In an attempt to further improve the competitiveness in the Canadian Football League yours truly has an idea: Let’s move all nine teams into one division, and let’s just call it the West Division.
Hear me out for a minute. Front and centre in my case to put every franchise into one division and call it the West: The Blue Bombers. Last season was a disaster for the Winnipeg football club as a president, GM and head coach were fired on the way to a league-worst 3-15 record. A new regime was brought in and the team moved back to the West Division with the return of Ottawa to the CFL.
Back in the West, the Bombers had no choice but to adapt and be ready to compete from the get-go—Winnipeg has already eclipsed their win total from all of last season. No team in the West, at least in the last number of years, can seemingly ever afford to have a slow start. If any East clubs were in the West right now they would be three games out of a playoff spot just five weeks into the season.
For some fun food for thought this corner’s belief is that if all CFL teams were put into the West it would create a heightened sense of urgency among each franchise like the West Division squads deal with each season. Until it happens, the West—11-2 against the rival division—will continue to beat up on their little Eastern brothers.
To go along with our West theme, Winnipeg visits Hamilton to try and run their record against the East to 4-0 this season to open Week 6 play. Lots to talk about, so let’s get on with it.
Bombers need to avoid catching a “LeFevour”
If Hamilton’s third-year quarterback can consistently produce at a high level like he did in his first career start, he’s going to cause headaches and restless nights for defensive coordinators and defenders alike. In Week 5 Dan LeFevour passed for 361 yards and a touchdown and ran for 109 yards and a score in leading the Ticats to a 33–23 victory, while earning Offensive Player of the Week honours for his performance.
Early on against Ottawa LeFevour was skittish in the pocket and he admittedly took his eyes away from downfield and ran too much and too quickly. However LeFevour grew more comfortable and settled down as the game wore on, working through his progressions and making smart decisions with the football. LeFevour showed all the skills of a classic CFL quarterback: strong arm, quick decision-making, calm under pressure and ability to makes plays with his legs.
It certainly was an impressive performance, but one game does not make a career. With Zach Collaros on the six-game injured list LeFevour appears to be the Ticats’ starting pivot for the foreseeable future. And if he keeps playing at a high level and strings together a bunch of wins there just might end up being a—the words are so juicy—quarterback controversy in the Hammer.
Next up for LeFevour is a matchup against a revamped Bombers defence. Winnipeg’s ‘D’ is coming off their best performance of the season, holding the Lions to six points, sacking quarterback Kevin Glenn six times and picking him off twice.
Als’ awful offence
To say Montreal’s offence has been lackluster to start the 2014 season is an understatement. The Alouettes rank last in too many offensive categories to list here. Life after Anthony Calvillo in La Belle Province is proving to be much tougher than anyone thought. It’s tough to step in after a legend, but Troy Smith has to be more effective. In fact he’s been put on notice by the Als’ coaching staff: Be better or you will be benched.
Smith ranks last in the CFL among quarterbacks who have started two games or more with a 64.9 passer rating. And it’s not like the one-time Heisman Trophy winner doesn’t have weapons around him. Brandon Whitaker is back to being healthy and productive when he touches the football. S.J. Green and Brandon London are two experienced CFL targets for Smith to go along with the one and only Chad Johnson.
A home date against a Boatmen defence taking on water might help Smith find his form. Smith needs to make quicker decisions and be more accurate with the football. Toronto is allowing a league-worst 29.8 points per game. If Smith can’t find a rhythm against a leaky Argos secondary it will be a major cause for concern.
Battle of Alberta heats up
Calgary won a closely contested 26–22 contest over Edmonton in a matchup of unbeaten Albertans in Week 5. After the game a group of Stamps players posed for a picture in uniform around Eskimos head coach Chris Jones’s motorcycle:
Seems like Edmonton offensive lineman Tony Washington wants to make sure his team doesn’t forget the photo, tweeting “Remember this s— boys!”
It’s safe to say the Battle of Alberta has been renewed.
Riders ridin’ run game
Finally Saskatchewan played a game and their starting running back didn’t lose a fumble. For three straight games to open the season the Riders lead ball carrier had coughed up the football, but Will Ford put an end to that streak. Ford showed an impressive burst with the football and rolled up 113 yards and three touchdowns on the ground in his Riders debut, a 37–9 beatdown of the Argos in Week 5.
Ford’s performance calmed all panic in Riderville. Saskatchewan’s football operations and coaching staff were feverishly searching for a reliable back. So if Ford can continue to be secure with the football look for him to maintain the starting tailback job for the green and white.
It’s clear the Riders, behind a strong offensive line, like to run the football. Saskatchewan averages a league-best 135 yards rushing per game and gain 6.4 yards per carry, also tops in the CFL. Expect the Riders to call Ford’s number early and often against Ottawa’s last-ranked run defence in the nation’s capital this week.