Seldom has an off-season produced so much change as the one just past, featuring a quarterback carousel and the appointment of an unheard of four new head coaches, three of them rookies. There was unprecedented player movement. Calgary’s great defence was decimated. As Bob Dylan sang, “Times they are a changing.” But the French say the more things change, the more they remain the same. What will this year bring?
Predicting the outcome of the 2019 CFL season which kicks off on Thursday is a mug’s game. Nevertheless, it’s time for my Fearless Football Forecast, otherwise known as Kelly’s Peerless Pigskin Prognostications.
The teams that have changed the least in the West are Winnipeg and Saskatchewan. They will fight it out for first place. I give the Bombers an edge because they have quarterback security. Neither Rider Zach Collaros nor Matt Nichols are all-star calibre quarterbacks. But if Collaros goes down, the Riders will have to rely on Cody Fajardo or Isaac Harper whereas the Bombers can call on proven sophomore Chris Streveler.
Both teams have excellent offensive lines anchored by veterans Bomber Stanley Bryant and Roughrider Brendon LaBatte. Each has won the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award. Last year Andrew Harris led the league in rushing with 1,390 yards. Now a Rider, William Powell was second, 28 yards behind.
Each team will field an impressive receiving corps, Winnipeg with Darvin Adams, Chris Matthews, Drew Wolitarsky, Nic Demski and Kenny Lawler. Saskatchewan will counter with Shaq Evans, Naaman Roosevelt, K.D. Cannon, Kyran Moore, Cory Watson, Carlos Henderson, Paul McRoberts and Mitchell Picton. Manny Arceneaux and Patrick Lavoie are injured.
But will the Riders make good use of their fine pass catchers? Last year Saskatchewan ranked dead last in passing yardage and percentage completions, largely because coordinator Steve McAdoo believes in an ultra-conservative short pass, ball control offence. New head coach Craig Dickenson endorsed that philosophy.
“Huckin’ and chuckin’ is not going to be our thing,” he told the media last week. “We’re going to move the ball downfield and gain yards in a methodical way.” He believes a good ground game is essential. That means Powell will get lots of work.
Both have outstanding defences, Winnipeg strengthened by signing Willie Jefferson. Adam Bighill is in the middle. The Riders have Micah Johnson. The linebackers will be Derrick Moncrief, Dyshawn Davis and Cameron Judge. Solomon Elimimian is hurt. The secondaries are about the same.
Give Saskatchewan the edge on special teams with returner Christion Jones, kicker Brent Lauther and punter Jon Ryan. Justin Medlock handles both jobs for Winnipeg. The Labour Day and Banjo Bowl games should be dandies. Better order tickets now.
The defending champion Stampeders lost three receivers – another won’t be back until September – and six defenders. Losing all that talent gave them the money to re-sign quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, recipient of the 2018 CFL MOP award. But to whom will he throw? As it turns out, one of the most talented and deepest receiving corps in the country thanks to the genius of general manager John Hufnagel. The starters will be Eric Rogers, Markeith Ambles, Reggie Begelton and Juwan Brescacin. With a good-not-great offensive line, they will likely surpass the 5,000-yard passing mark again. Veteran Don Jackson is in the backfield.
Defensively, they still have solid veterans like linemen Corderro Law and Derrek Wiggan, linebackers Cory Greenwood and Wynton McManis and D-backs Tre Roberson, Brandon Smith and Jamar Wall. Their kicking game with Rob Maver and Rene Paredes is excellent.
Edmonton has 27 new players on the active roster. Among them are free agent linebackers Larry Dean, Jovan Santos-Knox, Don Unamba and cornerback Anthony Orange. The front four features Kwaku Boateng, Almondo Sewell, Mike Moore and Alex Bazzie. The defence will be much better. On offence they lost quarterback Mike Reilly and most of their receivers. Trevor Harris and Greg Ellingson will soften the blow but the offence isn’t the same without Reilly. If everything comes together, Edmonton could be a contender but 27 changes is too many.
Despite the presence of Reilly, B.C. should be a train wreck. The O-line is good, the running game and receivers mediocre, the defence porous.
Congratulations to Crescent Heights High School Vikings alumni Connor McGough and Aaron Crawford for again making Hamilton’s active roster.
Graham Kelly has covered the CFL for the Medicine Hat News for 47 years. Feedback for this column can be emailed to sports@medicinehatnews.com.
