Overall record:2-0
Streak: Won 2
With the contest virtually a saw-off into the final period, the Riders took over and pummelled the Stamps to pull off an impressive victory. Darian Durant had a fun night picking out his star receivers Weston Dressler (10-for-108 and a TD) and Chris Getzlaf (8-for-97, 1 TD), and went to work. Add in the great night by RB Kory Sheets (and wasn't that five-yard, broken tackle balancing act for a late score something?), who piled up 133 yards, and it was a pleasant evening all around. Another slow start wouldn't be a good idea in Toronto, however. Defence kept the Calgary running game in check. Note to giddy Riders' fans - you started last year 3-0 and then what happened?
Overall record: 1-1
Streak: Won 1
Two strong teams got together for an early season smack 'em up and the Lions came out the better of the Argos in their 60th season home opener (also the 1,000th game). QB Travis Lulay had a solid game throwing to Nick Moore (6 catches, 107 yards), and wasn't it great to see old Paris Jackson catching four balls? Andrew Harris ran for 103. This was all on the defence and special teams, however. The first held RB Chad Kackert to 20 yards, and the latter kept Chad Owens under control on runbacks. Plus, the game plan was to make Ricky Ray throw a lot of short passes, and that went well too.
Overall record: 1-1
Streak: Lost 1
One defeat early in the season is hardly a big deal. QB Drew Tate's injury status is a big deal. After throwing for 231 yards and a pair of majors against the Riders, he was pulled with what turned out to be a muscle strain in his forearm. So, it's Kevin Glenn again for now, and he's going to need big games from the offensive line to keep Jon Cornish running (only 42 yards this week after a fab opener). Stamps looked great to open the game as they built a nice lead, but then gave it all back. Note to LB Juwan Simpson - trying to drill for oil with Weston Dressler's head and drawing a key flag isn't a good idea when the game's on the line.
Overall record: 1-1
Streak: Lost 1
Still working on the defensive rebuild, the Argos gave up too many passes to the deep corners in this one, but also did a good job of keeping the team within striking distance of the Lions. On the offensive line, two new tackles moved people around and they're working out who does what. Chad Kackert has to be sprung for more yards because that gives QB Ricky Ray the time to go deeper and use all his weapons. Still, only one sack. Kicker Noel Prefontaine, in for Swayze Waters (nine game injured list) warmed up his ancient leg and came up with 3-for-3 in field goals and decent punting.
Overall record: 1-1
Streak: Won 1
As an Old Testament-type rain pounded the turf at the University of Guelph on Sunday, flashes of light lit the surroundings and decided the game. Lightning? Nah, Hugh Charles. Actually, it was just starting to drip when the Edmonton RB took off on a long run to get the Eskies nicely started. Then there was a short grab for a TD late in the slick proceedings that sealed things. A lot was said about how QB Mike Reilly "managed" the game, but that's always seemed something of an insult from here. He won the game, doing enough in the lousy weather to keep the ball moving after they had built a 16-0 lead.
Overall record: 1-1
Streak: Won 1
Thank the Goddess Nike this club turned the ball over three times in the first quarter to a confused Montreal offence trying to work out the difference between three-down and four-down football. Otherwise, this would have been over in a hurry. There were five turnovers overall, and when you add that to five sacks it was hardly a memorable night. Enter the defence to save the night. This group attacked from the get-go, realizing the Als were vulnerable and if you just put some pressure on that offence, it would crack. It did. Too early to celebrate, especially with the Cats offence coming up.
7. MONTREAL ALOUETTES
Overall record: 1-1
Streak: Lost 1
Herb Zurkowsky, the fine Montreal Gazette writer, pointed out to QB Anthony Calvillo after this one that the new offence didn't seem to have grown much from the week before. Pause. Longer pause. "I'll let you answer your own question," said AC. That's one frustrated dude. Before everyone goes all Bart Andrus (the failed Argos head coach with no CFL experience who thought "football was football"), new Als' boss Dan Hawkins, and OC Mike Miller have to be given a little more time to work out how three-down ball is played. Two more weeks seems about right, then it's back to the old playbook. Defence was terrific this week, by the way.
Overall record:0-2
Streak: Lost 2
Let's see, there was the game they could have won in Week 1, and didn't. And the game they needed to win in Week 2, and didn't. No time to panic ...yet. Just keep working. This game did not go south when the rain started. The Cats put themselves into a big 16-0 hole, but they had that whittled down to 16-13 at halftime before some mistakes began to make a real difference. Lindsey Lamar, who was terrific in Game 1 as the new returner, had a nightmare outing this time, fumbling the ball four times fielding kicks, though only one of them was a turnover. Cut down on his return yards, however. The lack of a running game was problematic in the game, And the secondary was taken advantage of at key times.
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