Thursday, June 8, 2006
Rouge, White & Blue
By Jack B. Bedell,
CFL.ca
Week 1 of pre-season is in the books. Two of the tilts went about like
I expected, but I almost couldn’t believe my ears on the other two, and
I had to keep refreshing my computer screen to make sure I was getting
updated stats.
Montreal and Winnipeg played a competitive, fairly standard pre-season
game with a few great plays, some penalties, a few turnovers, and a
little rust to shake off before the season starts.
The same could definitely be said of the B.C./Calgary match-up, though
I’d have to add that pivots for both squads played extraordinarily well
for the first game of the year.
In the other two games, however, three out of the four offences failed
to show up (or I guess you could say all four defences did, depending
on whether your glass is half empty or half full!). I was particularly
shocked Toronto couldn’t put up more than three points, with or without
Ricky Williams.
Heading into this weekend’s matches, here are a few quick hits on Week 1’s performances.
THE GOOD
From top to bottom on the rosters, every pivot on the field in
Vancouver acquitted himself well. For B.C., Pierce, Dickenson, Jackson,
and Emmert were decisive and efficient, even though they only managed
one TD pass collectively off Dickenson’s toss to Boden. For Calgary,
Danny McManus may have stolen the show with his crisp performance, but
both Corley and Burris were very sharp.
The Ticats’ defence looked to be much improved. Brooks was dominant at
middle linebacker, and Cheatwood and company brought good pressure on
Toronto’s quarterbacks.
Winnipeg’s Henri Childs put in great work. It’s hard to imagine the
Bombers letting Childs go after he ripped off 82 yards on eight
carries. If he puts in another good night this weekend, he has to be a
lock for the roster.
Marcus Brady played as well as I’ve seen him play for the Als,
especially down the stretch when he pulled off the comeback victory
Friday night. Brady’s performance has to have Nealon Greene sweating a
little bit. It’ll be interesting how that battle shakes out with
limited reps available this weekend due to Calvillo getting tuned up.
Kelly played exceptionally well at MLB for the Argos, posting three
tackles and clogging holes all night. With his size and speed, he looks
like he’ll be a force all year in the middle.
THE BAD
The Bombers didn’t generate much pass rush against the Als’ O-line.
Granted, Montreal kept its starters in most of the game, but the Als’
pivots had all day to throw most of the time.
On the other side of the ball, Winnipeg ‘s offensive line allowed a
good bit of heat on their QBs, especially when Brad Banks was in the
game.
Combining for only 33 yards on nine carries, Toronto’s running backs
looked pretty anemic. In fact, they were outgained by the Argos’
pivots. I have a hard time believing the problem lies with personnel.
Avery, Williams, and Johnson have plenty of skill. Something has to
change in Toronto’s scheme to free those guys to rumble.
Saskatchewan has to find a way to get the ball outside to their
wideouts. Last season, the ‘Riders offence was stymied by possession
passing. Unless they were holding a good bit of the playbook back
Friday night, they’re heading that way again.
THE UGLY
If I were an Argos fan, I’d spend a lot less time worrying about Ricky
Williams’ performance Friday night than I would about the performances,
or lack thereof, put in by my pivots. Peterson, Allen, Wynn, and Crouch
combined to go 10 of 36 for 89 yards, no TDs, and an interception.
That’s just brutal, first pre-season game or not.
Both B.C. and Edmonton have to do something about their punt returns.
Each team certainly has players on the roster capable of doing better
than last weekend’s averages. The Lions actually posted a negative
average on punt returns, if my math’s correct.
Even going against a quality defence like Saskatchewan’s, the Esks’ has
to put up more than eight points in 60 minutes of ball. I know Ricky
Ray wasn’t in the game, but too much talent was on the field to excuse
that output.
CONSEQUENCES
Some pretty good players caught the axe after Week 1’s tilts. Jeff
Kelly’s performance sent former-NFL Pro Bowler Lee Woodall packing in
Toronto. Calgary released Darnell McDonald on Monday after a solid, but
unspectacular performance against B.C. McDonald was evidently late to a
team meeting, and the tardiness precipitated his release. The Als cut
Lynaris Elpheage after a lukewarm game in Winnipeg.
I’m probably most disappointed in Woodall’s release since I thought he
was having a great camp after such a long layoff. Hopefully, he’ll find
a spot in the league. It would be a shame for his effort to get into
playing shape to go to waste.
UP NEXT
Check back early next week to get my takes on the last weekend of
pre-season, final roster cuts, and a few predictions doomed to fail.
Until then, take care and enjoy the action.
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana
University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly
three decades.
(The opinions expressed are those of the author and not necessarily of the Canadian Football League)
