CFL Beat: Week 1

We’ve finally arrived at Week 1 of the regular season! Buckle up with a few Molsons and a bag of all-dressed chips and make yourself comfy for the summer and fall of 2023, folks.

In league news this week:

• The CFL announced a partnership this week with Pro Football Focus to help create advanced analytics, including player productivity and grading system, for the league very first time. This is incredibly exciting news – PFF has been a revolutionary source of data for the NFL and college football, and with the advent of this partnership – not to mention that their models and techniques are being adapted to work within the context of unique Canadian rules – I think this is an absolutely awesome development.
• Final cuts dropped over the weekend, and there’s always a few prominent names that raise some eyebrows whenever these lists get released. A quick sample of guys who are likely to find a new home includes the following:
  • OL Derek Dennis, CGY
  • WR Papi White, HAM
  • WR De’Michael Harris, OTT
  • K Marc Liegghio, WPG
  • DB Brad Muhammad, CGY
  • LB Matthew Thomas, EDM
  • WR Sammie Coates, EDM
• BC traded Canadian DL Jonathan Kongbo to Hamilton in exchange for a fourth-round pick in next year’s draft. Apparently Kongbo wasn’t a “room fit”, as he apparently called out a number of BC vets for not working hard enough during training camp. Kongbo is a respected vet who’s spent time in some NFL camps, and the Lions very much wanted to make this hometown fit possible, so this is all quite curious to happen just a month into his tenure.
• BC signed Canadian RB Kienan LaFrance, who was cut by Saskatchewan at the end of training camp. They also signed QB Chase Brice, who was Trevor Lawrence’s backup at Clemson in 2020 before transferring to Appalachian State for his remaining two years of eligibility.
• Saskatchewan signed OL Colin Kelly, who spent his winter and spring playing in the XFL for the
• The Ottawa REDBLACKS signed their best receiver, Jaelon Acklin, to a one-year extension, which will keep him with the team through the 2024 season. He’ll make $245K CAD in the next year of his deal, which is a big jump from the $180K he’ll earn in 2023; at any rate, even with the big pay hike, this is still a bargain for the REDBLACKS, who have desperately needed his services as a clear-cut #1 receiver in the CFL.
• The Blue Bombers have suspended star receiver Kenny Lawler as he deals with an immigration/work visa issue stemming from his arrest for a DUI in 2021; he pled guilty to the charges and received a $1500 fine, and is not expected to be deported for this infraction. That said, this may hold up his work permit for several weeks as immigration officials deal with the requisite paperwork.
• The cool season kickoff concerts continue for CFL teams; the BC Lions announced that LL Cool J will play before the team’s home opener on June 17th, while the Montreal Alouettes have booked rockers Our Lady Peace to open their season at home on June 10th.

And with this info out of the way, onto the games!

WEEK 1 PREVIEWS

BC vs. Calgary, Thursday, June 8th, 9:00 PM EDT (TSN, CBSSN, CFL+): Bryan Burnham may have retired this past offseason, but the LioUns probably still have the best receiving trio in the league in Lucky Whitehead, Dominique Rhymes and Keon Hatcher, not to mention the likely emergence of Jevon Cottoy this year. Vernon Adams, despite having a down start in early 2022 which caused him to lose his starting job in Montreal to Trevor Harris, has a great line, a ton of weapons to throw to, and a ton of ability to improvise in the pocket – minus Nathan Rourke, he might just the ideal fit at QB for BC this year. For the home side, Ka’Deem Carey led the league in rushing despite missing a few games, and he’ll be looking to repeat that feat again this year. If the Stamps can stay healthy, they’re going to have another title chance, even in such a deep division. This is a great way to kick off the 2023 season.

PICK: Calgary

Hamilton vs. Winnipeg, Friday, June 9th, 8:30 PM EDT (TSN, CFL+): It’s a rematch of the 2019 and 2021 Grey Cup games, and it’s our first look at Bo Levi Mitchell in black and gold after a long, successful time in Calgary. Winnipeg didn’t win the Grey Cup last year, but any team that comes into IG Field is going to have a very difficult task ahead of them in trying to beat the Bombers at home. With an 8-1 record at home, not to mention a 15-3 overall record last year, the Blue Bombers remain the class of the league. I think Hamilton has done a great job of remaking their roster in a bold way, particularly after two Grey Cup defeats and an East final defeat, so an early loss this season, particularly against such a skilled Winnipeg team, should not be a black mark on their overall stature as a team.

PICK: Winnipeg

Ottawa vs. Montreal, Saturday, June 10th, 7:00 PM EDT (TSN, CBSSN, CFL+): After facing some tough starts to the year in 2021 and 2022, the REDBLACKS have arguably the ideal opponent to kick off their 2023 season. Montreal is not expected by pundits to do well this year following an offseason of many free-agent departures and ownership kerfuffles that impacted their ability to attract free agents this year, and with a new head coach in Jason Maas and new QB in Cody Fajardo, it may be a little while before the team chemistry really starts to develop. Ottawa is hopeful that Jeremiah Masoli returns to form after missing most of 2022 with a leg injury, and he’s been taking it easy through the pre-season – Nick Arbuckle is going to start for at least the first two games of the year – but they truly, desperately, wildly need their offence to be better this year. After some absolutely historic ineptitude over the last three years when the team has had the ball, fans are clamouring for improvement. A new head coach in Bob Dyce and new OC in Khari Jones are an excellent start for a team that’s looking to show it’s serious about trying to get back into the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Only one other negative note for the REDBLACKS – they’ll be missing their top LB Jovan Santos-Knox for at least the first two weeks.

PICK: Ottawa

Saskatchewan vs. Edmonton, Saturday, June 10th, 7:00 PM EDT (TSN, CFL+): What would be better for the Elks than for them to snap their 17-game home losing streak that dates back to 2019? Fans have really been through the lowest of lows over these past few years, but with such ruthless roster overhauls by GM/HC Chris Jones, it has to feel a little bit like there’s some hope on the horizon for the first time in a long time. With the defence overhauled and with a number of new receivers in town, including elite passcatcher Eugene Lewis, who left Montreal, hopefully the Elks will be able to hang closer in games than last year. Saskatchewan is similarly looking to re-establish an identity after a disastrous 2022 year where they started 4-1 but went on to finish 6-12, and with a new QB in Trevor Harris and new OC in Kelly Jeffrey, it’s a start. If the O-line can get their work cleaned up, the Riders should be well in the playoff hunt. But how deep they’ll go depends on how much they’ve actually changed – if the rot goes all the way to the top of the organization, then GM Jeremy O’Day and HC Craig Dickenson may be out of a job at the end of this season if we see similar results to last year. The Rider Nation fanbase is extreme. If you lived in Saskatchewan, you probably would be too.

PICK: Edmonton

BYE: Toronto

WEEK 1 PICKS

Reminder that this is your last chance to join the Pick ‘Em Pool before the season begins… click the link below to sign up and join! Remember, for added convenience this year, you can also install PoolTracker’s web app to your phone or desktop – it’s free and available here.

https://www.pooltracker.com/join.asp?poolid=221760

Enjoy the games, everyone. Without any further ado, let’s get to it!