by Scott Rickenbach
Tuesday, Jun 07, 2022Canadian Football League West Division Preview for CFL 2022
BC Lions – This team is off a 5-9 season last year and now they have a QB situation that is full of inexperience. Maybe Rourke and O’Connor, if called upon, can get it done but are they really the answer after the retirement of Reilly? The fact is the Lions could make a minor move this season if they get solid QB play but this still appears to be one of the weaker teams in the league and when you play in the West with strong teams like the Riders, Stampeders and Bombers that makes things even tougher.
Calgary Stampeders – I am looking for Calgary to respond this year after a bit of a disappointing, though winning, season last year. Also, the Stampeders season will be keyed by the performance of QB Bo Levi Mitchell but I definitely like his supporting cast. That said, most signs point to this team having the chance to be in the mix with the Roughriders and Blue Bombers.
Edmonton Elks – There were two 3-11 teams last season and one, Ottawa, made a lot of big off-season additions and should be much better. The other, this Elks team, looks like it has not changed nearly enough to see significant improvement. Heading into this season this looks like the worst team in the league. Making matters even worse for Edmonton heading into the season is the Arbuckle injury situation at QB. So this team is one that likely needs faded early and often this season.
Saskatchewan Roughriders – The Grey Cup will be in Regina in November so you know this is a special year for the Roughriders. The hope in Saskatchewan is that they can make a run but they’ll need to score better than last season as they did have troubles at times putting up the points and that is what separated from them from the top teams. Having Duke Williams hopefully healthy for the full season at the wideout spot should help the receiving corps with the added deep ball threat. Solid team again this season but will only go as far as QB Cody Fajardo and this receiving group will take them.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Back to back Grey Cup Champions so certainly they have a bullseye on their backs coming into this season. They signed a lot of their core again but did lose RB Harris who was a such a key player for them. He is now with Toronto. However, it is the system that is also a key with Winnipeg and they continue to get it done. So though a 3-peat may be too much to ask, this team is going to contend once again in my opinion.
BC Lions – This team is off a 5-9 season last year and now they have a QB situation that is full of inexperience. Maybe Rourke and O’Connor, if called upon, can get it done but are they really the answer after the retirement of Reilly? The fact is the Lions could make a minor move this season if they get solid QB play but this still appears to be one of the weaker teams in the league and when you play in the West with strong teams like the Riders, Stampeders and Bombers that makes things even tougher.
Calgary Stampeders – I am looking for Calgary to respond this year after a bit of a disappointing, though winning, season last year. Also, the Stampeders season will be keyed by the performance of QB Bo Levi Mitchell but I definitely like his supporting cast. That said, most signs point to this team having the chance to be in the mix with the Roughriders and Blue Bombers.
Edmonton Elks – There were two 3-11 teams last season and one, Ottawa, made a lot of big off-season additions and should be much better. The other, this Elks team, looks like it has not changed nearly enough to see significant improvement. Heading into this season this looks like the worst team in the league. Making matters even worse for Edmonton heading into the season is the Arbuckle injury situation at QB. So this team is one that likely needs faded early and often this season.
Saskatchewan Roughriders – The Grey Cup will be in Regina in November so you know this is a special year for the Roughriders. The hope in Saskatchewan is that they can make a run but they’ll need to score better than last season as they did have troubles at times putting up the points and that is what separated from them from the top teams. Having Duke Williams hopefully healthy for the full season at the wideout spot should help the receiving corps with the added deep ball threat. Solid team again this season but will only go as far as QB Cody Fajardo and this receiving group will take them.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Back to back Grey Cup Champions so certainly they have a bullseye on their backs coming into this season. They signed a lot of their core again but did lose RB Harris who was a such a key player for them. He is now with Toronto. However, it is the system that is also a key with Winnipeg and they continue to get it done. So though a 3-peat may be too much to ask, this team is going to contend once again in my opinion.
