Jack B. Bedell
CFL.ca
As long as it took to get from the Grey Cup in Toronto to Week 1 of the 2008 season, and as much of a lifetime as opening day seems from now, it’s still hard for me to believe the playoffs are upon us.
It’s been a year of unusual divisional dominance, injuries, phenomenal performances, and frustrations. And I think it’s extraordinarily fitting that playoff implications were still on the line in the very last game of the season. It’s been that kind of wild ride all along.
Unlike some seasons when half the league heads into the final two weeks of the year with nothing to gain or little to play for beyond professional pride, this year closed out with meaningful tilts across the board.
In Toronto this past Thursday, the defending Grey Cup champion Roughriders needed a win for a shot at hosting a semi-final playoff game, and more importantly, the team had a QB situation to sort out before heading into the post-season. On the other sideline, players like the Argos’ Kerry Joseph and Arland Bruce were fighting to put a positive ending to a derailed year, and they gave it their best shots to close things out in style.
Out in Edmonton, the Eskimos were itching to establish some momentum before their first post-season game in two seasons, and shockingly Ricky Ray and the Esks’ offence were in dire need of recapturing some efficiency and explosion. For their part, the Als needed to get back-ups like Marcus Brady and Khalil Carter up to speed while keeping starters healthy heading into a first-week bye.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were locked into second in the East, but didn’t have the luxury of coasting against the Ticats Saturday. Having sleepwalked through most of the season hampered by injuries and inconsistencies in all phases of the game, the Bombers had to keep the pedal down as one of the hotter teams down the stretch. And win or lose, Hamilton had to take stock in its roster from Casey Printers all the way down to the 42nd man.
And then there was the 72nd and final game of the season pitting the West Division’s top-seeded Calgary Stampeders with Henry Burris and Ken-Yon Rambo hoping to finish out career years and the B.C. Lions who could lock down a home playoff game with a win in Cowtown.
Even with four of the six playoff possibilities locked in place, Week 19 had the feeling of a photo finish, and there’s just nothing more a fan could ask for to close out the year. Except maybe three more weeks of the same excitement!
WEEK 19 QUICK HITS
Be honest. How many of you thought Riders’ head man Ken Miller was going to leave Michael Bishop in the game to throw his fourth pick? I definitely thought the hook was coming after Bish threw pick number three, but Coach Miller made the right call, beyond a doubt. Number 17 is Saskatchewan’s best shot at getting back to the Grey Cup. His ability to threaten a defence in unparalleled, but ball security better take top priority now that the stakes go way up in the playoffs.
I have to give some props to Kerry Joseph, too, for his performance going head-to-head with his former team to close out a painful season. Out-manned, Joseph was certainly not out-gunned in the tilt. In case anyone harboured doubts about Joseph’s ability to ball, going 25 of 38 for 307 yards and five TDs against Gang Gren’s tough defence should put that noise to rest.
And talking about balling, how about the play of Edmonton’s pivots against Montreal Friday night? Ricky Ray and Jason Maas combined to complete 35 of 41 passes for 475 yards and two majors. It would be hard to match that efficiency in skeleton drills. I think they’re ready for the post-season, coach.
And finally, you had to like B.C.’s shot at hosting a playoff game coming out of half-time only down by six points in Calgary with Henry Burris taking the rest of the day off. But you have to hand it to the Stamps’ defence for harassing Buck Pierce and forcing turnovers to shorten the field for back-up pivot Barrick Nealy, who managed to run himself into some job security with a 72-yard, three-TD second half.
RWB’S PRIMETIME PERFORMERS
1) Neal Hughes
2) Andy Fantuz
3) Ricky Ray
4) Shiddeeq Shabazz
5) Fred Reid
6) Alexis Serna
7) Barrick Nealy
8) Jojuan Armour
9) Kerry Joseph
10) Stefan Logan
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS DOOMED TO GO WRONG
I managed to finish the regular season well over .500 with a 41-31 tally, and with the way some of the season unfolded I’m banking that as a successful year!
The playoffs are a different animal, though, and everybody’s 0-0 at this point.
Usually, I’d pick against any crossover team, but in light of the West’s dominance this year, I’m going with Edmonton in the East Semi. Out West, there’s no way I’m going against the Riders at home.
UP NEXT
Check back next week to get my takes on all of the semi-final action. I’ll also offer a short list of my favourite moments fro the 2008 season.
Until then, take care. And get your playoff face on. It’s win or go home now, baby!
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly three decades.
