National Post
Montreal Alouettes
2008 record 11-7, first in the East Division.
Playoffs: Beat Edmonton in East final; lost to Calgary in the Grey Cup.
Key additions: DB Stanford Samuels (Winnipeg); DT Jerome Haywood (Winnipeg); LB Cam Hall (Winnipeg).
Key subtractions: OT Dave Mudge; DB Khalil Carter; QB Marcus Brady; OL Luke Fritz; DB Shawn Gallant; SB Dave Stala.
Stories to watch: Veteran QB Anthony Calvillo turns 37 in August. Eventually, the team must decide on who will replace him . Although this is a veteran team with few holes to fill, any changes that are forthcoming figure to be made on defence--a defence that allowed an average of nearly 400 yards per game. The team could be seeking more size and speed at linebacker.
Toronto Argonauts
2008 record 4-14, third in East Division.
Playoffs: Missed post-season.
Key additions: Head coach Bart Andrus, LB Zeke Moreno (Winnipeg), OL Rob Murphy (B. C. Lions), OL Dominic Picard (Winnipeg).
Key subtractions: LB Mike O'Shea, LB Michael Fletcher, DB Kenny Wheaton, OL Jude St. John, C Chad Folk, DB Chris Hardy, DB Byron Parker, WR P.K. Sam, KR Dominique Dorsey, DL Riall Johnson.
Stories to watch: Toronto has a new team president (Bob Nicholson), a new head coach (Bart Andrus) and a host of new players after upper management gave the green light to dismantle a team that finished 4-14 last season. Michael (Pinball) Clemons, the eternal, smiling face of the franchise, has opted for a reduced role to increase his focus on options away from the game. Linebacker Zeke Moreno will attempt to snatch the torch thrown by retired stalwart Mike O'Shea.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
2008 record 3-15, fourth in East Division.
Playoffs: Missed post-season.
Key additions: Assistant head coach Greg Marshall, QB Kevin Glenn (Winnipeg), LB Otis Floyd (B. C. Lions), LB Agustin Barrenechea (Edmonton), OL Dan Goodspeed (Saskatchewan), Simeon Rottier (2008 draft), OL Alexandre Gauthier (Winnipeg).
Key subtractions: Quarterback Casey Printers, RB Jesse Lumsden.
Stories to watch: There is only one story, and it is related directly to the fact there are children in Hamilton who will begin kindergarten this fall without ever having seen the local CFL team qualify for post-season play. The Ticats have not made the playoffs since 2004 and have begun yet another rebuilding process in an effort to snap the streak. Coach Marcel Bellefeuille appears to have made smart additions to his staff, Marshall first among them.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
2008 record 18-10, second in East Division.
Playoffs: Lost to Edmonton in East semi-final.
Key additions: Head coach Mike Kelly, QB Stefan LeFors, Edmonton),DE Fred Perry (Edmonton), LB Siddeeq Shabazz (Edmonton), LB Shawn Gallant (Montreal),DT Tyrone Williams (B. C.),DE Riall Johnson (Toronto), SB Brock Ralph (Edmonton), OL Glenn January (Saskatchewan),OL Luke Fritz (Montreal),OL Steve Morley (Saskatchewan), CB James Johnson (Saskatchewan),
Key subtractions: SB Milt Stegall, QB Kevin Glenn, OL Dan Goodspeed, OL Alexandre Gauthier, OL Dominic Picard, CB Kelly Malveaux, DB Anthony Malbrough, DE Kai Ellis, DE Tom Canada, DB Stanford Samuels, DL Jerome Haywood, SB Jamie Stoddard, LB Zeke Moreno, LB Cam Hall, OL Matt Sheridan
Stories to watch: At last count, the Bombers were up to five QBs --Stefan LeFors, Ryan Dinwiddie, Bryan Randall, James Kilian and Darrell Hackney. Will any of them be able to stand upright long behind a guttedO-line? The kicking game has incumbent Alexis Serna and Dan Giancola battling N.C. State's Bradley Pierson.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
2008 record 12-6-0, second in the West Division.
