One last one for you before I go into hibernation in December. Just as well – this one is always the most time-consuming. It’s been a pleasure to be your CFL Beat guy once again, and I look forward to these few weeks away.

In league news this week:

• Montreal finally did what everyone was telling them to do months ago and locked up head coach Khari Jones to a three-year contract extension; for Jones, this is a well-deserved reward, considering the mess that he inherited from the firing of both head coach Mike Sherman and of GM Kavis Reed. To come in and succeed and lead the Alouettes to their first playoff berth in five years is nothing short of miraculous.
• Edmonton fired head coach Jason Maas after an 8-10 season and a loss in the East final to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Even a surprise playoff victory over the Alouettes wasn’t enough to save his job, and after four seasons in Edmonton, it’s unclear where Maas will end up next. He absolutely has prowess as an offensive coordinator at the CFL level, but his lack of ability to control his players and maintain discipline is the biggest factor as to why he lost his job as a head coach.
• The Toronto Argonauts finally acquiesced to RB James Wilder, Jr.’s request to be released, letting him go on Tuesday, November 26th. After a disappointing season, both from a player perspective and from a team perspective, it’ll be interesting to see where Wilder ends up next; his goal is, as for most players, the NFL, but considering he hasn’t much displayed the explosiveness of his rookie season two years ago, it’s far from a guarantee there will be interest back in the USA. Signing on to replace Wilder is former Buffalo Bills RB Karlos Williams, who spent 2015 with the Bills before spending 2016 and 2017 with the Steelers, though much of that time was being spent under suspension by the NFL for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. We’ll see if he’s got anything left in the tank, considering the amount of time he’s spent away from football after further drug-related suspensions.
• BC agreed to bring back RB John White back for a one-year deal; considering the disappointment that was the LioUns’ season, White was unquestionably a bright spot, rushing for over 1000 yards this year. Nice to see him back for another tour of duty.
• Calgary Stampeders receivers coach Pete Costanza will not be back to Calgary’s coaching staff for the 2020 season. Costanza was with the Stamps for 12 years as the receivers coach, having first been hired in 2008 by current GM John Hufnagel, who was the head coach at the time. Calgary also announced the signing of two running backs – Canadian Simon Gingras-Gagnon, a graduate of the Universite de Laval; and French Guianan Asnnel Robo, a graduate of the Universite de Montreal.
• The 2019 CFL award winners were also announced on Thursday, November 21st, in advance of the Grey Cup game.
  • Most Outstanding Player: WR Brandon Banks, HAM
  • Most Outstanding Defensive Player: DL Willie Jefferson, WPG
  • Most Outstanding Canadian: LB Henoc Muamba, MTL
  • Most Outstanding Lineman: OL Chris Van Zeyl, HAM
  • Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: CB Frankie Williams, HAM
  • Most Outstanding Rookie: LB Nate Holley, CGY
  • Coach of the Year: Orlondo Steinauer, HAM (East)
  • Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award: John Hufnagel, President/GM, CGY
  • Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award: LS Martin Bedard, MTL
  • Tom Pate Memorial Award (for community service and sportsmanship): P Rob Maver, CGY

107th GREY CUP RECAP

 (1E) Hamilton 12 vs. (3W) Winnipeg 33

It’s the Blue Bombers’ first Grey Cup win since 1990, and for long-suffering fans, the victory couldn’t have come soon enough. Especially for DFO’s sworn enemy, this fellow who took a vow to not wear pants until Winnipeg won another Grey Cup. 18 years later, and his wish is granted… but our war against pants begins anew.

In this historic victory, Winnipeg becomes only the first third seed since 2005 to win it all. The Bombers capped off an incredible playoff run, where they forced fourteen turnovers, while only giving up one – a meaningless turnover on downs on third-and-five in the dying minutes of the championship game. When your team is that dominant, it takes a freight train to stop your momentum – and Hamilton’s derailed very early on in the game.

