...culled from The Sports Networmc
2004 CFL Eastern Preview - Toronto Argonauts
From The Sports Network
Dan Ralph, CFL Editor
FACTS & FIGURES: Division - East. 2003 record - 9-9-0-0. Playoff result: Beat B.C. 28-7 in East semifinal, lost 30-26 to Montreal in East final. Stadium - SkyDome. Capacity - 52,595 (Regular season, 31,600.
Club Colors - Argonauts blue, metallic silver and state blue.
After playing second fiddle to Montreal the last two years, it would appear 2004 is the season the Toronto Argonauts finally surpass the Alouettes.
While Montreal lost a host of quality players in the off-season, the Argos were busy adding to a team that narrowly missed upsetting the Alouettes in the East final. A controversial touchdown by Anthony Calvillo late in the fourth quarter -- replays appeared to show Calvillo fumbling before he got into the end zone -- proved to be the margin of victory for the Als.
Toronto added the biggest free agent in the off-season when the club signed running back John Avery, who led the CFL in rushing with Edmonton in 2002 before spending last season with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Avery missed the majority of last year after undergoing knee surgery but that didn't scare the Argos from signing the speedy back to a multi-year deal reportedly worth $250,000 annually, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
The signing of Avery was a clear sign the new Argos ownership -- Toronto businessmen David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski purchased the cash-strapped franchise from the CFL late last year -- is serious about fielding a club capable of winning a Grey Cup.
But Avery's arrival did come at a cost. Running back Michael Jenkins, the former CFL rushing leader who returned to Toronto last year after spending the 2002 season with the NFL's Houston Texans, was released shortly after Avery signed. After registering consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2000 and 2001, Jenkins ran for 814 yards last year despite being hampered by an ankle injury that required off-season surgery.
The emergence of Tony Miles (67 catches, 1,005 yards) as Toronto's go-to receiver also forced the club to sever ties with veteran slot back Derrell Mitchell, who needed just 91 receiving yards to break Paul Masotti's club- record total of 8,772.
Even without Mitchell, the Argos appear loaded at receiver. Miles will anchor a pass-catching corps that includes former NFL first-round draft picks Johnny Mitchell and R.J. Soward.
Now, who will throw them the ball remains a huge question. Veteran Damon Allen, entering his 20th CFL campaign, and third-year pro Marcus Brady will battle for the No. 1 quarterback position. While Argos head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons will ultimately decide who starts, new offensive coordinator Kent Austin will have plenty of say about who will be in charge of his pass- oriented offense.
Toronto's defense appears solid with veteran performers sprinkled liberally throughout.
Lineman Eric Carter (CFL-best 14 sacks) anchors defensive coordinator Rich Stulber's three-man front while veteran Mike O'Shea will again lead the unit's four linebackers. The secondary is rock solid with cornerback Adrion Smith (CFL-high eight interceptions) and safety Orlondo Steinauer leading the way.
Noel Prefontaine is undoubtedly the CFL's premiere punter and is also a very capable kicker. Bashir Levingston, the league's top special-teams player last year, is back trying his hand as a receiver while Avery is also a very accomplished returner.
The skinny: For two years, the Argos have played second fiddle to Montreal. But Clemons is older and wiser and has surrounded himself with quality people with plenty of CFL experience.
Not surprising, injuries will be a key for Toronto. But with both Allen and Brady at quarterback, the Argos have arguably the best 1-2 punch at that position in the CFL. Also, a healthy Avery gives the club big-play potential and versatility.
So, it would appear that after knocking on the door the last two seasons the Argos are ready to plough their way through it in 2004.
Sports Network predicted finish: First.
2004 CFL Eastern Preview - Montreal Alouettes
From The Sports Network
Dan Ralph, CFL Editor
FACTS & FIGURES: Division - East. 2003 record - 13-5-0-0. Playoff result: Beat Toronto 30-26 in East Division final; lost 34-22 to Edmonton in Grey Cup. Stadium - Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Capacity - 20,202. Club Colors - Blue, Red, Grey and Blacmc
After registering consecutive Grey Cup appearances the last two seasons, the Montreal Alouettes enter the 2004 campaign with no shortage of holes to fill.
Montreal endured substantial personnel losses this off-season. Defensive tackle Adriano Belli signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while wide receiver Pat Woodcock jumped to the Ottawa Renegades. Slotback-kick returner Keith Stokes was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and cornerback Omar Evans was dealt to the Calgary Stampeders.
Cornerback Wayne Shaw was released and signed with Hamilton while special- teams member Mat Petz signed with the Ticats as well.
However, it's not all doom and gloom for the defending East Division champions.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo enjoyed a banner 2003 campaign, leading the CFL in passes attempted (675), completed (408), yards (5,891) and touchdowns (37) while surrendering just 14 interceptions. Not surprisingly, Calvillo was named the league's outstanding player, ahead of B.C. Lions quarterback Dave Dickenson.
Calvillo's two favorite targets also return. Jeremaine Copeland had 99 catches for a CFL-high 1,757 yards and 14 touchdowns, while slot back Ben Cahoon registered a league-best 112 receptions for 1,561 yards and 13 touchdowns in being named the CFL's top Canadian for the second straight year.