Playoffs: Lost West semi-final to B. C.
Key additions: SB Jason Clermont (B. C.); OL Jordan Rempel (Hamilton); OL Joe McGrath (Edmonton); CB Donovan Alexander (Montreal); C Jonathan St-Pierre (2008 draft).
Key subtractions: LB Maurice Lloyd:LB Anton McKenzie; WR Matt Dominguez; SB D.J. Flick; DE Kitwana Jones.
Stories to watch: QBs Darian Durant, Steven Jyles, Dalton Bell and Juan Joseph are unproven as starters. Their development is a key to the Riders' season. Etcheverry takes over one of the best defences in the league and has indicated there will be some changes. GM Eric Tillman is on paid administrative leave and the sexual assault charge he is facing is to be heard in Regina court on June 12. Tillman, who pleaded not guilty, has been actively involved in the team's moves. Jim Hopson, the president and CEO of the Riders, has said it remain business as usual as the case works it way through the courts. Secondyear head coach Ken Miller has looked after the team's football operations.
Calgary Stampeders
2008 record 13-5-0, first in West Division.
Playoffs: Beat B. C. in the West final; beat Montreal in the Grey Cup.
Key additions: DE Alain Kashama (Hamilton),QB Matt D'Orazio (Arena League), LB/ FB Fernand Kashama (2008 draft), DL Tom Johnson (Arena League),DL Justin Brown (Arena League).
Key subtractions: TE/FB Teyo Johnson, DE Charleston Hughes,
Stories to watch: Only Mike Labinjo returns from a 2008 defensive line that was among the best in the league . Also, Calgary has piles of Canadian depth on the offensive line. A familiar face may lose a job. And in the big picture, there's the pressure that goes along with being a defending Grey Cup champion hoping to repeat, and hoping to do it at home in Nov
Edmonton Eskimos
2008 record 10-8, fourth in West Division.
Playoffs: Beat Winnipeg in East semi-final, lost to Mont-real in East final.
Key additions: Head coach Richie Hall defensive co-ordinator Jim Daley,: LB Maurice Lloyd (Saskatchewan), RB Jesse Lumsden (Hamilton), DE Kai Ellis (Winnipeg), S Scott Gordon (Saskatchewan), DE Kitwana Jones (Saskatchewan), DB Kelly Malveaux (Winnipeg), DB Anthony Malbrough (Winnipeg).
Key subtractions: DE Fred Perry, S Shiddeeq Shabazz, SB Kelly Campbell, LB Agustin Barrenchea, WR Jason Tucker.
Stories to watch: Daley will run Richie Hall's revamped Riders' defence. Hall managed to attract some quality free agents from Saskatchewan and Maciocia made key acquisitions to stabilize the defence and add a running game, which was woefully lacking in 2008. There were lots of offseason moves, so the biggest question mark is how quickly can this team gel? DT Adam Braidwood returns from a season missed due to knee injury.
B.C. Lions
2008 record 11-7, third in West Division.
Playoffs: Beat Saskatchewan in West semi-final; lost to Calgary in West final.
Key additions: LB Anton McKenzie (Saskatchewan),WR Jerel Meyers (Arena League), OL Justin Sorensen (2008 draft).
Key subtractions: DE Cam Wake, SB Jason Clermont, LB Otis Floyd, RB Stefan Logan, LT Rob Murphy, DT Tyrone Williams.
Stories to watch: Lions will have to replace the entire left side of offensive line and find a replacement for two-time outstanding lineman Rob Murphy. Feature back role will have seven in camp auditioning to replace departed Stefan Logan, who signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. This spring's first-round draft pick, Jamall Lee, signed with Carolina and won't attend Lions camp. Paris Jackson moves into starting slotback position vacated by Jason Clermont.
Courtesy: www.nationalpost.com
No comments:
Post a Comment