Madferret
7-11-05, 11:27 AM
CFL Power Rankings: Week 3
After hours and hours of statistical analysis, Jim Lang has hand-delivered his Power Rankings to the vaunted Sportsnet Webdesk. This week, Sportsnet's resident CFL guru has the Lions clawing their way to the highest perch in the CFL jungle while last week's leader, the Roughriders, took a giant tumble down the mighty Power Rankings. Feel free to quietly stew if you agree or disagree with Clubber's decisions or drop our CFL kingpin a line and let him know why you think he's made a mistake about your Lions or Riders or Als or...
by Sportsnet's Jim Lang
1. B.C. Lions (Last week: 2)
There was much to like in the Lions home opener at BC Place. Nice crowd, nice atmosphere, nice performances by the special teams and offence as they beat the plucky Renegades. Despite all the good karma from the win, Coach Wally Buono can't be happy with another horrible performance by the Lions O-line. Casey Printers shouldn't get too stressed about sitting on the bench; Dave Dickenson has now been sacked a whopping 11 times in the first two games of the season! At this rate; Dickenson will be lucky to be standing upright by Labour Day. Love the uniforms - brings back fond memories of Roy Dewalt and "Swervin'" Mervyn Fernandez. Up next, the team everyone loves to hate, the Argos, pay a visit to BC Place.
2. Montreal Alouettes (Last week: 5)
In the 1970's, a football lifer by the name of Marv Levy was named the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. Levy's philosophy to spend as much time practicing special teams as he did on offence and defence were a big reason his teams won two Grey Cups. Like Levy, Don Matthews is a big believer in the power of good special teams. That was never more evident than in their dramatic last-second win over the Eskimos. "Itty Bitty" Ezra Landry returned both a missed field goal and a punt for touchdowns and rookie kicker Damon Duval was lights out. In fact, Landry's shrewd decision to just fall on Sean Fleming's punt late in the fourth quarter left just enough time on the clock for Duval to send all the Alouettes' fanatics spilling on to Crescent Street in a mood to party.
3. Toronto Argonauts (Last week: 4)
The defending Grey Cup champions looked like toast for the first 53 minutes then recovered a Chris Szarka' fumble and score two TD's in the final three minutes to shock the Roughriders and thrill the Rogers Centre with an incredible come-from-behind win. How the Argos won the game with the pathetic performance of John Avery and the way the defence struggled stopping the run made no sense. But in the CFL the game is 60 minutes long - NOT 53; you can't run out the last two minutes of the game by taking a knee like some other football league that will go nameless. In the CFL you have to play until the final whistle. Damon Allen and the Argos realize that and took full advantage of every opportunity they were given. Up next, a trip to BC Place as the Argos go looking for a little payback.
4. Edmonton Eskimos (Last week: 3)
Other than some breakdowns on special teams the Edmonton Eskimos did everything right in Montreal except win the game. Jumping out to a 14-0 lead at Molson Stadium is something that doesn't happen very often. Unfortunately for Danny Macioca and the Eskies they couldn't hold back the hard-charging Alouettes. To be more exact, the Eskies couldn't hold back Ezra Landry. If Edmonton had played on special teams they win. Oh well, that's why football teams practice so much; there's always something to work on. Up next, the Bluebombers come to town.
5. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Last week: 1)
Blame whatever you wish: blame missed field goals, blame the injuries, blame the brutal heat and smog in Toronto, but the fact remains the Roughriders had the Argos by the throat for "almost" the entire game then with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Chris Szarka fumbled and they gave the Argos life and headed home with a loss. There is no way the Riders should have lost that game. Having said that, if Paul McCallum had not missed two very make able field goals, it wouldn't have matted what the Argos did, the game would have been over. McCallum has to find a way to get over whatever is bothering him or it could end up costing the Riders even more down the road. Up next - the rested Tiger-Cats pay a visit to Taylor Field.
6. Ottawa Renegades (Last week: 5)
For a few minutes - the Renegades almost looked like they were going to slay another giant. The Gades played hard but lost to the Lions in BC - again. The story of the night was the performance of defensive lineman Anthony Collier. Still not feeling 100 per cent, Collier looked no worse for the wear as he recorded an incredible five sacks. We have not heard the last of Mr. Collier and we haven't heard the last of the Renegades. Ottawa might not win a ton of games this year but they'll make any team that beats them pay a heavy price. Up next - the Renegades host the Stampeders at Frank Clair Stadium. "Laissez les bon temps roulez!!!"
7. Calgary Stampeders (Last week: 8 )
Special teams played a big role in the Stampeders first win of the year. Nik Lewis blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Just as impressive was the performance of rookie kicker Sandro DeAngelis as the former Nebraska Cornhusker nailed four field goals. Special teams and defence will be Tom Higgins' best friend until Henry Burris and the offence get rolling. Up next - the Stamps will pack their Mardi gras beads and head off to the Nations Capital.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Last week: 7)
Despite a mountain of rumors Khari Jones is a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats - at least Not yet. What this means is Danny McManus and Marcus Brady will have to find a way to fix their problems themselves as the Ticats make a trip to Regina. Just what Greg Marshall needs - a game in Taylor Field against a ticked-off Roughriders team.
9. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Last week: 9)
Oh-and-three and the Bluebombers next two games are against the Eskimos and Alouettes. Other than that, everything is just peachy in Winnipeg. Somehow? some way? Jim Daley has to keep morale from completely falling apart in his dressing room. Hopefully the football gods will smile down upon Winnipeg and bless them with a win so at the very least they can get off the schneid before this thing gets too out of hand.
Me thinks Jimmy Lang is smoking the cheeba...
