Predictions:
Winnipeg 19 Montreal 32
Hamilton 26 Toronto 29
Rankings:
1. Calgary...dominant defense...when Reynolds is going they have a very balanced attack as well
2. Saskatchewan...also a very balanced attack with great play variance, but defense not quite as strong as the Stamps
3. Montreal...still great against the run, but running attack slipped a bit last week
4. Toronto...score points in so many ways...but still need a bit more offensive consistency
5. Hamilton...need to improve running attack to compete with top teams
6. Winnipeg...looked better with Jyles later in last game, he spreads opposing defense better than Pierce
7. BC...no ground game...Jackson looked bad at QB last week
8. Edmonton..I thought they would rebound agianst the Stamps but the opposite happened, they imploded...only big changes will help now...how about Ricky Ray to the Lions for Simon!!
WEEK 9
Picks 1-1 ....season record 20-10
Picks for this week
Calgary 28 BC 18
Saskatchewan 41 Edmonton 26
Rankings will be reported after the week 9 games.
WEEK 10
Picks 1-1...season record 21-11
Picks for this week:
BC 19 Montreal 30
Winnipeg 28 Saskatchewan 29
Toronto 21 Hamilton 25
Edmonton 16 Calgary 37
Rankings:
1. Calgary: Calgary is first in almost all defensive categories and their offense is improving every game.
2. Hamilton: The Cats are improving slowly and have moved up the ladder with the drop in play of the Als and Green Riders. Their defense might be under-rated. They still really haven't established offensive consistency.
3. Saskatchewan: Giving up a lot of ground yardage. Offense was totally flat for three quarters in Edmonton.
4. Montreal: It's basically a pic 'em with the Riders but they get fourth because of Calvillo's injury.
5. Toronto: Couldn't move the ball in second half against Tiger-Cats and Copeland is out.
6. Winnipeg: Unsure QB situation....still a decent running game and competitive line play.
7. Edmonton: Better line play this week, gave Zambrasky some time to pass (allthough he was a bit erratic). Run defense looked good and they covered Dressler well.
8. BC: Major problems at QB, I think it might be trade time. No running game, although Davis gave them some life. Not getting the ball to Simon at all.
Week 11
Pick record 2-2...After Week 10 Record is 23-13
Calgary 40 Edmonton 19
Montreal 22 Hamilton 26
Toronto 22 BC 23
Saskatchewan 30 Winnipeg 28
Week 12
Pick record 2-2...After week 11 Record is 25-15
Winnipeg 30 Toronto 20
Hamilton 21 BC 28
Edmonton 13 Montreal 36
Rankings after Week 11
1. Calgary...rolling along...can't run against them. Always force opponent to second and long...forcing the predictable play.
2. Montreal...looked great with McPherson. Very consistent receivers.
3. Winnipeg...are happy to know where they stand quarterback wise. Both lines very solid and well disciplined. A huge jump this week.
4. Saskatchewan...barely in forth. Passing game no longer aggressive. Durant forcing passes, often throwing too early to first called WR, rather than improvising... which is his game.
5. Hamilton...will the real Tiger-Cats please stand up! When Glenn is on, I think the Tabbies are okay, but of course until they establish a running game the defense will be on the field all day.
6. BC...The Lions are on their way up. Printers looked better this weak and showed signs of being a bit more patient. The running game with Davis appears steady. Decent protection for Printers.
7. Toronto...a nightmare of errors! The Double Blue gave the game away last week and obviously discipline is the issue. I also think Lemon's improvement curve has stalled. He's going to have to pass more accurately in the future to establish himself as a CFL-type QB. He also signals plays.
8. Edmonton...they are done for 2010. There new GM should start re-building now. There are a lot of holes, but initially they have to give Zabransky some playing time to see if he is the real deal. If he is maybe they could deal Ray for some top draft choices, while Ray is still desirable. Jesse Lumsden will be a huge insert in the lineup if he can stay healthy.
Week 13
After week 12 I have slipped to 26-18 (1-3 this week)
Predictions
(My ranking position is next to team)
Montreal (2) 33 Winnipeg (7) 23
Saskatchewan (3) 38 Hamilton (4) 33
BC (5) 26 Calgary (1) 30
Edmonton (8) 16 Toronto (6) 27
Rankings:
1. Calgary: Still the best. I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. The defense cracked a bit against the Riders, but it's bound to happen. They will be mean against the Lions.
2. Montreal: Still solid with no weaknesses. Have by far the best team in the east...so they might start to play a bit soft as the season goes on.
3. Saskatchewan: Looked a bit more like the old Riders. Fast and aggressive.
4. Hamilton: A bit more creative offensively agianst the Lions. Cobb finally cut loose.
5. BC: Improving every week. Should have knocked off the Cats. They were killed by a fourth quarter fumble.
6. Toronto: Strange team. Great defense...terrible offence. I would go with Bell at QB to open up the passing game.
7. Winnipeg: Im never sure where this team stands. They often lose because they dont have an offense or defense that can take over a game, even though they are both solid.
