Yardsticks

The first third of the 2009 CFL season is now in the books.  Here is my quick take on where the teams rank:

1. Montreal:  It is hard to argue that the Alouettes have been the best team in the league so far.  However, in the last four games particularly, the Als look very beatable.  I think QB Anthony Calvillo is starting to show his age, which makes me think this team could struggle yet.

2. Edmonton:  The Eskimos got off to a rough start, but since the third week have been looking like a good football team.  Finally, it seems, the Esks have found a running game to help the passing game.  I still have questions about the defence, but for now they are winning.

3. Hamilton:  Six weeks ago I would never have guessed I would put Hamilton so high up on this list.  Young Quinton Porter is developing as a QB after struggling in the first couple of games.  And their defence is not as porous as in previous years.  The question that needs to be answered:  is this team for real?

4. Calgary:  The Stamps have been playing a little hot and cold football.  When they are hot, they are a pretty decent team.  When they are cold, they rank right there near the bottom.  It will be interesting to see if this team can establish some consistency and become a legitimate Grey Cup contender.

5. Winnipeg:  While the offence for the Bombers has been non-existent for most of the season, the defence has been outstanding.  The addition of QB Michael Bishop should help the offence, and the experiment in Week 5 of having two running backs on the field at the same time was a success.  If the Bombers can establish even a mediocre offence and the defence continues to play like they have, the Bombers will certainly move up this ranking.

6. Saskatchewan: The Roughriders started off very well, but have stumbled in the last few weeks.  It is difficult to nail their problems down to one particular area, which would lead me to think a coaching problem exists.  It will be telling to watch the next few games to see what the Green team will do.

7. BC:  Discipline is one of the key issues facing the struggling Lions.  Penalties, penalties, and more penalties are causing a tremendous problem.  Couple that with an offensive line that has holes like swiss cheese, and a defence that cannot stop a running back for anything, and the losing record fits the team very well.  Never, ever count a Wally Buono coached team out, though.

8. Toronto:  I’ve been saying since 2007 that QB Kerry Joseph is over-rated.  At times, it seems like I was the only one.  Now I have lots of company, including Argo Head Coach Bart Andrus.  Week 7 will see Kerry Joseph sitting on the bench at the start of the game.  In Joseph’s defence, there are many problems on both sides of the ball that need to be fixed before the Argos will be a force to deal with.