Week 2 Preview

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Ottawa @ Montreal:

What We Learned Last Week: We confirmed last week that Ottawa’s offence is as lethal as ever and Montreal is not a team to be trifled with. Trevor Harris will be at the controls this week and, as we saw against Edmonton, anything Burris can do with that receiving corps, Harris can do as well. The defence did not hold up as well versus the Eskimos and Kevin Glenn has plenty of weapons as well. The Alouettes put together a complete performance against Winnipeg but will have to be better on all fronts to defeat the RedBlacks.

Prediction: Montreal by 3. These are two explosive offences but the better defence will win the game in this one. Montreal will get scorched but Ottawa will not be able to stop a game winning drive going through Duron Carter and SJ Green.

Game Changer: Ethan Davis and Jonathan Mincy , Montreal’s two rookie corners, hold the fate of this game in their hands. If they can’t be at least moderately effective against stars like Chris Williams, Montreal’s night will be over early.

Toronto @ Saskatchewan:

What We Learned Last Week: Toronto had an awful opening day performance and we learned that their offensive line is not as good as advertised. Ricky Ray couldn’t find his rhythm and was under pressure all night versus Hamilton. He is the key to Toronto’s success and they can’t win without him.

Prediction: Toronto by 10. A deep Toronto receiving corps being targeting by a more prepared Ricky Ray will spell doom for an inexperienced Rider secondary.

Game Changer: John Chiles is returning to the CFL against his former team and needs to become a credible receiving threat. If he establishes himself he will change not just the course of this game but also the Riders’ hopes this season.

BC @ Hamilton:

What We Learned Last Week: Last week we learned that Jeremiah Masoli is a legitimate starter and Hamilton is a dominant team from top to bottom. BC on the other hand looked dismal in almost every aspect of the game except for the last 10 minutes. Without Chris Rainey the Lions would have scored 6 points and that is simply not good enough.

Prediction: Hamilton by 18. This cat fight will be a shellacking. Hamilton is better in every aspect and should dominate from the get-go.

Game Changer: Jonathan Jennings has to show his ability to be a super star if the Lions will have any hope of winning. He was inconsistent and underwhelming against Calgary. He will have to be much better this week.

Winnipeg @ Calgary:

What We Learned Last Week: Winnipeg looked uncoordinated in their debut while Calgary looked boring and non-threatening. The Bombers stars must get on the same page to win while Calgary needs to establish Messam on the ground instead of relying on an inexperienced receiving corps.

Prediction: Calgary by 5. Dickenson should have ironed out the kinks after a disappointing performance and new stars will emerge at home.

Game Changer: Thomas Mayo will come off the practice roster to replace Weston Dressler and needs to perform big time. Willy struggled to find targets last week and that cannot continue behind a poor O-line.

Last Week: 2-2

10 Final Cuts Who Still Have A CFL Future

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Final Cuts are tough decisions for coaching staffs and often leave talented players without a job. Players with talent are cut for underperformance, salary cap issues and because of ratio changes, and some have already found other homes. Here are 10 more final cuts who still have a CFL future:

  1. Mitchell White, DB: A shutdown corner with NFL interest this offseason, White was cut for purely cap related reasons. He could be a game-changer for a number of teams and should not last long on the open market.
  2. Matt Bucknor, DB: Few Canadians have the ability to be an effective starter at corner but Bucknor has been one of the most reliable for 36 straight games. A ratio buster cut for purely ratio related reasons, he will find a home as soon as injuries make teams rethink their ratio.
  3. Edwin Baker, RB: This back with NFL experience couldn’t find his way on to Toronto’s roster but he has a lot of upside. Don’t be surprised to see him in a CFL camp again next year.
  4. Herve Tonye-Tonye, LB: A versatile, multi-dimensional linebacker, Tonye-Tonye has a lot of the attributes CFL teams look for and he had success in Toronto. He will find work as an injury replacement very quickly.
  5. Manny Rodriguez, LB: A big hitter with some intriguing attributes, 2016 wasn’t the year for Rodriguez to crack a roster. If he keeps training, he may be a name to watch in a camp next year.
  6. Lache Seastrunk, RB: A highly touted back who did not live up to the hype, Seastrunk may take this cut as inspiration to train harder for next year. He has all the skills to be a star, he just needs to apply them.
  7. Terrance Cobb, RB: Cobb looked like the Riders’ best back all pre-season but was one of the final cuts. He has a lot of talent and may sneak into someone’s gameday lineup before the season is over.
  8. Clarence Denmark, WR: Another surprise cut, the veteran receiver Denmark has much left to give. Injury or production issues will land him on a roster and the Riders may regret cutting him.
  9. Cauchy Muamba, S: A talented Canadian safety and special teamer, Muamba will find a spot on a team needing to shore up its Canadian depth. He already has suitors and will not last long.
  10. Dillon Grondin, LB: Perhaps a long shot, the undrafted junior player from Windsor exceeded expectations at every turn but still couldn’t make a roster. He impressed me enough for me to become a fan and I sincerely hope he gets another shot next year.

