CFL Week Two

Random observations about Week One:

- If Chevon Walker comes close to replicating his Week One performance (168 yards from scrimage, 1 TD, 66 return yards), Avon Cobourne's second coming as a Ti-Cat will not last very long.

- Given the sad, sad performance by rookie RB Bloi-Dei Dorzon (4 net yards on 5 carries) in his first game replacing the injured Chris Garrett, I wonder if Cobourne will end up with the Bombers before July is done.

- 27 minutes.  That is how long Buck Pierce, and his body of glass (as one of my CFL pool colleagues so aptly described it) lasted in last Friday's game. Alex Brink actually looked much more effective than Buck in relief.  The big question for Friday night is, of course, can Pierce last more than 27 minutes?

- Last week-end saw both Ricky Ray (29 for 39, 298 yards) and Henry Burris (28 for 39, 284 yards) successfully complete a high number of passes and gain roughly 10 yards per average completion.  Guys, those are NFL 4-down numbers, which will not cut it in the CFL.

- My results for Week One: 1-3.  I successfully called the BC romp over Winnipeg, called for the wrong QB to dominate in the Saskatchewan-Hamilton game, had the Argos squeaking by the Eskimos instead of what actually happened and, well, got the Montreal-Calgary game completely wrong.

With that in mind, here are my picks for Week Two:

Friday

Winnipeg at Montréal

Both teams looked pretty bad last week-end. The Bombers offense looked over-matched by the BC defence, which, admittedly, may be the best in the league.  They should do better against the Als, no matter which QB ends up taking the majority of the snaps.  As for the Als, they played an awful game against the Stamps in Calgary.  I suspect they will bounce back at home, although AC looks strangely human doesn't he?

Montréal by 4.

Hamilton at BC

Hamilton was dominated at home last week, while BC dominated.  The Ti-Cats have got to be better than they looked last week.  Hopefully, rookie head coach George Cortez will have learned how to throw a challenge flag by now.  As for BC, they are the class of the league; any distraction caused by Geroy Simon's record chase will not be a factor this week (if it was last week).

BC by 12

Saturday

Calgary at Toronto

Toronto's offence is still a work in progress.  I still say they are a receiver short.  The defence put in a yeoman's effort against the Esks last week, buy they were facing Steven Jyles.  Drew Tate should prove to be more of a challenge.  Calgary surprised me last week in overwhelming the Als.  I still do not know what to think about them. 

Toronto by 3.

Sunday

Edmonton at Saskatchewan

This should be a fun match-up.  The Green Riders are at home, looking to show the Green faithful that last season should be forgotten.  It should give us an indication of whether their offence is the juggernaut it looked like last week or if that was an aberration. The Eskimos will have trouble all year putting points on the board; they cannot afford to get into a shoot-out.  If Jyles cannot generate much offence, and their D is on the field more often than not, Durant might benefit from facing a tired bunch in the second half.

Riders by 10.

Cheers.