Jaime Stein
CFL.ca
TSN’s Chris Cuthbert has been following the CFL a long time. Even he had to hesitate several times on Saturday’s broadcast before tossing out the possibility that Montreal could go undefeated in 2009. It is hard to argue with Cuthbert’s point. Montreal has been dominating teams on offence (Calvillo has been unstoppable), on defence (Anwar Stewart and company keep getting better) and on special teams (Larry Taylor may be the best return man in the league). CFL.ca’s Matt Cauz is also sitting pretty close to the Cuthbert camp – he feels the Alouettes may lose one or two games at most this year. Barring some sort of major disaster, it is hard not to pick the Montreal Alouettes as the early Grey Cup favourites.
I can hear the football purists shouting out: “The real CFL season starts after Labour Day.”
I understand that mantra, but the Alouettes could easily be 8-0 by the time summer unofficially comes to a close. Back-to-back games against the BC Lions to kickoff September may be a challenge for Montreal, but what a story it would make for Calvillo and Co. to go undefeated in 2009.
For the record, the Edmonton Eskimos hold the best record in an 18-game season. The Green and Gold were 16-2-0 in 1989.
Stewart’s Helping Hand
Anwar Stewart recorded his ninth career interception on Saturday in Regina. This wouldn’t be news except for the fact that Stewart is a defensive end. He is supposed to be sacking quarterbacks, not picking off passes. He attributes some of his success in 2009 to a new yoga routine, while Glen Suitor mentioned that Stewart was listening to Luther Vandross prior to the game. I guess that represents the calm before the storm.
Compare Stewart to veteran linebackers Otis Floyd (2 career INTs) and Kevin Eiben (6 career INTs). He trails safety Wes Lysack (10 career INTs) by one. A look at Stewart’s teammates indicates that he has more career picks than Stanford Samuels (8 career INTs), Chip Cox (6 career INTs), Etienne Boulay (6 career INTs), Mark Estelle (5 career INTs) and Matthieu Proulx (4 career INTs).
Shell Game
One of the players who caught my eye through the early part of the season is the Argos’ Lin-J Shell. He plays hard on the field and by all accounts he is a decent person off the field as well. Shell had a bit of a tough debut when he was fined for a late hit in his second CFL game, but he bounced back with two massive sacks against the Calgary Stampeders in Week 3. I like how the Argos are using him to blitz from the secondary – his speed and toughness make him a threat to all the quarterbacks in the league.
We need ‘Mo Mann
Maurice Mann may be the breakout receiver of 2009. In addition to leading the league with 277-yards receiving through three weeks of play, he has been doing it in spectacular fashion. Witness his outstretched touchdown grab on Thursday night as just one example of his outstanding athleticism.
Simon Says
Geroy Simon is back! His two TD performance against the Eskimos was smooth and there is nothing better than watching his slick, but toned down, Superman celebration following a major. Many people will argue that Paris Jackson had the better game amongst the Lions’ receiving core, but I must admit my bias towards Simon as one of my favourite receivers.
Bombs Away
Sticking with the BC Lions, Jarious Jackson may rival Ricky Ray as the best deep ball thrower in the CFL. Watching Jackson chuck rainbows with ease against the Eskimos was a treat. And I’m sure the BC receivers were equally happy to collect the pot of gold on the other end.
Duck and Cover
Milton Collins is quickly making a name for himself as one of the hardest hitting defenders in the league. He wallpapered Tyler Scott on Friday night and put fear into the Argo receiving core with a couple of other big hits. Collins is taking the reins from Wes Lysack, Kenny Wheaton and Rob Hitchcock as the CFL’s hardest hitting defensive back.
The Human Missile
Watching Siddeeq Shabazz launch himself into tackles on the field makes me glad I can watch games from the comfort of my couch. He throws bone crushing hits, but he has also evolved into a game breaker in 2009. He has two interceptions for touchdowns after three games. It is unlikely he can keep up the pace, but he is playing great football and deserves to be recognized. I can’t help but wonder if Edmonton wished they still had him patrolling their secondary.
Discipline Part II
Calgary is still taking too many penalties. Last week we told you that the Stamps and Argos had combined for 273 yards on 31 penalties entering Friday night’s contest. The Stamps racked up 141 yards on 16 penalties in the game. Coach Huff needs to get a hold of his boys soon before it spirals out of control. The record for penalty yards in a season is held by Hamilton (2096 yards in 2004). The Stamps are on pace for 2058 yards through three games.
Klondike Bowl
Was there a better name for the Winnipeg-Hamilton Retro game on Saturday? With all that gold in the uniforms it resembled the Yukon circa 1898.
Otis Floyd Part II
Kevin Glenn takes home the Otis Floyd award in Week #3 for returning to haunt his former team.
STARS OF WEEK #3
***** Kitwana Jones: Think about this for a moment – you steal a bag and are making a get-away. The last person you want to see chasing you is probably a hybrid DE/LB. Not only can the guy run, but he can hit and tackle as well. We’re glad that the streets of Edmonton are just a little bit safer today thanks to KJ. BTW, his comments following the incident are gold: Check them out.
**** Ben Cahoon: I can hardly put his performance into words. I leave it to: What a catch!
*** Dorian Smith: He had one sack and was in the face of the Hamilton quarterbacks all night long including some outstanding pressure on Quinton Porter late in the second quarter. A solid addition to an already strong Winnipeg defensive line.
** Jeff Perrett: He made several key blocks to spring Avon Cobourne in the Als win over the Riders and is establishing himself as one of the top young Canadian offensive linemen in the league.
* Marcel Bellefeuille: The former CIS coach has his team over .500 for the first time in 1,823 days. The last time the Ticats were over .500 was under another coach with CIS experience, Greg Marshall.