First Quarter

The Ti-Cats got off to a rocky start when WR Jaelon Acklin tried to catch a hard pass from QB Dane Evans, and the ball bounced off his hands right into the arms of Bombers DB Jason Alexander. While Winnipeg didn’t put any points on the board off that turnover, the very next Hamilton possession saw Evans strip-sacked by DE Willie Jefferson, with LB Adam Bighill jumping on the loose ball. Star running back Andrew Harris ran the ball in for the first major score of the game, giving the Bombers the lead, which they wouldn’t relinquish for the rest of the contest. Hamilton countered the touchdown with a field goal of their own, but Winnipeg would add another thanks to a rouge from a missed field goal by Justin Medlock.

Second Quarter

Facing an early deficit, Hamilton decided to gamble and go for it on third and short, but Winnipeg stopped the drive cold, forcing a turnover on downs. Andrew Harris started to take over the game in the second quarter, scoring his second touchdown on an 18-yard pass from backup QB Chris Streveler; with Justin Medlock hitting two more field goals later on, the Blue Bombers went into halftime with a 24-6 lead.

Halftime

Keith Urban played. It was a bunch of twangy shite. Didn’t really listen. That dude has some fucking terrible neck tattoos poking through. All that money and still no taste. Nicole Kidman is clearly wasted on such a man.

Third Quarter

Things went from bad to worse for the Tiger-Cats. Star receiver Brandon Banks went down with a leg injury and was lost for the rest of the game after a tackle by Winnipeg DB Mike Jones; not long after that, another stop by the Bombers’ D resulted in a second turnover on downs. Hamilton would pull off a cool fake punt play which saw a shovel pass turned into a first down, which kept the drive alive; they went on to score their lone TD of the game thanks to Bralon Addison hauling in a four-yard pass from Dane Evans for the score. Winnipeg ended the quarter with a fourth field goal from Justin Medlock, putting the Bombers’ lead at 27-12.

Fourth Quarter

Early in the fourth quarter, Ti-Cats’ WR Mike Jones (yes, another guy with the same name) just missed hauling in a 47-yard pass that would have put Hamilton in prime scoring opportunity at the Winnipeg five-yard line; forced to punt, it would be the final time their offence posed any serious threat on the field. Winnipeg’s offence used up a ton of the the game clock, hitting two more field goals in the final frame; inside the three-minute warning, Hamilton had one more chance to make something out of a lousy performance, but Winnipeg DB Mike Jones picked off Dane Evans, making it seven total turnovers for Hamilton. Hard to win when you keep handing the ball over to the other team.

Aftermath

With the loss, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats now have the longest active streak in the CFL of no Grey Cup wins, with their last title coming in 1999. It was an extremely good year for the team, going 15-3, including with a perfect 9-0 record at home, but this loss will sting – and probably for a while. There’s a bright future ahead, but they played poorly, and deserved to lose.

Bombers’ RB Andrew Harris took home both the Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian awards in the game – rightfully deserved honours after racking up 134 rushing yards on 18 carries and 5 catches for 35 yards, not to mention the two touchdowns he scored on the night. It’s Harris’ second time receiving the Most Outstanding Canadian accolades from a Grey Cup game – he last won with the BC Lions in the 99th Grey Cup, back in 2011.

With the final game now in the books, that’s a wrap on the 2019 CFL season! If you’re interested in year-end stats, read on below.

SEASON RECAP & STATS

East Division Standings

West Division Standings

y – clinched division title
x – clinched playoff berth
c – clinched crossover spot
e – eliminated from playoff contention

All stats indicated in italics denote the season leader in that category.

BC Lions

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 12-6

Season Record: 5-13 (7th of 9, 5th in West; missed playoffs)

Home Record: 3-6 (T-7th)

Away Record: 2-7 (T-7th)

Divisional Record: 0-10 (9th)

Total Points For: 411 (6th)

Total Points Against: 452 (6th)

Total Passing Yards:  4575 (7th)

Total Passing TDs:  23 (6th)

Total Rushing Yards:  1781 (5th)

Total Rushing TDs:  15 (5th)

Total Turnovers: 36 (T-4th)

Leading Passer: M. Reilly (16 GP, 3897 yards, 322-463 pass attempts, 69.5% completion rate, 20 TD, 15 INT, 96.0 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: J. White (16 GP, 1004 yards, 192 carries, 5.2 yards per carry, 7 TD)

Leading Receiver: B. Burnham (17 GP, 1492 yards, 100 catches, 11 TD)

