Either urine or you’re out, Leonard

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 20/09/2021 (1449 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s a good thing I write for a Winnipeg paper, since with the success of the Blue Bombers, it’s the best audience to open another weekly CFL-wide column.

Whether you’re in Winnipeg or anywhere else across the country, there’s no denying the Bombers continue to make waves, separating themselves from the others with another win this week.

A 37-22 road win over the Edmonton Elks improved Winnipeg’s record to 6-1, while the Elks dropped to 2-4. The Stampeders (2-5) remain in the basement of the West Division standings following a 23-17 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who climbed back to 3-3 with the victory at home.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (4-2) snapped their two-game losing streak a convincing 30-16 win over the Toronto Argonauts (3-3). Finally, the Montreal Alouettes (2-3) were unable to earn their first victory at home, falling 27-18 to the B.C. Lions (4-2), who have now won three straight after opening the season 1-2.

As always, there’s tons to get to on and off the field from the week that was, so let’s get going with the latest edition of CFL Rundown.

1) We’ll open with a somber note. I want to extend by condolences to the family and friends following the death of fifth-year Ottawa Gee-Gees player Francis Perron. Perron died suddenly following a game against the University of Toronto Saturday. There’s no word yet on cause of death, but what is clear is the football community is reeling over a life lost way too soon.

2) The CFL released their supplementary discipline report on Thursday and the league has added another game to the two-game suspension for Roughriders defensive end A.C. Leonard. Leonard was suspended two games for being unable to provide a urine sample to be tested and was given a third game “due to verbal abuse and unacceptable behaviour towards the doping control officers.”

3) The Roughriders are still discussing what, if anything, they’re going to do with Leonard and whether there could be further punishment coming. I’ll say this: there are some teams where he’d already be cut for that kind of behaviour. And my feeling is if Leonard wasn’t the team’s best pass rusher he’d likely be gone. That said, there’s the other issue of another team then signing him, which also seems likely, so it’s not exactly a clear-cut decision.

4) I couldn’t help but laugh at the decision by the Toronto Argonauts to lure Chris Jones from his high school head coaching job in the U.S. Jones was brought on because two defensive coaches — co-ordinator Glenn Young and defensive backs coach Josh Bell — are currently on leave after the team’s ownership group mandated that all employees of MLSE be fully vaccinated.

5) The funny part is this feels like it’s going to be a disaster. Jones is no doubt an asset, and his resume in the CFL speaks for itself, especially as a defensive co-ordinator. But Jones has also proven to be a power hungry — how many titles did he have in Saskatchewan? — and you get the feeling this is just the beginning of an eventual takeover. But I’ve been proven wrong before.

6) I spoke with Khari Jones last week about his COVID-19 diagnosis and the Alouettes head coach seemed no worse for wear, save for some fatigue and minor aches. Jones praised the CFL for their protocols and said the Alouettes have been taking them very seriously. He also said back in late August that the Alouettes had hit the 85 per cent vaccination threshold and that they were ranked No. 2. But sources say otherwise and have the top-four teams to hit 85 per cent being Winnipeg, Hamilton, Saskatchewan and B.C.

7) So much for The Stampeders Way, an ethos often tossed around about the club’s winning culture. Calgary looked awful in their loss to the Tiger-Cats and at 2-5 are now likely a loss or two away from missing the playoffs. To lose to a quarterback making his first CFL start only further dulls the Stamps shine.

8) People are calling for No. 1 quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to be benched in favour of rookie Jake Maier. Mitchell has been bad — he has two passing touchdowns to seven interceptions — and Maier has looked good, but you must think Mitchell’s CFL success has given him a long leash. After all, he entered the weekend with a record of 78-20-2 in 100 regular-season games, giving him the all-time record for winning percentage, at an eye-popping 79 per cent.

9) Mike Rose kicking Nickola Kalinic in the stomach/groin area was ugly. It’s great Stampeders head coach Dave Dickenson laid into Rose in his post-game press conference, including telling him to “grow up.” Actions speak much louder than words. Also, the CFL really does have figure out what constitutes an ejection from the game and add that to the list.

10) Hamilton has won 11 straight at home. Club record is 14 games, which happened over three seasons, between 1957 and 1959. Another fun fact, only for the 2021 season: the Tiger-Cats haven’t had a QB throw for 300 yards, a receiver catch for 100 yards or a running back rush for 100 yards.

11) David Watford didn’t look bad, but he also wasn’t great, completing 19-of-22 passes for 149 yards. It was just the third time since 1954 that the Ticats have started three quarterbacks in the first six games of a season.

12) The Roughriders extended their winning streak over the Argonauts to eight straight games. The last victory Toronto had against Saskatchewan was more than five years ago, on June 30, 2016.

13) It’s no surprise Toronto lost. You’re not going to win many games when you commit six turnovers, take 12 penalties, can’t tackle and lack finish. I’ve been harping on the Argonauts’ penalties for weeks, and there were another eight by the defence on Friday. Maybe Jones is the answer to get these guys back on track.

14) It will be an interesting second half for Saskatchewan, as all four of their victories have come at home. With six of their final eight games on the road, the Roughriders will have to prove they’re road warriors to make a push for top spot in the West.

15) The B.C. Lions are right in the mix at 4-2 and if Michael Reilly was fully healthy you must think they would have won Week 1 against the Roughriders. They’ve improved in all areas and so long as Reilly can continue to get better and better each week they might be a scary team to meet in a playoff game.

16) Lucky Whitehead continued his dominance this season and should be considered for the CFL’s most outstanding player. He caught all six of his targets against the Alouettes for 133 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown. He now leads the CFL in receiving yards, with 554.

17) Montreal was without Jones on the sidelines as he remains quarantined at home, with André Bulduc getting the chance to make his CFL coaching debut. Can’t win many games if you don’t score a touchdown, and while six field goals from rookie kicker David Côté was impressive, it also speaks to the inconsistency of the Alouettes offence.

18) The Alouettes have been a first-half team, pounding their opponents 71-41 (plus-30) through the first two quarters. But they’ve struggled in the second half, 44-56 ( minus 14) and were outscored again, 10-6, this past weekend.

19) Breaking news: the Bombers defence is good, like really good. They’re why despite not playing its best game, Winnipeg was still able to beat Edmonton on the road by two scores.

20) Breaking news II: the Bombers kicking game still hasn’t been figured out. American Ali Mourtada was brought in to be the answer, but his debut suggests he’s far from the solution. Mourtada missed all three of his field-goal attempts, sailing wide kicks of 28, 44 and 51 yards. Don’t be surprised if he’s given a chance to redeem himself. Mourtada was hitting from long distances consistently at practice and he’s at least got the length. Yes, that’s where we’re at.

21) Every week I see commenters asking the whereabouts of Justin Medlock. The Bombers have tried to convince him to return but there’s just no interest there. With all the protocols and required quarantine period, not sure that’s worth coming out of retirement.

22) Taylor Cornelius didn’t look back in his first CFL start, all things considered. The Elks rookie quarterback clearly has a strong arm and is comfortable running. While he may not have enough time to figure out the Bombers defence — Winnipeg and Edmonton play two more times over the next three weeks — he may just turn some heads by season’s end.

23) And he may just get that shot. I’m hearing that Harris will be out for six games and maybe longer as he works through a neck injury. That’s too bad, because when Harris is on his game, he’s among the most prolific quarterbacks in the CFL.

24) As a final note, you’re not going to see many better runs than the 21-yard scamper for a touchdown by Bombers receiver Nic Demski. I counted six missed tackles.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton