THE CANADIAN PRESS
The off-season is all about looking forward. Sure, Ottawa won in stunning fashion in a way we will never forget, but when you throw out the last page of your 2016 daily flip calendar it’s time to think about who could be poised to be amongst 2017’s best teams.
Is your favourite squad on the way up or searching for answers?
1. CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps will play with a chip on their shoulders in 2017 (CFL.ca)
Head Coach: A+
I have an unhealthy admiration for the work of Dave Dickenson. In my lone CFL training camp experience in 2013 I worked with him daily and can’t say enough about the way he structures his organization by keeping CFL alumni around and embracing fresh voices such as Corey Mace, Ryan Dinwiddie and DeVone Claybrooks. The formula is there from Hufnagel and as long as Dickenson is in charge the Stampeders are in great shape.
Quarterback Situation: A
Similar to Dickenson, so long as Bo Levi Mitchell is in Calgary red the Stamps will be among the most competitive and competent teams in the CFL. Despite the way the 104th Grey Cup played out there is no doubt that Mitchell’s resume shows he is among the most accurate, agile, decisive playmakers at the quarterback position.
Canadian Depth: A-
The Stampeders have done a great job of drafting in the last five plus years. A great sign of how you draft is how many drafted players you re-sign. The Stampeders keep draftees more than most. Calgary has one of the best feeder programs out there in the University of Calgary Dinos and uses it to the best of its advantage.
Fanbase: B
When the game is on the line on a Friday night in Calgary, the stands are as loud as any location in the CFL. The only thing preventing me from assigning a higher letter grade here is the optics of empty stands in the odd afternoon game.
Stadium: C
McMahon either needs a serious revamp or a dramatic recreation. The wifi is even difficult to connect to. 21st century problems.
Overall: A
The Calgary Sports and Entertainment ownership group is among the most stable and well established in the CFL. The arrangement in Calgary allows for great synergy and a community feel.
The Stampeders have a culture of winning with an established head coach and quarterback. The ownership allows them to be aggressive which creates an environment conducive to, at the very least, remaining relevant with the potential to reign over the West and league for years to come.
2. EDMONTON ESKIMOS
After re-tooling in 2016, the Mike Reilly’s team is geared towards continued future success (The Canadian Press)
Head Coach: A-
Jason Maas made taking over as a head coach look seamless this season. He was direct, honest, informed and had a plan. His use of challenges and reviews rarely raised a spockian eyebrow unlike other coaches and I expect his influence to only become more apparent moving forward.
Quarterback Situation: A
Mike Reilly is the gutsiest quarterback in the CFL. The guy is absolutely nails when it comes to closing time and has shown the ability to stay on the field through things that many others wouldn’t dream of. He’s a great quote and paired with Jason Maas his numbers went from good to great.
Canadian Depth: C+
General Manager Ed Hervey does not have a truly proven track record of successful drafting as of yet. Last year he took Doug Corby, a receiver from Queens who spent two days at rookie camp and retired. An unfortunate result which could have happened to anyone but you have to have a true sense of a player before drafting and the Corby case seemed like a damning indictment on the Eskimos development process.
Fanbase: B+
I saw the Eskimos fans go up 25 points on Hamilton in person this year. Nobody left. Then I ran down to take a seat in the stands and get a first person view of Flo Rida’s performance where the energy and exuberance of a relatively young fan base was on full display. Edmonton knows how to be great fans of football even without a new Mosaic or Tim Horton’s Field.
Stadium: B
Commonwealth is massive. The team and city have done a bang up job of refurbishing but you can only put so much lipstick on a 400 pound pig. Different from Calgary in the sense that a massive overhaul is not needed but the size just doesn’t match the requirements of a CFL team.
Overall: A-
All you can ask for when it comes to ownership is to hire people they trust to make decisions and stay out of the way while maintaining a business model which allows financial flexibility for those who need it to be successful. That situation exists in Edmonton.
The Eskimos have a bright young head coach who seems to be fully invested in the idea of Eskimos football. Not to mention a talented, gutsy quarterback with multiple weapons and great linebacker play. The Esks are here to stay.
3. OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Antoine Pruneau and the REDBLACKS will have at least some continuity in 2017 (CFL.ca)
Head Coach: A
Rick Campbell has been decisive and forward thinking since becoming a head coach. He has made back to back Grey Cups and nailed the awkward press conference questions while building a winner. Perhaps most importantly, he perfectly handled having two quarterbacks worthy of playing time without creating a contentious environment.