8. Edmonton: The new GM watched last week and Im sure the first changes will be made. Stay tuned. Without protection, Ray won' be able to lead the offense. Simple as that.
WEEK 14
Things are getting trickier. I went 2-2 this week...so now I'm 28-20.
Next set of Predictions:
Montreal 37 Calgary 36
Saskatchewan 30 Toronto 19
Winnipeg 31 BC 29
Hamilton 29 Edmonton 26
Rankings next week.
Capsule comments: Green Riders have recaptured their panache and are heading back to a possible #1 ranking. Calgary was unprepared last week, including the coaching staff. I don't think they'll be able to rebound agianst the Als. Coach Barker has got to become a little more impatient. The Argo offense is a disaster. The Bombers and Lions are very interesting teams. They both have bad records, both are improving, both have a chance to become very competitive (if they're not already), and both have questions at QB, but I'd give Jyles an edge over Printers and Lulay. Hamilton goes when Cobb is effective. It seems to be as simple as that. They have a defense that isn't great but is consistently effective.
Prediction for standings: I think the Green Riders will end up first in the west. If the Bombers beat the Lions this week they have a shot at the cross-over playoff spot. Of course they could catch the Argos as well. I think after its all over that the Argos will squeak in by a single game and BC will hang in and stay ahead of the Bombers by two games.
WEEK: 15
2-2 for week 14...record now 30-22
My calls...
Edmonton 22 Hamilton 26
Toronto 19 Saskatchewan 35
Calgary 34 Montreal 33
BC 17 Winnipeg 26
Rankings:
1. Stamps...looking like the offense is back, no major injury issues, crowded backfield
2. Riders...The big play offense is working again, solid against the run (solid against the Argo pass, but that isn''t really saying anything), weakeness-special teams
3. Allouettes...Dropped down to third because there defense isn't stopping the pass, still solid, are they getting long in the tooth?
4. Tiger-Cats...weren't terrible against Edmonton, but still show inconsistency on offense
5. BC..basically a dead heat with the Bombers...maybe a notch better defensively
6. Blue Bombers...fairly balanced but Jyles has to connect on long routes for Winnipeg to win
7. Eskimos...the Igloomen are improving...Ray good on intermediate passing, defense more aggressive
8. Argonauts...the Argos are spinning downwards, they might end up fighting the Bombers for a playoff spot, passing game is totally dead, must change the playbook
WEEK 16
Week 15 record 2-2....Season record 32-24
Predictions
Hamilton 22 Toronto 28
Factor players: Boyd, Prefontaine
Edmonton 19 BC 29
Factor player: Davis
Winnipeg 30 Montreal 33
Factor player: Richardson
Calgary 26 Saskatchewan 36Factor player: Fantuz
WEEK 17
Record for week 16 was 1-3 OUCH!!! Record slipping to 33-27
Predictions:
Montreal 26 Hamilton 29
BC 21 Calgary 31
Toronto 23 Winnipeg 25
Saskatchewan 32 Edmonton 33
Current rankings:
1. Calgary- Burris seems hot and cold, but when they get a lead, they let Reynolds pound away, and they are hard to beat.
2. Montreal- Consistent and under great leadership from Calvillo. May stumble to the finish line, but will be playoff ready.
3. Saskatchewan- Have good games and bad games, but are explosive and always a threat.
4. Hamilton- Steady and improving defensively. Glenn provides leadership.
5. Edmonton- Improving both defensively and offensively and playing with desperation.
6. Winnipeg- Exciting team, very compretitive, but mistake prone at key moments.
7. BC- Pretty solid on defense, but Lulay is still learning.
8. Toronto- You never know what they're going to do...but you can't rely on the offense.
The Grey Cup looks like its clearly between the Als, Stamps, and Riders, with the Ti-Cats as a possible threat.
Another 2-2 week, now Im 35 and 29.
Predictions
Montreal 26 Toronto 32
Hamilton 26 Calgary 27
Winnipeg 16 Edmonton 30
Saskatchewan 30 BC 31
New rankings:
1. Calgary...still first but slipping fast.
2. Montreal...still tough but playing for nothing
3. B.C...this is amazing, but BC right now is playing far better than Saskatchewan, and could get to the west final.
4. Hamilton...the defense has taken over
5. Edmonton...also moving up with a chance for a playoff spot and could even get to the final.
6. Saskatchewan...I don't have any idea where to put these guys, but they are reeling downwards.
7. Toronto...7th best team out of 8 and in the playoffs. Offense still doesn't work!
8. Winnipeg...Nothing to play for, plus no quarterback.
Week 19
Last week I was 3-1...total now 38-30
Predictions:
Montreal Toronto PRED: MONT 26 TOR 23
Winnipeg Calgary PRED: CALG 29 WINN 18
Saskatchewan Edmonton PRED: SASK 33 EDM 32
Hamilton BC HAM 31 BC 33
FINAL RECORD: 41-31
PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS:
Hamilton 30 Toronto 21
Saskatchewan 29 BC 26
Second round predictions:
Montreal 29 Toronto 19
Saskatchewan 33 Calgary 32
GREY CUP Prediction
Montreal 34 Saskatchewan 29