Perry Lefko

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.

Perry’s Peerless Predictions is off the schneid following a solid Week 2.

After going winless in Week 1, and evoking many catcalls from his critics, the Peerless One rebounded with a near-perfect week.

Were it not for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who continue to fail on the field and against the spread, the Proud Prognosticator would have been perfect. But his critics doth protest that he talks too much about the Ticats, so he’ll respect that.

Perhaps the turnaround in his selections came from the advice he received from his wagering/investment guide, the eminent Randall the Handle, who lays down the lines and is considered the Sensei of Selections.

So, on to Week 3.

Wednesday

Calgary (2-0) at Toronto (1-1):

Exactly when will the Stamps really fire on all cylinders on offence? They are winning, but not dominating, failing to finish off drives. The reason, I believe, is because the offensive line is under construction. You can’t replace the quality of the o-lineman the Stamps lost.

Quarterback Henry Burris, facing pressure all game against the Cats, was forced to rush his throws. The key here is really establishing the run with all-world running back Joffrey Reynolds, who has totaled 214 yards so far, and always dominates in the second half. Burris may be more involved in running the ball, which was used effectively by Winnipeg’s Buck Pierce against the Argos in the last game.

Defensively, Chris Jones will be throwing all kinds of different schemes and blitz packages against the Argos to throw off new quarterback Cleo Lemon. The Argos are still evolving as a group, but the key to this may be patience, specifically employing the run game with Cory Boyd and Lemon running some option plays, such as Burris’ bread-and-butter zone-read play. Receiver Jeremaine Copeland, acquired for P.K. Sam, has yet to really hit stride. So, this one is really up to the Argos’ defence and special teams.

Randall has the Stamps by six.

Prediction: Stamps to cover.

Friday

Winnipeg (1-1) at Hamilton (0-2)

Hard to say this could be a defining game, but it is.

Winnipeg crashed to reality in Week 2 and now they go on the road for the first time. The offence is firing strongly with Pierce, but he took some shots in the last game. The Bombers beat the Cats in the season opener by exploiting Hamilton’s back end. We’re wondering when Fred (Fed X) Reid will start to get more touches. Paul LaPolice, who was a position coach in Hamilton in his many stops en route to becoming a head coach, needs to find a way to get Reid involved.

The Bombers defence, which will be missing two starters due to injury, including safety Ian Logan, can tee off on Ticats’ quarterback Kevin Glenn unless there’s an attempt to run the ball. The Bombers had seven sacks against Hamilton in the opener. This time they will have to contend with max protection, which was the modus operandi employed against Calgary.

The Blue Bombers also need to be better on special teams. This is a must-win game for the Ticats. They’ve disappointed so far and if they don’t do something meaningful they stand a chance of being 0-4 facing Montreal next time out and turning off fan support. They must find a way to run the ball with DeAndre’ Cobb. They employed twin tight ends last time out to provide more protection and even a bizarre three-man line on one play to spread things out.

It didn’t work.

It’s pretty simple: If they don’t run the ball soon, quarterback Kevin Glenn won’t make it past four games the way he’s getting hit. Take away the runbacks by Marcus Thigpen and this team is really struggling. The defensive line is doing its job, but behind it there appear to be problems. Linebacker Shannon James has been signed, signaling a possible change in personnel.

Hamilton is favoured by three, but it’s been terrible against the spread so far.

Prediction: Winnipeg and the points.

Montreal (1-1) at B.C. (1-1):

The Alouettes are starting to come together, although they are still getting killed on the long ball, particularly when playing man-to-man. The win over Edmonton should be a confidence booster. This is the final game of three to start off the season on the road and it’s only five days after playing in Edmonton.

The Als are normally terrible in B.C., but this time they won’t be hindered by the time difference, having stayed out west so they won’t be done in by the B.C. Place atmosphere, which is noisy and hot as hell.

Playing outside at Empire Field might feel like playing at Molson Stadium. The offence is playing at full throttle and the defence will be cranking it up against B.C.’s inexperienced o-line.

B.C. first-string quarterback Casey Printers is slated to play despite a quad injury, but don’t be surprised if backup Travis Lulay is thrust into duty at some point. Either way, the o-line needs to improve. Unless the Lions find a way to get more production out of their receiving corps this won’t be much of a game. And, after a strong outing in Week 1, running back Jamal Robertson was neutralized last time, but it’s hard to run the ball when you’re playing behind. Someone please explain to me why Brent Johnson is being rotated in and out instead of starting. He’s a stud.

Alouettes are favoured by five.

Prediction: Montreal to cover.

Saturday:

Edmonton (0-2) at Saskatchewan (2-0)

Is there any reason to feel optimistic about Edmonton? Maybe if you consider the Richie Hall factor. The former Saskatchewan Roughriders’ defensive co-ordinator beat his former team as a head coach last year in his first time back in Regina.

The Roughriders were still a team in progress at that time. They are not at this point this year. The Eskimos are reeling from blowing a game they had for the taking against Montreal on Sunday, only to let it slip away with two costly interceptions and two dropped balls that would have been touchdowns.

So, the key here is to get running back Arkee Whitlock the ball and to try and win the battle at the line of scrimmage. Ricky Ray went vertical against Montreal instead of dinking and dunking, but this is a totally different defence with all the looks they present. In fact, it will be up to the receivers to adjust with hot routes, namely Kamau Peterson. He needs a breakout game. Kelly Campbell is the Esks’ top receiver, but he’s battling tender ribs.

As for the Roughriders, even losing tackle Wayne Smith with a season-ending injury last time out didn’t matter because Gene Makowsky, tabbed here as the offensive lineman of the year in my pre-season predictions, shifted over and Chris Best stepped up into a starting role.

At this point now, the Roughriders are explosive on both sides of the ball. Quarterback Darian Durant is playing as well as any pivot in the league and his teammates are oozing with confidence.

The defence maintained the same consistency carrying over from the second half of the Montreal opener. Pending what happens with the ratio, backup running back Hugh Charles may be forced to sit. Return specialist Dominique Dorsey, signed away from Toronto for big bucks, has yet to get a long-gainer.

Saskatchewan is favoured by six, which I think is low. The rabid Rider Nation will be out in full force and making noise. They’ll make life difficult for the Eskimos. Some of them like to make their feelings known to me on a weekly basis.

Sometimes it’s actually positive.

Prediction: Saskatchewan

Record last week: 3-1.

Overall record: 3-4-1.