Taking a look at the highlights and lowlights from the third week of the CFL season.
Watching Saskatchewan continue its early-season struggles and Edmonton succeeding, I had to wonder what was going through the minds of former Roughriders' general manager Eric Tillman and the team's fans?
Tillman has literally moved on and is enjoying the success of the Eskimos, whom he has personally rebuilt, just as he had built the Roughriders. There are interesting parallels. Tillman joined the Riders' midway into the 2006 season and guided them to a Grey Cup victory the next year. He joined the Eskimos midway through the 2010 season and has them on pace to potentially return to the championship game. He hired a rookie coach in 2007 and hired a rookie coach in 2011, both considered cerebral individuals who played in the Canadian Football League.
LATE HIT: Calgary safety Demetrice Morley was flagged 15 yards for a late hit on Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce well after he'd thrown the ball. It should have been at least 30 yards or an ejection because Pierce was extremely vulnerable.
REVERSAL OF FORM: Calgary Kicker Rene Paredes had two clutch field goals in his first-ever CFL game, replacing Rob Maver, but his second game was much different because of a blocked field goal, missing one of three attempts, and kickoffs that went out of bounds - costing his team penalty yardage.
THIGPEN LIGHTS IT UP: Hamilton return man Marcus Thipgen was a big part of the team's success last year but has been slow to get in gear this season. He showed signs of returning to form with five punt returns for 93 yards against Saskatchewan. He was also an impact as a running back and receiver when Avon Cobourne was sidelined with an undisclosed injury.
13TH MAN REVISITED: For reasons known only to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the person(s) responsible for the video scoreboard, an image of the Roughriders' infamous 13th man penalty from the 2009 Grey Cup was flashed during the Hamilton/Saskatchewan game on Saturday.
DO THE HUSTLE: Give B.C. quarterback Travis Lulay credit for hustling to make a downfield tackle - and a pretty good one, too - after tossing up an interception against Edmonton that T.J. Hill looked as though he would take to the house.
HECTOR POTHIER REBORN? For a few seconds, the cameras focused on Edmonton offensive lineman Kyle Koch, who with his body size and beard looks slightly like a younger version of Hec Pothier, the legendary o-lineman from the Eskimos' glory years.
TOUGH TIMES FOR BRALEY BUNCH: Six games into the season and David Braley's teams in Toronto and B.C. are a combined 1-5. Media is asking questions in B.C. about a coaching change, but Braley's answer was not at this time.
NEW STREAK FOR ALS: For the second consecutive game, the Als did not sell out at home. When the Als did not sell out for their home opener, it ended a string of 105 in succession Molson Stadium. The stadium was renovated to add 5,000 more seats for an overall capacity of 25,012.
It should be noted when the Als were filling the stadium to capacity with about 20,000 or so, it was considered a big deal, while that kind of turnout for an Argos' game would have been criticized for fan indifference. It's all about perception and reality.
The Argos play their home opener this Saturday against Winnipeg at 4 p.m. If they get 25,000, that will be considered good given their 0-3 record, their weak offence, the time of the game and the opponent.
THE POPP MAGIC: You look at the Alouettes' team and you have to marvel at the work of general manager Jim Popp and how he continues to find talent.
The Als were missing two key receivers against the Argos - Kerry Watkins, who hasn't played a game because of sinus issues, and Jamel Richardson, who led the league with 276 yards on 18 catches after the first two games, with a quad issue. So the Als' get production from two guys named Brandon, who are getting starring roles this year after being bit players last year. Brandon London caught six passes for 82 yards. He played in only one game last year and didn't have a catch.
Running back Brandon Whitaker - a backup in Montreal to Cobourne, who left the Als as a free agent this year to sign with the Cats - had 11 catches for 94 yards. He also had 16 carries for 120 yards and one touchdown.
Head coach Marc Trestman said before training camp began that Whitaker deserved the chance to become the feature back, despite some high-profile off-season signings, because of his knowledge of the system. He was bang on - and clearly the Als - and Popp in particular - deserve credit for realizing Whitaker could do the job.
A MISSED OPPORTUNITY: There was no ceremonial presentation by the Canadian Football League after Calvillo made his historic touchdown throw against Toronto on Friday, surpassing Damon Allen. There was a stoppage last year when Calvillo's teammate Ben Cahoon set a CFL record for career catches and a presentation by commissioner Mark Cohon. And a presentation in 2007 when Allen broke the all-time professional record for passing yards.
"It was a mutual decision made with the Alouettes," a CFL spokesman said when asked by Sportsnet.ca. "Their preference was not to stop the game for a ceremonial presentation. They did briefly stop the game for approximately 90 seconds in which they played a tribute video for Calvillo along with a public announcement in stadium. The league plans to honour Calvillo later in the season."
Fair enough. Later this season, Calvillo will break Allen's all-time passing record.
The fact the CFL issued a media release after the record-setting throw without a quote from Cohon was curious at best.
