Another season, another end-of-year wrapup. As cliché as it is to write this, the CFL genuinely did leave their best for last, with a barn-burner of a Grey Cup game that provided all of us with a thrilling ending! Before the recap, we’ll lead off with the final round of league news for 2022:

• The Saskatchewan Roughriders have put forth a few names that they’ll be interviewing for their vacant offensive coordinator position: most notable on the list was Hamilton consultant, former Alouettes HC and CFL QB Khari Jones, but Stamps QB coach Marc Mueller and Roughriders RB coach Kelly Jeffery are also vying for the job as well.
• Riders receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker worked out on Monday for the Jacksonville Jaguars; a big body at 6’4″, 205 pounds, he had 68 catches for 960 yards and five TDs this year, and was consistently involved in Saskatchewan’s offence, frustrating as it was at times. He’s under contract through next season, but all CFL contracts have an NFL out clause in the early part of the off-season should the Jags decide to sign him.
• Stamps OL Julian Good-Jones worked out for the Philadelphia Eagles on Monday; he had a breakout season, starting 15 games at right tackle for the league’s best offensive line, which surrendered just 17 sacks all year. At 6’5″, 319 pounds he’s gigantic – and attended the Eagles training camp in 2020 after graduating from Iowa State. He’s also under contract through the end of 2023, but can similarly sign with the Eagles if they decide to sign him in this early CFL off-season window.
• Nathan Rourke’s NFL workouts will have to wait – he came down with the flu earlier this week, and so will begin workouts early next week instead.
• The 2022 CFL award winners were also announced on Friday, November 18th, in advance of the Grey Cup game.
  • Most Outstanding Player: QB Zach Collaros, WPG
  • Most Outstanding Defensive Player: DE Lorenzo Mauldin, OTT
  • Most Outstanding Canadian: QB Nathan Rourke, BC
  • Most Outstanding Lineman: OL Stanley Bryant, WPG
  • Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: PR/KR Mario Alford, SSK
  • Most Outstanding Rookie: WR Dalton Schoen, WPG
  • Coach of the Year: Mike O’Shea, WPG
  • Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award: Rick LeLacheur, CEO, BC Lions
  • Jake Gaudaur Veterans’ Award (player best portraying positive qualities found in members of the Canadian Armed Forces): OL Dan Clark, SSK
  • Tom Pate Memorial Award (for community service and sportsmanship): WR Manny Arcenaux, EDM

Onto the game!

109th GREY CUP RECAP

 (1E) Toronto 24 vs. (1W) Winnipeg 23, Mosaic Stadium, Regina, SK

First Quarter

After trading possessions that each ended in a punt, the Argos got on the board first with a 46-yard field goal from Boris Bede. The Bombers’ defence did a good job of stopping Toronto at the Winnipeg 39, halting what had earlier been a promising series. A few minutes later, Winnipeg DE Jackson Jeffcoat took down QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson hard, forcing a fumble, which he pounced upon. Unfortunately for the Bombers, they couldn’t capitalize on the turnover. Two scoreless possessions later, the first quarter was over.

Second Quarter

The next Argos’ possession saw McLeod Bethel-Thompson hit Cameron Phillips for a big 37-yard gain and Markeith Ambles for another big play for 17, but the Argos couldn’t capitalize on their good field position. Boris Bede missed from 36 yards, scoring a…

ROUGE!

and giving the visitors a 4-0 lead. Winnipeg countered with Zach Collaros hitting favourite receiver Dalton Schoen for a 39-yard connection, and ground up some clock time as they marched down the field. Aided by a too many men call on the Argos, the Bombers grounded and pounded their way to the goal line, where short-yardage specialist Dakota Prukop ran on two consecutive plays to punch the ball in and give Winnipeg their first lead of the game. Toronto’s next drive got down to the Winnipeg 29 yard line before two successive Bethel-Thompson passes intended for DaVaris Daniels fell incomplete, forcing the Argos to settle for another field goal and tie the game at 7. Zach Collaros got strip-sacked on the Bombers’ nex drive, but Winnipeg managed to recover the loose ball and punt it away. With 45 seconds left in the half, Winnipeg’s Marc Liegghio put the Bombers back on top with a field goal, giving them a 10-7 lead going into halftime.

