Lefko on CFL: Week 14 Power Rankings - sportsnet.ca

Previous Power Rankings

TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	3		An emphatic turnaround for the Stamps and, in particular, quarterback Henry Burris, who shook off his awful performance from the week before against B.C. and made plays with his arm and his legs. The Stamps rose to the challenge in a battle against the beast from the east. This was a statement game and the Stamps took control early on some simple plays to go up 14-0, while focusing on exploiting Billy Parker. The Stamps did an excellent job of game planning and play calling by head coach John Hufnagel and quarterback coach/co-ordinator Dave Dickenson, who WILL be a head coach next year. You read it here first and will continue reading it. I’m sure he’s on Eric Tillman’s radar.
2	1		Okay, the Als lost, but let’s look at this in context. The defence has been yielding way too many points. It began in the first two games and popped up again over the last two weeks. Sloppy tackling and weaknesses on the corner are once again becoming an issue. That being said, the offence continues to play well, although it’s had to abandon the running game due to falling behind. If punter/kicker Damon Duval is sidelined for any period of time, it’s a huge loss, but if the Als distance themselves from Toronto and Hamilton, it will help address this issue.
3	2		The Riders made short shrift of the Argos – hardly a surprise there – but did so as much on defence as on offence. Facing a young and inexperienced former teammate quarterbacking the Argos and the league’s top running back, the Rider defence bent against the run for the first half, then held stiff with some changes in alignment in the second half. And they didn’t allow the ball to be pushed downfield, which helped to stack the box. Knowing the Stamps won, the Riders’ win guaranteed themselves a playoff spot and a chance to still fight for first in the West. And how about Kelly Chase representing the Riders in the Battle of the Blades? Nice effort.
4	4		The Lions continue to rise up the standings following their awful 1-7 start. They are 4-1 in their last five. Quarterback Travis Lulay had his best game as a starter, even playing with a new offensive tackle in the latest change to the offensive line this year. And how about the Lions’ decision to go for it on third-and-one late in the game instead of going for the sure field goal? It was a ballsy move, considering the Lions’ offensive line has struggled, but it worked and killed the clock in the process. Field goal kicker Paul McCallum sucked it up after injuring his leg. If McCallum continues to play like this, he’s a surefire nominee for Outstanding Canadian and Special Teams player of the year in the West. He may have some competition in the latter category from Yonus Davis, who has given the team excellent field position with his returns.
5	5		The Ticats blew a 21-7 lead in the loss to Edmonton. Once again, the Cats self-imploded with turnovers, one a fumble by running back DeAndre’ Cobb, his third turnover in two games, and an interception by quarterback Kevin Glenn. You can’t really hang this on the defence, at least the front four, which played a physical game. All-world rush end Justin Hickman had a huge game against the Eskimos. Is it me or are the Ticats reluctant to use kicker Sandro DeAngelis for field goals because he hasn’t been money this year or are they simply playing for field position? I think it’s a little of both. Remember when the Cats won four in a row, albeit beating Toronto and Winnipeg twice? As the running game has increased, the productivity of Arland Bruce has decreased significantly. In their attempt to run the ball more, the Ticats have taken away touches from arguably their most effective weapon – and it’s not just because defences are keying on him. The Ticats need to find ways to get him open by moving him around more or creating ways to get him the ball. How about some hitches or placing one on one against the wideside cornerback?
6	7		Give the pesky Eskies credit. They’ve won two in a row and still remain in the playoff picture. Who would have ever imagined that? Quarterback Ricky Ray had his best game of the year, pushing the ball downfield with prime receiver Fred Stamps proving again just how much he was missed while injured. Calvin McCarty had another solid game running the ball. It was an inspired effort by the defence, notably defensive lineman Greg Peach, who had a peach of a game. The Eskimos are now 2-1 since the hiring of general manager Eric Tillman. Maybe the biggest thing is the Eskimos are starting to get key people back in the lineup. The only thing more impressive than this victory was hearing former Eskimos’ play-by-play announcer Bryan Hall doing a halftime interview on Hamilton’s AM900. He lost his voice, which may have been planned, but then turned it on and didn’t stop. Hallsy, you’re still the greatest!
7	8		The Argos have lost two in a row and the offence continues to sputter through the air, this time with backup quarterback Dalton Bell unable to push the ball down the field. Running back Cory Boyd lit it up on the ground following a layoff of two games with a concussion and kept the team in the game in the first half, but was stopped in the second half by adjustments made by Saskatchewan. It’s simple: shut down Boyd and you’ve stopped the Argo offence.
8	6		Every week this team finds ways to lose, despite head coach Paul LaPolice preaching the message of playing a full 60 minutes. Once again, the Bombers blew a lead. It’s hard to understand this team from a personality point of view. They have amazing receivers in Terrence Edwards, Terence Jeffers-Harris, Greg Carr and running back Fred Reid and are limited to one touchdown. And they have a defensive line that is among the best in the league. Again, as has been the case for some time with the Bombers, a makeable three-pointer was missed by kicker Justin Palardy, one of many who have struggled with consistency in this key area. So what’s wrong with the Bombers? Is it preparation? Is it focus? Is it a rookie head coach struggling after being a position coach? It’s really hard to put the finger on what has gone wrong with this squad. It’s more than just the loss of Buck Pierce, who played well early in the season. The Bombers are basically out of the playoff race and that has to be a major disappointment for a franchise that underwent a major off-season change in football operations but has faltered badly.

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