In the past few years, the CFL’s West Division has been the dominant one. The Western teams were the ones to beat. 2015 has definitely taken a turn as CFL fans have watched the East Division power houses win game after game. So, you start wondering, what’s with the West? Has Western talent, coaching or injuries played a part in the downturn or is it that Eastern teams are just that good?
There’s no denying the CFL West Division this year is confusing. Let’s spend some time breaking down the good and the bad of the West. And since I am a glass-half-full kind of person, let’s start with the worst in the West and end on a positive note.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (0-7)
You have to shake your head at the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Arguably some of the best offensive and defensive players in the league, yet they can’t win a game. Durant, Getzlaf, Dressler, Bagg, Brackenridge and Chick; all big talent in the CFL. We all know the season-ending injury that has taken Darian Durant out of the equation. But the next man up, veteran Kevin Glenn, is no stranger to coming into starting quarterback position on the tail of an injury and has been successful doing so. Rider loyalists were probably thinking, no problem.
Regardless of Glenn’s performance though, the Riders couldn’t get a win. They came very close a couple of times, but just couldn’t hold on. Now that Kevin Glenn was hit by an injury himself, Brett Smith is now starting quarterback and the Riders are 0-7 for the first time since 1979.
Very angry Rider fans are calling for Cory Chamblin’s head. Is this a coaching problem? I don’t think it is. The Riders’ problems are penalties and Darian Durant. For example, this week, even with Saskatchewan’s Getzlaf scoring two touchdowns, Paul McCallum converting his 800th one-point convert, and Saskatchewan leading for most of the game, the Riders got a horse-collar penalty in the last minutes of the game.
This has been the Riders’ first problem all season: drawing costly penalties at the worst point in the game. The second problem for the Riders lies in one person, Darian Durant. The team can’t perform without their top quarterback. Both of these are very serious problems.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (3-4)
Winnipeg is at least consistent in my book according to previous seasons. Winnipeg either plays well or they play poorly. And then Drew Willy gets injured. The Bombers have had some tough opponents this season. They’ve played Hamilton twice, losing both of them. They got stomped on by division-leaders Edmonton Eskimos in Week five but almost beat Calgary in Week four. They have also won against Toronto, Montreal and of course, the Roughriders. They aren’t terrible, but they aren’t great. That has been the Bombers’ problem for a few years now.
Winnipeg’s biggest problem is injury, specifically Drew Willy. This past week’s game against Hamilton was notably bad. Not only were two of Willy’s passes intercepted, but he then went down with a knee injury. Drew Willy can’t catch a break (excuse the pun). He’s had more injuries than any other CFL quarterback I can remember. This isn’t a critique of Willy as a quarterback, but rather a testament to his sports ethic. He, like many quarterbacks when running the ball, tries to get that extra yard instead running out of bounds or taking a slide. He risks getting injured for an extra yard or two. Maybe it’s that underdog mentality.
BC Lions (3-3)
BC is the most baffling this season. They typically have been among the strongest in the West in terms of standings and talent. Travis Lulay, Adam Bighill, Soloman Elimimian, and Andrew Harris are all at the top of the league, yet the Lions are even at a 3-3 record. So what is the problem? Some would argue coaching, and the lack of consistency after the Wally Buono years. But my take is that they have problems in finishing strong, and with quarterback Travis Lulay.
Lulay has been inconsistent ever since his return this season. His shoulder injury has taken a toll on his accuracy and consistency. Some quarterbacks never fully recover from such injuries. And the Lions have a problem finishing a game strong. Like Saskatchewan, they’ve lost multiple leads and therefore games in the second half. They miss too many opportunities by failing to convert on a second or third down. Football is four quarters and the Lions have problems executing during all four.
Calgary Stampeders (4-2)
Being the reigning Grey Cup Champions, the Calgary Stampeders were supposed to be the team to beat, both West and East. That hasn’t been the case. Calgary had a problem with penalties, and it’s not the new 2015 rules or officials. It’s misconduct calls. Like so many teams in the West, the Stamps are packed with offensive power. One could argue their receiving corps is top of the league. But losing sometimes over 70 yards in a game to penalties isn’t doing them any favours.
Injuries have also plagued the Stampeders as well, but not to the point of disability. Jon Cornish’s broken thumb won’t break the Stampeders. Does it hurt them? Yes, but that’s not their biggest problem.
Edmonton Eskimos (4-2)
Now tied for first spot with Calgary in the West, the Edmonton Eskimos have shown signs of brilliance at times. Their defence has seemed unstoppable and they are the least penalized team in the West. Injury was an upset at the beginning of the season, losing Mike Reilly caused a bit of a panic for the green and gold, but Matt Nichols has stepped up beautifully.
Now the Eskimos find themselves in a very different position from last season. They are looked at by some as the team to beat in the West. Are they? I haven’t decided yet. With Mike Reilly on the mend, we’ll have to see if their situation and consistency changes.
To recap, the West has its problems. The Eastern teams are not perfect by any means, but they are looking stronger and more consistent than their counterparts in the West. Will this remain post-labour day? Can Saskatchewan win a game? Can Calgary clean up its act? Can Edmonton’s defence stay on track? It will be interesting to see.