Leading Kick returner: B. Rutley (11 GP, 533 yards, 22 returns, 24.2 yards per return, 1 TD)

Leading Punt returner: B. Rutley (11 GP, 154 yards, 21 returns, 7.3 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: B. Dozier (16 GP, 77)

Leading Pass interceptor: G. Peters (18 GP, 4)

Leading Sacker: S. Lemon (10 GP, 8)

Leading Field goal kicker: S. Castillo (16 GP, 41/45, 91.1%, longest 52 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• DeVone Claybrooks got fired way too early as head coach – with only one season under his belt, it hardly seems fair that he got the axe so quickly, especially given the resurgence of the team late in the season before Mike Reilly went down for the rest of the year. Who takes over as head coach?
• What needs to be done to re-shape the roster in order to avoid another disastrous start to the season like the one the team went through this year? How do ensure you keep your star quarterback happy for the long haul?

Calgary Stampeders

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 11-7

Season Record: 12-6 (3rd of 9, 2nd in West; lost in West final to WPG)

Home Record: 7-2 (4th)

Away Record: 5-4 (T-2nd)

Divisional Record: 8-2 (1st)

Total Points For: 482 (4th)

Total Points Against: 407 (4th)

Total Passing Yards: 5622 (2nd)

Total Passing TDs: 30 (2nd)

Total Rushing Yards: 1283 (9th)

Total Rushing TDs: 11 (7th)

Total Turnovers: 32 (3rd)

Leading Passer: B. Mitchell (11 GP, 3464 yards, 274-415 pass attempts, 66.0% completion rate, 19 TD, 11 INT, 96.1 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher:  K. Carey (8 GP, 422 yards, 75 carries, 5.6 yards per carry, 2 TD)

Leading Receiver:  R. Begelton (17 GP, 1444 yards, 102 catches, 14.2 yards per catch, 10 TD)

Leading Kick returner:  T. Williams (17 GP, 953 yards, 42 returns, 22.7 yards per return, 1 TD)

Leading Punt returner:  T. Williams (17 GP, 679 yards, 66 returns, 10.3 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler:  N. Holley (18 GP, 100)

Leading Pass Interceptor:  T. Roberson (16 GP, 7)

Leading Sacker:  C. Law (16 GP, 10)

Leading Field goal kicker: R. Paredes (18 GP, 43/52,82.7%, longest 50 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• Bo Levi Mitchell’s injury was a fluke incident; despite his prolonged absence, they still almost won the West anyway. How serious are they to repeat as Grey Cup contenders/winners?
• The run game finished dead last in the league this year due to a combination of injuries, roster ratio issues, and playcalling; what can be done to revitalize it?

Edmonton Eskimos

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 11-7

Season Record: 8-10 (6th of 9; 4th in West; lost in East final as crossover team to HAM)

Home Record: 5-4 (6th)

Away Record: 3-6 (T-5th)

Divisional Record: 3-7 (6th)

Total Points For: 406 (7th)

Total Points Against: 400 (3rd)

Total Passing Yards: 5286 (4th)

Total Passing TDs: 22 (7th)

Total Rushing Yards: 1865 (4th)

Total Rushing TDs: 15 (6th)

Total Turnovers: 39 (7th)

Leading Passer: T. Harris (13 GP, 4027 yards, 343-478 pass attempts, 71.8% completion rate, 16 TD, 6 INT, 102.9 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: C.J. Gable (14 GP, 1004 yards, 205 carries, 4.9 yards per carry, 2 TD)

Leading Receiver: G. Ellingson (16 GP, 1170 yards, 86 catches, 13.6 yards per catch, 5 TD)

Leading Kick returner: M. Jackson (6 GP, 291 yards, 16 returns, 18.2 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: M. Jackson (6 GP, 304 yards, 30 returns, 10.1 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: L. Dean (18 GP, 89)

Leading Pass Interceptor: T. Glass (14 GP, 3)

Leading Sacker: M. Moore (17 GP, 9)

Leading Field goal kicker: S. Whyte (18 GP, 47/54, 87.0%, longest 50 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• With Jason Maas out the door as Eskimos head coach, who takes over for him?
• If there’s an external replacement coming in, what’s the likelihood they want their own coordinators coming in? If there’s a new offence arriving, how quickly will Trevor Harris and his weapons adjust to the new schemes?
• The Eskimos were good at racking up yards, but stalled out when it came to putting points on the board… is this is a case of play-calling issues being the problem here, or is it a personnel problem?