6 Initial Training Camp Cuts Who Still Have A CFL Future

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CFL teams made their first round of cuts Tuesday night and for many of the players involved, the call from management means the end of their career. However, here are six players cut who may still have a place in the CFL:

  1. Brennan Van Nistelrooy, DB: This 2016 draft pick was cut due to injury but has plenty of time to get back to the show. As a CJFL player, Nistelrooy has two years of CIS eligibility remaining. He has committed to the University of Calgary and could come back to the CFL after a couple of productive college years.
  2. Jacoby Ford, WR/KR: This former NFL burner didn’t stick in Edmonton despite some hype before the season. He may take this as a lesson and put in more work to ensure his talent doesn’t go to waste.
  3. Dan West, DB: A good Canadian depth player, West was competing for the starting safety position in Saskatchewan. He may find a spot on another roster once injuries take a toll on special teams depth around the league.
  4. Chase Minniefield, DB: Minniefield was in line to be the Ti-Cats starting cornerback before a season ending injury. If he rehabs properly he will be back in the league, if not in Hamilton, next season.
  5. Kyler Elsworth, LB: A talented linebacker who has proven himself when pushed into service, Elsworth was the odd man out in Montreal. Once the injury bug bites, he could be another teams first call.
  6. Quinn Lawlor, OL: A 2015 draft pick with some potential, Lawlor could be a great depth player for a number of teams. Some have speculated that Winnipeg could bring in Lawlor in the coming days to replace injured Jeff Keeping.

Thoughts on CFL Pre-Season Week 1

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  • Jacob Ruby may have a long season in front of him in Montreal. He was repeatedly pushed back into his quarterback during his first start at left tackle and was turned into a turnstile by both Jamaal Westerman and Trent Corney. If the Alouettes are going to have success this year, he absolutely must step up.
  • Speaking of Trent Corney, the rookie comes as advertised for the Blue Bombers. He looks like a player who can make a significant impact in his first year and he may end up being the best player to come out of the 2016 draft class.
  • Back to Montreal, undrafted rookie Dominique Termansen from UBC may prove to be a real steal. In limited action he made a couple of tackles, came up with a fantastic pick off a tip and was always around the ball. One thing that stood out to me, on Brian Bennett’s naked bootleg touchdown Termansen was the only player on the field who followed the ball.
  • At quarterback, Montreal clearly showcased Rakeem Cato and he did well but he just doesn’t look or feel like “the guy” for anyone. Brandon Bridge didn’t play much but boy does he ever fire the ball. His arm strength is almost too much for his receivers. Vernon Adams also showed some promise but he looked like a rookie. None of them are ready to be starters.
  • The Blue Bombers O-line remains atrocious. Willy has been told to get the ball out quicker but he needs some help. He will not last the year at this rate.
  • Rupert Butcher is a unit in the middle for the Bombers. He demands extra attention because of his size and he knows how to get his hands up to disrupt passes. Could be a late round steal.
  • Whether the Bombers go with Carlos Anderson or Tim Flanders at running back, they can’t lose at that import spot. Both are exciting players with tremendous upside and will provide a fantastic change of pace from starter Andrew Harris.
  • Quincy McDuffie is ready to be a star. That is all.
  • Listened to the Argos-Tiger Cats game on the radio and the name that kept being repeated over the airwaves was Anthony McClung. Tough to judge performances without seeing them but that’s probably a good sign for the Cincinnati product.
  • The other names that kept being mentioned for their performances. Matt Coates the Ti-Cats receiver, Delano Johnson the Ti-Cats D-lineman and Cameron Walker the Argos D-lineman.
  • TJ Heath probably cemented his spot on the Argos roster with a two pick performance as a DB.
  • Jeff Mathews may have played himself out of the Week One starting gig with a slew of turnovers. He has a starting calibre arm but makes some really awful decisions with the ball.
  • Jordan Lynch can do so many things for the Eskimos, it would be a shame if he lost his spot on the roster to Thomas DeMarco. His performance against the Stamps hopefully showed Jason Maas his worth.
  • The impact of  the John Ojo injury cannot be overstated for the Eskimos. He was a stud in the secondary and now the acquisition of Cord Parks, who had a pick in this weeks game, becomes super important.
  • Andrew Buckley has a spot on the Stamps roster. A spot he has earned and deserves. He was solid for Calgary and he will only get better. Drew Tate, watch your back.
  • The QB situation in Riderville remains concerning. Coleman looked uncomfortable in his first CFL game action and Brett Smith has not improved at all since stinking up Mosaic last year. If Durant gets hurt again, the Riders are dead in the water.
  • Levi Steinhauer really stood out on special teams for the Riders. He was down field on every kick and made some great tackles.
  • Dillon Grondin also impressed in his first professional game action. He was always hot in pursuit and forced one fumble in limited action.
  • The running back battle will be a big one in the Riders second game as both Matt Walters and Terrance Cobb looked like legitimate options to start. Curtis Steele is in for a real fight.
  • BC looked alright in its win but boy were they unpolished and boring. Their regular season performances have to be much better if they want to attract crowds in Vancouver again.
  • Brian Burnham looked good for the Leos, who desperately need more receivers to step up around Jonathan Jennings. He seems to provide an interesting deep threat.
  • Adam Bighill came ready to hit people and hit he did. That guy misses contact in the off-season.
  • TJ Lee looks ready to become a serious contributor to the Lions secondary. He played very well versus the Riders.
  • The RedBlacks offence looks like it wont skip a beat this year. Burris still looks like the MOP from last year, at least for now.
  • William Powell’s injury will not hurt Ottawa as much as most expect. Travon Van is a very serviceable back and Ottawa’s offence runs through the air.
  • Khalil Paden is ready to take the next step and become a key part of Ottawa’s receiving corp. He looked exciting in todays game.
  • Manny Rodriguez can hit like a two ton truck. That got me fired up for football