Rouge, White & Blue
By Jack B. Bedell,
CFL.ca
Before I launch into my scores for the Western Division, my conscience would nag at me if I didn’t enter a change-of-grade form for the Toronto Argonauts. With the Argos’ recent signings of high-caliber athletes like Saladin McCullough, Lee Woodall, and Erik Flowers, the team certainly deserves an upgrade to “A.”
On to the West:
B.C. LIONS—C
The loss of premier pivot Casey Printers to the NFL’s Kansas City Chiefs without any of the compensation a trade within the CFL would have garnered was an inauspicious start to the off-season for the Lions. In subsequent weeks, the team signed kicker Paul McCallum away from divisional rival Saskatchewan, but they lost LB Barrin Simpson to Winnipeg and have failed to ink non-import OL Bobby Singh. In fact, it’s been unusually quiet in B.C., especially for a team looking for a few perfect pieces to the puzzle to push them over the top.
Coach Buono named the offensive line his team’s greatest area of need at the onset of free agency, and so far little, if anything, has been accomplished to keep Dave Dickenson’s uniform clean in 2006. If B.C.’s line is further depleted by Singh’s departure, look for the Lions to be near the top of the league’s most-sacked list again.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS—A-
The Stamps positioned themselves well last season by only leaving one player on their roster, WR Mike Juhasz, eligible for free agency in 2006. For a team that benefited greatly from the stability CFL Coach of the Year Tom Higgins brought to the squad, no news just might be the best news for the roster.
Calgary certainly hasn’t weakened its position in the division, and another year in Higgins’ system coupled with the addition of more offence in the form of free agent wideout Darnell McDonald can only spell continued growth.
EDMONTON ESKIMOS—A
On the heels of their Grey Cup victory, the Esks eliminated their simmering quarterback controversy by shipping Jason Maas east to Hamilton. And over the course of the free agency period the team has managed to retain the services of Malcom Frank, Shannon Garrett, Randy Spencer, and Jason Tucker.
Even if the Sanchez for Durden and Brown trade is nixed due to Sanchez’s failure to get medical clearance from the Als, the Esks have strengthened a championship roster. That has to be bad news for the other four teams in the division.
With Maas gone, however, Edmonton is one Ricky Ray sack away from serious trouble.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS—C-
With the uncertain tenures of coach Danny Barrett and GM Roy Shivers hanging over the 2006 season, the †Riders have had a difficult time attracting free agents this off-season. The team re-signed Mike McCullough and Neal Hughes, and look to have WR Jason French back in the fold. Seven other free agents remain unsigned, and kicker Paul McCallum is out the door.
The biggest pressure on the †Riders seemed to be finding a premier pivot this off-season, but a dry market and few options left them laying par with Nealon Greene and Marcus Crandell. No trades materialized, and very little interest was evident on the market for what the †Riders were shopping.
Given the team’s failure to sign a single significant free agent, it’s a hard argument to say Saskatchewan has become more competitive in the West this off-season.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS—B+
Granted, Big Blue lost super-punter Jon Ryan to the NFL and returner extraordinaire Keith Stokes to Toronto, but the re-signing of Tom Canada and Jamie Stoddard, the extension of Milt Stegall’s contract, and the acquisition of top free agent LB Barrin Simpson have more than ensured momentum leading into the 2006 season.
Winnipeg also managed to unload extraneous pivot Spergon Wynn to Toronto for non-import safety and special teams ace Mike Crumb and a high second round draft pick.
New head coach Doug Berry and defensive assistants like coordinator Greg Marshall and DL coach Richard Harris have given the team some juice in attracting high-quality free agents like Simpson and surly defensive lineman Ron Warner, so the team’s outlook for the remainder of the off-season is quite good.
PROSPECTUS
The Western Division will sport five solid, competitive teams in 2006. With the defending champs, a Calgary squad on the rise, a team in B.C. that opened 2005 with 11 straight wins, a desperate, but still talent-laden team in Saskatchewan, and an overhauled Winnipeg club eager to make a run at playing in its own Grey Cup party, I wouldn’t want to risk my own money betting against a team from out west taking the Cup home again.
UP NEXT
Check back in a few days to get my top 10 wish list for the upcoming season. Until then, enjoy the hot stove while we have it.
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly three decades.