Halftime

Did not watch and will not watch in future. Fuck you, mainstream country music industrial complex.

Third Quarter

Winnipeg’s first drive of the second half began with a thud as they went 2-and-out, courtesy of an incomplete pass from Zach Collaros to Greg Ellingson and then Argos LB Chris Edwards pulling off a big 10-yard sack of Collaros. With Toronto taking over after the punt, the Argos moved the chains effectively, setting up RB AJ Ouellette with a rushing score to put the Double Blue ahead once more. After getting the ball back, the Bombers put together a long drive that killed almost eight minutes. Aided by a pass interference call deep in the red zone, the Bombers capped off the drive with Dakota Prukop sneaking it in from the 1 for his second rushing score of the day. After the convert, Winnipeg was up 17-14.

Fourth Quarter

Winnipeg got a huge momentum boost courtesy of an absolutely massive 102-yard punt return touchdown from Janarion Grant, setting a new record for the longest punt return score in Grey Cup history. Marc Liegghio went to kick the extra point afterwards, and missed… how curious. All the same, Winnipeg took a 23-14 lead, and set to work just trying to grind out the time as much as possible. Toronto answered on their next possession with another field goal by Boris Bede, cutting the lead to six with just over twelve minutes to play. Unfortunately for the Boatmen, McLeod Bethel-Thompson was injured on the drive, jamming his thumb as he was tackled by Bombers DT Jake Thomas, which drew a roughing the passer call. As for that plan to grind out the clock… Dakota Prukop threw an interception, which CB Shaq Richardson picked off. Chad “Mr. Irrelevant” Kelly had to step in to take over the Argos’ offence, and while the first drive under his leadership ended in a punt, the second overcame a poorly-timed objectionable conduct penalty on Argos’ receiver Brandon Banks (which was justified), and saw AJ Ouellette find the end zone for his second score of the game. One successful convert later, and the Argos now led 24-23.

Over the final three minutes and twenty seconds, complete mayhem ensued.

First, Zach Collaros threw an interception, which LB Henoc Muamba picked off at Winnipeg’s 52-yard line. Toronto was back in prime scoring position. Feeding RB Andrew Harris the ball, the Argos ground down another minute of clock as they made it to third down and 2 at the Winnipeg 35. Boris Bede came out to kick a 42-yard field goal… and the Bombers blocked it! Winnipeg was still alive and hell-bent to make amends for their previous mistakes.

With just two minutes left to try and win the game, Zach Collaros stepped up to start a Bomber drive. Argos DL Robbie Smith responded with a massive sack on 2nd and 6 to pin Winnipeg deep in their own end; on the next play, Smith got to Collaros again… but was called for a facemask, giving Winnipeg a fresh set of downs. The Bombers hit on a few plays to put them into field goal range; Marc Liegghio stepped up to kick from 47… and it was also blocked!!! Robbie Smith completely redeemed himself with the block, which clinched the game for the Argonauts.

Aftermath

Pretty well every pundit had Winnipeg winning this one. Another threepeat will have to wait for a later date now – the early ’80s Edmonton teams remain on a pedestal for a while longer. Argos LB Henoc Muamba was named the game’s Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian – the first Canadian linebacker to ever win the dual honour. Only one other linebacker, Edmonton’s Dale Potter (1980) has received the MVC award before this most recent championship.

Full credit to Toronto for this win. I had said last week that the key to victory was through their defence – and they stepped up in the biggest way possible. Otherwise, they relied on the run game – Andrew Harris played well and AJ Ouellette scored twice – and with McLeod Bethel-Thompson out for the final quarter, Chad Kelly played some of the best football of his career to help seal the deal. It’s a bitter pill to swallow for Winnipeg, who didn’t look their dominant selves this game – but I don’t think this is the last we’ve seen of the Mike O’Shea era teams being the class of the West. Another return trip is looking really likely next year regardless.

