Inside the CFL:Graham Kelly’s Peerless Pigskin Prognostication

By MEDICINE HAT NEWS on June 9, 2022.

Can Winnipeg pull off the first Grey Cup three-peat in 40 years? Can Chris Jones walk on the North Saskatchewan River? Is Nathan Rourke the next Russ Jackson? Can Cody Fajardo complete passes and change diapers at the same time? It’s time for my Fearless Football Forecast otherwise known as Kelly’s Peerless Pigskin Prognostication.

Given the injury factor, predicting the order of finish is a bit of a mug’s game. For example, right now, the only team in the West with a proven back-up quarterback is Calgary. The rest will be in trouble if their No. 1 guy goes down.

The past few years in the Canadian Football League, the word of the day has been change. This season, the top three teams in the Western Division are essentially standing pat. Often that is a formula for disaster, but why tinker with power houses?

Consider the defending champs. They lost 2021’s CFL receiving leader Kenny Lawler but replaced him with perennial all-star Greg Ellingson. Great Canadian running back Andrew Harris left for Toronto, replaced by two home brews, Brady Oliveira and Johnny Augustine, who filled in for the future hall-of-famer when he was hurt last year. Guard Drew Derjarlais’ shoes have been filled by Drew Richmond. The rest of the 2021 offence, including Most Outstanding Player Award winner quarterback Zach Collaros is intact, including a superb offensive line and receivers like the aforementioned Ellingson plus Nick Demski, Rasheed Bailey, Kelvin McKnight, Jarrain Grant and Drew Wolitarsky. Last year, the Bombers were best in the West at second down conversions and led in time of possession. There is no reason to believe it will be different this season.

Which makes the job of their superb defence easier. There are only three new faces on that league-leading unit, DBs Donald Rutledge, and Demerio Houston and linebacker Malik Clements. Once again the likes of Jackson Jeffcoat, Willie Jefferson and Adam Bighill will be terrorizing opposing quarterbacks.

Most of the team’s starters are in their late 20s or early 30s, the primes of their careers. The oldest is 36-year-old left tackle Stanley Bryant who won the Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award last year. This is a ripe and ready gang determined to keep the Cup in Manitoba. They should finish first and establish themselves as one of the greatest teams in CFL history. But remember, Collaros has no proven backup.

In 2019 when Collaros got hurt starting for Saskatchewan, an unproven pivot named Cody Fajardo stepped in and led the Riders to the division final, winning outstanding player honours along the way. That year they were second in points scored. Last season they slipped to fourth in points. To shed their bridesmaid status and get to the Grey Cup they are hosting, the offence must be better.

Receivers will include Duke Williams, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Shaq Evans, D’haquille Williams and Canadian rookie Samuel Emilus who I predict will win a league award in November. The Riders will feature an explosive running attack with Jamal Morrow and Frankie Hickson. The O-line is excellent. If first time father Fajardo can get some sleep this autumn, the offence should be potent.

Saskatchewan will have a great linebacking corps with Darrell Sankey, Larry Dean and Derrick Moncrief. The secondary is sound. The Riders have the most depth in the division.

Calgary will finish at least third. They have excellent receivers in Reggie Begelton and Kamar Jorden. Ka’Deem Carey led the West in rushing last year. The O-line, anchored by super centre Sean McEwan, is almost sack proof. Great veteran Bo Levi Mitchell is healthy and should approach all-star status. If not, second banana Jake Maier has proven he is a winner.

The defence stars MLB Jameer Thurman, linemen Derek Wiggan and Mike Rose, with Tre Roberson on the corner. They have great kicking, questionable punting. They also have the smartest coach in the league in Dave Dickenson.

B.C. is undergoing a massive rebuild and are pinning their hopes on Canadian quarterback Nathan Rourke to replace Mike Reilly. In pre-season, the young Canuck looked like he can play. The Elks look like a train wreck. Coach Chris Jones better be as good as he thinks he is, and much travelled Nick Arbuckle realize his potential at quarterback or another disaster will unfold in Edmonton.

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