by Will Rogers
Wednesday, Jun 07, 2023With the unbalanced schedule for West teams this year (3 against each team in the West and 1 or 2 against each east team) it will be a tough go for teams that struggled in the West last year as they will have to play more games against better teams. I’m looking at you, Roughriders and Elks.
BC
Can Vernon Adams change from “Big Play V.A.” into “Game Manager V.A.”?
He did it for his stint as a starter for BC last season as Rick Campbell did his CFL coaching magic to lead Adams into 6 TD completions and only 1 interception in the 6 games he started showing he can reliably manage a star-studded offence. This was all as a replacement for Captain Canada, Nathan Rourke who signed with the NFL in the off season. That will be the expectation this year without James Butler running and catching the ball. He may have lost Bryan Burnham to retirement but he still has three 1000 yard receivers in Dominique Rhymes, Keon Hatcher and Luck Whitehead. Adams can still improvise when things break down but Campbell’s well organized offence and solid O-line should make it less necessary.
Prediction 1st in West
Taquan Mizzel was supposed to be an important scatback last season but just before training camp he has an emergency appendectomy. He is all healed and back on the roster as the #1 running back. He was the first back in his conference to ever get over 1000 yards running and receiving so he will add to Adams’ options this season. They lost two on the o-line but gained Couture from the Bombers and Schlueger from the Alouettes. Their d-line was outstanding last season and will continue to be so, as was their secondary. Defensive coordinator Ryan Phillips did an excellent job last season and will have the horses to repeat.
BC
Can Vernon Adams change from “Big Play V.A.” into “Game Manager V.A.”?
He did it for his stint as a starter for BC last season as Rick Campbell did his CFL coaching magic to lead Adams into 6 TD completions and only 1 interception in the 6 games he started showing he can reliably manage a star-studded offence. This was all as a replacement for Captain Canada, Nathan Rourke who signed with the NFL in the off season. That will be the expectation this year without James Butler running and catching the ball. He may have lost Bryan Burnham to retirement but he still has three 1000 yard receivers in Dominique Rhymes, Keon Hatcher and Luck Whitehead. Adams can still improvise when things break down but Campbell’s well organized offence and solid O-line should make it less necessary.
Prediction 1st in West
Taquan Mizzel was supposed to be an important scatback last season but just before training camp he has an emergency appendectomy. He is all healed and back on the roster as the #1 running back. He was the first back in his conference to ever get over 1000 yards running and receiving so he will add to Adams’ options this season. They lost two on the o-line but gained Couture from the Bombers and Schlueger from the Alouettes. Their d-line was outstanding last season and will continue to be so, as was their secondary. Defensive coordinator Ryan Phillips did an excellent job last season and will have the horses to repeat.
Winnipeg
Will standing pat with an aging roster pay off?
Will standing pat with an aging roster pay off?
QB Zach Collaros will be 35 this summer. Is he another Tom Brady or is he an injury away from serious deficiencies in his game? Defense star Adam Bighill also turns 35 this season and Willie Jefferson is 32. The O-line is another year older and Collaros’ declining mobility will be exposed as they slow down. It started to show last year. Sure they have an outstanding receiving corps but the only real free agent addition was making Kenny Lawler the highest paid receiver in the CFL and now he is on the suspended list with immigration issues. It might be tough for the ball to get to them.
They essentially are running it back with the same roster that was a point (and a reliable kicker ) away from a third consecutive Grey Cup. I’m doubtful they have what it takes to repeat last years’ performance. There are some commentators who see them missing the playoffs. I’m not going to be the one to say this to Adam Bighill but maybe the West Division will.
Prediction 2nd in the West
Brady Olivera has the potential to lead the league in rushing. The receivers include Dalton Schoen, Nic Demski and Rasheed Bailey (and maybe eventually Kenny Lawler). This is as good as it gets in the CFL. And Winston Love, Deatrick Nichols and Jackson Jeffcoat will still terrorize opponents’ backfields. It is still a lot to expect the Bombers to dominate for a fourth season in a row. I’m sure Coach O’Shea and his veterans will have something to say about that.
Edmonton
When will the Elks win their first home game?
The Elks have lost 17 straight home games. If Chris Jones continues his pattern of first seasons with a new team being poor and second seasons being successful it should happen quickly. In previous stints with Edmonton and Saskatchewan Jones had a strong second season. This season has to be better than what happened last year to the Elks. Their first home game is against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. No one thinks the Roughriders will be a powerhouse this year. This streak could end in week one.
When will the Elks win their first home game?
