Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
With most teams kicking off their second half of the season this weekend, CFL.ca continues its mid-season review. In the latest, Marshall Ferguson takes a team by team look at what went right and what didn’t over the first couple months of the season:
BC Lions
5-5 (4th in West)
What’s worked
The Lions’ ability to trust the ground game with Jeremiah Johnson has been their offensive strength thus far. You can look at all the passing numbers before or after Jonathon Jennings‘ injury and say that’s the highlight, but it all feeds off Jeremiah Johnson’s dependability.
When attacking the skies, Bryan Burnham has been sensational.
Jeremiah Johnson and the Lions’ ground game has picked up where it left off (The Canadian Press)
What needs fixing
For either of the above to remain positives for the BC Lions in 2017, the offensive line has to continue to improve. In Week 1 against Edmonton, I came away wondering if Edmonton’s pass rush was really that good or if that Lions’ blockers were going to struggle like that against many more opponents.
It turns out a bit of both is true and fair.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Hunter Steward or Marco Iannuzzi
Most Outstanding Player: Jeremiah Johnson or Solomon Elimimian
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Chris Rainey
Most Outstanding Rookie: Micah Awe
Calgary Stampeders
7-1-1 (1st in West)
What’s worked
Give Jerome Messam the football.
After being ejected from the Stampeders’ eventual loss in Montreal, Calgary clearly wanted to re-establish its bruising back and did so in fashion with the most touches for a running back in a CFL game since Charles Roberts played in Winnipeg.
Bo Levi Mitchell – when healthy – continues to be the star we know him to be while a variety of offensive skilled positions continue to contribute.
On defence, Alex Singleton looks like a legend in making as the vocal and physical leader of DeVone Claybrooks red and black defenders.
Alex Singleton is quickly emerging as one of the CFL’s most dominant linebackers (The Canadian Press)
What needs fixing
I’d love to see one receiver become truly dominant for Bo Levi Mitchell. Not to say the Stampeders haven’t received all-around support from their skill positions, but Bo Levi’s ability deserves a game-breaker. Injuries have toyed with that all season, but it’s on my wish list as a fan of the game.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Jerome Messam or Alex Singleton
Most Outstanding Player: Bo Levi Mitchell or Alex Singleton
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Rob Maver or Roy Finch
Most Outstanding Rookie: Mike Kashak or Tunde Adeleke
Edmonton Eskimos
7-2 (2nd in West)
What’s worked
Depth, depth and more depth.
The Eskimos under Brock Sunderland drafted well and adopted a roster capable of surviving a ridiculous amount of injury.
The strength of the Eskimos is the sum of their parts but the star of those parts in undoubtedly Mike Reilly, who, despite the poor performance against Saskatchewan, continues to show toughness, ability and resiliency worthy of an MOP candidate.
Mike Reilly and the Eskimos have overcome a plethora of injuries on the way to a 7-2 start (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
What needs fixing
They can’t help all the injuries in the linebacking core and defensive line. They haven’t done much wrong on offence, especially down to their fourth running back, and their special teams return game has been solid.
The kicking game is a concern though and until Sean Whyte returns, it appears that will be one of the few flaws in an otherwise well-rounded group.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Justin Sorensen or Josh Woodman
Most Outstanding Player: Mike Reilly
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Chris Edwards
Most Outstanding Rookie: Kwaku Boateng or Duke Williams
Saskatchewan Roughriders
4-4 (5th in West)
What’s worked
Duron Carter has been sensational after a slow start and I love the way Cameron Marshall and Greg Morris get worked into the offensive attack. The whole show is orchestrated by veteran Kevin Glenn, who knows what strings to pull and when to pull them. Respect what KG brings to the table and enjoy the talent around him on both sides of the football.
Veteran pivot Kevin Glenn continues to defy his age as he leads the upstart Riders (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
What needs fixing
The Riders’ defensive line has been getting after quarterbacks all year but if they don’t get home, the Riders’ secondary has struggled periodically this season to play the ball in the air.
After a tough (albeit media-created) start for Tyler Crapigna he has returned to form.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Henoc Muamba or Rob Bagg
Most Outstanding Player: Duron Carter or Willie Jefferson
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Tyler Crapigna or Denzel Radford
Most Outstanding Rookie: Dariusz Bladek or Tobi Antigha
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
7-2 (2nd in West)
What’s worked
The evolution many Bombers fans were hoping to see from Matt Nichols has come to fruition. Nichols is efficient and knows when to take a risk.
