Week 17 Power Rankings

TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	1		The Als may have the best record in the league, but their defence has been extremely porous in the last two games, in particular the back end. Billy Parker is getting torched. The Als get the benefit of the doubt because Anthony Calvillo didn't play in the loss to Winnipeg, but Montreal really needs to forget about the fact it has clinched first in the East and play with a little more intensity. It's unfortunate the East Division is weak in comparison to the West because the Als would be vulnerable if they had to lock horns each week with the likes of Saskatchewan, Calgary and B.C. Backup Adrian McPherson held the ball for too long too often, showing it's quite a difference between being the backup and the starter. If the Als lose the rematch to Winnipeg with Calvillo playing, there's reason to worry in Montreal.
2	2		Two weeks in a row the Roughriders had to go to overtime and they continue to show their heart. Darian Durant is showing he is quite likely the Most Outstanding Player in the West. The defence came apart in some situations against B.C., but managed to make the key play at the end for the win. And once again, credit has to be given to the Riders' Crazy Canuck receiving corps. It's the quality of this team's Canadians that has kept Saskatchewan in contention despite the loss of Weston Dressler.
3	3		Absolutely shredded the Eskimos and you had to like how the receiving corps is finally coming together. There is still room for improvement, however.
4	4		B.C. Lions start their fourth quarterback of the season and nearly pull out a win. Credit must be given the coaching staff, notably offensive co-ordinator Jacques Chapdelaine, who has done an excellent job with the pivots. Receiver Geroy Simon is on a tear. Newcomer Michael Bumpus had three catches and a touchdown and definitely qualifies for all the All-Name Team. And how about safety Barron Miles? Is there a better ballhawk than this guy? With 65 interceptions and counting, Less Browne's league record of 87 may be in doubt.
5	7		With four wins in their last five, you've got to figure the Bombers are hitting their stride at the right time. Playing with a wonky hammy, quarterback Michael Bishop lit up the Als' secondary. When he's on his game - and he has been of late - Bishop is among the best quarterbacks in the league, and now he has some receivers to help him stretch the field. All of a sudden it is all coming together for the Bombers and, as we noted last week, credit must be given to head coach Mike Kelly for turning over the offensive reins to someone else.
6	6		Took care of the Argos with relative ease, and once again received a stellar performance from Kevin Glenn, making his second consecutive start at quarterback. It's made a huge difference in the overall psyche of the offence, which hasn't fallen behind early. Impressive stop by the defence early in the game.
7	5		It goes from bad to worse for the Eskimos, who are in danger of missing the playoffs. Will the offence ever wake up? Was it a mistake to fire offensive co-ordinator Rick Worman in favour of Kevin Strasser? Quarterback Ricky Ray looks lost. The team has regressed badly and is finishing the season as badly as it started.
8	8		Sixteen games into the season and head coach/offensive co-ordinator Bart Andrus still can't figure out how to convert a third-down gamble. Exactly why he felt the need to gamble early on a third down from his 30 makes you wonder about his judgment. Is it because the Argos are out of the playoffs? If that's the case, why did he try a field goal on third down later in the game inside the red zone? In a nutshell, this explains why the Argos have been so pathetic this year.

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