The Elks have lost 17 straight home games. If Chris Jones continues his pattern of first seasons with a new team being poor and second seasons being successful it should happen quickly. In previous stints with Edmonton and Saskatchewan Jones had a strong second season. This season has to be better than what happened last year to the Elks. Their first home game is against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. No one thinks the Roughriders will be a powerhouse this year. This streak could end in week one.
Prediction 3rd in the West
Taylor Cornelius will start the season as the starting QB. The Elks’ staff has had all off season to prepare an offense and personnel to help him succeed. Cornelius has had an entire off season to study film and work on the necessary skills. This will let him hit the ground running. Outstanding receiver Dillon Mitchell and running back Kevin Brown were brought in halfway through last season and they excelled. Mitchell is talking about a 2000 yard receiving season. Some commentators think Brown could lead the CFL in rushing. Former tight end, now rush end, A.C. Leonard and the versatile veteran Louchiez Purifoy were signed as free agents. They are Chris Jones’ type of players – playmakers – that can have a profound impact. The O-line still needs work. The 6’5” 230 lb. Cornelius may have to improvise. He has an impressive elusiveness and ability to run the football that will probably be called into service. This could be interesting.
Calgary
With Bo Levi-Mitchell gone and number one status from the get go, can Jake Maier become the second best QB in the CFL?
With Bo Levi-Mitchell gone and number one status from the get go, can Jake Maier become the second best QB in the CFL?
So Collaros is the best. But Maier might not be far behind. With the most outstanding O-line in recent CFL history (judged by sacks allowed) and the leading rusher in the CFL, Ka’deem Carey, Maier will have the time and space to find an outstanding set of receivers. Malik Henry is as good as they get in the CFL. Reggie Begelton and Luther Hakunavanhu are also outstanding. Jalen Philpot is injured to start the season but when he returns all bets are off. Maier should have a field day.
Prediction 4th in the West
So how does a team with an outstanding offence end up ranked 4th. The second ranked defense lost the ageless Shawn Lemon and standout middle linebacker Jameer Thurman. There are still questions at middle linebacker. They still have Cameron Judge producing on the weak side but who is going to anchor the heart of this defense. They also lost defensive lineman Orimolade. Is this defense going to be able to get the stops to get Maier on the field enough to make use of all his weapons. They couldn’t get it done against the Lions in last years’ West semi-final. Are they going to be able to get it done against all of the Wests’ rejuvenated offenses.
So how does a team with an outstanding offence end up ranked 4th. The second ranked defense lost the ageless Shawn Lemon and standout middle linebacker Jameer Thurman. There are still questions at middle linebacker. They still have Cameron Judge producing on the weak side but who is going to anchor the heart of this defense. They also lost defensive lineman Orimolade. Is this defense going to be able to get the stops to get Maier on the field enough to make use of all his weapons. They couldn’t get it done against the Lions in last years’ West semi-final. Are they going to be able to get it done against all of the Wests’ rejuvenated offenses.
Sakatchewan
Will coach Craig Dickenson and GM Jeremey O’Day make it through the entire last year of their contracts?
Neither have signed extensions and the team had a down year in 2022. The Roughrider fans are legendary and this high profile franchise will not tolerate continued failure. They had a terrible O-line last season that led to injuries to QB Fajardo. Starting QB Trevor Harris is less mobile than Fajardo. How will he survive? It could get ugly quick and Dickenson might not last beyond Labour Day (first Monday in September for our American fans). They added center Peter Godber from the Lions but starting left tackle Jerald Hawkins is back home for a personal matter with no return in sight. Former Elk and Ticat offensive lineman Colin Kelly signed but is suspended 2 weeks for performance enhancing drug use. There has to be some light at the end of this tunnel.
Prediction 5th in the West
Derel Walker and Jake Wernike are quality receivers but Harris will need time to find them. Running backs Jamal Morrow and Frankie Hickson are explosive and they will give their offense options. On the other side of the ball the Roughriders have probably the best set of linebackers in the CFL with Derek Moncrief, Larry Dean and Micha Teitz although Moncrief missed most of training camp. There isn’t a lot of good news these days for the Roughriders and it could be a slow start to their campaign.
Derel Walker and Jake Wernike are quality receivers but Harris will need time to find them. Running backs Jamal Morrow and Frankie Hickson are explosive and they will give their offense options. On the other side of the ball the Roughriders have probably the best set of linebackers in the CFL with Derek Moncrief, Larry Dean and Micha Teitz although Moncrief missed most of training camp. There isn’t a lot of good news these days for the Roughriders and it could be a slow start to their campaign.
