Jack B. Bedell
CFL.ca
As deep as the CFL is at pivot going into the 2009 season, the position that might just be the strongest in the league is receiver. With talent so evenly distributed amongst the eight teams, even off-season trades and retirements couldn’t do much to affect the balance of power at the position, though the ‘Riders acquisition of Jason Clermont from B.C. raised their score a bit.
Even a cursory analysis of the league’s eight rosters will show impact players on every squad, and the depth and quality of Canadian receivers are as strong as they’ve been in decades.
Here’s a team-by-team look at impact receivers, and my own (extremely close) ranking of the squads:
B.C. LIONS
For the past few years, the Lions have boasted one of the League’s most productive receiving corps. Led by Geroy Simon and up-and-coming gamebreaker Paris Jackson, B.C. has a nice combination of size and speed. Three years ago, the Lions were arguably the best receiving corps in the CFL, but lack of experienced depth behind their leading playmakers has taken a bit of shine off the unit heading into 2009. It’s a testament to the growth of talent in the League that this squad has crept back to the pack, certainly not an indictment of the players on this squad. The performances of Ryan Grice-Mullen, Rufus Skillern, and O’Neil Wilson will have a lot to say about my opinion on that, though.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS
Top to bottom, the receiving corps assembled in Cowtown is just plain scary. Ken-Yon Rambo and Nik Lewis are both capable of taking over games. New acquisitions Jabari Arthur and Teyo Johnson definitely bring size and consistency on second down. Canadians Ryan Thelwell and Brett Ralph both threaten seams in zone coverage. And cagey vet Jeremaine Copeland has more than enough in the tank to scare secondaries. The only question in Calgary has to be, is one ball going to be enough?
EDMONTON ESKIMOS
No receiving corps in the CFL showed more fortitude and togetherness than the Eskimos last season. When team leader Jason Tucker went down with a catastrophic spine injury, Kamau Peterson, Fred Stamps, Andrew Nowacki, and company stepped forward to take up the slack in spectacular fashion. The loss of Kelly Campbell to the NFL and Brock Ralph to Winnipeg via trade might knock some serious production out of the unit for 2009, but Kevin Challenger and Maurice Mann are more than ready to do their parts to put it back. Top to bottom, a solid unit.
HAMILTON TICATS
Probably the surprise receiving unit of 2008, the Ticats head into the season with some solid young talent. Led by Prechae Rodriguez, who made a serious run at Rookie of the Year last season, and Chris Bauman, Hamilton can threaten defences from anywhere on the field. Gone are Pat Woodcock and Tony Miles, who didn’t quite pan out as expected, but Scott Mitchell, JoJo Walker, Chris Davis, and Willie Quinnie are set to pull their weight and then some. Even with a young pivot chucking the ball, Hamilton’s receivers should do some real damage in 2009.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES
While not as flashy as Calgary’s group, the Als’ receiving corps is as deep and talented as any in the CFL. All-CFLers Ben Cahoon and Jamel Richardson are gifted at collecting the tough yards in the middle of the field and at turning short passes into long gains and TDs. Kerry Watkins and Brian Bratton provide deep threats on go routes. Add to all that skill the emergence of non-imports Danny Desriveaux and Eric Deslauriers and the Als possess a talented, varied attack sure to give defences fits all over the league.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS
Suffering more injuries than I thought possible over the course of the 2008 season, the Roughriders still managed to field one of the more productive sets of receivers, and that was with a veritable revolving door at pivot. With or without Matt Dominguez, the ‘Riders will field serious talent in 2009. Andy Fantuz, Wes Dressler, Chris Getzlaf, Adam Nicholson, and Rob Bagg are amongst the most talented young players the CFL has to offer. Add a priceless vet like Jason Clermont to the mix alongside other experienced players like Michael Palmer and you have the makings of a special group of receivers.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS
On the heels of one of the least-productive seasons in recent memory, the Argos’ receiving corps will have to rely heavily on vets Arland Bruce III and Andre Talbot to turn things around for Kerry Joseph and the rest of Toronto’s offence this season. The Argos receiving corps does show lots of potential with Canadians Obed Cetoute, Tyler Scott and 2008 draft pick Mike Bradwell in addition to James Robinson who had a 200-yard game in ’08. Reggie McNeal presents an interesting twist as both a quarterback and receiver; last season he would have gained over 1000 yards had he been a pass-catcher all year long. Frank Murphy also returns to the mix after sitting out the 2008 season.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS
Milt Stegall finally pulled the trigger on retirement this past off-season, but the Bombers still have a load of skilled receivers left on the roster to put up big numbers in 2009. Derick Armstrong, Romby Bryant, and Terrence Edwards can be dominant players regardless of who’s throwing them the ball. With the additions of Brock Ralph and Adarius Bowman, Winnipeg will have more than its share of options in the passing game, and that’s not even counting solid incumbents like Arjei Franklin and Jamie Stoddard in the mix.
HOW THEY RANK IN MY BOOK
1) Calgary Stampeders
2) Montreal Alouettes
3) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
4) Saskatchewan Roughriders
5) Edmonton Eskimos
6) Hamilton Ticats
7) B.C. Lions
8) Toronto Argonauts
UP NEXT
Check back in a few days for a CFL Mock draft 2.0 redux. Until then, take care. And keep counting off the days. June will get here soon enough!
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly three decades.
