PDO
6-26-05, 5:41 PM
1. BC Lions (last week: N/A)
When you beat the defending Grey Cup champions (in their own barn) to start the season, you deserve to be called No. 1. If Casey Printers is still wondering why Dave Dickenson is the Lions quarterback, he should go back and watch the 16 play, 86-yard drive that Dickenson put together at the end of the fourth quarter to win the game. That was vintage Dickenson and that was sweet revenge for Wally Buono and the rest of the Lions as they beat the Argos the same night Toronto raised their Grey Cup banner. Even better? The Lions get a bye week to rest up.
2. Montreal Alouettes (last week: N/A)
Well, so much for losing Jermaine Copeland and all those receivers from the Als offence. Anthony Calvillo and his crew got it going in the third quarter and looked awesome. Even rookie kicker Damon Duval got in on the act nailing three field goals. It certainly looks like Jim Popp and Don Matthews have put together another great team in Montreal. Great to see a healthy Marc Megna playing so well. Up next a trip to Ottawa to face the Renegades.
3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (last week: N/A)
What a omen to start the season. The game is delayed because of a frightening thunder and lightning storm, and then the Roughriders unleash their own brand of thunder and lightning upon the Bombers. Nealon Greene, Matt Dominguez and the rest of the offence enjoyed a great night while the Riders "D" and special teams were just as good. Up next, the Riders take a trip to the "Hammer" to face the Ticats.
4. Edmonton Eskimos (last week: N/A)
Sorry Eskies fans, but beating Otawa at Commonwealth is as common as gas prices going up before a long weekend. Having said that, it was a nice way to kick-off the season. Sore knee and all Ricky Ray carved up the 'Gades defence as he spread the ball around and made effective use of running back Elvis Joseph. The addition of Joe Montford paid huge dividends as the Eskies had seven sacks on the night. Up next, a trip to the 'Peg.
5. Toronto Argonauts (last week: N/A)
Banner night. Over 30,000 at Rogers Centre. You would think the Argos offence would have come out guns-a-blazing. Not quite. Damon Allen and the Argos offence managed only six points in the first half as they kicked off the 2005 season with a loss. Yes, they did get it going in the second half, but you can not spot a team like BC a 19-6 lead at the half and expect to win. Defence played well except for the 16-play game winning drive they allowed at the end of the fourth quarter. Up next, a trip to Calgary to face the new look Stampeders.
6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (last week: N/A)
A touchdown on special teams and a touchdown from the defence made the score look quite flattering. Danny McManus and the Ticats offence never really got it going at Molson Stadium. The fact the Ticats scored on special teams and on defence is very encouraging. At the very least they had a chance to win the game. Saturday night, the Ticats offence will have to be dialed in as they take on scary Roughriders at Ivor Wynne.
7. Calgary Stampeders (last week: N/A)
A bye week to start the season could either be a could thing or a bad thing. Tom Higgins crew will either start their Canada Day clash against the Argos like a juggernaut or they could look a little rusy after wating an extra week to start the season. With all the changes in Calgary, it is a great way to see what they're all about in taking on the Argos on Canada Day at McMahaon Stadium! Man you got to love the CFL!
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (last week: N/A)
The fact the Blue Bombers allowed a touchdown on the opening kick-off at Taylor Field kind of set the tone for an ugly night. The Bombers offence could only muster eight first downs and 145 total net yards. Whatever talent the Bombers have on defence will be burned out by Labour Day if that trend continues. Up next, they're back home to host the Eskimos.
9. Ottawa Renegades (last week: N/A)
Kerry Joseph is an amazing athlete. But if he keeps getting sacked seven times a game, he won't make it until Labour Day. Joe Paopao and his staff have got to come up with some schemes that will better protect their quarterback. At least Jason Armstead looked like a champion in the game. The Renegades defence were on the field way too long. Up next, a Canada Day special in the Nations Capital against the Alouettes.
You know, I generally respect Jim Lang on these things.. but wow. The Lions and Argo's both looked horrid on Saturday. If either team woke up the game would've been over. The Al's didn't look very strong either. The only team he grills for beating the **** out of a bad team is Edmonton. I just don't get it? I'm the first to admit the Esks didn't look that great either, but we definetly looked better than the Lions and Als. Anyway.. that's my rant. Just for fun.. my power rankings:
1. Saskatchewan
2. Edmonton
3. BC
4. Toronto
5. Montreal
6. Hamilton
7. Calgary
8. Winnipeg
9. Ottawa
I doubt Saskatchewan stays there long.. but for now they looked better than anyone else.
