We’re rolling out a brand new feature on CFL.ca, and I’m stoked to be a part of it. In addition to our recap of the week on the Monday Morning Quarterback, we’re going to start looking ahead to the coming week with the 3-Minute Warning. It’s pretty simple: It’s the three biggest storylines going into each week. So without further adieu, let’s get at it.
3. How do you top that?
This one is on a few fronts for the Argos. First at quarterback, where Trevor Harris’s starting debut was stunning in a 26-11 win over the Edmonton Eskimos. Harris shot the lights out, throwing three touchdowns on 24-for-27 passing and did so against one of the league’s best defensive units. It’s going to be tough to top that performance
for Harris on Sunday in Saskatchewan, but I’ll be looking to see if he can spread the ball around as nicely as he did last weekend.
Brandon Whitaker wasn’t debuting against the Eskimos last Saturday, but he was making his first appearance for the double blue. It sure was good to see Whitaker turn back the clock with 174 all-purpose yards and a touchdown, because that’s the guy I remember from his dominant days in Montreal. The last few seasons have been of the nightmare variety for Whitaker, so I’m wondering: Was his first game with the Argos was a sign of things to come or a one time throwback?
2. Will the real Bo Levi please stand up.
The Calgary Stampeders snatched victory from the jaws of Tiger-Cats defeat last Friday night (excuse the pun), which is the good news. The bad news is Bo Levi Mitchell had his worst start as a professional quarterback. Throwing three interceptions along the way, Mitchell struggled making decisions for a good chunk of the night. Luckily Jeff Fuller was there to revive the offence and give Mitchell a game-breaking target to exploit.
If I’m a Stampeders fan, I’m probably feeling pretty good about the situation. Mitchell had his worst start as a pro, and Calgary still won the football game. On top of that, how likely is it Mitchell will have two lemon starts in a row? Knowing what I’ve seen from him the last couple years, I would say very unlikely. The Stamps visit Montreal Friday night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
1. Now it’s for real.
Travis Lulay looked great in his lone preseason outing a couple weeks ago against the Edmonton Eskimos. In his first action since week 11 of 2014, Lulay threw for a touchdown and 121 yards and didn’t shy away from contact at all. It was a promising sign for the 2011 Most Outstanding Player, and it gave Lions fans hope. Well, now the snaps start counting for real.
The Lions open their 2015 campaign Saturday in Ottawa, and all eyes will be on Lulay as he tries to get a once can’t miss career back on track. Returning against the RedBlacks won’t be easy, because Rick Campbell’s defensive group is much improved from 2014. But from what I saw in the preseason I think he can do it, and I really hope he does.
