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Monday, July 23, 2001The week that was in the CFLThe most hyped game in the CFL last week was the 2000 Eastern Final rematch between the Blue Bombers and Alouettes in Winnipeg. Both teams were 2-0 to begin the season, and with bad blood existing between the two clubs, it had the potential to be a real barnburner. It lived up to all expectations. Although the home team lost, the sellout crowd of 29,503 was able to enjoy an offensive display by both teams. Montreal hung on to win the game 37-34. Too bad most of English Canada wasn't able to watch the action. TSN, which holds the rights to the CFL prior to Labour Day, showed the Argonauts-Ti-Cats game on its Friday Night Football telecast instead. RDS, which holds the french rights, showed the Als game in Quebec.
Television schedules are set in advance, and it is hard to predict which games are going to be the best ones to air from week-to-week. ABC had this problem in previous years with its Monday Night Football telecasts. But there has to be a way to call an audible. When the top two teams in the CFL play each other in any given week, it should be on television across the country. One way to solve this problem is to offer a pay-per-view package, like NFL Sunday Ticket and NHL Centre Ice. For a nominal fee, fans can have access to every game across the country. Blackouts could still occur for local games, if owners are concerned about low attendance figures. But team marketing directors could combine the pay-per-view package with season ticket packages in order to entice more customers. Plus the CFL could make some much-needed cash with this promotion, something the league always needs. FORESHADOWING? When fans look back at the 2001 CFL season, they might consider this past week as a turning point. After three weeks, it's becoming clear which teams are contenders, and which are pretenders. The Montreal Alouettes are still the class of the CFL when it comes to the regular season. They remain the only undefeated club after defeating the upstart Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Canad Inns Stadium. But if the Alouettes think the Bombers will go away, they better think again. Both clubs face each other twice more in the regular season, and these games will go a long way in determining which team will finish first in the East. The Bombers still have a way to go to reach the Alouettes level, but they are getting closer. Winnipeg's offence is best in the league in points scored, led by quarterback Khari Jones. Despite falling behind the Als early, the Bombers were able to put points on the board. They now have to work on their defence. The good news for the Bombers is that they have until November to figure it out. BATTLE OF ONTARIO It's beginning to look like the Argos won't be a factor in the Eastern Division. Hamilton, just like Montreal and Winnipeg earlier in the season, had an easy time leaving SkyDome with a victory. The real test for the Ti-Cats will take place this week against the Blue Bombers. Hamilton needs to prove that last year's loss to Winnipeg in the Eastern Semi-Final was a fluke, otherwise it could be a two-horse race between the Als and Bombers for top spot in the division. As for the Argos, watch for a quarterback controversy to take shape. Last week the club signed Stanley Jackson, formerly of the Montreal Alouettes. Unlike Kerwin Bell and Jimmy Kemp, who are stay-at-home quarterbacks, Jackson is more of a scrambler, and might be a better fit in offensive coordinator Mike Jenkin's scheme. Considering the Argos have averaged just one touchdown per game this season, changes need to be made. Bell's ankle injury isn't helping matters, and coach Clemons should bench his starter until he is 100 per cent healthy to give his QB a fair shot at leading the team. Although Kemp looked bad in his relief appearance opening week against the Alouettes, he put his body on the line late in the fourth quarter against Hamilton, trying to spark an Argos comeback. Kemp took some major hits running towards the end zone, resulting in a late touchdown to pull the Argos within six points. Unfortunately for Kemp, there wasn't enough time left on the clock to go for another. Kemp deserves to get the nod in Bell's absence, if it comes down to this. BATTLE OF ALBERTA Much like the Battle of Ontario, the two teams in Wild Rose Country are heading in opposite directions. The Edmonton Eskimos showed they were the best team in Alberta, as well as the Western Division on Friday with their 33-23 victory over arch-rival Calgary. Many prognosticators had the Eskimos winning the Western Division, but after the controversial dismissal of head coach Don Matthews during the pre-season, there was concern how this would effect the team. But new head coach Tom Higgins looks to have the Eskies headed in the right direction. One of the interesting moves he toyed with against Calgary was at the quarterback position. Higgins used backup pivot Jason Maas for one series in the first quarter, hoping the second stringer could shake off some rust. He did so, with a touchdown pass to Kez McCorvey. Starter Nealon Greene then went down with a slight concussion in the third, and Maas returned for the rest of the game, connecting on another touchdown pass to Edward Hervey in the fourth quarter. Higgins can sleep comfortably knowing he is in good shape with his backup QB. In the southern part of the province, the Calgary Stampeders are freefalling fast. Their years of stability look to be well behind them, although after 12 seasons of winning football, the Stamps are due for a losing season. Wally Buono might not be getting any Christmas cards from his players this year. Buono has made some unpopular cuts during the off-season and into the regular season, and it looks like the axe is about to fall again. Players were not happy when wide receiver Allen Pitts was shown the door after 11 seasons with the team. Then before the regular season, punter Tony Martino was given the boot after nine seasons in Cowtown. After Friday's loss to the Eskimos, linebacker Kevin Johnson was shown the door. And now defensive halfback Jack Kellogg is rumoured to be next on the chopping block. It's obvious loyalty has also been replaced during the Stamps' rebuilding process. But Buono is paid to make the tough decisions to get the Stampeders back on top. MISSING IN ACTION Speaking of teams that are freefalling, the B.C. Lions are showing their 2000 regular season form. And that's a bad thing. The defending Grey Cup champs are doing their Dr. Jeckyl, Mr. Hyde routine again, as the team fell to 1-2 with a 12-7 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The biggest cause for concern is the Lions running back position. After rushing for a combined 1,833 yards last year, the duo of Robert Drummond and Sean Millington have only rushed for 220 yards. Fans might have to consider putting their photos on a milk carton soon. As for the Roughriders, it took only three weeks to win two games. It took them nine weeks to reach this mark last season. It could have been three if it weren't for a missed field goal against Edmonton two weeks ago. They are now just a point back of the Eskimos for first place in the West. With games against Toronto and Calgary in the next three weeks, and the Eskimos leaving Edmonton for the upcoming World Championship in Athletics, the Riders are in a good position to not only grab top spot in the division, but to gain some distance between their closest competitors. 
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