WEEK 1 IN THE CFL

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 30/06/2011 (5247 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

B.C. LIONS (8-10 in 2010) at MONTREAL ALOUETTES (12-6)

When: Tonight, 6:30 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Montreal by 6 1/2

Lions line: No more Casey Printers and no doubt about the position — Travis Lulay is the starting quarterback. He was 205-of-318 for 2,602 yards and nine TDs in 2010. Free agents DT Eric Taylor and OL Ben Archibald should help bolster suspect line play from the Lions. Thanks to a drug possession charge in the off-season, KR Yonus Davis is the headline omission this season.

Alouettes line: They still have QB Anthony Calvillo, which means they’ll be competitive. Calvillo’s motivation this summer: The CFL’s all-time passing mark. Receiver S.J. Green moves inside to slot to replace Ben Cahoon, who retired. The running game is a work in progress. Free agent DB Dwight Anderson shores up the secondary. K Sean Whyte takes over for veteran Damon Duval.

Bottom line: Hard to not like the Grey Cup champs in the season opener.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS (4-14) at HAMILTON TIGER-CATS (9-9)

When: Friday, 5 p.m. TV: TSN Radio: CJOB

Vegas line: Hamilton by 9

Bombers line: QB Buck Pierce returns to the starting role after a serious elbow injury in September. Pierce appeared in just five games last season. QB Joey Elliott will be his backup. New contract holder RB Fred Reid led the league with 1,396 yards in 2010. The Bombers lost nine games by four points or less last season. The notable addition to the club is defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke, who came over from Montreal. Oh yeah, Winnipeg hasn’t won on the road since October 2009.

Tabbies line: Not happy with the inconsistent play in 2010, the Tiger-Cats made a host of changes. RB Avon Cobourne (formally of Montreal) takes over in the backfield. His past success has brought a little jam to the organization. Gone is LB Otis Floyd, replaced by Rey Williams. QB Kevin Glenn is still there. He threw for over 5,100 yards with 33 TDs and 17 interceptions last season. K Justin Medlock takes over the kicking duties — a problem area a year ago.

Bottom line: Winnipeg gets more than four wins in 2011; won’t start this week.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS (9-9) at CALGARY STAMPEDERS (13-5)

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

Vegas line: Calgary by 7 1/2

Argos line: After trading for former Winnipeg QB Steven Jyles and opening up the position battle to backup Dalton Bell, QB Cleo Lemon emerges as the starter, though Jyles and Bell are banged up. All the weapons of a season ago return — including RB Cory Boyd and KR Chad Owens. The Argos surprised a lot of teams in 2010. Can coach Jim Barker continue this momentum?

Stamps line: Once again, many have this team pegged as the Grey Cup favourite in the West. QB Henry Burris threw for 38 TDs and the Calgary offence put up a CFL-high 626 points in 2010. Questions abound in the secondary after DB Dwight Anderson and DB Brandon Browner left as free agents.

Bottom line: The potential for an upset is there but play it safe and ride the Stamps.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS (7-11) at SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS (10-8)

When: Sunday, 6 p.m. TV: TSN

Vegas line: Saskatchewan by 7

Eskimos line: A host of changes from GM Eric Tillman, starting with former Bombers defensive co-ordinator Kavis Reed taking over as head coach. QB Ricky Ray will be counted on to be better than the 11 TDs he threw for last summer. His receiving corps has been downgraded as the Eskimos try to rebuild. Edmonton turned the ball over 59 times last year. They need to stop doing that.

Riders line: Another new head coach — Greg Marshall — takes over in Regina. With his reckless style, QB Darian Durant remains the most exciting pivot in the league. He threw for 5,542 yards and 25 TDs last season, but also 22 INTs. His receiving group is not what it used to be, either, without Andy Fantuz (NFL) and Rob Bagg (injury). Barrin Simpson, Jerrell Freeman and Sean Lucas give the Riders one of the best linebacker groups in the league.

Bottom line: Edmonton remains the weak sister in the West.

— Adam Wazny

THE PICKS

The Free Press has once again assembled a panel this season to offer their fearless predictions every week. Joining us this year are CJOB’s Bob Irving and from the Free Press sports editor Steve Lyons, columnist Gary Lawless, lead football writer Paul Wiecek and reporter Adam Wazny.

Lawless: Montreal, Hamilton, Calgary, Saskatchewan

Irving: Montreal, Winnipeg, Calgary, Saskatchewan

Wiecek: B.C., Hamilton, Calgary, Saskatchewan

Wazny: Montreal, Hamilton, Calgary, Saskatchewan

Lyons: Montreal, Hamilton, Toronto, Saskatchewan