Rouge, White & Blue
By Jack B. Bedell,
CFL.ca
First off, I have to say thanks for all the feedback I received on the column last week. I figured that ranking the league’s ground attacks might rankle a few feathers, and boy was I right.
Trust me, all points have been duly noted. We’ll have to wait a few months to check on things, but I promise to be first in line to kick my rankings in the head if they are way off come October. That’s the beauty of the off-season, though—we are all geniuses in May!
It goes without saying, however, that no rushing attack (or passing attack for that matter) can survive without solid, effective line play up front. Teams like Montreal and Saskatchewan have had the privilege of going into battle the past few years with relatively few line-up changes on the offensive line, and both groups have excelled.
Traditionally, the offensive line has been the prime spot in the CFL to showcase Canadian talent, with the all-Canadian line being an ideal situation in terms of the player ratio. This season will be no exception, with squads all over the league featuring great Canadian depth and talent in the offensive trenches.
Here’s a team-by-team look at offensive lines, and how I would stack up the squads:
B.C. LIONS
I simply cannot recall a pivot taking more punishment to deliver the ball than Dave Dickenson did in 2005. While some of those hits might have been the result of Dickenson holding the ball a bit too long, a good bit of the responsibility rests on the line. Coach Buono entered the off-season listing the offensive line as an area of need. The Lions’ off-season to this point, however, hasn’t rectified much. Bobby Singh has re-signed to anchor the group, but beyond Sherko Haji-Rasouli and Angus Reid, questions of depth still remain. With talk of utilizing import tackles to strengthen the line’s effectiveness and the quasi-retirement of Cory Mantyka, the Lions have certainly not gained ground from last season.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
The Stamps’ line returns in tact for 2006, which should be good news for both Henry Burris and Joffrey Reynolds. Godfrey Ellis, Taylor Robertson, Jay McNeil, Jeff Pilon and Alexandre Gauthier are adept at pass blocking and opening holes for the ground game, so Calgary’s offensive production should continue to soar. Behind this collection of non-import talent, however, the roster doesn’t offer much depth.
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
The champs head into 2006 with more question marks along their offensive line than any other team in the league. With depth at pivot more of an issue than it has been in a few years, especially considering the beating Ricky Ray took early last season, the Esks have plenty of shoring up to do if they hope to repeat. The departures of starters Bruce Beaton, Chris Morris, and Kevin Lefsrud won’t help that effort. West Division All-Star Dan Comiskey and Patrick Kabongo will serve as the basis of the squad, but it will be up to training camp to provide answers at centre and guard.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS
After the busiest off-season in recent memory, Hamilton comes into 2006 with a revamped offensive attack. The additions of Jason Maas, Corey Holmes and Josh Ranek have every Ticat fan expecting an offensive explosion. It will be up to newcomers George Hudson and Pascal Cheron to make some of that happen. The untimely death of promising import tackle Travis Claridge is truly a loss, but the presence of big imports Greg Randall and Jamal Powell will take up the slack.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
With three CFL All-Stars in centre Bryan Chiu, guard Scott Flory and tackle Uzooma Okeke along the line, Montreal has one of the strongest units in the league. Proven starters Luke Fritz, Paul Lambert and Dave Mudge round out a deep, talented group capable of drive blocking for Robert Edwards and of keeping Anthony Calvillo’s jersey clean. While protection breakdowns during last year’s Grey Cup played a large part in the Als’ loss, this offensive line has been consistent area of strength, and there is little reason to expect a drop-off in 2006.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
A veritable all-star squad in itself, the Riders’ front line returns in 2006 anchored by CFL Lineman of the Year Gene Makowsky and perennial performers Andrew Greene and Jeremy O’Day. New pivot Kerry Joseph and deep-threat receiver Jason Armstead will shift the focus of the passing game from possession receiving to longer routes, though, requiring the O-line to holds their blocks a little longer. And Joseph’s penchant for running might make for some interesting adjustments in blocking schemes, but the talent and depth on Saskatchewan’s roster should make the transition smooth as silk.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
The Argos sport one of the smaller lines in the CFL, with only a couple of players topping 300 pounds. Built to protect a mobile pivot in Damon Allen, and to provide open space for a scatback like John Avery, Toronto’s front line makes up for its lack of size with quickness and leverage. Mike Mihelic, Chad Folk and import Bernard Williams have been consistent (but not top-shelf) performers the past couple of seasons, but the lack of depth along the unit is a real concern. Toronto desperately needs more production from its running game to get back to the Grey Cup. Without changes to the line-up, I don’t see this group pulling that off.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
The dispersal draft provided a serious upgrade to the Bomber’s front line with the additions of Ibrahim Khan and Val St. Germain. With returning starters Aaron Fiacconi, Mike Abou-Mechrek, and Matt Sheridan the O-line figures to be one of Winnipeg’s strongest units. In fact, with such an influx of talent, import tackle Dan Goodspeed might be out of a job. Bombers fans also have the promise of rookie centre Dominic Picard, who some scouts project as a Bryan Chiu-type performer. Big Blue will certainly have the hogs to run coach Berry’s new offensive system. If pivot play rises to the occasion, things are looking up in Winnipeg.
HOW THEY RANK IN MY BOOK
1) Saskatchewan Roughriders
2) Montreal Alouettes
3) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
4) Hamilton Tiger-Cats
5) Calgary Stampeders
6) Toronto Argonauts
7) B.C. Lions
8) Edmonton Eskimos
UP NEXT
With training camps set to start in less than three weeks, check back in a few days to get my takes on recent signings and a few training camp battles to keep an eye on. Until then, take care.
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly three decades.
