BY PERRY LEFKO
sportsnet.ca
Sportsnet’s CFL guru Perry Lefko presents the five keys to victory for the four team’s competing in Sunday’s CFL Division Finals.
Toronto
1. Pass protection off the edges: The Argos have developed a solid offensive line, notably the play of Rob Murphy and Chris Van Zeyl. Murphy is a former two-time offensive lineman of the year with B.C. who had a terrible season last year. He has cut down on penalties this year, and if both he and Van Zeyl can keep the pressure off of quarterback Cleo Lemon, it will help him to try and throw the ball deep, something he’ll need to do.
2. Push the ball downfield: The Argos will run the ball. That’s a given. But can Cleo Lemon stretch the field by going vertical? He did that early in the final pre-season game with a long bomb that resulted in a touchdown. He didn’t do so in the semi-final against Hamilton because they played zone. The reality is, Lemon hasn’t been able to establish fear in the defence. In fact, defences cheat by crowding the box. If Lemon can try a long bomb early, he’ll make the defence honest.
3. Return yardage: The Argos are one of the better return teams in the league, with Chad Owens. The former Alouette, who is known as the Flyin’ Hawaiian, has an uncanny ability to find holes and switch gears quite quickly. It’s not just Owens who is responsible. In many cases, it’s the schemes put in place by special teams coach Mike O’Shea, who knows the CFL game inside and out and has employed some interesting tricks this year.
4. Quiet the crowd: Every time any opponent plays the Als at home in the final, the noise is amplified because it rebounds off the roof, combined with the thundersticks that are usually supplied. If the Argos can score early or keep the game tight, it will take some of that noise. This Argo team has not been exposed to anything like that, so it will take precision and mental concentration to play through the noise and hope to limit it.
5. Get to Anthony Calvillo: The Argos’ defensive line is highly underrated. Adriano Belli, Kevin Huntley and Eric Taylor have returned to the lineup from various injuries to provide experience and depth. Huntley, in particular, has tremendous power. Ronald Flemons has been solid for the most part off the edge. If the Argos can create a push, they may be able throw Calvillo off his game. Will it be easy? No, but it’s possible.
Montreal
1. Score on the first series: The Als have been a fast-starting team for the most part and Calvillo likes to push the ball downfield with a combination of short throws to the slotbacks and then going deep against the corners. The Als have arguably the best receiving corps in the league. On pure athletic talent, the Als can do it all and when Calvillo gets hot early, it sets him up for the rest of the game. He’s a rhythm player, and when he gets going early, it’s lights out.
2. Getting some sacks from the rush ends: Both John Bowman and Anwar Stewart have not generated the production towards the end of the season that they did early. They were allowed to rest for the final game of the regular season to keep them fresh for this game. Quite possibly these two may be nearing the end of their careers, but each has the ability to create pressure with their savvy and skill.
3. Avoiding the long ball: All season long, the Als’ back end has given up huge plays because they are forced to play man-to-man coverage. You can argue that the problem is the front four not getting enough pressure on the opposing quarterback. Argos quarterback Cleo Lemon burned the Als with a deep ball, one of the only times this season he’s stretched the field. It’s up to the Als’ back end to prevent that from happening again.
4. Chip Cox lighting it up: Cox is the key player on the Als’ defence. He makes plays all over the place. He’s as valuable to the defence as Calvillo is to the offence. Whether it’s blitzing off the edge or simply covering man-to-man, he knows how to singlehandedly stop the offence. He can drop back into coverage if the Als bring the safety down low, which is something they tend to do more than most teams.
5. Punt and kick proficiently: Damon Duval may be the best dual-purpose kicker in the league. The Als missed him during his absence because of an injury, but he is solid at nailing the angles and scoring field goals (OK, sometimes he needs a do-over). The Als have had difficulty finishing off drives, but they know that Duval usually comes through with consistent field-goal kicking. If the game is close, Duval will be the key.
Saskatchewan
1. Avoid turnovers: This is rather simplistic and applies to all teams, but the Riders have killed themselves far too often this season with interceptions or fumbles, in some cases both caused by quarterback Darian Durant. Calgary is a team that pounces on opportunities, so the Riders simply can’t make it easy for the Stamps to cash in on free opportunities.
2. Big plays from the ends: Rookie Brent Hawkins and veteran Luc Mullinder, who is in his first year as a starter, started off solidly but they haven’t done much down the stretch. Considering this was the strength of the Riders’ defence a year ago, the two ends simply have to establish a presence and make a sack or two.
3. Solid on the corners: This has been an area that opposing teams have attacked all season, notably the wide side. With Omarr Morgan likely out, the short side may feature rookie Nick Graham. Morgan is one of the best shutdown corners in the league. Meanwhile, the wide side will have either Donovan Alexander or Leron Mitchell, both of whom have been tested regularly this year.
4. Get some long return: The Roughriders are the only team this year not to score a touchdown on a return. In fact, they have turned the ball over far too many times and special teams co-ordinator Jim Daley has taken heat all season. If the Riders can’t move the ball with some decent returns, the offence will be playing on a long field for most of the game. The return game was once one of the Riders’ strongsuits.
5. Punting/kicking: Two replacement players will be handling these duties. Both punter Eddie Johnson and kicker Warren Kean need to produce, in particular Kean. With Luca Congi sidelined, the Roughriders have lost one of their most consistent players. Points could be at a premium, so Kean, a one-time first-round pick in the league with Edmonton, has a chance to prove he can handle the pressure.
Calgary
1. Burris has to be at his best: We’re all familiar with the Good Hank, Bad Hank history, so once again it has to be raised: When Good Hank is at his best, the Stamps are hard to beat. When he is at his worst, well, it’s hard for the Stamps to maintain a consistent attack. Playing at home, Burris will have the crowd behind him, so he needs to use it to his advantage.
2. Ground and pound: Whether it’s Joffrey Reynolds or Jon Cornish, who have collectively been carrying the ball, the Stamps can really create problems for the defence with their running game. This applies to Burris, too, who is one of the more mobile players and likes to run the ball off the zone read. If the Riders’ ends crash down low, Burris will be able to use his legs and run at will.
3. Nik gets physical: Nik Lewis has had a great season, including some highlight-reel plays, hurdling one player and blowing up another. He is one of the best players at racking up yards after the catch, but he’s also the most dangerous at using his weight. He just might be the best all-around receiver in the league.
4. Magnificent Maver: Rookie field-goal kicker Rob Maver started off the season consistently, then went into a bit of a funk. It wouldn’t be surprising if he had butterflies in this game, so this will be a test of his maturity and ability to handle pressure. The Stamps drafted him for this reason and for the most part, he’s done the job.
5. Browner’s shutdown ability: Brandon Browner can play cornerback, but the Stamps have employed him as a defensive back against the opposition’s best receivers. He will likely be matched up against Andy Fantuz, who had a huge game against the Stamps this season because they blitzed and he found holes down the middle. Suffice to say, if the Stamps decide to get blitz happy, Browner will need to shut down Fantuz.
