There are so many questions waiting to be answered when the start of the 2016 CFL season begins in Toronto, with the Argonauts opening against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
The defending Grey Cup champion Edmonton Eskimos have a new coaching staff in place including new head coach Jason Maas. The B.C. Lions will be looking to see some form of improvement with Wally Buono back on the sidelines to clean up the last two years of disappointing playoff failures.
In Calgary there is a bit of a unknown regarding the Stampeders. This team has been considered the class of the league for a long time, but with Dave Dickenson inheriting the vacant head coaching spot left behind by John Hufnagel, there shouldn’t be a massive adjustment period as Dickenson was Hufnagel’s offensive coordinator for the past couple of seasons. The questions is whether the success in Cowtown will continue, or are they headed down the road to rebuild?
Saskatchewan and Winnipeg have hope now; the Riders have cleaned house, having brought in a new general manager, head coach, and defensive coordinator – all of whom are the same person, Chris Jones. The Blue Bombers really went on a free agency bender, acquiring numerous talented free agents, including former Rider Weston Dressler who is familiar with new offensive coordinator, Paul Lapolice.
In the east division, the Toronto Argonauts will have a true home field. The Double Blue have moved to BMO Field, where they can start to build a football culture. Actual success on the field for the Argos looks promising as well, with Ricky Ray healthy for the first time in three full seasons.
The Ottawa Redblacks have lost offensive coordinator Jason Maas to the Eskimos, but they bring back more or less the same offensive weapons that we witnessed last season with one main improvement. The addition of quarterback Trevor Harris should not be taken lightly as he had an outstanding first season as a starter in the CFL and will likely be Burris’ successor once he retires (if that ever happens).
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats will be looking to claw their way back to a Grey Cup game, but will be starting the season without their leader Zach Callaros. Once he returns to action and gets a couple of games under his belt, this team should be able to make it back to the playoffs. As long as they stay within striking range of the leaders in the east, they may walk away with the all-important bye week and host the CFL east final once again.
Montreal is still on the hunt for someone to bring back the magic that Allouettes fans haven’t witnessed since the departure of Anthony Calvillo. Kevin Glenn will be the starter in 2016, but will he be able to bring this team to the promised land? History says no. The career journeyman has not won the Grey Cup, and the odds certainly aren’t improving as he ages. It should be noted that Jim Popp is patrolling the sidelines to start the 2016 campaign in Montreal. We all know how he likes to pass the blame; what happens if there is another season lost?
Who Is the Most Improved CFL Team Going Into 2016?
West Division
This is easy to see, the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers will easily be the two most improved teams in 2016.
Winnipeg went on a massive spending spree in free agency and for good reason. The Blue Bombers owned the worst offense in 2015 with an abysmal 353 points scored – an average of 19.6 points per game, The key additions of Weston Dressler, Ryan Smith, and Andrew Harris will pay immediate dividends for the blue and gold. When you combine that with the quick release offense that Paul Lapolice will be calling this year in Winnipeg we should see that point total move up significantly.
A healthy Drew Willy will also be key to the Blue Bombers. He bolstered their offensive line in an effort to keep Willy on the playing field and off the sidelines. The Bombers will finish with a record of 9-9 in 2016, a four win improvement over their 5-13 campaign from a year ago.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders will come into 2016 with amnesia, trying to forget about the failure that was 2015. Helping to make sure they have a short memory of last season was getting rid of players who just weren’t performing at the level that they were expected to.
General manager (and everything else) Chris Jones has made it clear that this team will be about winning games, not popularity contests or some sort of sentimental crown. He has shipped away fan favorites and core contributors from their last title in 2013, opting to go with what is proven and what works for him. Remember that everywhere Jones has been in the CFL, he has not only produced, he has won.
The main concern for the Riders is how Darian Durant will look. The Rider pivot has not seen significant game action since hurting his throwing arm to end his 2014 season on Labour Day. He missed the entire 2015 season with a torn Achilles tendon.
A similar issue remains in B.C., as Travis Lulay has been plagued with health issues since winning the 2011 MOP award. Everyone is still asking, what is wrong with Travis Lulay?
Will we see a similar situation in Regina? It should only take a couple weeks of regular season action to see how improved Saskatchewan is, if Durant can stay healthy the riders will make a six game leap in the win column compared to last years 3-15 mark, they will finish at 9-9.
East Division
The Toronto Argonauts are the most improved team in the east. The fact that Ricky Ray is healthy and throwing strong throws deep down the field in training camp alone instantly makes the boatmen improved. They possess a capable air attack with wideouts Tori Gurley, Vidal Hazelton, and Kevin Elliot.
Andre Durie will be back with the group as well, and newly signed first round draft pick Brian Jones will likely be a part of this attack in 2016, although he may see limited action while he learns the pro game.
With a high-flying offense and a true home field advantage, the Argos should finish with a plus in terms of wins; expect them to be at 12-6 come season’s end.
The east will be like the west in terms of crowding in the standings, and one team will be at the top. The Argos, going from third to first, will be the division’s most improved team.
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