To say that Canadian Football is on an up rise is an understatement. In just a matter of one season, the game has had so many benefits into one season. The biggest one is the addition of the Ottawa REDBLACKS. Being the expansion team, they are leading the East; which is not really a too big of a accomplishment. No team in the east has a .500 record.
Yet, I should give credit where it is due. Against Toronto, Henry Burris lead Ottawa to victory on a 60 yard drive to hit the game winning field goal. All of this excitement is yet without mentioning the television deals with TSN and ESPN. Maybe it isn’t the best to go under an impression but we have learned a lot about the CFL approaching week 5.
Chad Johnson’s Impact was Overrated
Perhaps the most talked about commodity in Canadian Football was the addition of Chad Johnson to Montreal. Yes. I was hyped and had expectations for him just like every other CFL fan. Being a huge fan of Johnson, I wanted him to light up the stat sheet just like he did in the NFL. Considering how in shape Johnson always is, it is wearisome as to why Johnson only has three receptions for 66 yards.
This is a huge letdown for any football team. Let’s also remember that the quarterback is Troy Smith not Anthony Calvillo. Seeing Smith playing throughout the season, you could make the argument that Smith is to blame. He has zero receptions in his debut to the CFL. To me, the entire Alouette team has fallen short of expectations. If Johnson has any attempt to convince me that the comeback was with it, Montreal needs to get the offense going again.
Drew Willy is for Real
It is safe to say the Western conference has just been dominating the CFL. They (West) are just simply much better teams. One of the biggest surprises this year has to be the play of Winnipeg quarterback Drew Willy. I didn’t really know what to think of him until I saw him in the opener against Argonauts. Willy was your definition of a journeyman; playing for teams anywhere from the San Diego Chargers, to the Las Vegas Locomotives of the UFL and now Winnipeg.
In the opener, Willy made all the throws on the field. Whether it was a simple slant route to just bombing the football 40 yards down the field. This kid is going to be special for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the immediate future. It seems as if everything is starting to get put together. Obviously they wasn’t really proven against Edmonton but Winnipeg will be a tough team to play come playoff team.
Calgary Are the Favorites for the Grey Cup
Calgary is an opportunistic as ever just coming up a losing of the Western Conference championship to Saskachewan. Resigning key players such as Anthony Parker, Calgary certainly once again have the pieces to be a championship team again. Everything is coming together. Based on other teams performances this season, Calgary have one if not the best defense in the entire CFL. Holding offenses to an average of 7.6 points a game.
In only four games, Calgary still has more to prove but they are the favorites. With all the positives such as the defense and the quarterback play of Bo Levi Mitchell, I can easily get past the baleful game against Hamilton. The season is still young so only time will tell.
