This past weekend was a major coming out party for a couple of former NFLers, while two Western powerhouses picked up big wins to set up a heavyweight showdown.
Here’s what we learned from Week 17 in the CFL:
Smith shows Heisman form
The Montreal Alouettes quarterback conundrum became a bit clearer this weekend as 2006 Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith, made his first CFL start. Smith was a revelation at times in a 36-5 drubbing of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Molson Stadium, all the while showing there’s room to improve.
He’s adapting to a new system, but he’s a mobile QB with a good arm and completed 17 of 35 pass attempts for 247 yards with three touchdowns and, most importantly, no interceptions. Smith has a plenty of weapons at his disposal and S.J. Green emerged as his go-to receiver.
If the Als can generate momentum from Smith’s solid start, things are looking good heading into the playoffs—where they will in all likelihood meet the same Ti-Cats they just shellacked.
Sims-Walker shines
Former Jacksonville Jaguar standout Mike Sims-Walker lit up the Argos secondary in his CFL debut. The 28-year-old had eight receptions for 137 yards and seemed to have a solid rapport with fellow ex-NFLer Max Hall, who has been improving lately. The Bombers were down 23-3 at halftime, so they were forced to throw the ball a lot and Sims-Walker made several high-level grabs in the second half.
The Bombers were mathematically eliminated from the playoffs, but if Sims-Walker is with the team next year he could become a serious downfield threat.
Argos struggling on both sides of run game
The Argos have a pass-heavy offence, but they’re most effective when they can pick up the odd first down on the ground. They haven’t been doing it lately. On Saturday in a win over the Blue Bombers, the Boatmen only had 20 yards rushing on 11 attempts. In fact, they’ve had fewer than 70 yards rushing in three straight games.
On the defensive side of the ball, they’ve been giving up too many yards on the ground. Will Ford had 75 yards and a touchdown on 13 carries Saturday. The Bombers abandoned the run in the second half, otherwise those totals likely would have been much higher. In the two weeks prior, CJ Gable of the Ti-Cats had a combined 216 yards and two TDs.
If they want to repeat as Grey Cup champs they need to tighten up their run defence and get something going on the ground on offence. If Chad Kackert can stay healthy, that would be a great help.
Table set for Stamps-Riders classic
The Calgary Stampeders and Saskatchewan Roughriders have established themselves as the two best teams in the league and both picked up dominant wins this weekend. Those solid performances only added fuel to the fire heading into next week’s showdown in Calgary. The season series between the two is currently tied 1-1 and their Week 18 matchup could have a major impact on the playoff picture.
If Calgary wins, they clinch first in the division and ensure themselves a bye into the West Division Final; if the Riders win, they clinch a home playoff date and the division will be up for grabs in the final week of the season when the Stamps and Riders face the Lions and Eskimos, respectively.
Lions facing serious QB problems
Thomas DeMarco is a serviceable quarterback, but the Lions just haven’t had the same zip to their offence since Travis Lulay went down. DeMarco isn’t as mobile as Lulay and can’t extend plays by rolling out of the pocket as effectively. The Lions had a difficult time stretching the field in a 35-14 loss to the Riders, with their longest completion being only 23 yards.
One bright spot for the Lions heading into the playoffs is the return of Stefan Logan, who spent the last four years in the NFL.
Mental lapses cost Ti-Cats, Eskimos
The Ti-Cats could be so good if they just put everything together. After looking solid in back-to-back wins over the Argos, the Ti-Cats were abysmal in a blowout loss to the Alouettes. As a group they committed 12 penalties for 113 yards, which is far too undisciplined. Montreal played well, but Hamilton handed that win to them on a platter.
Same goes for the lowly Eskimos, which are a much better team than their 3-13 record indicates. They were penalized 11 times that cost them 114 yards in a loss to their provincial rival Stampeders. Untimely penalties have been one of the many reasons why the Esks will miss the playoffs.
Think Pink
Who says tough guys can’t wear pink? Every CFL team was decked out in pink swag over the weekend to commemorate breast cancer awareness month. Players had bright pink cleats, towels, gloves and ankle wraps as part of the CFL Pink campaign. The league and its franchises raise money and awareness for a great cause and it’s nice seeing the players get involved.