SEASON RECAP & STATS

East Division Standings

West Division Standings

x- clinched playoff spot
y- clinched division title
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: 9-9

Season Record: 12-6 (T-2nd of 9, 2nd in West; lost in West Final to WPG)

Home Record: 6-3 (T-2nd)

Away Record: 6-3 (T-3rd)

Divisional Record: 8-4 (2nd)

Total Points For: 525 (3rd)

Total Points Against: 405 (3rd)

Total Passing Yards: 5406 (1st)

Total Passing TDs: 33 (2nd)

Total Rushing Yards: 1794 (4th)

Total Rushing TDs: 23 (2nd)

Total Turnovers: 34 (3rd)

Leading Passer: N. Rourke (10 GP, 3349 yards, 255-324 pass attempts, 78.7% completion rate, 25 TD, 10 INT, 123.6 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: J. Butler (17 GP, 210 carries, 1060 yards, 5.0 YPC, 7 TD)

Leading Receiver: D. Rhymes (18 GP, 85 catches, 122 targets, 1401 yards, 16.5 YPC, 11 TD)

Leading Kick returner: T. Williams (8 GP, 25 returns, 612 yards, 24.5 average, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: T. Williams (8 GP, 36 returns, 336 yards, 9.3 average, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: J. Williams, BC (18 GP, 96)

Leading Pass interceptor:  G. Peters (18 GP, 5)

Leading Sacker: D. Menard (18 GP, 9)

Leading Field goal kicker: S. Whyte (16 GP, 36-39, 92.3%, longest 50 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• Will Nathan Rourke be back next year, or will he have fled south to the NFL for the prospects of a significant pay increase?
• If Rourke is back, he’ll likely get a restructured deal to bump him well above the $70K CAD he’s due on the last year of his rookie deal. If he’s back, and with a massive pay increase almost certain to follow, which of BC’s mega-talented receiving corps do they have to jettison in order to make room for Rourke’s new deal?

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

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

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

Home Record: 5-4 (T-4th)

Away Record: 7-2 (T-1st)

Divisional Record: 7-5 (4th)

Total Points For: 562 (1st)

Total Points Against: 397

Total Passing Yards: 4440 (7th)

Total Passing TDs: 24 (T-4th)

Total Rushing Yards: 2436 (1st)

Total Rushing TDs: 24 (1st)

Total Turnovers: 25 (2nd)

Leading Passer: J. Maier (12 GP, 2389 yards, 207-277 pass attempts, 74.7% completion rate,  14 TD, 7 INT, 106.6 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: K. Carey (14 GP, 202 carries, 1088 yards, 6.6 YPC, 10 TD)

Leading Receiver: M. Henry (13 GP, 62 catches, 94 targets, 1023 yards, 16.5 YPC, 8 TD)

Leading Kick returner: P. Logan (16 GP, 25 returns, 612 yards, 24.5 average, 1 TD)

Leading Punt returner: P. Logan (16 GP, 74 returns, 787 yards, 10.6 average, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: C. Judge (17 GP, 80)

Leading Pass Interceptor: J. Thurman (15 GP, 3)

Leading Sacker: S. Lemon (17 GP, 14)

Leading Field goal kicker: R. Paredes (17 GP, 54-60, 90.0%, longest 53 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• It’s unquestionably Jake Maier’s team now, considering Bo Levi Mitchell has explicitly stated he’ll test free agency. (Also, the whole trading Mitchell’s rights, the Maier contract extension, etc., etc.) Will he be up to the challenge to go a full 18 games (and almost certainly beyond) next year?
• Where does Calgary keep finding all these quality receivers, and where will they turn to next in order to help diversify their offence a little bit further?
• What changes need to be made to stay the course with powerhouses Winnipeg and BC? Is there even much roster tweaking that needs to be done?

