Pat Steinberg
CFL.ca
Trends start to emerge as the CFL 2011 season turns three weeks old
It’s been said by many smart CFL men in the past, and it still applies today: an 18-game season is far too long to be speaking in definitive terms early in the season. That said, three weeks into the 2011 campaign, some encouraging trends are starting to emerge for a number of teams, while for others, the trends range between frustrating, fortunate and worrying.
An Easy Three
Neither the Montreal Alouettes nor the Edmonton Eskimos have really been challenged en route to 3-0 records to start the year, and both teams have done it in very impressive fashion. The startling efficiency of the Montreal offence is perhaps the most constant thing so far this season. It was on display once again on a record breaking night at Percival Molson Stadium.
It’s funny, because on a night where Anthony Calvillo was going to be the story regardless of how the game played out, it was Brandon Whitaker who really stole the show in the Als 40-17 win over Toronto. Whitaker is one of my favorite players to watch this season because he is involved in almost every facet of the offence.
First and foremost, he’s extremely valuable in the protection game, as adept as any running back in the CFL at picking up a blitz and helping his quarterback, like he did on Brian Bratton’s touchdown grab late in the first half.
Then you have the more glamorous tools, which were on display against the Argos, as he piled up 214 all-purpose yards in workman-like display. Because he’s such an important part of Montreal’s offence, Whitaker is one of the busiest men in the CFL. He is strong with the ball and shows great burst of speed to separate from defenders. I like his ability to run inside the tackles as well as to the outside.
There’s not a whole lot more that can be said about Calvillo, but I will say I’m very excited to see where the new touchdown mark is going to lie for future quarterbacks. He’s at 396 right now and shows zero signs of slowing his pace, and as much as it’s been a treat watching him get to that mark, I think it’ll be just as much fun seeing what the final number ends up being.
That other 3-0 team has arrived at their perfect record with a little less fanfare than the Als, but the Eskimos have done it just as impressively. I’d encourage you to read fellow CFL.ca columnist Dave Campbell. Edmonton is combining a very effective attack with as difficult a defence to play against as there is in the league right now.
Great pressure up front and air-tight coverage in the backfield have been themes all season. T.J. Hill had such great underneath coverage on his pick that it was an easy route for him to jump up on. Defensively, I’d venture Edmonton is the toughest team to play right now, and I don’t really see things changing anytime soon.
Offensively, Ricky Ray had another sparkling day against the Lions. Ray’s success continues under fairly easy circumstances thanks to the five guys in front of him. Anchored by Patrick Kabongo, the Eskimos offensive line has been their most effective and efficient weapon, allowing the team to march downfield throughout games. Granted, Edmonton has yet to face a pass rush in the same league as Winnipeg’s, but to this point they’ve fended off all attackers in a very impressive manor.
A Wider Array
The other trends emerging through week three are more broad. Take for example the Calgary Stampeders, who have been fortunate if nothing else. Sitting at 2-1, the Stamps have been inches away from being 0-3. It’s not a good sign for any team to know all three of their games have come down to a potential game winning kick from the opposition in the final minute. That said, it’s a whole lot easier to dissect mistakes and hiccups with two consecutive wins under your belt.
But give credit where credit is due: in wins over the Lions and Bombers, Calgary has found a way to put the game away when it mattered most.
That was very much the case Thursday in the ‘Peg, where Keon Raymond’s banner night gave the Stamps a chance to win, which they pounced on. Already with a touchdown and an interception to his name, Raymond was on the spot to recover a Terrence Jeffers-Harris fumble in the fourth quarter, putting up a 66-yard return to put Henry Burris and the floundering offence in a great spot to win, down by six at the time.
The Calgary offence, which has struggled for consistency all year long, struck quickly once taking the ball at the Winnipeg 31 yard line. Burris would eventually fire a pass to Ken-Yon Rambo for a major and a 21-20 lead, which ended up being the final score.
I spoke to Burris on Friday following the win, and I was very curious as to the mindset of a struggling offence when given the opportunity to win a football game with great field position.
“If we’re frustrated, we deal with it at the time when it happens, but we put it behind us and learn from it quickly,” Burris said. “As soon as we got that ball we’re like ‘all right, we’re going to score, we’re going to win this game on this drive,’ and a few plays later we’re able to make a big play to Ken Yon and take the lead for good.”
The Stamps offence knows they need to be better, but it sure is a lot easier to work on things at 2-1 as opposed to 1-2 or 0-3.
There’s no doubt Wally Buono is frustrated with an 0-3 record staring him and his BC Lions in the face. After such a dismal first half of the season one year ago, getting off to a much better start was one of the big focuses for the team in 2011.
Two things stick out for me right now. First, the Lions have got to find a way to turn drives and opportunities into points, which they just aren’t doing right now. Second, there needs to be a better push from the defensive front seven, because they just aren’t getting the penetration needed on a consistent basis.
If frustration is the word for the Lions, worry has to be the word for the Riders, who join BC as the only other 0-3 team in the CFL.
I knew the Saskatchewan defence was going to take a step back or two early on this season, but Kevin Glenn and the Tiger-Cats went to town in their 33-3 win, encountering little resistance.
Through three weeks, I feel bad for the Riders secondary, because they’re being made to look really behind, but everything can’t fall at their feet: it’s impossible for any cover man to stay tight with the time opposing quarterbacks have been given so far.
The Green and White absolutely have to find a way to establish a pass rush here, because a single sack per game isn’t enough right now.