When you beat the defending Grey Cup champions (in their own barn) to start the season, you deserve to be called No. 1. If Casey Printers is still wondering why Dave Dickenson is the Lions quarterback, he should go back and watch the 16 play, 86-yard drive that Dickenson put together at the end of the fourth quarter to win the game. That was vintage Dickenson and that was sweet revenge for Wally Buono and the rest of the Lions as they beat the Argos the same night Toronto raised their Grey Cup banner. Even better? The Lions get a bye week to rest up.
2. Montreal Alouettes (last week: N/A)
Well, so much for losing Jermaine Copeland and all those receivers from the Als offence. Anthony Calvillo and his crew got it going in the third quarter and looked awesome. Even rookie kicker Damon Duval got in on the act nailing three field goals. It certainly looks like Jim Popp and Don Matthews have put together another great team in Montreal. Great to see a healthy Marc Megna playing so well. Up next a trip to Ottawa to face the Renegades.
3. Saskatchewan Roughriders (last week: N/A)
What a omen to start the season. The game is delayed because of a frightening thunder and lightning storm, and then the Roughriders unleash their own brand of thunder and lightning upon the Bombers. Nealon Greene, Matt Dominguez and the rest of the offence enjoyed a great night while the Riders "D" and special teams were just as good. Up next, the Riders take a trip to the "Hammer" to face the Ticats.
4. Edmonton Eskimos (last week: N/A)
Sorry Eskies fans, but beating Otawa at Commonwealth is as common as gas prices going up before a long weekend. Having said that, it was a nice way to kick-off the season. Sore knee and all Ricky Ray carved up the 'Gades defence as he spread the ball around and made effective use of running back Elvis Joseph. The addition of Joe Montford paid huge dividends as the Eskies had seven sacks on the night. Up next, a trip to the 'Peg.
5. Toronto Argonauts (last week: N/A)
Banner night. Over 30,000 at Rogers Centre. You would think the Argos offence would have come out guns-a-blazing. Not quite. Damon Allen and the Argos offence managed only six points in the first half as they kicked off the 2005 season with a loss. Yes, they did get it going in the second half, but you can not spot a team like BC a 19-6 lead at the half and expect to win. Defence played well except for the 16-play game winning drive they allowed at the end of the fourth quarter. Up next, a trip to Calgary to face the new look Stampeders.
6. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (last week: N/A)
A touchdown on special teams and a touchdown from the defence made the score look quite flattering. Danny McManus and the Ticats offence never really got it going at Molson Stadium. The fact the Ticats scored on special teams and on defence is very encouraging. At the very least they had a chance to win the game. Saturday night, the Ticats offence will have to be dialed in as they take on scary Roughriders at Ivor Wynne.
7. Calgary Stampeders (last week: N/A)
A bye week to start the season could either be a could thing or a bad thing. Tom Higgins crew will either start their Canada Day clash against the Argos like a juggernaut or they could look a little rusy after wating an extra week to start the season. With all the changes in Calgary, it is a great way to see what they're all about in taking on the Argos on Canada Day at McMahaon Stadium! Man you got to love the CFL!
8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (last week: N/A)
The fact the Blue Bombers allowed a touchdown on the opening kick-off at Taylor Field kind of set the tone for an ugly night. The Bombers offence could only muster eight first downs and 145 total net yards. Whatever talent the Bombers have on defence will be burned out by Labour Day if that trend continues. Up next, they're back home to host the Eskimos.
9. Ottawa Renegades (last week: N/A)
Kerry Joseph is an amazing athlete. But if he keeps getting sacked seven times a game, he won't make it until Labour Day. Joe Paopao and his staff have got to come up with some schemes that will better protect their quarterback. At least Jason Armstead looked like a champion in the game. The Renegades defence were on the field way too long. Up next, a Canada Day special in the Nations Capital against the Alouettes.
You know, I generally respect Jim Lang on these things.. but wow. The Lions and Argo's both looked horrid on Saturday. If either team woke up the game would've been over. The Al's didn't look very strong either. The only team he grills for beating the **** out of a bad team is Edmonton. I just don't get it? I'm the first to admit the Esks didn't look that great either, but we definetly looked better than the Lions and Als. Anyway.. that's my rant. Just for fun.. my power rankings:
1. Saskatchewan
2. Edmonton
3. BC
4. Toronto
5. Montreal
6. Hamilton
7. Calgary
8. Winnipeg
9. Ottawa
I doubt Saskatchewan stays there long.. but for now they looked better than anyone else.