Lefko on CFL: Week 15 Power Rankings - sportsnet.ca

Previous Power Rankings

TW	LW	Team	Our Take
1	1		The winning streak goes to seven, the last two at the newly-renovated B.C. Place. The latest win, 33-31 over Calgary had it all, but it will be remembered for everything that happened to veteran kicker Paul McCallum. He set a record for consecutive field goals, blew an attempt late in the game that was returned for a touchdown that gave Calgary the lead, then ended the game in spectacular fashion when he successfully kicked a 53-yarder, the longest in his six-year career with the Lions. It's ample proof how important kicking is in the game, and one more indication of McCallum's consistent value to the Lions, even when they were struggling during an 0-5 start. After a non-eventful game the week previously, receiver Arland Bruce, a.k.a. Runako Reth, rebounded with six catches for 92 yards and one touchdown. His value since the trade from Hamilton continues to rise. The defence came up huge, forcing Stamps quarterback Henry Burris to fumble twice.
2	3		So how important is quarterback Buck Pierce? Well, he proved it in a facile 33-17 win against Hamilton after sitting out the previous week while resting bruised ribs. For the umpteenth time in his career, Pierce sacrificed his body to make plays with his arm and legs. Running back Chris Garrett, making only his second start, had 131 yards on 18 carries. What a crucial find he has been since the loss of the team's top two running backs to season-ending injuries. But this game also showed Swaggerville is not completely dead, neutralizing Hamilton's offence, which had been explosive in the last two games. The Bombers had two sacks, one by Odell Willis, who seems to be over a mid-season slump, and an interception for a touchdown.
3	2		Win streak is up to three. The Als were expected to blow out the hapless Argos, but won by only 10. Hey, the spread was 13. They were actually down 16-13 at the half. It really didn't start to turn in the Als' favour until the third quarter when they outscored Toronto 16-3. It was quarterback Anthony Calvillo who was the key, engineering two touchdowns, one via his feet on a 19-yard gallop and then on a record-setting 50-yard touchdown pass to Jamel Richardson. The play vaulted Calvillo into first overall in career passing yards, erasing the record Damon Allen set in 2007. The Als are not the explosive team of the last two years, but have a veteran presence and a strong character. Head coach Marc Trestman, who is now third among victories among the Als' all-time coaches, has his team focused. Then again, when you have Calvillo at the helm, it provides stability in the most crucial position on the team.
4	6		Beating the hapless Saskatchewan Roughriders 17-1 is like bullying, but the Eskimos simply couldn't squander the opportunity. They are 3-3 since Labour Day, after starting out 5-0 then going 0-3. It's really hard to decipher this team. They really seem to be at their best, at least offensively, when power running back Jerome Messam gets in gear. That has made the Eskimos more balanced. He was a force against Saskatchewan with 118 yards on 20 carries. He had one run for 51 yards then ended in a touchdown. His consistency and sheer power will play a factor when the weather turns nasty. The Eskimos put the ball in receiver Fred Stamps' hands seven times against Saskatchewan, compared to only two the game previously. As bad as the Riders' offence is, you have to credit the Eskimos' defence, which produced two sacks and three interceptions.
5	5		Losing on the last play of the game to B.C. was tough, but there were some positive signs from the Stamps. But what has become a repeat issue in several games is turnovers, namely fumbles by quarterback Henry Burris. He had two against B.C. and has 12 overall this season, including eight in the last six games. The Stamps have been error prone since Labour Day and that's not the route to go. The offence has stagnated badly. Return specialist Larry Taylor has become more dangerous on special teams than the offence. Head coach John Hufnagel has already publicly questioned the team's mental toughness, and you have to feel it will become a festering issue, notably among the veteran players, unless the Stamps start to take better control of ball handling, beginning with Burris. Continuing to make running back Joffrey Reynolds a healthy scratch is going to do far more damage to the team, in my opinion, because his replacement, Jon Cornish, also plays on special teams and is going to get worn down. I wouldn't be surprised if Reynolds is reactivated for the next game.
6	4		What an absolutely shoddy effort against Winnipeg, which clearly wanted to win more badly. There was a sense of accomplishment by the Ticats after two consecutive wins that included some big plays on offence. Either Winnipeg did a far superior job of coaching its defence because it had ample game film to address some of Hamilton's strengths, or the Ticats' bubble finally burst, perhaps with a little too much trash talking. Quarterback Kevin Glenn played poorly and you wonder, will there be a quarterback controversy with backup Quinton Porter? It's the wrong time of the season for that. What I find really troubling about this team is the decision - conscious or otherwise - to go away from receiver Dave Stala. He had one catch in the loss to Winnipeg and has only five in his last three. In six games since Labour Day, he has 14 catches. If he's not hurt, then something is wrong. He's not even an every-down player at times now. Big news is that injured centre Marwan Hage, according to the Hamilton Spectator, is done for the season. That is a huge, huge loss.
7	8		They have the worst record in the league, but at least the Argos showed some fight and desire against Montreal, which clearly has a more talented lineup. It's obvious now that the Argos want to get the ball in the hands of all-purpose player Chad Owens as much as possible. He was used on a simple hitch pass against Montreal. But aside from that, the receiving corps as a whole is deficient. You couldn't pin this latest loss on quarterback Steven Jyles. That said, he hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in two games and only has five in the five games since replacing Cleo Lemon, and also has five fumbles. Sometimes it appears that his pocket presence isn't that great. A sack that cost his team a safety was an example of that. But with few tools to work with, you can't blame him entirely. Still not sure Cory Boyd had only 27 rushing yards on a measly seven carries and three catches for 24 yards. Ten touches isn't nearly enough.
8	7		The sheer collapse of this team is stunning. The Green Riders are looking worse now than at any time under previous head coach Greg Marshall. The magic that Ken Miller had when he rang up a 3-0 record after firing Marshall has gone completely. They've scored only nine points in the last three games while giving up 99. Backup Ryan Dinwiddie was elevated to starter, but he threw craps with three interceptions. Darian Durant, bothered by a sprained foot he suffered in the last game, was forced back into the lineup late in the game to try and energize the offence, but didn't have much luck, typified by a drop by sure-handed receiver Andy Fantuz, who would have waltzed in for a touchdown and provided a little bit of life near the end. The Riders will need an absolute miracle to get in the playoffs now. The reality is, this team is headed for major changes in the off-season.

latest CFL news

headlines