Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — The pressure is beginning to mount heading into Week 8.
While the Eskimos and Stampeders continue to roll to the top of the West, the Argos have questions at quarterback and the Ticats have changed their defensive coordinator.
The defending Grey Cup Champions, meanwhile, are still looking for their second win of the season as Labour Day inches closer.
It’s back to more football on Thursday but first we’ve got one question for every team in Week 8.
1. Will the change at defensive coordinator help the Ticats?
The Ticats have changed their defensive coordinator, replacing Jeff Reinebold with Phillip Lolley (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)
The Ticats have had their share of struggles this season but the defence has gotten the attention, allowing a league-worst 39 points per game and a last-place 460.8 yards on average. The gap between the Ticats and the next closest teams is wide and this week it was Jeff Reinebold paying the price.
It was never going to be easy filling the shoes of Orlondo Steinauer but Phillip Lolley, promoted from his position as linebacker coach and defensive run game coordinator, will try his best. Sometimes a mid-season coaching change can provide a spark, something the Ticats need after an 0-6 start.
Will the change at defensive coordinator help the Ticats?
2. Is talk about Kevin Glenn‘s starting job warranted?
One of the off-season’s biggest questions was who would start at quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders — a topic that appeared to subside after a strong start to the season for Kevin Glenn. Until now, that is.
Glenn had his worst game of the season in Week 7, throwing for only 186 yards to go with two interceptions while the Lions stormed out to a 30-0 lead. Adding fuel to the fire, young Canadian Brandon Bridge stepped in and fired a couple of late touchdown passes for the Riders
Is it fair to say Kevin Glenn’s starting job could be on the line this week vs. the Lions?
3. Do the BC Lions have the CFL’s best receiving corps?
A 50-year catch highlighted Chris Williams first as a member of the BC Lions (The Canadian Press)
In his first game action of 2017, Chris Williams wasted no time announcing his arrival as a BC Lion. Expect plenty more catches of 50-plus yards by one of the CFL’s fastest receivers as Williams brings a different dynamic to the Khari Jones-led offensive attack.
One can’t be blamed for thinking the Lions’ mid-season addition seems unfair. The Lions’ trio of Nick Moore, Bryan Burnham and Emmanuel Arceneaux was already among the league’s most productive, not to mention Canadian contributors in Marco Iannuzzi and Shaq Johnson.
With Williams on the field, can anyone compete with the Lions’ pass-catching corps?
4. Will the REDBLACKS come back to win the East?
Little has gone right for the Ottawa REDBLACKS, who are still searching for win No. 2 in the second week of August. Yet there is reason for optimism in the nation’s capital, especially if you ask Matthew Cauz. The CFL.ca writer makes his case that Ottawa will finish first in the East Division.
Despite a 1-5-1 record, there’s evidence to support Cauz’s theory. Not only do the REDBLACKS have the best point differential in the East (eight points in the negative), they also have the CFL’s leader in touchdown passes in Trevor Harris. The REDBLACKS also benefit from playing in the East (where they’re three points out of first place) and appear to be getting healthy at the right time with Kenny Shaw on his way back to the starting lineup.
It’s not a mountain but a hill to climb and for Rick Campbell and co. the opportunity will be there.
5. Is the Bombers’ early-season success sustainable?
Justin Medlock celebrates after kicking a last-play, game-winning field goal vs. Ottawa (The Canadian Press)
‘Just win’ has been the Bombers’ mantra so far this season and it’s worked because despite being against the ropes at times early in their 2017 season, the Blue and Gold sit right in the West Division mix with a 4-2 record.
With a 14-5 record since promoting Matt Nichols to starting quarterback, it’s hard to deny the Bombers have found a winning formula. Yet the winning formula is difficult to explain considering the Bombers have a negative point differential (minus seven points), the eighth-ranked offence in the CFL (364.7 yards per game) and the seventh-ranked defence (412.5 yards per game).
Give the Bombers full credit for their 4-2 start this season but is it early to call them a West Division heavyweight just yet?
6. Who’s your pick: Nik Lewis or Ben Cahoon?
While Ben Cahoon and Nik Lewis have put up similar numbers throughout their career, style of play is where the two perennial all-star pass-catchers differ. On Friday, Lewis needs six catches to tie Cahoon for second on the all-time receptions list as the Als’ receiver continues to march towards Geroy Simon at No. 1.
Both Cahoon and Lewis are/were unique in their craft and have left a profound impact on the Canadian Football League. They’re also both two of the greatest receivers that have ever played. But which one, in his prime, would you perfer on your team?
7. Should the Stamps be No. 1 in the Nissan Titan Power Rankings?
Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps have totaled 101 points over the last two games (CFL.ca)
Not many fans are arguing with the Edmonton Eskimos’ position atop the Nissan Titan Power Rankings. After all, you can’t beat perfect and not only have the Esks won six straight to open the season, they’ve also beaten one of the league’s elite teams — the BC Lions — twice.
With that said, the Calgary Stampeders are worthy of your consideration. After going 15-2-1 last season and appearing in the Grey Cup, the Stamps are off to a 5-1-1 start in 2017 — a run of 20-3-2 over their last 25 games. But it’s not just their long-term record — it’s the way they’ve played of late.
No team has been more dominant than Calgary the last two weeks as the Stampeders have put up 101 points in back to back wins. On the season, meanwhile, their point differential of 109 points is far and away tops in the CFL.
8. Is an injury to Brandon Zylstra too much to overcome?
A No. 1 receiver, two starting linebackers and two starting running backs have all landed on the injured list for the Edmonton Eskimos but it wasn’t enough to deter a perfect 6-0 start. With Brandon Zylstra potentially added to the list after a win in Week 8, is there such a thing as too many injuries for the Green and Gold?
So far the Eskimos’ depth has been unprecedented. Every time a player has gotten hurt, someone else has stepped in and carried the mail. Case and point, the Esks have three running backs that have gone over 100 yards in a game this season — through only six games.
On the other hand, Zylstra’s value to the Eskimos’ offence is immeasurable. The 24-year-old hit the century mark in four out of five games before getting hurt and has been remarkably efficient, hauling in 39 of 47 targets.
Can the Eskimos continue to tick despite all these injuries, or will they finally catch up?
9. If Ricky Ray can’t play, who should the Argos start at quarterback?
Cody Fajardo came off the bench in relief of Ricky Ray in a Week 7 loss to Calgary (CFL.ca)
While Ricky Ray’s status remains up in the air for Friday’s game in Montreal, the Argos have a couple of options if he can’t go. Cody Fajardo and Jeff Mathews are next in line on the quarterback depth chart and will be ready to play if called upon.
Which quarterback makes more sense for the Argos? While Fajardo has come in as the No. 2, part of the reason is his ability to handle short yardage situations. The 25-year-old is the less experienced option out of him and Mathews but on the positive side, his athleticism and ability to run the football make him an appealing option for Marc Trestman.
On the other hand, Mathews was highly-touted when he arrived in Hamilton and earned playing time along with some much-needed experience early in his career. At 25, Mathews still has the upside and looks to prove he’s a viable long-term answer behind Ricky Ray.
