2001 CFL Preview

by Zac Gershberg
Published on July 2, 2001 under Canadian Football League (CFL)

by Zac Gershberg

It has been an interesting off-season to say the least. Two quarterback defections to the NFL, two spicy, debated marketing schemes, one ownership change and more disdain for Wally Buono from former players than Bobby Clarke could ever imagine, has left fans of the CFL thirsty for actual competition.

You know, that league up in Canada where they play eighteen games with only eight teams and thirty-nine players.

The 2000 season featured the improbable story of the British Columbia Lions, led by all-time CFL passing leader Damon Allen, who is the brother of former NFL great Marcus Allen, winning the Grey Cup despite an unimpressive regular season with an 8-10 record. A stunning victory in the Western Division final against a Calgary Stampeders team guided by CFL Most Valuable Player Dave Dickenson preceded the triumphant last second field goal to beat the heavily favored Montreal Alouettes.

Thus, in a league where only two teams fail to qualify for the playoffs and a sporting culture dominated by outdated clichés, 'anything can happen' will be allowed when discussing football North of the border. Don't be surprised if this season shapes up a touch more predictable, however, for Rod Rust's team in Montreal certainly appears to be the class of the league and ready to make amends for the Grey Cup upset last November.

As final cuts were made over the weekend, leaving each roster with 19 Canadians, 17 Americans and three quarterbacks, all teams enter the season with both potential for success and problematic issues. So, let us become acclimated with the Canadian Football League:

Eastern Division

Toronto Argonauts: There has been much to do about the advertising blitz with the adult entertainment tailgate parties, but besides the fizzled coup to attract young males, the Boatmen have made some strides to right the ship. The transition from legendary player to novice head coach has been a relatively smooth one for Mike "Pinball" Clemons, welcomed by the fans and media. He brings energy and enthusiasm to football in Toronto-something not steadfast in the community. Entering his first full season as head coach, Clemons will utilize Kerwin Bell, who enjoyed success when taking over under center towards the end of last season, as his head pivot. Naturally, there is a swirl of skepticism surrounding Clemons' experience, but look for him to communicate well with his players and be a sound motivater. The offense hopes to improve with the addition of running back and return specialist Archie Amerson, who brings speed and versatility to a formerly stagnant offense whose only threat was Derrel Mitchell. Linebacker Michael O'Shea, another free agent signing, looks to assist a defensive unit that performed well but was exhausted last season.
Prediction: Despite a lackluster pair of preseason games, look for the Argos to build on the success they endured towards the 6-4 conclusion of the 2000 season and land a playoff birth behind the enigmatic Bell.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Gone are many key members of the CFL leading defense of a year ago so the Ticats must rely on the resurgence of Big Mac-Danny McManus-who hopes to regain his 1999 when he earned Grey Cup MVP while triumphing over Calgary. After throwing an uncharacteristic twenty-nine interceptions last season, McManus seems focused to stay healthy and pick apart defenses with weapons such as Darren Flutie and Andrew Grigg back at his disposal. The recent acquisition of Troy Davis, formerly of Iowa State fame, may be a solid pick-up once he familiarizes himself with the Canadian game, although he currently resides on the practice roster. A wider and longer field up north makes special teams that much more important and Hamilton enjoys a great kicker in Paul Obsaldiston and a unit that blocked punts in both preseason contests. Along with the solid coaching of CFL hero Ron Lancaster, a quite capable pivot in his time, the Tabbies-great nickname, huh-are the one squad to seriously challenge Montreal in the Eastern Division.
Prediction: The Tiger-Cats will improve on last season's .500 record but ultimately fall short against the sturdy Alouettes in the playoffs.

Winnipeg Blue-Bombers: Head coach Dave Ritchie guided a team full of unproven talent into the Eastern Division title game last season and looks to have the same challenge ahead of him considering the loss of an entire receiving corps. Quarterback Khari Jones threw for over 4,000 yards and 31 touchdown passes in his first full year at the helm but faces an uphill battle with the makeover in Alberta. Versatile free agent running back Troy Mills will help appease Jones' problems with his expertise both on the ground and through the air, but plan on the Big Blue struggling with the ball this season. The addition of non-import defensive lineman Doug Brown, a relative stranger to three-down football, will lead to an improved pass rush. On a front office note, the team received some negative publicity following a marketing scheme that featured a singles dating service at CanadInns Stadium that displayed the phone numbers of several available young women on the scoreboard. You gotta love the CFL.
Prediction: Despite last year's post-season success, look for the Blue Bombers to take a step backwards while the Argos edge them out for a playoff spot.

