• Burning questions: The CFL East Division

BY PERRY LEFKO
sportsnet.ca

The 2010 CFL season is set to open on Canada Day.

In anticipation of the event, sportsnet.ca columnist Perry Lefko breaks down the two divisions and provides the answers to the 'Burning Questions' surrounding each team ahead of Week 1.


The Als finally won another Grey Cup after so many trips to the final and coming up short. Then again, they won last year given an incredible do-over that allowed them to re-kick a field goal on the final play of the game. It was the ultimate gift from the football gods.

Burning Questions:

Will the Grey Cup hangover set in?

It is quite common for teams that won the Grey Cup to drop in production the following season. The intensity is lacking and sometimes it takes a few games to get it back. The Als start off with three road games, all against Western teams (Saskatchewan, Edmonton and B.C.). Playing against the Roughriders in the Grey Cup rematch, albeit in Regina, is a difficult test off the hop.

Can quarterback Anthony Calvillo continue to defy time and play at a high level?

Calvillo has won the Canadian Football League's Most Outstanding Player Award the last two years. Whether you can attribute it to a diet change, the influence of head coach Marc Trestman or the pitiful play of the East Division, Calvillo made few mistakes. Calvillo, who turns 38 in August, has thrown a total of 69 touchdowns and only 19 interceptions in the last two years and his QB rating improved from the year before and was among the best of his career. He played only one quarter in two pre-season games to keep fresh and because of the confidence in the coaching staff. Backup Adrian McPherson is sidelined to start the season.

If Larry Taylor doesn't return from the NFL, will the Als find a returner to fill his cleats?

Taylor was voted the CFL's Most Outstanding Special Teams Player last year, recording two touchdowns on punt returns and accumulating more than 1,800 yards including kickoff returns. He signed with the New York Jets, so conceivably he won't be back until September at the earliest. You can't underestimate the value of a quality returner because of his value to create field position. The Als have always been able to find good returners, but to replace the best in the league with an unknown/unproven commodity is a challenge.

Will Paul Woldu replace the departed Davis Sanchez?

The Als have featured two Canadians in the defensive backfield in recent season, and may aim to repeat that this year with Paul Woldu. Sanchez wanted out of contract to play in B.C., where he's from, so Woldu, a graduate of the University of Saskatchewan, gets a chance to step up from backup to starter in his third season.

How will the Alouettes do?

The Als set a franchise record last year with a 15-3 record. They will not repeat that because Hamilton made serious strides last year to shed its cellar-dweller image. Winnipeg made some changes and won't have the distraction of rogue head coach (Mike Kelly, to wit). So expect a record of about 12-6 and a serious battle with the Tiger-Cats for first in the division.


There is hope in Steeltown after the team finished second in the East with a 9-9 record and had a home playoff game for the first time since Angelo Mosca joined the CFL (Okay, it wasn't that long). Continuity in the coaching staff and excellent player personnel bode well for the team to pick up where it left off last season.

Burning Questions:


Will Kevin Glenn provide the consistent quarterbacking the team desperately needs?

Glenn finished as the starter last season, when it became apparent midway through that Quinton Porter simply needed more time (and it wouldn't be a stretch if Porter loses his backup spot to Adam Tafralis at some point). Glenn's veteran leadership and his ability to push the ball downfield created some excitement. With targets such as Arland Bruce, Dave Stala, newcomer Maurice Mann coming over from Edmonton and second-year player Marquay McDaniel, there's a legitimate receiving corps. As long as Glenn stays healthy and plays similar to last year, the Ticats have to be taken seriously.

Will Bruce do anything controversial?

If there is ever a player who gravitates to the spotlight, it's Bruce. There was the Spider-Man imitation. There was the tribute to Michael Jackson. There was…okay, let's not get too much into Mr. Mature's past. He's taken number jersey number one this year, and that's symbolic. He could be in for a career year, capable of totaling 1,500 receiving yards and possibly be the CFL's Most Outstanding Player. Got it, Arland? Go for it. They're not saying boo in Hamilton, they're saying "Bruuuuuuuuuuce."

How valuable will Sandro DeAngelis be?

DeAngelis gives the Ticats a consistent field-goal kicker, which is lacked last season. But more than just his ability to connect on three-pointers, he brings passion and enthusiasm and that should permeate through the dressing room. The Niagara Falls product wanted to play near home, so he willingly came to the Tiger-Cats. Nobody forced him to leave Calgary, and when was the last time a player left a winning program to join a franchise which hasn't had a winning record in a dog's age (or is it a cat?). We're not sure if he'll do some kind of soccer slide to celebrate a kick, but you know he'll be jumping up and down and feeling good about things, and that will carry through the locker room and the stands.

Who will line up in the defensive backfield?

This is about the only area that had legitimate battles. The competition for the safety is between Sandy Beveridge and Dylan Barker, the latter a former first overall pick, who might be ready to start. The halfback spots are wide open. Will Poole, Jason Shivers and Will Heyward are in the mix for the two vacancies.

How will the Tiger-Cats do?

If they carry over their consistency from last year, I see them giving the Als a true battle for first. I've already gone on record as saying they will win the East in the regular season. There's so much veteran leadership on this team, beginning with the quarterback, the place-kicker, the linebacking corps and other areas. Running back DeAndra' Cobb is a young stud. Head coach Marcel Bellefeuille has the respect of his players and there's no reason this team should lose games because of inexperience. I think the Ticats are poised for their best year since winning the Grey Cup in 1999. And it's all because of Bob O'Billovich, the savvy general manager who has found some good players.


