Well folks, the week we've all been waiting for is finally here and in 4 more days, the real thing the CFL 2015 season starts. Lotta things to watch for this week and while certainly there will be things that can be seen in week 1 that may be misleading when it comes down to the late season, a lot of teams are needing to prove something in terms of where they sit today.
Game 1: Thursday at 7:30 ET Redblacks at the Als - Neither team had a very good preseason, but for the Als, they want to start out the 2015 season strong and contend for the East. Their miraculous turnaround last year after starting out 1-7 on the year but finishing 9-9 and making it to the East final despite not winning it, is a momentum swing in and of itself and was done behind the arm of pornstache and Jon Bowman leading a vaunted defense. Both factors are in play again and they are here to prove that run was not a fluke. The Als have been in trouble early the last 2 years but have made the playoffs now for the last almost 20 years in a row, something that does not seem to be coming to a stop anytime soon. The Redblacks, it's their 2nd year now back in the league, and after debuting a 2-16 record, well the only place they can go is up. Their big challenges facing them is that Hank is probably done after this year and they don't even know how much he has left at this point, and I would not be surprised if sometime this year even, Thomas DeMarco took over the controls. Also did adding Mo Price, Greg Ellingson, Chris Williams and others address their receiving issues? I think they'll do better than 2 this year and some wins, even big upsets will be seen this year, but it will not start in Montreal.
I will say Alouettes 26-14
Game 2: Friday Night at 9:00 ET Tiger Cats at Stampeders - Hamilton will be trying to get to their 3rd Grey Cup in a row under Kent Austin, something that would've been unimaginable even just 5 years ago. Calgary once again comes out under Bo Levi Mitchell and Jon Cornish who after getting sidelined for a while early last year expects to come back again strong and once again lead the way for the stamps. The Stamps have had a lot of change of receivers over the years from Kenyon Rambo, Jabari Arthur, Mo Price, Nik Lewis, Forzani, Sinopli, and a plethora of others that have all departed now, yet continue to get it done and old Huffnagel is still out to prove his team is in control of the West.
The Grey Cup rematch is on and it'll be another nip and tuck close battle, but I think the Stampeders pull it out just barely by a score of 23-20.
Game 3: Saturday at 5:00 ET Eskimos at Argos - This game is one of those huge IF games that you really don't know what to expect. For the Argos, they will not have Ricky Ray in this one so all eyes will be on Trevor Harris going up against what was a tough Eskimo defense last year. He will have help however from the much anticipated return of Chad Kackert and the new addition of Brandon Whitaker in the passing game and with a new defensive coordinator, the Argos have some things to look forward to. The Esks also though are not without loss, while Reilly has gotten the credit for much of their play, RB John White who was that one guy who bruised through defenses will not be there opening day, and ex-bomber Chad Simpson will try to get it done. Also no longer there is WR Fred Stamps, and Shamawd Chambers is also on the 6-game IR. Adarius Bowman had a big year last year, but will he do it again? Good solid first year of Chris Jones but those expectations are gonna be way up again so the pressure is on.
Really don't know what to call here, but I'll take a surprise Argos by 4
Game 4: Last but not least at Saturday 8:00 ET Bombers at Riders: So we all wonder, will the new additions on our O-line show up and withold the pass rush of Tearrius George? Good news is John Chick is suspended so that will make the job easier. Cotton will be there this time and we want to see Drew Willy and our special teams improve on last year, and our defense stop Allen and Messam. I think it'll be another close tight one here but think we just end up a tad short with a 27-25 loss.
Well folks, the week we've all been waiting for is finally here and in 4 more days, the real thing the CFL 2015 season starts. Lotta things to watch for this week and while certainly there will be things that can be seen in week 1 that may be misleading when it comes down to the late season, a lot of teams are needing to prove something in terms of where they sit today.
Game 1: Thursday at 7:30 ET Redblacks at the Als - Neither team had a very good preseason, but for the Als, they want to start out the 2015 season strong and contend for the East. Their miraculous turnaround last year after starting out 1-7 on the year but finishing 9-9 and making it to the East final despite not winning it, is a momentum swing in and of itself and was done behind the arm of pornstache and Jon Bowman leading a vaunted defense. Both factors are in play again and they are here to prove that run was not a fluke. The Als have been in trouble early the last 2 years but have made the playoffs now for the last almost 20 years in a row, something that does not seem to be coming to a stop anytime soon. The Redblacks, it's their 2nd year now back in the league, and after debuting a 2-16 record, well the only place they can go is up. Their big challenges facing them is that Hank is probably done after this year and they don't even know how much he has left at this point, and I would not be surprised if sometime this year even, Thomas DeMarco took over the controls. Also did adding Mo Price, Greg Ellingson, Chris Williams and others address their receiving issues? I think they'll do better than 2 this year and some wins, even big upsets will be seen this year, but it will not start in Montreal.
I will say Alouettes 26-14
Game 2: Friday Night at 9:00 ET Tiger Cats at Stampeders - Hamilton will be trying to get to their 3rd Grey Cup in a row under Kent Austin, something that would've been unimaginable even just 5 years ago. Calgary once again comes out under Bo Levi Mitchell and Jon Cornish who after getting sidelined for a while early last year expects to come back again strong and once again lead the way for the stamps. The Stamps have had a lot of change of receivers over the years from Kenyon Rambo, Jabari Arthur, Mo Price, Nik Lewis, Forzani, Sinopli, and a plethora of others that have all departed now, yet continue to get it done and old Huffnagel is still out to prove his team is in control of the West.
The Grey Cup rematch is on and it'll be another nip and tuck close battle, but I think the Stampeders pull it out just barely by a score of 23-20.
Game 3: Saturday at 5:00 ET Eskimos at Argos - This game is one of those huge IF games that you really don't know what to expect. For the Argos, they will not have Ricky Ray in this one so all eyes will be on Trevor Harris going up against what was a tough Eskimo defense last year. He will have help however from the much anticipated return of Chad Kackert and the new addition of Brandon Whitaker in the passing game and with a new defensive coordinator, the Argos have some things to look forward to. The Esks also though are not without loss, while Reilly has gotten the credit for much of their play, RB John White who was that one guy who bruised through defenses will not be there opening day, and ex-bomber Chad Simpson will try to get it done. Also no longer there is WR Fred Stamps, and Shamawd Chambers is also on the 6-game IR. Adarius Bowman had a big year last year, but will he do it again? Good solid first year of Chris Jones but those expectations are gonna be way up again so the pressure is on.
Really don't know what to call here, but I'll take a surprise Argos by 4
Game 4: Last but not least at Saturday 8:00 ET Bombers at Riders: So we all wonder, will the new additions on our O-line show up and withold the pass rush of Tearrius George? Good news is John Chick is suspended so that will make the job easier. Cotton will be there this time and we want to see Drew Willy and our special teams improve on last year, and our defense stop Allen and Messam. I think it'll be another close tight one here but think we just end up a tad short with a 27-25 loss.