CFL West Division preview: Blue Bombers look to repeat after long layoff

Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Tunde Adeleke tackles Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Andrew Harris during first half football action in the 107th Grey Cup. (Jeff McIntosh/CP)

This week will be a memorable one for Canadian football fans as their patience will finally, finally be rewarded — the CFL regular season is set to kick off on Aug. 5.

Even if this season will be different from past years with only 14 games on the schedule, no pre-season and the Grey Cup being played in December, none of that will take away from the anticipation. Let’s just say the excitement for the first rouge will be justified.

Now that training camp is over and the final roster cuts have been made, all eyes will be on any significant lineup changes ahead of Week 1 as we can finally gauge where things sit with each team in the league.

The West Division has been the model of consistency over the last few seasons with four teams qualifying for the playoffs with the help of the crossover each year since 2016.

Let's take a look at each of the five teams in the division and try to determine how the Wild West plays out as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers look to keep the Grey Cup just a little bit longer.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

2019 season: 13-5 regular-season record (1st in West); lost to Winnipeg in West Division final

Players to watch: Cody Fajardo, QB; Micah Johnson, DL; William Powell, RB; Shaq Evans, REC; Ed Gainey, DB

2021 outlook: The Roughriders want to capitalize on a 2019 breakout season from quarterback Cody Fajardo, who took advantage of an opportunity to start after Zach Collaros was sidelined with an injury.

The team opted to hire former Edmonton head coach Jason Maas to take over for Steve McAdoo as the offensive coordinator with the hopes that Fajardo can continue to progress.

That said, not all is rosy in Regina. The Roughriders were dealt a succession of major blows before training camp even began with star linebacker Larry Dean, 2021 second-overall pick Nelson Lokombo and defensive end Freddie Bishop all suffering Achilles tendon injuries. This is a defence that has also lost Cameron Judge and Charleston Hughes to the Toronto Argonauts, but Saskatchewan hopes that Micah Johnson can be a difference maker.

If the Riders can overcome their injuries on defence and Fajardo can take another step forward, there’s no reason why this team can’t make another trip to the West Division final or even to the Grey Cup.

Prediction: 10-4 regular-season record (1st in West)

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

2019 season: 12-6 regular-season record (2nd in West); lost to Winnipeg in West Division semifinal

Players to watch: Bo Levi Mitchell, QB; Kamar Jorden, REC; Ka'Deem Carey, RB; Jonathan Moxey, DB; Jameer Thurman, LB; Josh Huff, REC.

2021 outlook: The Stampeders roster has been through a lot of changes, but one vital component remains the same, and that’s Bo Levi Mitchell at quarterback.

He will have his work cut out for him with receivers Eric Rogers, Reggie Begelton and Juwan Brescacin gone, but Kamar Jorden is back after the veteran suffered an ACL injury back on Labour Day in 2018.

The defence should receive a boost with the return of linebacker Jameer Thurman, who is back after brief stints in the NFL and XFL.

It’s always tough to bet against Calgary considering how consistent the team has been with president and general manager John Hufnagel and head coach Dave Dickenson in charge. If Mitchell can remain healthy after missing six games with a pectoral injury in 2019, the Stampeders should be in the hunt for the division crown.

Prediction: 10-4 regular-season record (2nd in West based on head-to-head record with Saskatchewan)

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

2019 season: 11-7 regular-season record (3rd in West); 2019 Grey Cup Champions

Players to watch: Zach Collaros, QB; Andrew Harris, RB; Willie Jefferson, DL; Adam Bighill, LB; Darvin Adams, REC; Jonathan Kongbo, DL

2021 outlook: The Blue Bombers are looking to run it all back as most of the 2019 roster that won the Grey Cup has returned — with a few tweaks.

Winnipeg started the 2019 season with Matt Nichols and Chris Streveler at quarterback, but it was Zach Collaros who finished it off. Going into this season, the key for the Blue Bombers is hoping that Collaros can put his tough injury past behind him.

Unfortunately, an injury to running back Andrew Harris could have him out for the start of the season, and that would be a big blow to Winnipeg's offence. The 2019 Grey Cup MVP is the Bombers’ workhorse, and they’ll likely have to make adjustments to compensate for his potential absence.

On defence, the team had to go out and make a trade for Alden Darby to improve their depleted secondary. That said, they return the core of their defence in Willie Jefferson and Adam Bighill, which should be enough for them to be competitive this season.

Prediction: 8-6 regular-season record (3rd in West)

EDMONTON ELKS

2019 season: 8-10 regular-season record (4th in West); lost in East Division final

Players to watch: Trevor Harris, QB; Derel Walker, REC; James Wilder Jr., RB

2021 outlook: The Edmonton Elks will be hoping that their new identity can translate into rejuvenated success on the football field.

Trevor Harris came as advertised in his first season with the team in 2019, but an injury almost cost the team a playoff spot. They were fortunate that the East Division was subpar enough that they could not only cross over, but also make the East final. Now the real question is whether they can compete with the other powerhouse teams in a crowded West Division.

The team had different plans going into 2020 with Scott Milanovich returning from the NFL, but he has since called an audible and taken a job with the Indianapolis Colts. Now, Jaime Elizondo is in charge and reunited with Harris, who has some dynamic weapons to work with in Derel Walker, James Wilder Jr., Armanti Edwards and Greg Ellingson.

On the defensive side of the ball, the team made it a point to improve the secondary by adding Aaron Grymes, Jermaine Gabriel and Jonathan Rose. If the team can limit the number of points allowed and give the offence more opportunities to get on the field, this team can surprise.

Prediction: 7-7 regular-season record (4th in West)

BC LIONS

2019 season: 5-13 regular-season record (5th in West); missed playoffs

Players to watch: Michael Reilly, QB; Lemar Durant, REC; T.J. Lee, DB; Shaw Cooper, REC; Jordan Williams, LB

2021 outlook: No CFL team was a bigger disappointment in 2019 than the BC Lions.

Signing Michael Reilly was supposed to provide the team with much-needed stability at the quarterback position. Unfortunately, Reilly spent more time avoiding tackles than he did making plays as the offensive line was a serious problem.

Rick Campbell now takes over and is hoping that the additions of Ryker Mathews and Joel Figueroa can make a big difference in keeping Reilly upright. The team also added some playmakers in Lucky Whitehead and Dominique Rhymes, who could help get the ball out of Reilly’s hands more quickly.

The defence was put in a tough spot in 2019 considering how lacklustre the offence was, but still managed to allow just 25 points per game. Unfortunately, the team lost seven starters on defence, which leaves many questions on that side of the ball.

Unless the Lions can find a way to beat teams in the division after an 0-10 record in 2019, it’s tough to see them moving out of the basement of the West.

Prediction: 6-8 regular-season record (5th in West)

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