Wednesday, February 8, 2006
An American’s take on the CFL
By Jack B. Bedell,
CFL.ca
I just woke up from my Super Bowl slumber. Did the Stones make it
through their set without anybody getting a broken hip or having to use
their Medi-bracelet—(Help! I’m rocking and I can’t get up!)?
Maybe I’m biased because I was there, but the second half of last
year’s Grey Cup put Sunday’s game to shame. I can tell you this, if I
had been at my own house watching the Super Bowl, I would’ve fired up
the old Tivo for a little Grey Cup retrospective two seconds into that
three-day half-time show Sunday. As it was, I had to pull out the 2006
CFL schedule and dream.
NO TAP-BACKS IN 06
One of the cruel quirks of scheduling games for a nine-team league has
been forcing teams to play quick turnarounds from time to time. The
Toronto Argonauts have had a particularly tough go of it the last two
seasons, playing two (and sometimes three!) games in a seven or
eight-day stretch.
For 2006, though, the CFL schedule-makers have done an exceptional job
of eliminating the problem of putting teams on the field without ample
recovery/game-planning time.
The Als have the only four-day turnaround on the schedule in Week 8,
when they host Toronto on Thursday, then travel to Hamilton for a
Monday tilt. However, Montreal plays this tough stretch off a bye week
in Week 7, and the two-game stretch rewards them with a mini-bye in
Week 9.
Otherwise, only a few teams have to play on short weeks. The Battle of
Alberta happens twice in a five-day period in Weeks 12-13, and Toronto
and Hamilton each have similar five-day stretches in Weeks 18-19.
Until a tenth team is added to balance out the schedule, this is about as good as it can get.
BACK FROM YOUR VACATION SO SOON, MR. POPP?
The prize for contract negotiation so far this off-season has to go to
Montreal’s GM Jim Popp. Maybe it was the pressure of being featured in
CFL.ca’s Hot Stove interview last week, but Mr. Popp certainly got busy
over the past two weeks.
Coming off the re-signings of Timothy Strickland, Anwar Stewart, and
Reggie Durden, the Als added some impressive depth to their roster
recently. Three hundred pound DT Dario Romero and cover corner Keeyon
Howard will both be excellent additions to the Als’ defence in areas
where you just can’t have enough talent, the D-line and secondary. On
the offensive side of the ball, Montreal added a couple of solid
players who will no doubt challenge for playing time, wide receiver
Demetris Bendross and tailback Sultan McCullough.
Bendross has been a dependable receiver and return man in both his CFL
and Arena Football League stints. Last year, Bendross didn’t get much
playing time for the AFL’s Tampa Bay Storm, only appearing in three
games, but he flashed in the time they gave him. Playing limited snaps,
he took five of his 13 receptions to the house for TDs.
Sultan McCullough, brother of former CFLer Saladin McCullough, adds
another big back to the Als’ mix at six feet, 200 lbs. In his time with
Washington and Cleveland in the NFL, he showed good speed to the edge
and aggression on special teams. If Robert Edwards suffers any
injuries, McCullough will definitely be able to fill the void.
Add to those acquisitions the signing of a couple of local players
Gagnon and Leibl-Côté, and it’s easy to see Montreal’s definitely
keeping the stove warm.
PIVOT POINTS
Toronto’s search for a back-up, and eventual replacement, for Damon
Allen is starting to smell a little like desperation to me. Recent news
that the Argos are interested in Winnipeg’s benchwarmers Tee Martin and
Spergon Wynn calls into question the depth of the available talent
pool. Wynn was a serviceable fill-in for Dave Dickenson in B.C., but
nothing worth raiding the bank for and Tee Martin has been just short
of appalling whenever he’s gotten into Bombers’ games.
Saskatchewan’s Nealon Greene might be a better option for the Double
Blue, but even then, you’re putting your franchise in the hands of
another club’s cast-off. As a last resort, the Argos are set to try out
former Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch. Crouch hasn’t thrown a
football in competition in years, and at best he’s Doug Flutie with no
arm.
Toronto fans have to be hoping Allen has two more good years left.
Speaking of Flutie, was anyone else surprised to see him in the
Gliebermans’ booth in Detroit Sunday? Tampering rules aside, I’d love
to know what’s cooking there.
NEXT WEEK
Free Agency heats up for real on the 15th. Check back in a few days to
see if there are any early surprises. Until then, take care.
