Matthew Cauz
CFL.ca
One of the biggest lies we propagate in the sports world is that we, the sports fan, love the little guy. We say we do, but really that is just us being nice. Just like proclaiming you always buy organic or you shop local, it’s something you just have to announce while in polite company. The truth is we like the bully.
While the Occupy (iyour city here) movement is going on, we are all about celebrating the 99 per cent while demonizing the one per cent.
Think of it as David being the 99 per cent and Goliath the one.
But come on deep down, admit it, you like the powerhouse team, the dynasty franchise. What generates higher ratings, the little plucky hard working team? Or the crazy talented one?
You see, sports are just better when you have that great team.
Does a season really feel legitimate without at least one powerhouse? Just like Lebowski’s carpet it really helps tie the year together.
Does a season really feel satisfying when the playoffs are filled with six evenly matched teams with close to identical records? For me the answer is no.
I prefer the storyline of the great team realizing their destiny. I like the idea of excellence, I enjoy celebrating teams that draft well, make shrewd trades and develop their home-grown talent into superstars.
The B.C. Lions drafted Shawn Gore (second on the team in receiving), traded for Arland Bruce and have developed Travis Lulay into the no.1 quarterback in the league.
I could not have been happier with their 42-1 win over Montreal. Nothing against the Alouettes, but that victory sent a clear message to the rest of the league; the Lions are the team to beat.
Now we have two clear storylines going into the playoffs:
1) The Lions are the league’s new Alpha Dog, replacing Montreal. Of course you can’t be considered the best until you hoist the Grey Cup over your head.
2) Is there a David among the other five teams with a good enough sling shot to take down Lulay & Co.?
Let’s go back to David vs. Goliath for a moment. That storyline doesn’t exist if we have six David’s all shooting rocks at one another.
Do we really even care about this parable if David took on Goliath’s younger, weaker brother who happens to have a bad case of asthma and a low pain tolerance? Of course not. So once again let me reiterate the Lions dominating win over Montreal was critical for the playoffs.
The whole David vs. Goliath angle doesn’t even exist if the Alouettes had won.
However, this is not to say the Lions are unbeatable. Their running game has been inconsistent and there is a whole other level of pressure of not only being the no.1 team but also being the host team for the Grey Cup.
It’s harder to win when everyone expects you to succeed versus flying under the radar. Just ask the 2007 New England Patriots, or the 2008 Montreal Alouettes.
So in the name of fair and balanced writing I figure I should say something nice about the other five teams considering I have spent the past 500 words praising the Lions.
Montreal: No team possesses as much offensive firepower as the Alouettes. Can you name me a better QB, RB, WR combination than Calvillo, Whitaker and Richardson?
Winnipeg: What Montreal is to offence the Blue Bombers are to defence, leading the league in every big play category.
Calgary: While not as explosive as Montreal, Calgary has the most balanced attack, they go four deep at wide receiver and Drew Tate led the Stampeders to a three-game winning streak to end the season.
Edmonton: No team does a better job protecting the ball (league low 29 turnovers) and when fully healthy Edmonton showed the ability to be a truly dominant team. Remember their 5-0 start to the season?
Hamilton: Our favourite topsy-turvy team has beaten B.C., Montreal and Calgary by 32, 23 and 19 points respectively. On the right day, there is no team they can’t beat.
No matter what had happened between Montreal and BC in the final week of the season we still would all be excited for the playoffs, how could you not?
But BC’s win has added definition to the postseason. The Lions are now a legitimate Goliath!
Now the question is can any of the five teams play the role of David?
