Pre-Season Week A Wrap

The first round of pre-season games is now racked, and while many of the camp battles raging around the league will remain unsettled until after the second week of exhibitions, teams now have a much better idea of who’s getting it done and who isn’t.

With rosters overflowing and cut day still a ways off, last week’s play will go a long way towards determining how reps are redistributed, even if it won’t mean many quick cuts.

Like most pre-season games, the first four of 2009 were a little rough around the edges, but that’s not to say there weren’t any surprising performances. Here’s my take on what went well and what didn’t in week one.

A FEW GOOD THINGS

The Montreal Alouettes have a little depth at pivot.

The Als’ three passers threw for a combined 24 of 33 for 188 yards and a touchdown on a night when the rushing game piled up nearly 300 yards. Not bad for a pre-season outing. Adrian McPherson was poised and opportunistic running the Als’ offence in Anthony Calvillo’s absence. Chris Leak and Ricky Santos moved the team well, too, working the ball to the backs in space very efficiently. Given the fact that you can still add Brad Banks to that posse of QBs, I’d say everyone worried about the future of quarterbacking in Montreal can relax a bit.

Different might just be better in the Peg.

New coaching staff. New QBs. Fresh faces up and down the roster. It all added up to a fast start Wednesday night against the Ticats. I know the aren’t any trophies handed out for pre-season winners, but I really have to hand it to Mike Kelly and the Bombers brass for coming out of an off-season marked by change with an organized team more than ready to compete. Stefan LeFors performed just as I expected him to perform—consistently, efficiently, and effectively—as did the other pivots on the Bombers’ roster. The team’s big-time receivers (especially Romby Bryant) looked ready for opening night. And the new-look defence played tough, especially in the secondary.

There’s some serious talent in Titletown these days.

Scoreboard aside, the Esks put in one of the most dominant pre-season performances I’ve seen in recent memory the other night against the Riders. Jared Zabransky, Lester Ricard, and Jason Maas all looked ready to play, pushing the ball up the field and leading the offence to scores. And the new faces on defence like Mo Lloyd, Kitwana Jones, and Kelly Malveaux definitely added pop on their side of the ball. Combine all that with young players like Sammy Okpro flying around on special teams, and experienced guys like Jesse Lumsden itching to contribute no matter how many downs they see the field, and it was clear watching their performance against Saskatchewan that the Esks have ballers at every position fighting to earn spots on that roster.

The Champs still have it.

Big play offence. Check. Aggressive defence. Check. Solid special teams. Check. On a night when the majority of their stars were on the sidelines by the end of the first frame, the Stamps still managed to grind out a quality win against a talented B.C. Lions club not without its own cadre of talent. Whether it was Jabari Arthur crashing onto the scene with his 81-yard catch and run TD, or back-up pivot Drew Tate making his case for a roster spot with some stick throws, or big LB Juwan Simpson getting some heat on the passer, Calgary had the look of a deep, prepared squad ready to make another run at a title.

AND A FEW THAT NEED SOME WORK

Slow starts will kill the ‘Cats.

Granted, Hamilton made a heck of a comeback against the new-look Bombers to make a game of it. But that’s the main trouble with comebacks—you’ve got to put yourself in a big hole to start one. And 26-0 at the half is just too big a hole to dig out of. Even given good pass protection and a more-than-adequate rushing attack, the Ticats’ offence just couldn’t finish in the first half against the Bombers’ D. Windy conditions aside, that’s got to be priority one in Steeltown heading into week two of the pre-season.

It’s tough to have a running back derby on four carries.

Kerry Joseph definitely grabbed the ball the other night against the Alouettes when it was offered to him. He moved well to buy time and gain yards, and he put points on the board with some tremendous individual effort. For the most part, so did the Argos’ other pivots. Unfortunately, in the midst of all that passing offence, the Argos’ running backs only had the ball handed to them four times. No matter what coverage the defence presents, that’s a tough ratio to execute effectively week in and week out in the CFL. Especially when there are some quality backs on the field itching to prove they deserve the starting nod come opening day. I’ve got not doubt we’ll see the backs carry a heavier load next time up, and given the level of the talent in the backfield in T.O., I’m eager to see it happen.

Newsflash: the Roughriders’ backfield needs Wes Cates healthy.

Aside from Stu Foord ripping off a few decent carries, the Riders looked like a team in need of a feature back in Edmonton. The lack of a consistent threat out of the backfield really made it difficult for Saskatchewan’s offence to get any sustainable rhythm going. And I have to believe that played a part in the five sacks the Riders’ surrendered. Considering Cates might not be ready to go opening week, Gang Green needs someone to step up quickly to provide some ground support for Darian Durant and company.

The Lions are going to need some happier returns.

With Ian Smart likely to earn the starting RB slot by week 1, somebody in B.C. is going to have to step up to claim the kick and punt return duties to keep Smart fresh enough to make an impact on offence. Other than Damian Sims, who was adequate, but unspectacular, returning kicks, none of the other returners opened eyes against the Stamps. Trestin George dropped his shot, and neither Otis Amey nor Darren Toney gave off much heat. Hopefully, the next game will offer a different story, or Smart’s just going to have to put on his cape and save the day himself.

UP NEXT

I’ll take a look at the final week of pre-season games, and give my take on how all the roster battles shook out. I might even uncork a few predictions for the season.

Until then, enjoy the games while it’s only roster spots at stake. In a week and a half, they’ll be for real points.



Posted Jun 22 2009, 04:41 PM by Jack Bedell