Matt Smith/CFL.ca
Every week of the 2016 season, CFL.ca columnists Pat Steinberg and Marshall Ferguson debate over one of the league’s most contentious storylines. This week, we ask the question: which non-playoff team has the best chance of making some noise in 2017?
There’s always next year. At least, that’s what fans of a few teams around the league are saying this week as the Argos, Riders and Alouettes take the field for the final time this season.
Suffice to say, 2016 didn’t go according to plan for everyone.
Riders fans took a cautiously optimistic approach to this year after Chris Jones rode into town fresh off a Grey Cup Championship with Edmonton and cleaned house. It was harder than some may have hoped for the team to move on from the previous generation of Riders, led by departed veterans like John Chick and Weston Dressler — but fans showed patience and had no problem embracing the new.
The Riders could be a team to watch in 2017 but will Darian Durant be the quarterback? (CFL.ca)
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While Saskatchewan was a young team looking to unearth young talent, the narrative was a different one for the Argos and Alouettes, two veteran teams hoping their experience would pay dividends in the East.
The Argos brought back Ricky Ray to command their offence while General Manager Jim Barker broke character in spending big throughout free agency, signing Josh Bourke to fortify the O-line and Keon Raymond to boost the defence among others. Some of those moves failed to work out in a disappointing first season at BMO Field.
While the Argos had their share of big mid-season moves, from releasing the ‘big three’ at receiver to acquiring Drew Willy via trade, it’s hard to say any team dealt with turbulence like the Als.
The Alouettes changes coaches, changed quarterbacks and even changed the face of the franchise when they shocked the country by releasing Duron Carter, yet they’ve got a chance to finish tied with Hamilton for second in the East after going head to head in Week 20.
This year it was Winnipeg flipping the script, going from second-last in the league in 2015 to finishing as high as second overall this season.
Who will be the comeback team of 2017? More from the latest Berg vs. Ferg.
| BERG VS. FERG: WEEK 19 RESULTS |
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CFL.ca |
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TOTAL |
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Steinberg – 386 (72%) Ferguson – 150 (28%) |
Ferguson – 172 (59%) Steinberg – 120 (41%) |
Steinberg – 506 (61%) Ferguson – 322 (39%) |
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FERG (8-7): LOTS TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN RIDERVILLE
Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca
@TSN_Marsh
I picked Saskatchewan to be a playoff team in 2016.
Wahh.. wahh.. wahhhhhhh.
Needless to say, the season did not go according to plan, however, the future has all kinds of possibility.
First and foremost, Chris Jones is a good football coach. He and his new Green Rider staff have done just about anything possible this season in order to find solutions to holes in their roster so you know there is no lack of effort.
Jones spent two years in Toronto and two years in Edmonton. Both times it took a little while to adapt to his systems. Heading into year two in Regina I believe you will see the true Chris Jones team next season.
My next reason for optimism is Darian Durant. He was injured through the season at various time which is to be expected in an 18 game grind, but it’s his development and leadership though the season that have me believing he could be the answer if re-signed.
When I was there with Hamilton the mood was somber. Durant didn’t want to answer contract questions and the organization seemed lost. Now late in the season with the final game at Taylor Field in the rear view mirror next to a playoff chance, the Riders have moved on and focused on finishing strong. To me that shows qualities of a good team.
Last and certainly not least, that new building looks incredible. It’s a castle in the sky over the prairies that will define the next era of Saskatchewan football.
Say what you want about the effect of a new stadium from a fan’s perspective, it means a lot to player. I’m not saying the Roughriders will win the 105th Grey Cup, but I do believe they have plenty of pluses looking forward
BERG (7-8): MONTREAL SHOULD BE ON YOUR RADAR NEXT SEASON
Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca
@Fan960Steinberg
It’s been a very tumultuous season for the Montreal Alouettes. We’ve seen on field scuffles between teammates, key players shown the door, and a coaching change all since the 2016 CFL campaign began. All signs right now would point to things being too far gone for the Als, but I actually think of it quite differently. I think Montreal is a 2017 sleeper everyone needs to be wary of.
The decision to name Jacques Chapdelaine head coach is one I think will pay dividends for next season. Since Chapdelaine took over for Jim Popp in September, the Alouettes have gone 3-2 and have been a much more formidable group. Popp on the sidelines wasn’t working and the team looked without direction at times. With Chapdelaine, though, Montreal seems galvanized by an experienced guy who is focused on coaching only. For the first time in a while, the Als look like they have an identity, and that’s huge.
It goes beyond the intangible stuff, though. Let’s not forget how formidable Montreal’s defence has been all season long. Despite their lackluster win-loss record, no one is going to deny just how stingy the Als have been all season long. Montreal has allowed the fewest touchdowns in the CFL, the second fewest points,and boasts the league’s second best passing defence. The Alouettes also lead the league in forced fumbles and sit fourth on the sacks list with 42. This is a well-rounded defensive group that should very well pick up where it left off last year.
There’s no doubt Montreal needs to figure out what it’s going at quarterback long term. Finally finding someone to take that gig full time is clearly crucial to getting this team back to where it wants to be. Vernon Adams Jr. definitely has potential and an entire off-season getting ready for a CFL season should be huge for him. With that in mind, and taking their newfound identity and stellar defence into account, the Alouettes should very much be on your radar next season.
DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE!
While both sides are pretty convincing, someone’s got to take it. Whose argument convinced you the most?
You can vote for this week’s winner both on CFL.ca and Twitter. Meanwhile, continue the conversation by tweeting @Fan960Steinberg and @TSN_Marsh.
The winner will be revealed in the following week’s Berg vs. Ferg.
