After an historic and successful 2012 in the Canadian Football League, we take a look at some key storylines heading into the 2013 season.
Can the league continue the momentum it has coming off a successful 2012?
It will be a challenge for the CFL to continue the momentum it had going for itself in 2012. It was a record-breaking year on the field and the league garnered a lot of attention nationally, especially late in the season heading into the playoffs. A small part of that could have been because the NHL was in the midst of a lockout. Next season that will in all likelihood change so the league will have some competition in Canada, in terms of where sports fans choose to spend their money.
One thing to look forward to at the end of the year is the expansion draft for Ottawa’s new franchise. That can serve as a sign of hope that the league is ready to expand and continue to grow.
The 101st Grey Cup will take place in Saskatchewan and although it likely won’t have the same kind of buzz or publicity that surrounded the 100th Grey Cup, the rabid CFL fans in the province will surely make it a party.
2012 was a great year for the CFL and there’s no reason why 2013 can’t be as well.
How will the Hamilton Tiger-Cats respond to a new coach and new temporary home stadium?
2012 was a disappointing year for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and 2013 won’t be an easy one. The team had high hopes heading into the year but inconsistent and undisciplined play lead to a 6-12 season. The poor record and missing out on a playoff spot led to head coach George Cortez being fired.
Kent Austin was hired in mid-December as the team’s new coach. Austin won a Grey Cup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2007 and in 2004 as the Toronto Argonauts offensive coordinator. It will be interesting to see how the players respond to him.
The Ticats do have a talented roster — they were the CFL’s highest scoring team in 2012 — so the major question mark will be how the club adjustss to not playing at Ivor Wynne Stadium. Ivor Wynne is getting a complete remodel and the team will play its home games at the University of Guelph in 2013. There’s no telling how this will affect the team’s performance, but it certainly is an unusual circumstance.
Can Anthony Calvillo continue to produce for the Montreal Alouettes?
Alouettes all-time great Anthony Calvillo recently made the decision to return to the CFL for at least one more year after there was speculation that 2012 might be his last season.
The 40-year-old, who was named a CFL all-star for a fifth time this past season, announced in mid-December that he signed a contract for one year plus an option year, and will make another decision on whether to continue after the 2013 season.
The Californian holds the CFL record for completions with 5,777, touchdown passes with 449, and passing yards 78,494.
He is coming off back-to-back 5,000-yard seasons, but has been taking more hits in the last couple years. It will be interesting to see if his body can hold up for another year or two. Eventually the Alouettes will need to search for a new quarterback, but will 2012 be that year?
Will there be any off-season moves like there was last season?
Last off-season was an interesting and unpredictable one. No one could have guessed that Ricky Ray would be traded from the Edmonton Eskimos to the Argos, or that the Calgary Stampeders would swap quarterbacks with Hamilton, sending Henry Burris to the Ticats in exchange for Kevin Glenn.
Inevitably there will be some wheeling and dealing, but will there be any blockbusters like last off-season?
Glenn will once again be in the headlines, as he could potentially be moved out of Calgary. Both he and Drew Tate established themselves as starters and neither wants to be the Stamps’ backup. Winnipeg and Edmonton could use help at QB, but it’s anyone’s guess where Glenn might end up, if he moves at all.
How many players will venture into the National Football League?
Every year there are a handful of talented CFLers that catch the eye of NFL scouts and head south for a chance at a much bigger paycheque.
In recent years players like Cameron Wake, Brandon Browner, Jerrell Freeman, Marcus Thigpen, Stefan Logan and Phillip Hunt (to name a few) have found success playing four-down football.
Others like Solomon Elimimian and Jerome Messam leave their CFL teams and perhaps make a practice roster or two, but find themselves back in the CFL later in the year.
Recently Grey Cup MVP Chad Kackert worked out with the New York Jets and if he signs in the United States it could leave a big hole in the Argos offence. Kackert isn’t the only player and the Argos aren’t the only team that will be affected by this type of situation in 2013, but the big question is who will stay and who will go?
Sportsnet.ca off-the-wall prediction…
The Grey Cup will be won by a host team for a third straight year.
The B.C. Lions did it at B.C. Place in 2011, the Argos did it at the Rogers Centre in 2012, and in 2013 the Saskatchewan Roughriders led by the play of Darian Durant and Weston Dressler will hoist the Grey Cup in front of their passionate supporters.
It will be a good year for Rider Nation.
Bonus prediction: Popular rock band The Sheepdogs will be the halftime act for the 101st Grey Cup. They are from Saskatoon and would get the house rockin’!
POLL:
Who will win the 101st Grey Cup?
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