Dave Chidley/CFL.ca
It is the day many CFL fans have circled on their calendar as Mark’s Labour Day Weekend comes to a close with the annual double-header between the Stamps and Esks, and the Argos and Ticats. There is no shortage of drama heading into today so let’s take a look at the five most compelling storylines that could loom large
1. NEW BOSS, SAME RESULTS?
The biggest storyline of Labour Day Monday double header is the new man on the sideline for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats as June Jones coaches his first game in the CFL.
How does the team react to him? New coaches of a struggling team can bring a new attitude to a team and while that is usually a short term fix, you can see a team play much better than the team you saw play under the old head coach.
The odd difference is the old coach is still around. Kent Austin didn’t go anywhere, he’s been around the facility and is working in his Vice President of Football Operations role to make the team better.
We’ll find out in this rivalry game if Jones has rallied the team to start fresh midway through the season or we’ll see the same old Tiger-Cats and another loss.
2. JEREMIAH MASOLI
The second biggest change for the Tiger-Cats, who may have a bigger impact than the coach is Jeremiah Masoli taking over at starting quarterback. Zach Collaros is the franchise quarterback and getting paid like it so this wasn’t a move taken lightly by June Jones and the organization.
Collaros however has not been himself, though there was a lot more wrong in Hamilton than the quarterback. The offensive line needs improvement and outside of Luke Tasker, the consistency in the receiving corps hasn’t been there this season.
Masoli’s ability to run around and extend the play should be a good counter for the offensive line struggles. Masoli has to come in and own the huddle and if he can create some positive momentum, this is now his job to lose.
3. WHAT ARE THE ARGOS MADE OF?
You may ponder what the heck the Argonauts have to prove against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats but after 4-6 start to the season, they can’t afford a let down.
This has all the makings of the trap game for the Argos. It will be their 11th straight game without a bye week but they head on their bye after the game on Monday. It would be easy to have their minds on a week off and not truly focused on beating the 0-8 Tiger-Cats.
That’s why I ask ‘what are the Argos made of’ because great teams don’t have hiccups in games like this. It’s a must win game because losing to Hamilton only puts you further back from Ottawa, who took over first place on Thursday.
4. IS BO BACK?
Calgary Stampeder fans should be very excited after Bo Levi Mitchell‘s performance last week. His passing percentage was high and it started to look like the Mitchell that has had the Stampeders in two of the last three Grey Cups.
But it needs to be much more consistent for Calgary fans to truly believe what ever is ailing Mitchell is getting healed. And if he is healthy … the battle will be for second in the West Division as Calgary can start getting ready to host the West Final.
5. ESKIMOS VS ELITE
The Edmonton Eskimos have only played one game against a team that is currently above .500.
The Blue Bombers handed Edmonton their first loss. Then the Eskimos got pounded by the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Yes, they beat the B.C. Lions twice but right now the Lions have fallen to 5-5 and look to have been a little overrated from the start of the season.
The Eskimos have to live by the motto, you have to beat the best to be the best and it starts this weekend against the Stampeders.
