Inside the CFL: Canadian football finally returns

By GRAHAM KELLY on August 5, 2021.

The 2021 CFL season opens tonight with more question marks than at anytime in league history. How effective have training camps been with no preseason games? What impact will missing an entire season have on the quarterbacks? How long will it take to get up to traditional game speed? The schedule begins with a Winnipeg and Hamilton 2019 Grey Cup rematch in Manitoba. It is time for my Fearless Football Forecast, otherwise known as Kelly’s Peerless Pigskin Prognostications.

The key to making the playoffs over the long run of this 14 game season could be which teams are able to avoid a rash of injuries in the short run. It has been 621 days since the last CFL game was played. The Bombers will likely open tonight without star receiver Darvin Adams and Most Outstanding Canadian running back Andrew Harris. When Week 1 ends Saturday, we should have a good idea of how the injury situation will unfold.

In ranking the Western teams, I look primarily at offensive line, linebacking and quarterback. All the teams have excellent starters but only Saskatchewan has depth at the position. Who can best protect their quarterback? Linebacking was the area that saw the most defections. Because the defending champions Blue Bombers are pretty much intact they should be favoured to finish first.

Although out tonight, Adams and Harris should be back soon. Winnipeg boasts outstanding receivers in Kenny Lawler, Nic Demski, Rasheed Bailey and Drew Wolitarsky. After he rose from the grave like Dracula at Halloween two years ago, Zach Collaros led his team to their Grey Cup victory. But he has only managed to complete two of his eight seasons in the league, the last four years ago. Collaros getting hurt is almost a sure thing. Someone named Sean McGuire is the back-up.

Defensively, the great Willie Jefferson and Jackson Jeffcoat give the Blue the best pass rush in the league. They’re joined by Jake Thomas and Steven Richardson. The linebackers led by Adam Bighill are ferocious. The secondary with two new faces will be anchored by outstanding safety Brandon Alexander. Kicker Justin Medlock is gone replaced by the nomadic Tyler Crapigna.

If Collaros gets hurt, Saskatchewan will win the West. I would have picked them first (no, not because I always do) but they lost key O-linemen and their linebacking corps.

Roughrider quarterback Cody Fajardo was MOP runner-up to Brandon Banks. He’s a tremendous leader, a fine passer and keeps drives alive with his feet. Behind him are Isaac Harker and former No. 3 overall NFL draft choice Paxton Lynch whose career was sabotaged by injuries. He is desperate to get back down south and wants to have a sensational year. There are those among us who scoff at the quality of the CFL but the NFL doesn’t. They will be watching him closely.

Fajardo has a solid receiving corps with Shaq Evans, Kyran Moore, Jordan Williams-Lambert and Jake Harty. William Powell is an all-star running back. There is only one American listed for the O-line, Terran Vaughn. Dan Clark returns at centre. Defensively A.C. Leonard and Micah Johnson anchor the line. The linebackers are Deon Lacy, Nigel Harris and Gary Johnson. Nick Marshall, Mike Edom and Ed Gainey star in the secondary. The kicking game is unmatched.

The Stampeders lost most of their receiving corps and offensive line. Quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell will throw to Markeith Ambles, Hergyu Malaya, Malik Henry and Josh Huff. Ka’Deem Carey is the running back. The O-line has been refurbished with two new tackles and back-up Canadians who now have a chance to shine. The secondary is strong, the linebacking and line questionable. There is no one behind Mitchell. But whatever problems arise, GM John Hufnagel will solve them. Hatter Aaron Crawford is the long snapper, Conner McGough has retired.

Edmonton has a good quarterback in Trevor Harris and outstanding receivers in Derel walker, Greg Ellingson and Amanti Edwards. James Wilder is in the backfield. They have problems at tackle on the O-line. Kwaku Boatteng and Jake Ceresma anchor the D-Line. The linebacking and secondary are suspect and there is no backup for Trevor Harris. Still, if they can stay healthy, the Elks could be the dark horse.

B.C. has quarterback Mike Riley, receiver Bryan Burnham and little else. So many new faces.