Mad Mike Kelly is gone, so that automatically is worth a couple of wins. Paul LaPolice is a head coach for the first time at the pro level and is commanding respect on and off the field with his ability to engage the veteran players and the media. Onetime player personnel director Joe Mack returned to the franchise after more than 20 years as vice-president of football operations and has made some interesting moves, beginning with LaPolice. Lots of veterans getting long in the tooth were dismissed in one way or another as part of a rebuilding progress. Fred Reid (a.k.a. Fred X) is one of the star running backs in the league.

Burning Questions:


How will LaPolice do?

Almost all first-year coaches in any profession struggle because the demands are far greater than being a position or specialty coach. LaPolice is one of the most creative minds in the CFL with his use of misdirection and motion. He may struggle because the team is new in so many areas and it's a question of everything meshing together. The list of first-year coaches who didn't last a season is long, but LaPolice has come in without an attitude problem like his predecessor. The end result is winning will conceal any struggles or concerns. Fortunately, he can lean on his experienced boss, Mack.

Can Buck Pierce stay healthy?

While he insists he only had one concussion and reports of his injury problems were exaggerated. That said, only Winnipeg opted to sign him (the Argos passed, which I think was a mistake). Anyhow, if he can last the whole season (and that means he'll have to stop pretending he's the second-coming of Matt Dunigan) it's a great pickup. If he doesn't, well, it's a question of how mileage they get out of him. Backup Steven Jyles is quite serviceable, so the quarterbacking situation is much improved under the Kelly fiasco.

Will the trade made last season with Calgary finally pay dividends?

Defensive lineman Odell Willis, receivers Titus Ryan and Jabari Arthur and offensive lineman Derek Armstrong with receivers Romby Bryant and Arjei Franklin going the other way. Willis started off strongly in Calgary then faded. The key is Jabari Arthur who didn't play because of an injured foot that required surgery. The three are all young prospects with upsides, but Romby Bryant, who struggled under Kelly's system, is a player who became a deep threat in Calgary. Armstrong retired from the league.

How good is the defence?

It seems that aside from Doug Brown, Ike Charlton and Joe Lobendahn, there's lots of new faces on this side of the ball. Kavis Reed came over with LaPolice from Saskatchewan and appointed as defensive co-ordinator after working as special teams co-ordinator in Regina, so it's a question of how well he can get these guys to mesh to his system, which will likely be match coverage, a combination of zone and man-to-man.

How will the Bombers do?

Better than last year because all of the controversies are gone and there's optimism in Bomberland. Allowing Reid to touch the ball 15-20 games is a great way to win without having to resort to exposing Pierce in wide-open situations. I think the Bombers have an outside shot to make the playoffs, placing third in the East, depending on what happens if there's a Western crossover. I like the way kicker Alexis Serna matured in his second season, and everyone knows the value of consistent field-goal kicking in the CFL. Bombers fans want an honest effort from their team, and with the right people in place there is reason to believe pride will be restored. I think a .500 record is doable.


A new era is underway in Toronto with a new owner (David Braley), new head coach (Jim Barker), a variation of the front office (Adam Rita is still the general manager, but Barker is providing input) and a new player/personnel guy. Barker went 9-9 in his first go-round in Toronto back in 1999, but he's a much different person now, knowing the game and the league personnel. Barker has taken on the offensive co-ordinator duties and it seems the Achilles heel of the Argos in most years is the offence.

Burning Questions:


How will the quarterbacking situation shake down?

Neither Cleo Lemon nor Dalton Bell really stepped up to claim the starting job, so the quarterbacking is a mystery again. After dumping the three quarterbacks who finished off the season last year, there is no reason at this point to feel the Argos are in any better shape in the most pivotal area of the team.

Will the decision not to re-sign all-purpose player Dominique Dorsey be a mistake?

Dorsey helped the Argos immensely two years ago with his returning and ability to play running back and catch some passes. He wanted more than the Argos wanted to pay, so he opted for free agency and signed with Saskatchewan. Because he could do so many things, notably give the Argos field position with his returns, finding one or more players to replace his various talents won't be easy.

How much of an impact will receiver Jeremaine Copeland make?

At one point he was the best receiver in the league. His production picked up last year, but he struggled with touchdowns down the stretch after tearing it up in the first half. Barker has had Copeland with him in various stops and considers him a character player for the dressing room. But this Argonaut receiving corps doesn't seem nearly as threatening at this point as the groups in Calgary and Montreal.

How will the kicking work out?

Jamie Boreham, acquired from Saskatchewan, is still a question mark heading into the season. He's been cleared to play after sustaining a neck injury last year that sidelined him down the stretch, but will the Argos take a chance on him knowing he could be hurt and be on the hook for his contract? He's a veteran punter, who can also placekick, and is useful if he stays healthy. But if he's not available, what happens? Rookie Grant Shaw is the only punter/kicker on the roster. He's a place-kicker first, a punter second. If and when Justin Medlock returns from a tryout in the NFL, this is an area of concern because a team transitioning on offence trying to work out a new system and players, kicking is paramount.

How will the Argos do?

Presumably better than last year after plummeting to a league-low 3-15. It all goes back to the quarterbacking situation. It has been an issue with Barker in Toronto and later Calgary, albeit for different reasons. But this has to be addressed and solidified quickly or it will be another long season for the Argos - and this time it won't be because of Bart Andrus. The heat will be on Barker and Rita.

• Poll

• Which team will finish first in the East Division?
  • Hamilton
  • Montreal
  • Winnipeg
  • Toronto

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