Montreal Alouettes: About the only thing preventing this team to an outright assault on the Grey Cup, conveniently held in Montreal this year, is a rocky transition with new head coach Rod Rust. An offense stimulated by the methodical running of Mike Pringle and stabilized by the poise of pivot Anthony Calvillo will experience another successful campaign of putting points on the board. Injuries appear to be a concern for the defensive unit as two cornerbacks will most likely start the season in the training room while the defection of Davis Sanchez to the San Diego Chargers has left some holes in the secondary. Adding non-import linebacker George Young from Toronto will help control the line of scrimmage in hopes of bettering Montreal's rush defense. Rust, 72, brings experience to a franchise that always seems to change coaches and is comfortable with this team from his time as defensive coordinator.
Prediction: As long as the Alouettes maintain a firm consistency on defense, look for this team to improve on last season's 12-6 record and earn the Grey Cup victory that has eluded them the previous five years.

Western Division

Saskatchewan Roughriders: After a 2000 campaign where the Roughies had the worst defense in the CFL to accompany the worst overall record at 5-12, things looked bad. After losing starting quarterback Henry Burris to the Green Bay Packers and defensive tackle Demetrious Maxie to the Chicago Bears, things looked dismal. With the spark of new defensive coordinator Richie Hall riding into town, Saskatchewan appears rejuvenated to compete this season in the wide open Western Division that does not have a clear favorite. Not that two preseason games can accurately forecast an entire eighteen game season but the defense has been extremely impressive by not allowing a touchdown in the two contests. Nose tackle Sheldon Napustuk plugs the middle on the evolving defense that looks to shut down such novice offenses as the one in Calgary this year. Veteran pivot Marvin Graves, formerly of the Toronto Argonauts, will take over the reigns at quarterback. This may seem as an extremely difficult task for Graves to steer the Riders to the playoffs, but he will be complimented by a tandem of tailbacks in Darren Davis and Rock Preston and the return of CFL receptions leader Curtis Marsh at wideout.
Prediction: Prepare for a turn-around in Regina this season as head coach Danny Barret has the Riders primed for playoff contention.

Calgary Stampeders: An offseason overhaul that included the loss of CFL MVP Dave Dickenson to the San Diego Chargers and the outright release of all-time receiving leader Allen Pitts, slot back extrordinare, finds the Stamps in transition. After their surprising playoff loss to the Lions in 2000, no longer can Calgary claim to be the cream of the crop out west. As usual, head coach and general manager Wally Buono has churned out another list of spiteful former players this preseason including all-star veteran punter Tony Martino. But despite his cold, brash demeanor, you have to respect Buono for his ability to put forth a winning team year after year. At pivot, last season's third stringer Ben Sankey has claimed the starting position ahead of free agent signee Marcus Crandell. With Buono's success record in developing quarterbacks, who is anyone else to argue? On defense, the loss of Shont'e Peoples will diminish the unit's intensity. With the ownership transition all but a formality to the businessmen from California, do not expect too much of distraction for not even these Americans have the guts to mess with Buono.
Prediction: Not the usual stampeding powerhouse everyone is used to, but Calgary has what it takes to lead the division and battle in the Western finals again.

B.C. Lions: After twenty-five seasons in the CFL and finishing the 2000 campaign as the Grey Cup hero, kicker Lui Passaglia decided to call it a career, leaving big shoes to fill for Matt Kellett. Back in the fold, however, is the consistent elderly statesman Damon Allen, ready for another run at the Cup due to a wide open Western Division. Tailback Robert Drummond is also back for an offense that improved as the season went on last year. Although they are not a lock to repeat as champions, expect an enhancement on their sub-.500 record during the regular season.
Prediction: Not much has changed for the Lions heading into this season but don't be surprised if one of the up and coming teams out west upsets them similar to what B.C. accomplished last year.

Edmonton Eskimos: Prepared to improve his growing CFL stature is pivot Nealon Greene, who led the Esks to an impressive 10-8 record last season. Unfortunately, he has been anything but sharp this preseason bringing about more uncertainty to a position that lacks depth for the organization. The loss of tailback Troy Mills via free agency is another crippling blow to the offense but the receiving corps should be even stronger with the progression of Kez McCorvey. The defense has not been tinkered with too much and that is a good thing for newly appointed head coach Tom Higgins. A major concern rests upon his shoulders following the abrupt, partial departure of legendary CFL coach Don Matthews who was dismissed for health concerns.
Prediction: If Higgins can hold the squad together and free agent running back Ryan Terry can adequately replace Mills, there is no reason why the Esks will not represent the Western Division in Montreal in November.

There you have it, a complete 'dummies' guide to following the CFL for the upcoming season. So next time you are at a local sports pub and the only event on television is a tedious contest between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the San Diego Padres, ask the staff to throw on a CFL game - it won't disappoint. And without any further a due, lets get ready for some football where the balls are bigger, the beer is colder and the field is wider. See you there.

Zac Gershberg is a senior at Ithaca College majoring in both sports communication and film. Raised in Buffalo, New York, Zac looks to enter the sports broadcasting field after graduation as well as pursue his aspirations in screenwriting and print journalism. While at school, Zac co-hosts a weekly sports call in show and broadcasts football games on 92-WICB Ithaca.

Canadian Football League Stories from July 2, 2001

• 2001 CFL Preview - OSC Original by Zac Gershberg

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer(s), and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.