The Canadian Press
Andrew Harris continues to amaze me. I know the Winnipeg Blue Bombers didn’t get the result they wanted on Saturday night, but the performance they got from their running back was, once again, outstanding. Now in his ninth CFL season and 31 years old, Harris not only looks as good as he always does, he might even look better.
That’s pretty crazy when you think about the career lifespan of a professional tailback, and even more so when you think about how Harris is used. Because he’s such a staple in both the running and passing games, Harris touches the football more than most other players do at his position. Last year, for instance, saw Harris touch the ball 294 combined times, which was significantly more than guys like Jerome Messam and Jeremiah Johnson.
But durability is only part of the equation here. Sure, it’s impressive to see a 31-year-old running back withstand the physical rigors of the position. It’s another thing altogether to thrive the way Harris is at this stage in his career.
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Lions defensive back Anthony Orange celebrates as his team overcame a 17-point deficit (The Canadian Press)
Consider what Harris did during the 2017 season for just a second. While most guys start declining around the age of 30, Harris put together the best season of his career and had us talking about the double-thousand club right down to the final few weeks.
With 1,892 combined offensive yards last season, Harris eclipsed his career high of 1,830 set back in 2012, just his third professional season. That’s when most guys put up career best numbers! To come back five years later and do it a little better is pretty remarkable.
What’s even scarier, though, is what Harris has shown us through the first five games of this season. As it stands in mid-July, he’s on pace for more than 500 receiving yards and over 1,600 yards on the ground. So after a career season in 2017, Harris is actually on course to breeze right by it one year later.
Hannah Nordman of the CFL Fantasy Podcast said it on Twitter last week, and she’s right: Harris is a must-start player ever week in Fantasy circles. No disrespect to the returning Matt Nichols or impressive aerial weapons like Darvin Adams and Nic Demski, but Winnipeg’s offence runs through Harris, perhaps more than it ever has.
This would typically be the time when I’d try to balance things and say something about how there’s no guarantee Harris will continue at his current pace, which is obviously true. With this guy, however, I’d be somewhat surprised if he doesn’t come close to or overtake his career totals from the year before.
Since debuting in 2010, Harris has been one of league’s most consistent players and that hasn’t changed more than eight years later. For Harris, though, he’s actually gotten better as a veteran tailback. There’s a reason he was such an easy choice for the Money List once again this year.
The Incumbent
What DeVone Claybrooks has the Stampeders doing defensively right now is insane. Calgary’s defensive coordinator is going to be a head coach one day very soon, and his unit’s start to the 2018 season has only served to help cement that fact.
Claybrooks would have very much been in contention for a head-coaching job this past off-season had he not pulled his name out of the running for Montreal’s vacant spot. You can understand the decision, too. Claybrooks is in a great spot with the Stamps, so unless the perfect opportunity comes up, why would he leave? That opportunity is coming, though.
Look what Calgary has accomplished defensively as part of a 4-0 start to the year. They’ve allowed 38 points. Let that sink in for a second, because it means they’re averaging 9.5 points against per game. The next best team is Hamilton and it is a huge drop; the Tiger-Cats have allowed 84 points in four games, or 21.0 per game.
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» Saturday, 9:00 p.m. ET: Montreal at Calgary
The Stampeders are on top of virtually every other defensive category right now, too. Calgary ranks number one in total yards again (998), rushing yards against (290), passing yards against (793), opponent’s first downs (60), and turnover ratio (+9). I think it’s fair to say this is the league’s model defence.
Claybrooks has some extremely talented playmakers to work with. From Alex Singleton to Micah Johnson, Ja’Gared Davis, Ciante Evans and more, the Stamps boast a star-studded defensive unit. But a collection of really good players only gets you so far. The way Claybrooks uses everyone within his scheme elevates things to a different level.
I love the way the Stampeders use their defensive line, for instance. With Johnson in the middle disrupting things unlike any other CFL defensive tackle, Claybrooks can throw all kinds of different edge looks at opposing quarterbacks. It allows him to get creative with blitzes, spies, and coverage drops.
The same is true with his linebackers and backfield. Claybrooks doesn’t hesitate on blitzes from his defensive backs, the same way he has no issue dropping Singleton or Jameer Thurman into coverage. He’s got the players to mix and match, and Claybrooks takes full advantage.
I don’t know if Calgary will still have Claybrooks on the payroll in 2019, because all he’s doing right now is strengthening his resume as a head coach. I do know, however, that if Claybrooks wants to be the guy calling the shots, he’ll be able to whenever he’s ready.
Dr. Feelgood
I won’t lie, I was very much rooting for the BC Lions on Saturday night for one reason: Travis Lulay. We’re talking about an extremely dedicated player who could have packed it in for retirement multiple times over the last few years. Instead, Lulay stuck with it, got an opportunity against the Bombers, and made the most of it.
On top of his dedication and perseverance through multiple injuries, Lulay is by all accounts an outstanding teammate and a strong ambassador for both his team and the league. It’s tough not to smile when a guy like Lulay gets a shot and has a little success to go with it.
Travis Lulay engineered an impressive comeback win in his first start in 10 months (The Canadian Press)
For a guy who hadn’t played since September, going 28-of-41 with 326 yards passing and a touchdown is pretty darn good. Lulay spread the ball around nicely, especially as BC’s 20-17 comeback win became more of a reality, and got his most important weapons in on the action.
Bryan Burnham had by far his most productive game of the season while Manny Arceneaux was a high volume target and ended up with seven receptions for 63 yards. For the first time all season, the Lions had a dangerous passing attack.
I have no idea how things are going to play out at quarterback in Vancouver this season. Lulay has earned another start this weekend in Ottawa, but beyond that, it’s anybody’s guess. Jonathon Jennings is young and is still BC’s best hope for a long-term starter. After missing the playoffs last year, though, letting him go through some growing pains might not be in the cards.
Whether Lulay’s performance against Winnipeg was a sign of things to come or just a really nice throwback, I was still happy to see it. He’s a class act and has been fiercely loyal the Lions, so let’s see if this feel good story has a little legs to it.