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 10-8

Season Record: 13-5 (2nd of 9, 1st in West, lost in West final to WPG)

Home Record: 8-1 (T-2nd)

Away Record: 6-3 (T-2nd)

Divisional Record: 7-3 (T-3rd)

Total Points For: 487 (3rd)

Total Points Against: 386 (2nd)

Total Passing Yards: 4769 (5th)

Total Passing TDs: 18 (8th)

Total Rushing Yards: 2030 (3rd)

Total Rushing TDs: 26 (1st)

Total Turnovers: 25 (1st)

Leading Passer: C. Fajardo (17 GP, 4302 yards, 338-473 pass attempts, 71.5% completion rate, 18 TD, 8 INT, 105.2 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: W. Powell (18 GP, 1093 yards, 215 carries, 5.1 yards per carry, 12 TD)

Leading Receiver: S. Evans (18 GP, 1334 yards, 72 catches, 18.2 yards per catch, 5 TD)

Leading Kick returner: L. Purifoy (10 GP, 1201 yards, 49 returns, 24.5 yards per return, 1 TD)

Leading Punt returner: M. Thigpen (18 GP, 398 yards, 47 returns, 8.5 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: S. Elimimian (15 GP, 88)

Leading Pass Interceptor: N. Marshall (17 GP, 5)

Leading Sacker: C. Hughes (17 GP, 16)

Leading Field goal kicker: B. Lauther (13 GP, 32/42, 78.0%, longest 57 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• What are the expectations for the Roughriders moving forward? Did QB Cody Fajardo catch lightning in a bottle this year, or can he sustain this level of play? There’s no doubt that Saskatchewan believes he’s the real deal, considering the contract extension he earned himself, but are division titles year in and year out a realistic expectation for this team?
• Can Saskatchewan afford to keep their defensive unit together now, especially considering the hefty raise their quarterback just received?

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 11-7

Season Record: 11-7 (3rd of 9; 3rd in West; won Grey Cup vs. HAM)

Home Record: 8-1 (T-2nd)

Away Record: 3-6 (T-6th)

Divisional Record: 7-3 (T-3rd)

Total Points For: 508 (1st)

Total Points Against: 409 (5th)

Total Passing Yards: 3819 (9th)

Total Passing TDs: 25 (5th)

Total Rushing Yards: 2663 (1st)

Total Rushing TDs: 20 (4th)

Total Turnovers: 38 (6th)

Leading Passer: M. Nichols (9 GP, 1936 yards, 171-240 pass attempts, 71.3% completion rate, 15 TD, 5 INT, 107.2 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: A. Harris (16 GP, 1380 yards, 225 carries, 6.1 yards per carry, 4 TD)

Leading Receiver: K. Lawler (15 GP, 637 yards, 43 catches, 4 TD)

Leading Kick returner: J. Grant (11 GP, 600 yards, 25 returns, 24.0 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: J. Grant (11 GP, 591 yards, 41 returns, 14.4 yards per return, 3 TD)

Leading Tackler: C. Fenner (17 GP, 82)

Leading Pass Interceptor: W. Rose (18 GP, 9)

Leading Sacker: W. Jefferson (18 GP, 12)

Leading Field goal kicker: J. Medlock (16 GP, 37/43, 86.0%, longest 55 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• The Grey Cup drought is over! Can Winnipeg keep together enough of their core that they can try and challenge for a second straight championship?
• With the contract status of HC Mike O’Shea up in the air, will the team be able to come to an agreement to bring him back for an extension? Or will he want to leave for other pastures, having achieved the goal of bringing a title back to Manitoba?
• With a number of head coaching jobs lying vacant, will OC Paul LaPolice get poached by another team to serve as a head coach elsewhere? Despite his failure as a head coach in Winnipeg back at the beginning of the decade, he’s remade his image around the league as an excellent offensive coordinator, building the Bombers into a top-scoring offence on a consistent basis.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 11-7