EDMONTON ELKS

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

Season Record: 4-14 (T-8th of 9; 5th in West; missed playoffs)

Home Record: 0-9 (T-8th)

Away Record: 4-5 (T-5th)

Divisional Record: 1-11 (9th)

Total Points For: 354 (9th)

Total Points Against: 599 (9th)

Total Passing Yards: 4171 (9th)

Total Passing TDs: 15 (8th)

Total Rushing Yards: 1844 (3rd)

Total Rushing TDs: 18 (4th)

Total Turnovers: 52 (T-8th)

Leading Passer: T. Cornelius (12 GP, 2768 yards, 205-357 pass attempts, 57.4% completion rate, 11 TD, 9 INT, 82.0 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: T. Cornelius (12 GP, 71 carries, 502 yards, 7.1 YPC, 7 TD)

Leading Receiver: K. Lawler (12 GP, 58 catches, 93 targets, 894 yards, 15.4 YPC, 5 TD)

Leading Kick returner: C. Saulsberry (8 GP, 34 returns, 635 yards, 18.7 average, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: S. Ross (10 GP, 31 returns, 284 yards, 9.2 average, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: S. Hutter (18 GP, 66)

Leading Pass Interceptor: 9 players (1)

Leading Sacker: J. Ceresna (12 GP, 10)

Leading Field goal kicker:  S. Castillo (16 GP, 37-44, 84.1%, longest 52 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• How much money is Chris Jones going to spend on defence next year? All of it, or double all of it?
• Taylor Cornelius may have a partially guaranteed contract extension in hand, but with a few potential names on the QB market (Cody Fajardo, Dane Evans, etc.), will the team decide to pivot in the offseason and pursue a bigger name than Cornelius?
• Will the Elks ever win a home game again??

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

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

Season Record: 6-12 (7th of 9, 4th in West; missed playoffs)

Home Record: 3-6 (7th)

Away Record: 3-6 (8th)

Divisional Record: 3-8 (8th)

Total Points For: 387 (7th)

Total Points Against: 476 (8th)

Total Passing Yards: 4204 (8th)

Total Passing TDs: 20 (T-6th)

Total Rushing Yards: 1737 (5th)

Total Rushing TDs: 12 (8th)

Total Turnovers: 44 (7th)

Leading Passer: C. Fajardo (15 GP, 3360 yards, 282-401 pass attempts, 70.3% completion rate, 16 TD, 13 INT, 95.4 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: J. Morrow (12 GP, 126 carries, 666 yards, 5.3 YPC, 3 TD)

Leading Receiver: K. Schaffer-Baker (17 GP, 68 catches, 98 targets, 960 yards, 14.1 YPC, 5 TD)

Leading Kick returner: M. Alford (14 GP, 40 returns, 1030 yards, 25.8 average, 2 TD)

Leading Punt returner: M. Alford (14 GP, 44 returns, 530 yards, 12.0 average, 1 TD)

Leading Tackler: D. Sankey (18 GP, 122)

Leading Pass Interceptor: D. Moncrief (17 GP, 4)

Leading Sacker: P. Robertson (14 GP, 9)

Leading Field goal kicker: B. Lauther (17 GP, 41/50, 82.0%, longest 57 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• Who’s going to be the OC next year? Will better playcalling help this offence, or are additional personnel moves required to make the necessary changes to get back to success?
• With GM Jeremy O’Day and HC Craig Dickenson still under contract through 2023 despite having a really poor year this year, what’s the likelihood one or both are back beyond next season?

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

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

Season Record: 15-3 (1st of 9; 1st in West; won Grey Cup vs. HAM)

Home Record: 8-1 (1st)

Away Record: 7-2 (T-1st)

Divisional Record: 10-1 (1st)

Total Points For: 538

Total Points Against: 370 (1st)

Total Passing Yards: 4816 (5th)

Total Passing TDs: 44 (1st)

Total Rushing Yards: 2043 (2nd)

Total Rushing TDs: 14 (6th)

Total Turnovers: 23 (1st)

Leading Passer: Z. Collaros (17 GP, 4183 yards, 305-436 pass attempts, 70.0% completion rate, 37 TD, 13 INT, 116.2 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: B. Oliveira (18 GP, 202 carries, 1060 yards, 5.0 YPC, 4 TD)

Leading Receiver: D. Schoen (18 GP, 70 catches, 108 targets, 1441 yards, 20.6 YPC, 16 TD)

Leading Kick returner: J. Grant (16 GP, 31 returns, 782 yards, 25.2 average, 1 TD)

Leading Punt returner: J. Grant (16 GP, 63 returns, 817 yards, 13.0 average, 2 TD)

