The Canadian Football League has passed the halfway point, nine down and nine to go, and little is changing in the West, while the East is tightening up because of injuries to Montreal quarterback Anthony Calvillo and Toronto pivot Ricky Ray.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders are off to their best start in franchise history, which is good news because the Grey Cup is in Regina this year. The last two Cups have been won by the host cities, so perhaps this is a trend.
Riders’ running back Kory Sheets is literally running away with the rushing lead. Any question about who is the Most Outstanding Player at this point has been answered by his consistent play and the injury to Ray, who was making a great case for himself.
Maybe this is the difference between the Most Outstanding Player and the Most Valuable Player. The CFL should consider creating the MVP Award because this is exactly what Ray is to Toronto.
The biggest story of the first half of the season may be the backup quarterbacks who are gaining some valuable playing time and giving the Ottawa RedBlacks, who hit the field in 2014, plenty of film to evaluate who they will select in the CFL expansion draft in December.
The RedBlacks will be able to take two quarterbacks, while the other eight teams can protect one qb. The consensus is Calgary, which has three pivots capable of starting, will leave Kevin Glenn and Drew Tate exposed and protect Bo Levi Mitchell.
I maintain that Drew Willy, the backup in Saskatchewan, has lots of talent, even if he hasn’t played much this year.
But the second half of the season will provide a greater understanding of which of the young pivots have what it takes.
1. Saskatchewan (8-1)
The Riders overcame a sluggish start against the hapless Winnipeg Blue Bombers and blew them away in the fourth quarter. It’s a testament to their balance on offence and strength on defence.
2. Calgary (7-2)
Stamps were life and death to hold off the Edmonton Eskimos in the first half of the home and home series, but the bottom line is they won. Credit to offensive co-ordinator Dave Dickenson for developing the team’s quarterbacks.
3. B.C. (6-3)
Quarterback Travis Lulay played his best game in some time. Now we’ll see if he can establish some consistency, particularly on the road and against Calgary and Saskatchewan.
4. Montreal (4-5)
The Als have won their last two, even if the first one came via the Hail Mary route, and they seem to have found a young quarterback in Tanner Marsh. That said, the defence is playing lights out.
5. Toronto (5-4)
The Argos are clearly missing Ray. Interim quarterback Zach Collaros is struggling, but the offence isn’t helping him without any kind of run game.
6. Hamilton (4-5)
A three-game win streak against the dregs in the league came to an end when facing one of the more elite teams. Need to be better on short-yardage situations. The front four is really coming together. Rush end Brandon Boudreaux is a stud.
7. Edmonton (1-8)
Still playing without any intensity until the fourth quarter. Don’t agree with the decision of general manager Ed Hervey to hold court and crap all over the team without holding himself and head coach Kavis Reed more accountable.
8. Winnipeg (1-8)
There is absolutely no hope for this team. Head coach Tim Burke looks lifeless on the sidelines as his quarterbacking sinks to new levels of ineptitude.