Season Record: 15-3 (1st of 9, 1st in East; lost in Grey Cup to WPG)

Home Record: 9-0 (1st)

Away Record: 6-3 (1st)

Divisional Record: 7-1 (T-1st)

Total Points For: 551 (1st)

Total Points Against: 344 (1st)

Total Passing Yards: 5639 (1st)

Total Passing TDs: 30 (T-2nd)

Total Rushing Yards: 1808 (4th)

Total Rushing TDs: 20 (T-3rd)

Total Turnovers: 36 (5th)

Leading Passer: D. Evans (13 GP, 3754 yards, 298-413 pass attempts, 72.2% completion rate, 21 TD, 13 INT, 103.9 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: C. Marshall (4 GP, 307 yards, 50 carries, 6.1 yards per carry, 2 TD)

Leading Receiver: B. Banks (16 GP, 1550 yards, 112 catches, 13.8 yards per catch, 13 TD)

Leading Kick returner: F. Williams (17 GP, 1071 yards, 43 returns, 24.9 yards per return, 1 TD)

Leading Punt returner: F. Williams (17 GP, 949 yards, 76 returns, 12.5 yards per return, 1 TD)

Leading Tackler: S. Lawrence (15 GP, 98)

Leading Pass Interceptor: J. Rolle (18 GP, 5)

Leading Sacker: J. Davis (17 GP, 13)

Leading Field goal kicker: L. Hajrullahu (18 GP, 47/55, 85.5%, longest 56 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• This team was arguably the best Tiger-Cats team in franchise history… and they didn’t get the job done at the end of the day. What’s next? Do you take another shot with this main group, or is it time to blow it up? I think they should stay the course, but there is a notable roster question mark…
• What’s to be done at QB? Dane Evans performed extremely well throughout the regular season as he took over in place of an injured Jeremiah Masoli, but buckled under playoff pressure in the Grey Cup. Masoli was previously a Most Outstanding Player candidate; with his contract up at the end of this season, does the team let him walk for nothing? Or do they try and sign him on perhaps the off-chance there might be a QB battle again in training camp? Would either side even be particularly interested in this development, or is it more likely that Masoli goes elsewhere in 2020, once his ACL is healed up properly?

Toronto Argonauts

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 6-12

Season Record: 4-14 (8th of 9, 3rd in East; missed playoffs)

Home Record: 3-6 (T-7th)

Away Record: 1-8 (9th)

Divisional Record: 3-5 (7th)

Total Points For: 373 (8th)

Total Points Against: 562 (8th)

Total Passing Yards: 5303 (3rd)

Total Passing TDs: 33 (1st)

Total Rushing Yards: 1324 (8th)

Total Rushing TDs: 5 (9th)

Total Turnovers: 49 (8th)

Leading Passer: M. Bethel-Thompson (16 GP, 4024 yards, 335-493 pass attempts, 68.0% completion rate, 26 TD, 13 INT, 99.3 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: J. Wilder, Jr. (13 GP, 464 yards, 92 carries, 5.0 yards per carry, 1 TD)

Leading Receiver: D. Walker (15 GP, 1040 yards, 65 catches, 16.0 yards per catch, 6 TD)

Leading Kick returner: C. Rainey (16 GP, 1196  yards, 59 returns, 20.3 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner:  (11 GP, 596 yards, 62 returns, 9.6 yards per return, 1 TD)

Leading Tackler: I. Wild (12 GP, 72)

Leading Pass Interceptor: A. Darby (17 GP, 5)

Leading Sacker: C. Laing (15 GP, 7)

Leading Field goal kicker: T. Crapigna (11 GP, 22/27, 81.5%, longest 50 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• This roster needs a pretty serious overhaul – what gets prioritized? Offence – or defence? The passing game was actually not atrocious last year, leading the league in passing TDs thanks to McLeod Bethel-Thompson. But as a quarterback, the Argos pivot is big, lumbering, and not especially mobile in the pocket – will new GM Pinball Clemons elect to stay the course with him, or will they try to go after one of the free agents available this winter such as Zach Collaros or Jeremiah Masoli?
• What can fans expect from this team in order to try and buy in? It’s no secret that the Argos have had attendance issues for years, even in their new home at BMO Field; what is the team going to do differently in 2020 to try and address this?