Leading Tackler: A. Bighill (18 GP, 72)

Leading Pass Interceptor: W. Rose (17 GP, 3)

Leading Sacker: W. Jefferson (18 GP, 7)

Leading Field goal kicker: M. Liegghio (17 GP, 32-39, 82.1%, longest 55 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• With the Bombers losing a Grey Cup in truly heartbreaking fashion, will the team opt to keep the band together for another run at things? Or will we see some more significant roster turnover than in the past two seasons?
• HC Mike O’Shea’s contract will expire very soon, and there’s no extension in place yet still. Will he stick with the team, or opt to pursue other opportunities following some extremely successful years at the helm?

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

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

Season Record: 8-10 (6th of 9, 3rd in East; lost in East Semifinal to MTL)

Home Record: 6-3 (T-2nd)

Away Record: 2-7 (9th)

Divisional Record: 5-5 (T-5th)

Total Points For: 421 (6th)

Total Points Against: 473 (6th)

Total Passing Yards: 5006 (3rd)

Total Passing TDs: 20 (T-6th)

Total Rushing Yards: 1648 (7th)

Total Rushing TDs: 13 (7th)

Total Turnovers: 52 (T-8th)

Leading Passer: D. Evans (15 GP, 3883 yards, 305-457 pass attempts, 66.7% completion rate, 16 TD, 16 INT, 90.2 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: W. Hills (6 GP, 69 carries, 384 yards, 5.6 YPC, 1 TD)

Leading Receiver: T. White (17 GP, 94 catches, 145 targets, 1169 yards, 15.6 YPC, 8 TD)

Leading Kick returner: L. Woods (14 GP, 43 returns, 990 yards, 23.0 average, 1 TD)

Leading Punt returner: L. Woods (14 GP, 62 returns, 807 yards, 13.0 average, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: J. Santos-Knox (17 GP, 105)

Leading Pass Interceptor: K. Kelly (18 GP, 5)

Leading Sacker: J. Howsare (16 GP, 7)

Leading Field goal kicker: S. Small (13 GP, 39-43, 90.7%, longest 58 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• The Ti-Cats traded for the rights of Bo Levi Mitchell from Calgary in the hopes of being able to sign him early to a contract extension well before free agency opens. Will they be successful, or will they have to go a different route at QB?
• If they can’t sign Mitchell, is Dane Evans really the best this team can do at quarterback?
• Will Tommy Condell get replaced at OC by Khari Jones? Will there be any other coaching and ops turnover?

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

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

Season Record: 11-7 (4th of 9, 1st in East; won Grey Cup)

Home Record: 5-4 (T-4th)

Away Record: 6-3 (T-3rd)

Divisional Record: 7-3 (3rd)

Total Points For: 443 (5th)

Total Points Against: 425 (4th)

Total Passing Yards: 5028 (2nd)

Total Passing TDs: 25 (3rd)

Total Rushing Yards: 1470 (9th)

Total Rushing TDs: 9 (9th)

Total Turnovers: 41 (6th)

Leading Passer: M. Bethel-Thompson (17 GP, 4731 yards, 387-579 pass attempts, 66.8% completion rate, 23 TD, 15 INT, 94.3 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: A. Ouellette (11 GP, 98 carries, 516 yards, 5.3 YPC, 2 TD)

Leading Receiver: K. Gittens, Jr. (17 GP, 81 catches, 116 targets, 1101 yards, 5 TD)

Leading Kick returner: J. Leake (8 GP, 22 returns, 504 yards, 22.9 average, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: J. Leake (8 GP, 22 returns, 186 yards, 8.5 average, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: W. McManis (14 GP, 95)

Leading Pass Interceptor: J. Peters (15 GP, 6)

Leading Sacker: J. Davis (14 GP, 7)

Leading Field goal kicker: B. Bede (18 GP, 43-55, 78.2%, longest 56 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• Will McLeod Bethel-Thompson stay on for another season as the Argos’ starting QB? There are already some rumours swirling about potential retirement, though nothing concrete yet whatsoever. What’s the plan at QB if he decides to hang them up?
• How can this team rebuild their fanbase after their second Grey Cup championship in six years? More importantly, how can team execs actually convince owner Maple Leaf Sports and Entertainment to actually spend the money necessary to promote the Argos in Canada’s largest market, where realistically speaking, there should be ample opportunity to fill a 26,000 seat stadium without much difficulty.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

