The Canadian Football League is turning into The Longest Yard.
Certainly that was one of the major themes of Week 5 in the CFL, which had some surprising results, some of them predicated by an inability to score from the one-yard line.
It contributed to losses by Hamilton and Edmonton, and nearly resulted in a defeat for Montreal.
The Eskimos were stopped short at the one-yard line on the final play against Montreal, following a controversy on the preceding play.
Edmonton thought they had scored, but the video replay officials deemed otherwise, although doing so without halting play. It had done so at the other end of the field to determine whether Montreal had crossed the plane.
If video replay officials are going to review plays, why not automatically stop the game? All touchdown scores are automatically reviewed before play resumes, so why not a play that appears to be a touchdown and is being reviewed?
Clearly this needs to be addressed with a defining rule or some better form of communication in the moment it is happening, rather than the next day. The CFL should have come out with an immediate statement explaining the rationale for not stopping the game. The Eskimos certainly had every right to claim foul.
Hamilton had issues for the second consecutive game on third-and-one, the latest one happening at the goal line. It’s an issue that left general manager/head coach Kent Austin fuming afterward. This had nothing to do with the officials; this was simply about failed execution.
Overall, Week 5 saw some impressive play by teams starting with backup quarterbacks, notably Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell, Saskatchewan’s Drew Willy and Toronto’s Zach Collaros leading their teams to impressive wins in place of injured starters. Through five games, the Roughriders are undefeated, which clearly is the key story early in the season.
1. Saskatchewan (5-0)
An awesome display on offence and defence for the Riders, who simply are playing on a different level than any other team. With quarterback Darian Durant sidelined, running back Kory Sheets made a statement as the Most Outstanding Player in the CFL to this point.
2. Calgary (4-1)
Mitchell turned heads with his performance in a win over Winnipeg, creating a bit of a controversy over whether or not he should continue starting in place of Drew Tate, who may be ready to return from an elbow injury. Personally, I’d go back to Tate, who’s the more experienced pivot.
3. Toronto (3-2)
The defending Grey Cup champions are on a modest two-game win streak and starting to come together on defence following some personnel changes. Soundly beating B.C., which defeated them a few weeks back, with Collaros and backup running back Curtis Steele bodes well for the Argos.
4. B.C. (3-2)
It’s becoming increasingly apparent that something is missing from the Lions and, at the risk of repeating myself, it’s the dominant play of quarterback Travis Lulay. He just doesn’t seem to be the confident, commanding player who led the Lions to a Grey Cup win two years ago.
5. Montreal (2-3)
The Als held on for dear life to beat the Eskimos, potentially saving the job of rookie head coach Dan Hawkins or, at the very least, changes on his staff. At least running back Brandon Whitaker showed why he is so valuable to the team. If he is injured, it’s a huge loss.
6. Edmonton (1-4)
You truly had to feel for the Eskimos, coming so close to pulling off a miraculous win. Quarterback Mike Reilly asserted himself as the team’s starter and hopefully won’t have to be pulled out of any games anymore to prove that.
7. Winnipeg (1-4)
The knives are out in Bomberland, seeking the head of embattled GM Joe Mack. There seems to be no clarity regarding quarterback Buck Pierce, who claims he is healthy while the team says he is hurt. Mack should have moved forward without Pierce after last season.
8. Hamilton (1-4)
For the fourth time in the last eight seasons, the Ticats have started out 1-4. Austin is clearly exasperated by the mounting losses and injuries. Were it not for the fact the Cats played the Riders, whose fans travel well, their temporary home at Alumni Stadium in Guelph may have been a dead zone.