Most of that success is dictated by Nichols’ surroundings. He has the best offensive line in the CFL right now, Paul LaPolice is using tempo to wear down defences and Andrew Harris is having a special year
One last thing, the fans at Investors Group Field have been incredible this year.
Bombers quarterback Matt Nichols has not shied away from his breakout 2016 performance (The Canadian Press)
What needs fixing
The Bombers need more from their young players, specifically their young Canadians. Julian Feoli Gudino and Taylor Loffler have been bright spots but the Bombers are not consistently deploying any players from their 2017 draft class and need to develop some national talent while winning now in order to promise future success.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Andrew Harris or Taylor Loffler
Most Outstanding Player: Andrew Harris or T.J. Heath
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Justin Medlock or Kyle Knox
Most Outstanding Rookie: Brian Walker or Cory Johnson
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
0-8 (4th in East)
What’s worked
Not much. They’re 0-8.
BUT…
Mike Filer doesn’t have a snap infraction and grades out as my best offensive lineman for the Ticats so far this year while Sergio Castillo has turned the kicking game from a mystery into a comfort zone.
Outside of that, it’s worth noting the sensational play of the Ticats’ young Canadian special teamers such as Felix Faubert-Lussier, Geoff Hughes, Terrell Davis, Justin Vaughn and 2017 fourth overall pick Connor McGough, who has also seen snaps on defence due to depth concerns.
Arguably the biggest bright spot on the Ticats this season has been centre Mike Filer (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
What needs fixing
Brandon Banks needs to return to his former self, the running game needs to play a larger role, the offensive line has to be more sound in protection and the defence – not including Richard Leonard – has to play the ball better in the air.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Mike Filer or Justin Capicciotti
Most Outstanding Player: Luke Tasker or Larry Dean
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Sergio Castillo
Most Outstanding Rookie: Connor McGough or Richard Leonard
Toronto Argonauts
4-6 (2nd in East)
What’s worked
The Ray-Green show is arguably the most entertaining aspect of the CFL in 2017. Bear Woods is once again a tackling machine and the Argos’ national depth is amongst the best in the Canadian Football League due to a variety of savvy trades and draft picks.
Marcus Ball and Bear Woods have led a resurgent Argo defence under Corey Chamblin (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)
What needs fixing
None of this matters if Ricky Ray isn’t healthy. Keep him on his feet and sprinkle in enough run game to keep defensive linemen guessing, you will see success.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Anthony Coombs or Jeff Finley
Most Outstanding Player: Ricky Ray or Bear Woods
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Levi Noel or James Wilder Jr. or Martese Jackson
Most Outstanding Rookie: Robert Woodson or Nakas Onyeka
Ottawa REDBLACKS
4-6-1 (1st in East)
What’s worked
While the REDBLACKS were battling out of the basement just a couple of weeks ago, their level of play has not actually been all that bad.
Trevor Harris has, in large part, been accurate and productive, while flashy athletic plays by Diontae Spencer, Joshua Stangby, Greg Ellingson and Brad Sinopoli give hope for the second half.
Not to mention Jake Ceresna emerging on the defensive line alongside the always-dominant Ettore Lattanzio.
While the REDBLACKS’ success has come in spurts, they’ll need more consistency to win the East (The Canadian Press)
What needs fixing
Finish. The REDBLACKS have to close out games from here on out, especially at home. If they don’t, the 2017 season will be all for not.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: Antoine Pruneau or Brad Sinopoli
Most Outstanding Player: Greg Ellingson or Taylor Reed
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Brett Maher or Diontae Spencer
Most Outstanding Rookie: Austen Hartley or Sherrod Baltimore
Montreal Alouettes
3-7 (3rd in East)
What’s worked
Darian Durant has been one of the most accurate and effective downfield passers of the 2017 CFL season. Nik Lewis continues to do Nik Lewis stuff, defying record books, gravity and father time, while Dominique Tovell has become a great complement to Kyries Hebert and Chip Cox.
Nice to see Boris Bede get back to being himself this season too.
Like you’d expect, Nik Lewis has been the centre of attention for the Als in Montreal (Dominick Gravel/Montreal Alouettes)
What needs fixing
Consistency. The Alouettes’ defence with Noel Thorpe will always keep them within striking distance but the offence has to produce at a higher level in order to keep Montreal in the East Division playoff push.
Possible award nominees
Most Outstanding Canadian: George Johnson or Daryl Townsend
Most Outstanding Player: Kyries Hebert
Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Boris Bede or Stefan Logan
Most Outstanding Rookie: Dondre Wright or Dominique Tovell