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

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

Home Record: 0-9 (T-8th)

Away Record: 4-5 (9th)

Divisional Record: 1-7 (8th)

Total Points For: 380 (8th)

Total Points Against: 475 (7th)

Total Passing Yards: 4950 (4th)

Total Passing TDs: 10 (9th)

Total Rushing Yards: 1538 (8th)

Total Rushing TDs: 20 (3rd)

Total Turnovers: 40 (5th)

Leading Passer:  N. Arbuckle (15 GP, 3292 yards, 291-423 pass attempts, 68.8% completion rate, 6 TD, 14 INT, 82.9 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: D. Williams (8 GP, 90 carries, 454 yards, 5.0 YPC, 0 TD)

Leading Receiver: J. Acklin (15 GP, 75 catches, 116 targets, 1169 yards, 2 TD)

Leading Kick returner: T. Williams (9 GP, 36 returns, 914 yards, 25.4 average, 0 TD)

Leading Punt returner: T. Williams (9 GP, 31 returns, 306 yards, 9.9 average, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: A. Williams (18 GP, 94)

Leading Pass Interceptor: M. Hunter (12 GP, 4)

Leading Sacker: L. Mauldin (18 GP, 17)

Leading Field goal kicker: L. Ward (18 GP, 49-57, 86.0%, longest 51 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• Who’s going to be the new head coach following the mid-season dismissal of Paul LaPolice? Does Bob Dyce deserve to have the “interim tag dropped?
• If Jeremiah Masoli is back following an absolutely devastating leg injury, will he be the same player he was in his Hamilton tenure?
• How much more patience are fans going to have for their team being absolutely abysmal for three seasons running?

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

The Maestro’s Pre-Season Prediction: 9-9

Season Record: 9-9 (6th of 9, 2nd in East; lost in East Final to TOR)

Home Record: 4-5 (6th)

Away Record: 5-4 (5th)

Divisional Record: 5-5 (T-4th)

Total Points For: 476 (4th)

Total Points Against: 466 (5th)

Total Passing Yards: 4793 (6th)

Total Passing TDs: 24 (5th)

Total Rushing Yards: 1678 (6th)

Total Rushing TDs: 17 (5th)

Total Turnovers: 37 (4th)

Leading Passer: T. Harris (16 GP, 4157 yards, 331-462 pass attempts, 71.6% completion rate, 20 TD, 12 INT, 102.9 efficiency rating)

Leading Rusher: J. Antwi (16 GP, 106 carries, 600 yards, 5.7 YPC, 0 TD)

Leading Receiver: E. Lewis (17 GP, 91 catches, 144 targets, 1401 yards, 16.5 YPC, 11 TD)

Leading Kick returner: C. Worthy (15 GP, 51 returns, 1220 yards, 23.9 average, 2 TD)

Leading Punt returner: C. Worthy (15 GP, 47 returns, 547 yards, 11.6 average, 0 TD)

Leading Tackler: W. Sutton (18 GP, 80)

Leading Pass Interceptor: M. Dequoy (17 GP, 4)

Leading Sacker: A. Ellis (16 GP, 7)

Leading Field goal kicker: D. Cote (18 GP, 44-51, 86.3%, longest 52 yards)

Major questions for next season:

• The estate of late owner Sid Spiegel continues to own 75% of the team; they claim they’re not actively looking for new ownership, even as minority owner Gary Stern has stepped away from day-to-day operations. How is that ownership structure going to impact business decisions in the short term?
• Is Danny Maciocia likely to stay on as dual-role head coach and GM of the team? If not, who makes the most sense to bring in to do the job as coach if the Als want to split the responsibilities up again?

***

Thanks for reading the CFL Beat for the 2022 season! I look forward to returning in May of 2023 with all of the important football news we have to offer north of the 49th parallel. In the meantime, enjoy the rest of your year, and keep your eyes peeled for my new off-season series beginning in January! Cheers.