Ottawa REDBLACKS

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 7-11

Season Record: 3-15 (9th of 9, 4th in East; missed playoffs)

Home Record: 1-8 (9th)

Away Record: 2-7 (T-7th)

Divisional Record: 1-7 (8th)

Total Points For: 312 (9th)

Total Points Against: 564 (9th)

Total Passing Yards: 4310 (8th)

Total Passing TDs: 11 (9th)

Total Rushing Yards: 1348 (7th)

Total Rushing TDs: 9 (8th)

Total Turnovers: 52 (9th)

Leading Passer: D. Davis (10 GP, 2216 yards, 200-312 pass attempts, 64.1% completion rate, 5 TD, 14 INT, 71.7 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: J. Crockett (7 GP, 454 yards, 84 carries, 5.4 yards per carry, 0 TD)

Leading Receiver: D. Rhymes (17 GP, 1080 yards, 65 catches, 16.2 yards per catch, 5 TD) 

Leading Kick returner: S. Logan (12 GP, 941 yards, 46 returns, 20.5 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: S. Logan (12 GP, 604 yards, 48 returns, 12.6 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: A. Williams (11 GP, 70)

Leading Pass Interceptor: D. Hayes (3)

Leading Sacker: A. Ellis/J.R. Tavai (7)

Leading Field goal kicker: L. Ward (17 GP, 43/50, 86.0%, longest 56 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• Who’s gonna coach the team next year?
• Who’s gonna be the OC for the team next year?
• Who’s gonna be the starting QB for the team next year?
• Who’s gonna be the person to set GM Marcel Desjardins on fucking fire for single-handedly destroying a perennial Grey Cup-contending team through the strength of his own hubris?
• Why do Ottawa fans put up so long with incompetent management in so many sports? (See: Rough Riders, Renegades, Gliebermans, Melnyk, etc., etc…)

Montreal Alouettes

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 6-12

Season Record: 10-8 (5th of 9, 2nd in East; lost in East semifinal to EDM [crossover team])

Home Record: 6-3 (5th)

Away Record: 4-5 (4th)

Divisional Record: 5-3 (5th)

Total Points For: 479 (5th)

Total Points Against: 485 (7th)

Total Passing Yards: 4678 (6th)

Total Passing TDs: 29 (4th)

Total Rushing Yards: 2236 (2nd)

Total Rushing TDs: 21 (2nd)

Total Turnovers: 30 (2nd)

Leading Passer: V. Adams, Jr. (16 GP, 3942 yards, 283-431 pass attempts, 65.7% completion rate, 24 TD, 13 INT, 100.9 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: W. Stanback (14 GP, 1048 yards, 170 carries, 6.2 yards per carry, 12 TD)

Leading Receiver: E. Lewis (17 GP, 1133 yards, 72 catches, 15.7 yards per catch, 5 TD)

Leading Kick returner: S. Ryan (7 GP, 324 yards, 18 returns, 18.0 yards per return, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: S. Ryan (7 GP, 367 yards, 31 returns, 11.8 yards per return, 1 TD)

Leading Tackler: H. Muamba, (17 GP, 93)

Leading Pass Interceptor: T. Campbell (16 GP, 3)

Leading Sacker: J. Bowman (16 GP, 8)

Leading Field goal kicker: B. Bede (16 GP, 31/35, 88.6%, longest 52 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• Is the ship officially righted now that the Als made the playoffs for the first time in five years? Coach Khari Jones, with new contract in hand, is clearly very popular with his players, but will that translate into consistent success in the future?
• Who’s going to buy the team from the CFL? And will whoever buys it be willing to spend the money it takes to remain competitive? As good as last season was, the roster is still not perfect; the receiving corps could use a few more reliable bodies, and there’s a need to stop the pass more on defence; what will having some financial flexibility do for this franchise, if and when this day comes?

***

Thanks for reading the CFL Beat for the 2019 season! I look forward to returning in May of 2019 with all of the important football news we have to offer north of the 49th parallel. In the meantime, enjoy your December, and keep your eyes peeled for my new off-season series beginning in January! Cheers.