After hours and hours of statistical analysis, Jim Lang has hand-delivered his Power Rankings to the vaunted Sportsnet Webdesk. This week, Sportsnet's resident CFL guru has the Lions clawing their way to the highest perch in the CFL jungle while last week's leader, the Roughriders, took a giant tumble down the mighty Power Rankings. Feel free to quietly stew if you agree or disagree with Clubber's decisions or drop our CFL kingpin a line and let him know why you think he's made a mistake about your Lions or Riders or Als or...
by Sportsnet's Jim Lang
1. B.C. Lions (Last week: 2)
There was much to like in the Lions home opener at BC Place. Nice crowd, nice atmosphere, nice performances by the special teams and offence as they beat the plucky Renegades. Despite all the good karma from the win, Coach Wally Buono can't be happy with another horrible performance by the Lions O-line. Casey Printers shouldn't get too stressed about sitting on the bench; Dave Dickenson has now been sacked a whopping 11 times in the first two games of the season! At this rate; Dickenson will be lucky to be standing upright by Labour Day. Love the uniforms - brings back fond memories of Roy Dewalt and "Swervin'" Mervyn Fernandez. Up next, the team everyone loves to hate, the Argos, pay a visit to BC Place.
2. Montreal Alouettes (Last week: 5)
In the 1970's, a football lifer by the name of Marv Levy was named the head coach of the Montreal Alouettes. Levy's philosophy to spend as much time practicing special teams as he did on offence and defence were a big reason his teams won two Grey Cups. Like Levy, Don Matthews is a big believer in the power of good special teams. That was never more evident than in their dramatic last-second win over the Eskimos. "Itty Bitty" Ezra Landry returned both a missed field goal and a punt for touchdowns and rookie kicker Damon Duval was lights out. In fact, Landry's shrewd decision to just fall on Sean Fleming's punt late in the fourth quarter left just enough time on the clock for Duval to send all the Alouettes' fanatics spilling on to Crescent Street in a mood to party.
3. Toronto Argonauts (Last week: 4)
The defending Grey Cup champions looked like toast for the first 53 minutes then recovered a Chris Szarka' fumble and score two TD's in the final three minutes to shock the Roughriders and thrill the Rogers Centre with an incredible come-from-behind win. How the Argos won the game with the pathetic performance of John Avery and the way the defence struggled stopping the run made no sense. But in the CFL the game is 60 minutes long - NOT 53; you can't run out the last two minutes of the game by taking a knee like some other football league that will go nameless. In the CFL you have to play until the final whistle. Damon Allen and the Argos realize that and took full advantage of every opportunity they were given. Up next, a trip to BC Place as the Argos go looking for a little payback.
4. Edmonton Eskimos (Last week: 3)
Other than some breakdowns on special teams the Edmonton Eskimos did everything right in Montreal except win the game. Jumping out to a 14-0 lead at Molson Stadium is something that doesn't happen very often. Unfortunately for Danny Macioca and the Eskies they couldn't hold back the hard-charging Alouettes. To be more exact, the Eskies couldn't hold back Ezra Landry. If Edmonton had played on special teams they win. Oh well, that's why football teams practice so much; there's always something to work on. Up next, the Bluebombers come to town.
5. Saskatchewan Roughriders (Last week: 1)
Blame whatever you wish: blame missed field goals, blame the injuries, blame the brutal heat and smog in Toronto, but the fact remains the Roughriders had the Argos by the throat for "almost" the entire game then with seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Chris Szarka fumbled and they gave the Argos life and headed home with a loss. There is no way the Riders should have lost that game. Having said that, if Paul McCallum had not missed two very make able field goals, it wouldn't have matted what the Argos did, the game would have been over. McCallum has to find a way to get over whatever is bothering him or it could end up costing the Riders even more down the road. Up next - the rested Tiger-Cats pay a visit to Taylor Field.
6. Ottawa Renegades (Last week: 5)
For a few minutes - the Renegades almost looked like they were going to slay another giant. The Gades played hard but lost to the Lions in BC - again. The story of the night was the performance of defensive lineman Anthony Collier. Still not feeling 100 per cent, Collier looked no worse for the wear as he recorded an incredible five sacks. We have not heard the last of Mr. Collier and we haven't heard the last of the Renegades. Ottawa might not win a ton of games this year but they'll make any team that beats them pay a heavy price. Up next - the Renegades host the Stampeders at Frank Clair Stadium. "Laissez les bon temps roulez!!!"
7. Calgary Stampeders (Last week: 8 )
Special teams played a big role in the Stampeders first win of the year. Nik Lewis blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown. Just as impressive was the performance of rookie kicker Sandro DeAngelis as the former Nebraska Cornhusker nailed four field goals. Special teams and defence will be Tom Higgins' best friend until Henry Burris and the offence get rolling. Up next - the Stamps will pack their Mardi gras beads and head off to the Nations Capital.
8. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (Last week: 7)
Despite a mountain of rumors Khari Jones is a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats - at least Not yet. What this means is Danny McManus and Marcus Brady will have to find a way to fix their problems themselves as the Ticats make a trip to Regina. Just what Greg Marshall needs - a game in Taylor Field against a ticked-off Roughriders team.
9. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (Last week: 9)
Oh-and-three and the Bluebombers next two games are against the Eskimos and Alouettes. Other than that, everything is just peachy in Winnipeg. Somehow? some way? Jim Daley has to keep morale from completely falling apart in his dressing room. Hopefully the football gods will smile down upon Winnipeg and bless them with a win so at the very least they can get off the schneid before this thing gets too out of hand.
Me thinks Jimmy Lang is smoking the cheeba...