Fall CFL update

well how about a review of what i predicted at the begginning of the season
it seems things change week to week in football, but here is a look as we head into another week of CFL action, each team having played 11 games to this point
1. Calgary (13-5)- defending champs didn't lose much, now know what it takes. they need to play as a team and continue to get consistent performance from guys like Lewis in the tough west division.
well releasing LB Armour early in the season hurt more then i thought it would. they picked up Johnson and have been better against the run in the past few weeks. Stamps had a tough start, and losing Rambo hurt. after losing Thelwell, the Stamps were hurting for recievers and made a good trade with Winnipeg to get a few recievers (Franklin and Bryant).
to finish 13-5, the Stamps would have to win out the rest of the way, which actually isn't asking much. do i expect it? no, they need more consistency but Copeland and Lewis have been very good. 12-6
2. Edmonton (12-6)- Ricky Ray is always dangerous, now he has a good mix of run game and recievers, we'll see how the defence does. and how long it takes for Lumsden to get hurt... Edmonton is always in it, and BC will be right there with them all season long.
it sure didn't take long for Lumsden to get hurt, less then a game. Edmonton took a step back with back-back labour day losses, but now can take 2 from Saskatchewan.
will they get 12-6? no, i would take one win off that total. 11-7
3. BC (9-9)- this is tough, they lost Cam Wake, so shouldn't be as good, but still have solid depth at quarterback and Wally seems to find guys to step in.
loss of Cam Wake along with a few other players did hurt them, the qb situation certainly has changed. Jackson is out for a few weeks, and Pierce is one hit away from the end of his career from concussions. they signed former Lion Casey Printers to the practice roster, this may be important later in the season.
i can still see 9-9 for BC, but i think 8-10 is more likely
4. Saskatchewan (8-10) - this is a quarterbacks league, and Saskatchewan's QB needs some proving. Durant will need to find some chemistry with Fantusz, who is a great reciever. Im not sold on this team, but they do some some parts, tough battle with BC and Edmonton, but they will crossover and visit Hamilton
well Durant has shown that he is the Riders starter, and has the skillset to play many years, along with some good recievers (Dressler, Fantusz) and Cates great running. if they can find a way to beat Edmonton, then they have a good chance at winning the division, it will come down to a few meetings with Calgary. hot and cold
will they hit 8-10? they will get a better record then that, im thinking 10-8

East Division -Montreal has been no suprise, starting hot and actually winning in the west this year. will be interesting to see if they get upset in the playoffs

1. Montreal (12-6)- many players back and the coach will still have the memory of losing the cup at home fresh in their minds. The question mark here is does Calvillo keep going? he showed last year he is back, in a remarkable comeback. They get to beat up Toronto and Winnipeg again too
Montreal definitly remembers last seasons dissapointing finish. they have rolled along, but are beatable. they will finish better then 12-6, at 13-5
2. Hamilton (8-10)- of the bottom three in the East, Hamilton has the best chance of getting that home playoff game. Quinton Porter is the answer, ok well he looks like he could be. they need to keep developing him, Glenn is there to take some pressure off as well, but this team has some good continuity from last year and last season appeared to be getting better. they will keep up the trend and win some games by a few instead of losing them. Its been too long since Hamilton had a good season or hosted a playoff game.
well, i am happy to be right about hamilton right now, they have been doing enough to win close games. Porter and Glenn have shared the load, and Porter needs to continue and get better, he has the pieces with his running ability and good arm. picking up Bruce from Toronto and Stala in the offseason has helped, along with RB Cobb taking over a few games
8-10? they will do better, at 6-5 right now, i can see a 11-7 finish
3. Toronto (5-13)- close with Winnipeg, they still have a solid defence, it will be interesting to see how the new coach adapts to the Canadian game. Kerry Joseph needs to get back to his old form
well Bart Andrus has somewhat adapted to the Canadian game, but this team is inconsistent. hard to tell if this is a team on the way up. Pickett at QB may be a good qb in the future, but we will need some time. if they had beaten BC last week, i would've said they would make the playoffs, but they will will have a tough time catching up with either hamilton or bc
5-13? they will finish with a better record, 6-12 (not much better!)
4. Winnipeg (5-13)- with so many new players and a new coach, who is playing for this team now? it will take some time to fit the parts together and get some wins. head to head matchups with Toronto may decide who gets the first draft pick in 2010....
nothing to see here, kind of a trainwreck. Kelly has not done well coaching this team and may be fired soon, at least that seems to be what bomber fans want. good trade with Calgary and a qb trade with Montreal, this team is rebuilding. at least Fred Reid is a brightspot for the offence
5-13? sounds about right to me, well at least they get the first draft pick i guess, key game for the bombers this weekend, playing the Argos.


I picked the stamps and allouettes, i think hamilton might win the east in the upset.
there will be a crossover, and i think it will be bc, not saskatchewan

in hockey, theo Fleury has been released by the flames, my nhl predictions coming soon