I'll be honest with ya... I love the CFL season more than any other sport or league. I always get amped up for the start of it and this year is no different. Here's how I see the season playing out starting in the best division, the west division!
WEST DIVISION
1st - Edmonton Eskimos: This one hurts me to post obviously as a fan of the red and white, but if the green and gold can find the consistency that they lacked last season I don't see how they couldn't finish first. Their offense should be second to none led by Ricky Ray and anchored by arguably the best receiving corps in the league. The questions revolve around their defense and especially their secondary. If the defense can gel quickly and they can be consistent, this will be a dangerous team all season.
2nd - Calgary Stampeders: A team that his historically been better as the hunter rather than the hunted, the Stamps still have a very solid offense and as long as the offensive line fulfills their potential they'll have no problem there. Stopping the pass though could be a problem for this team. We'll also see how valuable Sandro DeAngilis was to this team's kicking game now and if it impacts the Stamps that much. I pick my team to go second in the west, but the truth is they could just as easily fall out of the playoffs as that's how tough the west will be.
3rd - Saskatchewan Roughriders: The Riders have some questions on the defensive line, but if those can be taken care of and they can put pressure on the opposing QBs, then this team can make a run at 1st in the west. Their offense is still very good and the secondary is solid. They do lack depth at QB so if Durant struggles or gets hurt, they could be in some real trouble there.
4th - B.C. Lions: They've lost a lot on defense and is Jarious Jackson really starting QB worthy? I'm not so sure. Not to mention their offensive line has lots of questions. Their running game will be as good as any though and that should take pressure off the passing game. Their defense is still good, but I don't think it's even half as good as the 12-win defense from last season.
EAST DIVISION
1st - Montreal Alouettes: The defending champs return with pretty much with the same roster that won it all last year save for a change or two in personnel. They can play both sides of the ball very well and I'd argue the have the best coaching staff in the league - led by Marc Tresman who by all rights should be in the NFL by now, he's that good. Until the champs get dethroned, I think you go with them.
2nd - Hamilton Tiger Cats: There is a lot to like about the TiCats this year.. They had a good roster last season and tweaked it some in the winter. As a Stamps fan I like the addition of robo-kicker Sandro DeAngilis... A lot more pressure on them though this year. If things get tough, will they crack? And are they good enough to match up against the Als?
3rd - Winnipeg Blue Bombers: This is about as Buck Pierce comes to working without a net now like he had in BC. No real solid backup option, so the pressure is all on him to not only produce on the field, but to stay healthy on it.. Maybe the biggest improvement they made in the odd-season was at coach where Paul LaPolice will bring much needed stability to the club. The Bombers will contend for a playoff spot, but will they be better than the last place team in the west? Remains kind of doubtful, but they could make it interesting.
4th - Toronto Argonauts: Well at least the Argos seem to be heading in the right direction in terms of rebuilding after a couple of seasons of spinning their wheels. The team defense will keep them in games, but can Cleo Lemon at QB help produce points for the team? Jim Barker's history at coach is a roller coaster. The Argos will be better than three wins like they had last year, but in a much tougher eastern division , it'll still be a long year in T.O.
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