Some interesting stories have already surfaced after the first round of pre-season CFL games.
Some thoughts on the first pre-season games in the Canadian Football League:
Yes, the Toronto Argonauts torched the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 31-12, as both Cleo Lemon, and Dalton Bell, competing for the starting quarterback job, threw for a combined 319 yards and two touchdowns.
But the Tiger-Cats came into the game opting to play very conservatively on defence. Their new co-ordinator, Corey Chamblin, comes from a system in Calgary which was based on pressure through blitzes and different looks.
It will be interesting to see what the Tiger-Cats resemble when Chamblin's defence is on full display because it is expected to be far more complex than the conventional one used by Greg Marshall, now the head coach of Saskatchewan.
If the Ticats continue to play a bland-style of defence in their final pre-season game, it will be because Chamblin wants to hide his schemes for the regular season. That said, the Ticats' defensive backfield is most critical, particularly if it is forced to play man-to-man in blitzing situations.
Conversely, with the Ticats not playing their projected starting quarterback, Kevin Glenn, and many key offensive players against Toronto, it is far too early to judge what they did -- or didn't do -- to attack the Argos' defence.
As for the Argos, they played with several key players on offence because they wanted to give Lemon and Bell every opportunity to succeed.
The game was far more important to the Argos than the Tiger-Cats.
CHARLES LOOKS GOOD: The Saskatchewan Roughriders may have identified a punt returner in backup running Hugh Charles, after going through a hellish season a year ago.
Charles handled one punt, but returned it 70 yards for a touchdown in the team's 23-22 win over Edmonton. He has been employed as a kick returner for the Riders, but punt returning is something new. Credit Marshall for telling Charles in the off-season he wanted to try him as a punt returner, and for Charles embracing the idea.
There were too many times last year the Riders were compromised by terrible returns and/or fumbles by Dominique Dorsey, who simply lost his confidence only three years after ripping it up with the Argos. The one-time Roughrider, who excelled returning punts and kickoffs with Riders in 2006, was such a disaster in his second go-round with Saskatchewan that the team relegated him to the nine-game injured list in the second half of the season even though he wasn't hurt so his high-priced salary wouldn't count against the cap.
AND SPEAKING OF THE RIDERS: For the past few years, their receiving corps has been dominated by non-imports, hence the expression Royal Canadian Air Force. But with Andy Fantuz gone to the National Football League and Robb Bagg potentially sidelined for the year with a recurring knee problem, the Riders may start as many as three import receivers.
Rookie Ernie Wheelwright made a good first impression with four catches for 32 yards, while fellow freshman Patrick Brown had three for 61. It says here the one player to truly watch is Cary Koch, who impressed with only 21 catches for 289 yards and three touchdowns as a rookie last year. He had two catches for 31 yards in the opener.
MCCARTY MAKES IMPRESSION: Running back Calvin McCarty rushed 10 times for 62 yards and one touchdown and caught two passes for 20 yards for the Eskimos. Injuries have compromised the non-import's career since totaling more than 1,000 combined yards in his sophomore season in 2008.
If he can stay healthy, he has the potential to be the team's starter. The Eskimos' acquisition of B.C. Canadian running back Jerome Messam, who was suspended by the Lions for disruptive behaviour, could factor into the team's ratio composition and a plan to possibly start a Canadian.
The Eskimos have two talented tailbacks in Arkee Whitlock, currently nursing a wonky hamstring, and sophomore Daniel Porter, who filled in well as a replacement back. But McCarty is a better overall running back/receiver.
With the Eskimos' offensive line currently under construction due to several injuries and the possibility of starting two American tackles, McCarty could be the beneficiary.
STAMPS SHUT OUT: The only thing that can be taken out of Calgary's 24-0 loss to B.C. is that it's going to go through growing pains in its defensive backfield replacing departed cornerbacks Brandon Browner (NFL) and Dwight Anderson (Montreal). Browner will be harder to replace because he was also capable of playing inside when matched against the opposition's top slotbacks.
UNBELIEVABLE ALS: Even without quarterback Anthony Calvillo and many of its starting receivers, Montreal simply dominated Winnipeg in its 27-15 victory. It stands to reason the Als would be so strong given that they are using the same systems and largely the same personnel. Secondly, the Bombers were without starting quarterback Buck Pierce. He will probably be among the most scrutinized players in the final pre-season games and going forward into the regular season.