Quarterback Situation: B-
This piece is about looking forward, not back. 2016 was a charmed year for passers in Ottawa with Trevor Harris putting up crazy numbers and Henry Burris leading a storybook championship run. However, Burris won’t last forever, and Harris has faded in back to back seasons in Toronto and Ottawa — an issue which could be a red flag moving forward.
Canadian Depth: B+
The REDBLACKS have quickly built a deep talent pool of nationals, including at the most important positions across the offensive line. Brad Sinopoli is a ratio breaking game changer and Connor Williams alongside Zach Evans forms a dynamic Canadian duo.
Fanbase: A+
REDBLACKS fans are great. That Eastern final was pure Canadiana and the Grey Cups of 2015 and 2016 have only cemented the passion of this fanbase. They have a winner, a great history, fantastic branding and a bright future.
Stadium: A-
TD place is great. The fanbase suits it perfectly and the business park with food and drinks close by is ideal. The problem is lack of a tailgate and transportation out after the game. Both maneuverable pieces to the fan enjoyment puzzle.
Overall: B+
Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group is driven and has built something special in a short period of time. The turnaround in Ottawa is nothing short of spectacular and could not have been as rapid with a less supportive ownership situation.
Similar to Edmonton, the REDBLACKS are here to stay if they can avoid injury. The question holding me back from an A grade is the quarterback position. Regular season numbers are fantastic but CFL quarterback legacies are made in the brief sprint that is the playoffs as Henry Burris just proved.
4. BC LIONS
Jonathon Jennings is in his prime and primed for big things this coming season (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)
Head Coach: A-
Wally Buono is a badass. He does things his way and doesn’t care for your modern standards or expectations. He ran heavy sets right from the start of the 2016 season which set the tone for the BC Lions’ season. I love his message and the CFL on TSN live mics captured Buono’s spirit better than any other head coach.
Quarterback Situation: A
Jonathon Jennings is a grade A gunner. He makes crazy throw after crazy throw and might have the best pocket maneuverability in the entire CFL. If I was starting a CFL franchise today with an eye on the future I would take Jennings over any other QB currently calling the CFL home.
Canadian Depth: B-
Jason Arakgi is a monster on special teams, Hunter Steward is a force on the offensive line and the recent draft picks of the Lions have a promising future. With that said, the receiver position could use solidarity behind Shawn Gore and the defensive secondary can’t completely rely on Mike Edem for national content.
Fanbase: B
Alive and well but not overwhelming in their presence and noise levels.
Stadium: B
BC Place is a great place to see a game but doesn’t scream CFL. Seeing the Lions at Empire field was a lot of fun and in a market with the weather of coastal British Columbia I would love to see some sunsets over the orange and black feline fans.
Overall: B+
While many factors above may not seem worthy of an overall B+ grade, the quarterback situation is more than enough for me to think highly of the BC Lions. In a quarterback-driven league, Jennings is the shining star.
5. HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
The Ticats will hope for a healthy season from Zach Collaros next year (Jimmy Jeong/CFL.ca)
Head Coach: B
Kent Austin is a calculated leader of men. He believes in always having a plan and builds his teams in his vision. He has lost two of his most loyal understudies in the last two years when Tommy Condell resigned and Orlondo Steinauer took an NCAA opportunity, which leaves some question as to the composition of the coaching staff moving forward.
Quarterback Situation: B
A healthy Zach Collaros is as good or better than anyone in the CFL. A hurt Zach Collaros can’t play or help the team win. A banged up Zach Collaros seemed inconsistent in 2016 as despite putting up solid numbers, Collaros would finish with a less successful season in many categories when compared to ‘backup’ Jeremiah Masoli.
The good news here is Collaros has a full off-season to heal up, find motivation and blow the doors off 2017 after signing another contract to remain in the hammer.
Canadian Depth: B
The Tiger-Cats Canadian scouting staff is amongst the best and the team has shown a dedication to the values of the CFL in trusting Canadians at important positions which help greatly change the ratio.
Fanbase: B+
The Ticats are so steeped in tradition and loyalty that their business operations department is striving to engage the next generation, with good early returns. The sellout numbers are fantastic and the passion of the fan base on social media is always apparent.
Stadium: A-
The complaint from some is that Tim Hortons field is low on fails and thrills. Apparently they haven’t been to the alumni lounge or Champions club on the fourth floor. The building has everything you would need and creates an engaging fan experience.
Overall: B
6. SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Naaman Roosevelt leads what could be a dominant receiving corps next season (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
Head Coach: B
Chris Jones is an enigma. He has a fierce thirst for victory and builds everything around him in that vein. He is the right man for a market like Regina and should be a lot of fun to watch develop through the ups and downs. Many more of the latter seen this past season.
