcia and Dickinson to find himself a new starting quarterback, since the two-headed monster of Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson hasn't been able to take the team to the next level. The Lions are still a playoff team, but after last season's Western Final collapse, they'll be lucky to get past the first round.
4. Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-12)
After a hot start to last season, the Riders faded down the stretch, as their biggest weakness was exposed: lack of experience at the quarterback position. This was never more apparent than during the team's humiliating first-round playoff loss, after which career backup Michael Bishop was promptly released. But instead of pursuing a proven, albeit mediocre signal-caller such as Casey Printers or Kevin Glenn in the off-season, Saskatchewan is banking on Stephen Jyles and/or Darian Durant to lead their team to victory. The province's economy might be booming, but their football team's a bust this year.
EASTERN DIVISION
1. Montreal Alouettes (13-5)
The Als tore up the Eastern Division last season, en route to their sixth Grey Cup appearance of the decade. After the Stamps spoiled the party in Montreal, most of the team's key veteran free agents re-upped with the Als for another shot at the Cup. It could be the last shot for the dynamic duo of Anthony Calvillo and Ben Cahoon, who both turn 37 this year. But neither has shown any signs of slowing down, and I expect Montreal to continue its dominance over the league's B division.
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (9-9)
The Bombers are not only the East's, but the CFL's biggest wild card in '09. Despite having the best receiving corps in the league, and a solid thunder-and-lightning backfield of Fred Reid and Joe Smith, Winnipeg has a new head man (former Eskimo QB coach Mike Kelly) who cut both of his experienced quarterbacks in favour of his third-stringer in Edmonton (Stefan LeFors). They've also got four new starters on an offensive line that hasn't played together before. Guys like Glenn January and Steve Morley have plenty of CFL experience, and Obby Khan was an all-star player before battling colitis, but it remains to be seen whether they can gel as a unit. I don't see them making a push for first, but second place is well within their reach.
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (6-12)
With Calgary clinching first place by virtue of their season sweep of the Edmonton Eskimos, the only real playoff race in the CFL will be between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the new and improved Tabbies for the East's last playoff spot. (Saskatchewan would need to finish with a better record than Hamilton in order to cross over.) Although the Ti-Cats have barely gotten a sniff of postseason play since the heydays of Flutie (that's Darren Flutie, natch) and McManus, this could be the year that Quinton (Porter) and Kenton (Keith) lead them to playoff glory. I wouldn't expect anything too drastic, like a winning record, but a three-game improvement isn't out of the question.
4. Toronto Argonauts (0-18)
In 2008, the Detroit Lions made NFL history as the first team to go winless over a 16-game season. In 2009, the Argos will do them one better by going 0 for 18. Yes, they made some moves in the off-season, adding the notorious Rob Murphy along with Domenic Picard to the offensive line, but can anyone without a season's ticket package name Toronto's starting running back? The backfield's so bare that Jarrett Payton, who brings little more than his dad's name on the back of his jersey, is in serious consideration for the starting job. Otherwise, it's the same group of overaged underachievers who couldn't win a single game last season for Don Matthews, the league's all-time winningest coach!
The Argo offence is led by the league's most overrated QB, Kerry Joseph, who had trouble beating out Michael Bishop the year after his career season. Joseph didn't have the best numbers in '07, but won the MOP for leading the league's best team to the Cup. I think both he and the Riders would reconsider that trade from where they stand a year later...
Defensively, Toronto added Zeke Moreno, who built a reputation as the only guy in Hamilton who could hit. Unfortunately, none of his current teammates made more than 75 tackles last season, putting him back in a similar situation after a brief stint with the Bombers. And on special teams, the Argos traded kicker/punter extrordinaire Noel Prefontaine to make room for Mike Vanderjagt last year, only to have the NFL castaway retire at season's end. I don't think the president of the Argos fanclub even knows who this year's kicker is!
But that's enough about a team that won't make the playoffs. Now, here's my postseason predictions:
WESTERN FINAL
Calgary Stampeders vs. Edmonton Eskimos
After winning 14 games, the Stamps have homefield advantage throughout the playoffs. But in order to host the Grey Cup final, they must defeat their hated provincial rivals in the biggest Battle of Alberta of the new millenium. Although Calgary swept the season series, each game was decided by less than 10 points, and this contest goes down to the wire, and then some. In fact, it goes into overtime, where a blocked field goal by Mike Labinjo seals the deal after a clutch DeAngelis kick.
Final Score: Calgary 55, Edmonton 52 (OT)
EASTERN FINAL
Montreal Alouettes vs. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The Tabbies, in front of a hostile Winnipeg crowd, pull off a dramatic 22-19 come-from-behind win while Bombers kicker Alexis Serna goes 0 for 5 and misses an extra point. (Turns out that Troy Westwood still casts a pretty big shadow over the former Lou Groza winner.) The Cats' reward is a date with the Alouette juggernault. Hamilton actually beats the Als in the regular season in '09, pulling off a repeat performance of their Week 15 victory in '08. Although Montreal wins this one, Quinton Porter later announces that he's running for mayor of Steeltown, and wins by a landslide.
Final Score: Montreal 38, Hamilton 24
GREY CUP FINAL
Calgary Stampeders vs. Montreal Alouettes
After winning the most exciting non-Grey Cup game in CFL history, the Stamps are happy to be on home turf. They're also pretty drained. Meanwhile the Als, who circled this date on their calendar back on Week 1, cruised to a relatively easy 14 point win, resting their starters in the fourth quarter. Despite the game being billed as a Rematch of the Titans, and scalpers' tickets being sold for nearly five figures, the '09 final is a bit of a let down. At least for Stamps fans. After winning their second Grey Cup since the team moved north from Baltimore, Calvillo, Cahoon and half the offensive line announce their retirement and open a chain of La Belle Province restaurants in the state of Maryland.
Final Score: Montreal 32, Calgary 21
It's pretty lonely at the MOP these days, and CFL Editor Greg Harris could use some more writers to help cover the '09 season. Drop him a line at greg.harris@mopsquad.com if you're interested.
Copyright 2007 - MOP Squad Sports
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