Jack B. Bedell
CFL.ca
THE SWEET BYE AND BYE
Since the CFL adopted its current bye week plan a couple of seasons ago, I’ve been a huge fan of the consecutive divisional showdowns leading into the Labour Day Classics.
Coaches and players from teams starting to build some momentum might not be as friendly to the idea of taking a week off just prior to mid-season, but it definitely gives fans a great opportunity to focus on the competition from the other division and to take a little stock in their own during the bye week.
Plus, with the divisional bye weeks situated just prior to the Labour Day match-ups, it gives every team a chance to heal up heading into the real meat of the season, when games really start to carry some gravitas down the home stretch.
With the West enjoying some time off in Week 8, I’m sure everyone in the Roughriders’ organization would agree a little R&R is just what the doctors ordered to get the roster as healthy as possible for the second half of the season. And the way nicks and bruises are starting to accumulate across the league, the time off has to be pretty welcome in other locker rooms as well.
While the teams out West watched, the East Division battled it out in Week 8. The Blue Bombers and Alouettes managed to answer a few questions, while the Ticats and Argonauts left a few hanging heading into the East bye.
R-E-D-E-M-P-T-I-O-N
Prior to Labour Day, it’s difficult to label any game a “must-win,” but with the questions staring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the eye in Week 8, it would be easy to call the club’s last game before the bye a “must-not-lose” tilt.
Heading into the game against Hamilton, questions swirled in the media and on fan forums over the state of the Bombers’ locker room, the performance (or lack thereof) of superstar running back Charles Roberts, and the return of Kevin Glenn to Big Blue’s starting line-up after three weeks of demotion.
A loss to the Ticats at home, especially in the same fashion the team had lost six out of its previous seven games, would most likely have turned the volume way up on those doubts, maybe even to the point of setting off some changes in the organization.
Calling his own plays for the first time in his career, Glenn answered the bell with 285 yards through the air and a major. More importantly, he fed the ball to Roberts for 30 touches, and Blink responded with 145 yards rushing, 37 yards receiving, and two majors.
On the other side of the ball, the Bombers’ D harassed Richie Williams all night, racking up four sacks, causing two fumbles, and returning a pick for a TD. And while Hamilton’s running game behind Terry Caulley and Williams piled up decent numbers, Winnipeg’s defence kept the field tilted the Bombers’ way in the end.
It may be only one inspired win, but it sends Winnipeg into the bye with game balls for the coach and the fans, re-establishes Glenn as the team’s leader, and erases all doubts over what Roberts has left in the tank.
It also leaves Hamilton going into the bye with question marks hovering over its starting QB, the quality of its lines on both sides of the ball, and its ability to deal with prosperity.
D-O-M-I-N-A-T-I-O-N
One team that’s had no trouble dealing with prosperity in the East is the Montreal Alouettes. After last Friday’s victory in Toronto, the Als are a gaudy 5-0 against divisional opponents, taking a four point lead in the standings into the East bye.
Even more impressive than Montreal’s divisional record has been the way the wins have stacked up. Montreal has won with special teams leading the way, with the CFL’s top offence piling up points, and with the defensive line collecting the league’s lead in QB sacks.
Against the Argos, all facets of the Alouettes’ offence were rolling. Anthony Calvillo continued his 2008 tear with 379 yards and three TDs and Avon Cobourne climbed to the top of the league’s rushing and receiving charts with 107 yards on the ground and another 103 yards through the air on five grabs.
But even with all of that offensive production, Keron Williams and the rest of the Als’ D-line stole the show with four sacks, too many QB hurries to count, and a pick. Their performance got Kerry Joseph benched and made Michael Bishop look very ordinary in relief.
With the East taking a week off to watch the West duke it out, Montreal’s domination of the Argos clearly establishes the Als as the Beast of the East. It also leaves Toronto with an ugly QB situation of its own, no running game, and a defence in decline.
RWB’S PRIMETIME PERFORMERS
1) Avon Cobourne
2) Anthony Calvillo
3) Keron Williams
4) Anwar Stewart
5) Charles Roberts
6) Kevin Glenn
7) Doug Brown
8) Tom Canada
9) Terry Caulley
10) Kenny Wheaton
WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS DOOMED TO GO WRONG
Last week, I finally managed to come out on top of the .500 mark with my picks.
This week, I’ll do my best not to fall behind again. Hopefully, Edmonton and Calgary will keep the winning streak going for me.
UP NEXT
Check back next week to see how the West treats me and to get my take on all of Week 9’s action.
Until then, take care. With Labour Day staring us all down, I wonder if it’s too late to call for a video review of summer!
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern
Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for
nearly three decades.