Quarterback Situation: C+
The variability of Darian Durant as the leader of the Green Riders makes this a lower grade because if he is not there, Chris Jones will be playing ‘wheel of pivot’ with numerous names.
Canadian Depth: B
Having a Canadian on the quarterback depth chart is fun but doesn’t truly factor into the equation. Outside of that, the offensive line could use some depth and eventually Rob Bagg will have to be replaced. Better to start planning ahead now.
Fanbase: A
You already know…
Stadium: A+
Like most of the Canadian public, I have only seen the inside of new mosaic via television. However, I have seen the outside in person and talked to those who described it as “the quality of Minnesota (Vikings) new stadium for a quarter of the price”.
Overall: B
The Riders are naturally the hot button team due to their flashy re-development, brand new stadium and brash head coach. All that is expected is not inevitable though and in the West Division the Riders will have to scratch and claw for every ounce of success.
7. WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Matt Nichols has the Bombers trending upward, but will he be back next season? (The Canadian Press)
Head Coach: B+
I’m a fan of Mike O’Shea. Sure, he can be short with the media, but his special teams creativity and defensive productivity scream discipline and assignment sound football to me.
Quarterback Situation: B-
I still believe Matt Nichols is greatly unknown. He doesn’t strike me as a guy who will make the big play on second and long in a championship game the way Mike Reilly or Henry Burris do.
Canadian Depth: B-
Solid but not overwhelming. Taylor Loffler was an absolute home run and in 10 years I believe every team will regret not taking him.
Fanbase: A-
Loud and passionate. The beer snake is a right of passage STILL and I personally watched fans wait through a 2.5 hour lightning delay on a Wednesday this year only to make the place loud and crazy.
Stadium: B-
Investors Group Field is massive and fun but will be put into perspective once the Riders move into new Mosaic.
Overall: B-
Winnipeg did the right thing by bringing back GM Kyle Walters and Head Coach Mike O’Shea but their future is no promise. If the Bombers were in the East Division in their current state I would likely think higher of them but the West is an absolute juggernaut and the challenges of the division aren’t going away soon.
8. TORONTO ARGONAUTS
Scott Milanovich has the experience to lead the Argos to a comeback season (Argonauts.ca)
Head Coach: B
Scott Milanovich knows how to build a franchise and the current downturn in his productivity is not directly attributable to him alone. If he gets a quarterback who understands the CFL game, Milanovich will quickly come back to being named among the CFL’s best.
Quarterback Situation: C
I still don’t understand the Drew Willy trade.
Canadian Depth: B-
Releasing four receivers mid-season opened the door for Brian Jones and Llevi Noel to show their skills. Both 2016 draft picks played exceptionally well after being thrown into the fire alongside fullback Declan Cross who earned the right to dress immediately. Also, please don’t trade first round picks for questionable backup quarterbacks. That first round pick could be a definite game changer for years to come.
Fanbase: C+
Argos fans have their tailgate and found their voice in 2016 at BMO. Now time to draw new fans into the circle and make the Argos’ gorgeous new house a true home.
Stadium: A
Breathtaking at the 104th Grey Cup, as lively as any in the CFL when close to capacity.
Overall: C+
The Argos might have the greatest amount of potential in the CFL. If the new ownership gets this right and a noteworthy quarterback emerges the Argos will be a ton of fun.
9. MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Kavis Reed is the new man in charge for the Montreal Alouettes (MontrealAlouettes.com)
Head Coach: B-
Jacques Chapdelaine is a Canadian football lifer but history has shown being an interim head coach is much different from establishing a long lasting legacy. Work to be done.
Quarterback Situation: C-
The Alouettes are close to falling into Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins territory with legendary quarterbacks in Jim Kelly and Dan Marino retiring only to see the franchise fail to find a suitable replacement. Anthony Calvillo’s shadow still looms large in Montreal. Crompton has been injured, Marsh ineffective, Cato questionable. I don’t know where the answer will come from.
Canadian Depth: B
The Alouettes have a solid talent base with which to build from but Kavis Reed will have his work cut out to build a winner. The Alouettes need to avoid splashy decision making and just take the best player available for the next three years.
Fanbase: B-
The fans responded admirably to the interim hiring of Jacques Chapdelaine and can be as passionate as any fan base but haven’t shown that when compared to the Montreal crowds of recent memory.
Stadium: C-
The classic vibe of Percival Molson is unique which makes it ideal for the CFL game.
Overall: C
The Alouettes have work to do. While saying that questions exist is normal, the nature of the questions in Montreal is troubling. It all begins with ownership and a couple solid vets there could create a massive turnaround which would immediately create a healthier East Division.
