WEEK 2 IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 09/07/2009 (5935 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (1-0) AT MONTREAL ALOUETTES (1-0)

WHEN: Today, 6:30 p.m. TV: TSN

STREAKS: Edm: 1W; Mtl: 1W.

VEGAS LINE: The Alouettes are favoured by 4 1/2.

THE STORYLINE: The Eskimos arrive in Montreal minus RB Jesse Lumsden who is now on the nine-game injured list and with import ball carrier Arkee Whitlock and Canadian Calvin McCarty expected to get all of the workload out of the backfield. The Als have their own injury concerns as Jamel Richardson and Eric Deslauriers, both receivers, have been limited in practice this week.

FYI: The Eskimos are just 4-9 in their last 13 visits to Molson Stadium on the McGill University campus… Edmonton is 7-3 in its last 10 July games… Als’ QB Anthony Calvillo needs four touchdown passes to join Ron Lancaster in second place on the all-time list at 333.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS (0-1) at WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (0-1)

WHEN: Friday, 6:30 p.m. TV: TSN (lo­cal blackout may be in effect); RADIO:

CJOB.

STREAKS: Cal: 1L; Wpg: 1L.

VEGAS LINE: The Stampeders are favoured by 5.

THE STORYLINE: It’s Milt Stegall Week in Winnipeg and the Bomber offence could sure use a sprinkle of his magic after struggling in the rain last week in Edmonton to consistently move the ball. But they’ll also be trying to put behind them the whole Derick Armstrong affair in front of an ever-increasing group of skeptics in their home opener. The Stamps, meanwhile, looked especially rusty in last week’s loss to Montreal, but will welcome back 2008 CFL leading receiver Ken-Yon Rambo to their already vast arsenal of offensive weapons.

FYI: The Stamps are just 2-5 against the spread in their last seven trips to Win­nipeg… This is just one of three home games for the Bombers this summer as Winnipeg is on the road six times through Labour Day.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (0-1) at B.C. LIONS (0-1)

WHEN: Today, 8 p.m. TV: TSN. Radio:

CJOB.

STREAKS: Ham: 1L; B.C.: 1L.

VEGAS LINE: The Lions are favoured by 13.

THE STORYLINE: Quinton Porter gets the start at QB for the Ticats, even though some in Hamilton are clamouring for former Bomber Kevin Glenn to get some turns behind centre. The Ticats’ run defence gets a boost with the addi­tion of Jamall Johnson, ex of the B.C.

Lions and cut by the Tampa Bay Buc­caneers. Five of the Ticats front seven were playing their first game last week against Toronto and they were lit up for 153 yards along the ground. The Lions, meanwhile, will be without ace return man and starting tailback Ian Smart, who is out with a groin pull. Either newcomer Tyler Ebell or Martell (The Hammer) Mallett, who had 63 yards on just six carries in last week’s loss to Saskatchewan, will get the touches.

FYI: The Ticats are just 1-9 in their last 10 against the Lions, including nine straight losses.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (1-0) at TORONTO ARGONAUTS (1-0)

WHEN: Saturday, noon. TV: TSN.

STREAKS: Sask: 1W; Tor: 1W.

VEGAS LINE: The Argos are favoured by 1.

THE STORYLINE: The Argos might enter the contest without two of their best receiving threats as Andre Talbot is still nursing a bad back while Arland Bruce III missed practice to get treatment for hemorrhoids (insert your own joke here). Rider QB Darian Durant whacked his hand on a helmet in practice this week, but should be good to go against the Argos. Saskatchewan is facing some challenges along the O-line, with Gene Makowsky, Wayne Smith and now Belton Johnson all out with injuries.

FYI: The Riders are 7-2 in July games over the last three years… Toronto hasn’t opened a season at 2-0 in 12 years, dat­ing back to the 1997 campaign.

THE PICKS

BOB IRVING, CJOB: Montreal, Winnipeg, B.C., Toronto

GARY LAWLESS, Free Press: Montreal, Calgary, B.C., Toronto.

ED TAIT, Free Press: Montreal, Calgary, B.C., Saskatchewan.

RANDY TURNER, Free Press: Montreal, Calgary, B.C., Toronto.

MITCH ZALNASKY, CJOB: Montreal, Calgary, B.C., Toronto.

LAST WEEK: Ed Tait: 1-3; Mitch Zal­nasky: 2-2; Gary Lawless: 2-2; Randy Turner: 2-2; Bob Irving: 2-2.