This week in the CFL for July 16, 2009

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 16/07/2009 (5931 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

ED TAIT’S

THIS WEEK IN THE CFL

B.C. LIONS (0-2)

at EDMONTON ESKIMOS (1-1)

When: Today, 8 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: The Eskimos are favoured by 4 1/2.

The storyline: An intriguing matchup featuring two clubs already on the ropes this early in the season. The Lions have struggled in their two losses, first with pass protection and then with flat-out sloppy play in last week’s loss to Hamilton. The Esks, meanwhile, were pummelled 50-16 last week in Montreal and, save for a perfectly executed timeout call by head coach Richie Hall — which iced Blue Bomber kicker Alexis Serna — could very well be 0-2.

FYI: Sean Whyte will handle the kicking chores for the Lions with Paul McCallum (knee) gone until after Labour Day.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (1-1)

at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (0-2)

When: Friday, 8 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: The Stampeders are favoured by 7.

The storyline: The champs are bloodied and bruised after getting walloped in their two defeats. And if the Stamps don’t get it turned around in a hurry you can bet boss John Hufnagel will make more changes — especially on offence where, despite all kinds of talent, the attack has been sputtering. The big story in Argoland is new head coach Bart Andrus putting his foot down on undisciplined play and he’s pointing a big, fat finger at defensive tackle Adriano Belli.

FYI: The Argos are just 3-8 against the spread in their last 11 games… Calgary hasn’t opened a season 0-3 since 2003 when they rang up four straight Ls — but were credited with an OT loss and a single point — under the old format that awarded a point for defeats in extra time.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES (2-0)

at SASKATCHEWAN (2-0)

When: Saturday, 2 p.m. TV: TSN/RDS

Vegas line: The Alouettes are favoured by 4.

The storyline: Easily the CFL’s Game of the Week as the two unbeatens go at it at Taylor Field. The Alouettes have mauled both the Stampeders and Eskimos in their first two games but the Riders at home is never a gimmee. The Riders will welcome back RB Wes Cates, who makes his first start after off-season shoulder surgery and will share backfield action with Hugh Charles. Meanwhile, for all those who wondered about QB Darian Durant, he is now 6-0 as a starter. So there.

FYI: The Alouettes are 19-6 straight up in their last 25 games against Saskatchewan.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (1-1)

at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (1-1)

When: Saturday, 5 p.m. TV: TSN; Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: The game is currently listed as a pick ’em.

The storyline: Where to begin? First and foremost, you’ve got two squads who opened eyes with wins last week — the Bombers in beating the champion Stampeders, the Ticats walking into Vancouver and knocking off the Lions. And now there is the raging inferno that is the Bombers having a scout caught scribbling plays at a Ticat practice and getting turfed. If Mike Kelly thinks this goes away today, wait until he arrives in Hamilton.

FYI: Winnipeg is 5-0 in its last five games vs. the Ticats and 7-5 in its last 12 visits to Steeltown.

THE PICKS

Bob Irving, CJOB: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg.

Gary Lawless, Free Press: B.C., Calgary, Saskatchewan, Winnipeg.

Ed Tait, Free Press: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg.

Randy Turner, Free Press: B.C., Calgary, Saskatchewan, Hamilton.

Mitch Zalnasky, CJOB: B.C., Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg.

Last week/overall: Bob Irving: 2-2/4-4; Ed Tait: 2-2/3-5; Mitch Zalnasky: 1-3/3-5; Gary Lawless: 1-3/3-5; Randy Turner: 1-3/3-5.

NOTHER VIEW: Here’s Argo head coach Bart Andrus, like Mike Kelly a former NFL coach, on the hot issue of the day: "I like to win. But we don’t go to the extreme. We want to do it and feel good about it. I would never want an asterisk by my name or by this team’s name. I don’t ever want to get into that. I am all for going by the rules."

OH YEAH… FOOTBALL: Lost in all the spy kerfuffle on Wednesday was the return of RB Fred Reid and SB Terrence Edwards to practice after the missed a couple of days nursing hurts. As well, Brock Ralph will take turns in the Bombers regular offensive set with Aaron Hargreaves apparently going to appear in their five-receiver package.

JUICY NUMBER: The Bombers are 16-3-1 since 2006 when they commit less turnovers than the opposition.