Thankfully—with the health of players in mind—there are no more five-game weeks on the remainder of the Canadian Football League schedule.
Last week Winnipeg and Toronto were forced to play on just four days’ rest between games and it took a toll on each team. A lack of recovery time affected the performances of the Bombers and Argos as their respective second games in a short time frame wore on.
Winnipeg was outscored 17–0 in the fourth quarter of a 38–21 loss in Toronto, clearly running out of energy. And to finish off their compressed week the Argonauts actually held a 17–13 lead very early in the fourth quarter against the Lions before B.C. rolled off 20 straight points to win 33–17. Proper recuperation is crucial in professional football and for the remainder of the season it shouldn’t be an issue.
Here are three other storylines to keep an eye on as we head into Week 9.
Carter coming on strong
It appears Duron Carter—son of NFL Hall of Fame receiver Chris Carter—is fully healed from a high ankle injury he suffered in Montreal’s season opener. Carter has caught 17 passes for 181 yards over his past two games. And even though he wasn’t supposed to be fielding kicks Saturday, he took a missed field goal and blew past everyone else on the field for a 122-yard touchdown that set the football world abuzz.
Alouettes GM Jim Popp said earlier this year: “Every NFL team should be after Chris Carter’s son. He’ll be highly, highly sought after. This guy can go in and be a one or two guy [first or second receiver].”
You shouldn’t need to hear much more to start paying closer attention to a potential future star NFL pass catcher. Carter is listed at six-foot-five and 205 lb. Pair his size with 4.5-type speed and you’ve got a special combo of physical traits. Montreal needs to utilize him as much as possible while he’s still in an Alouettes uniform. And it seems of late they are really making an effort to get the football in his hands.
It’s been an interesting season for the Als, to say the least, but they seem close to getting a second win. No matter who happens to be throwing passes for Montreal, targeting Carter early and often in Winnipeg could be the key to victory on Friday night.
MOP rested, ready to run
Jon Cornish—the CFL’s reigning Most Outstanding Player—is set to return to action for the first time since Calgary’s season and home opening game on June 28. Kyries Hebert laid a vicious clothesline tackle on Cornish that day and knocked him out. The Stampeders’ star running back eventually walked off the field under his own power and has been recovering from the hit ever since.
Credit Calgary’s head coach and GM John Hufnagel for allowing Cornish plenty of time to fully heal from the head injury. As much as the coaching staff and Cornish himself would’ve rather had him playing than sitting out, it’s a testament to all all involved that they’re taking a more cautious approach to head injuries. Cornish feels he’s been ready to return for about two weeks now, but also said it was good he had plenty of time off.
Calgary has been rolling along without their talented Canadian rusher, averaging a league-high 27.3 points per game and sitting at 6-1 atop the West Division. That said, Cornish’s return will still provide a boost to the Stamps offence, and in more ways than one. It will allow Calgary to re-work their ratio and possibly get dependable veteran receiver Nik Lewis back in the game-day lineup.
Don’t be surprised if Cornish puts up a big performance in his return because Ottawa ranks last in the league in rushing defence, allowing 121 yards on the ground per outing.
Lions’ little Logan
At five-foot-six and 180 lb., B.C. Lions running back Stefan Logan is by no means an imposing figure, but his ability with the football in his hands will make any opposing defender uneasy. Just ask the Argos he left gasping for air last Sunday—Logan’s array of make-you-miss moves were on full display in Toronto.
With Andrew Harris out resting an ankle injury, Logan got the bulk of the work at running back. He set career highs with 19 carries for 145 yards on the ground, recording his fifth 100-yard effort in the process. No. 10 for the Lions showed his burst and special ability to stick a foot in the ground and change direction at a moment’s notice.
A healthy Harris, who leads the league with 781 yards from scrimmage, combined with Logan, who is tops in the CFL with 1,182 combined yards, gives B.C. a lethal combo in their offensive backfield. Saskatchewan, who travels to the Left Coast in Week 9, knows all too well the problems Harris and Logan can create for a defence. B.C.’s backs combined for 257 yards from scrimmage—185 rushing—in the Lions’ 26–13 win over the Riders in Week 3.