The Alouettes also bolstered their receiving corps in the off-season by signing Jacquez Green, who had 162 catches for 2,311 yards in five seasons with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.
After struggling in B.C. to replace legendary Lions kicker Lui Passaglia, Matt Kellett came to Montreal and enjoyed a solid 2004 campaign. He connected on 43-of-56 field goals (78.2 percent) and accumulated 191 points to finish third in the CFL scoring race. Kellett also registered a respectable 41.5-yard punting average.
Montreal's offensive line, which has traditionally been one of the CFL's best, should benefit from the return of Scott Flory. Flory spent the entire off- season pondering offers from the Alouettes as well as his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders before signing a deal with Saskatchewan.
But when Flory learned he wasn't playing right guard -- a position he played in Montreal -- the East Division nominee for the CFL's outstanding offensive lineman signed a deal with the Alouettes, forcing the league to decide Flory's deal with Saskatchewan was binding.
So Montreal and Saskatchewan worked out a trade that saw Flory return to Quebec for a first-round draft picmc Flory's return will only further solidify an already solid offensive front.
Defensively, the Alouettes still have an abundance of talent.
The presence of veteran defensive linemen Ed Philion and Marc Megna will ease Belli's loss up front.
Kevin Johnson, the East Division's nominee for outstanding defensive player, will anchor the linebacking corps once again. The secondary will definitely be bolstered by the return of All-Star cornerback Davis Sanchez, acquired in an off-season trade with the Calgary Stampeders.
But Montreal's definite weakness last year was running the football, a huge surprise considering the Alouettes have traditionally been the league's best rushing squad, first with longtime back Mike Pringle (now in Edmonton) and in 2002 with Lawrence Phillips (out of football).
The skinny: Despite the personnel losses, Montreal will again have to be considered a Grey Cup threat. General manager Jim Popp is among the best when it comes to finding football talent and head coach Don Matthews is the winningest coach in CFL history, having been named the league's top coach an unprecedented five times.
Matthews has also earned 10 Grey Cup rings, including five as a head coach. Matthews is despised by many league officials and many media members for his abrasive demeanor, but is loved by his players because he takes care of them and always puts his team in a position to win. If there is anyone who knows what it takes to win, it's Matthews.
But there's no denying Montreal isn't the same team it was last year. While Toronto spent the off-season loading up, the Alouettes were losing talent and it would appear the Als aren't as good as they were last year when they went tooth and nail to down the hard-charging Argos.
Sports Network predicted finish: Second
2004 CFL Eastern Preview - Toronto Argonauts
From The Sports Network
Dan Ralph, CFL Editor
FACTS & FIGURES: Division - East. 2003 record - 9-9-0-0. Playoff result: Beat B.C. 28-7 in East semifinal, lost 30-26 to Montreal in East final. Stadium - SkyDome. Capacity - 52,595 (Regular season, 31,600.
Club Colors - Argonauts blue, metallic silver and state blue.
After playing second fiddle to Montreal the last two years, it would appear 2004 is the season the Toronto Argonauts finally surpass the Alouettes.
While Montreal lost a host of quality players in the off-season, the Argos were busy adding to a team that narrowly missed upsetting the Alouettes in the East final. A controversial touchdown by Anthony Calvillo late in the fourth quarter -- replays appeared to show Calvillo fumbling before he got into the end zone -- proved to be the margin of victory for the Als.
Toronto added the biggest free agent in the off-season when the club signed running back John Avery, who led the CFL in rushing with Edmonton in 2002 before spending last season with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings. Avery missed the majority of last year after undergoing knee surgery but that didn't scare the Argos from signing the speedy back to a multi-year deal reportedly worth $250,000 annually, making him the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league.
The signing of Avery was a clear sign the new Argos ownership -- Toronto businessmen David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski purchased the cash-strapped franchise from the CFL late last year -- is serious about fielding a club capable of winning a Grey Cup.
But Avery's arrival did come at a cost. Running back Michael Jenkins, the former CFL rushing leader who returned to Toronto last year after spending the 2002 season with the NFL's Houston Texans, was released shortly after Avery signed. After registering consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in 2000 and 2001, Jenkins ran for 814 yards last year despite being hampered by an ankle injury that required off-season surgery.
The emergence of Tony Miles (67 catches, 1,005 yards) as Toronto's go-to receiver also forced the club to sever ties with veteran slot back Derrell Mitchell, who needed just 91 receiving yards to break Paul Masotti's club- record total of 8,772.
Even without Mitchell, the Argos appear loaded at receiver. Miles will anchor a pass-catching corps that includes former NFL first-round draft picks Johnny Mitchell and R.J. Soward.
Now, who will throw them the ball remains a huge question. Veteran Damon Allen, entering his 20th CFL campaign, and third-year pro Marcus Brady will battle for the No. 1 quarterback position. While Argos head coach Mike (Pinball) Clemons will ultimately decide who starts, new offensive coordinator Kent Austin will have plenty of say about who will be in charge of his pass- oriented offense.
Toronto's defense appears solid with veteran performers sprinkled liberally throughout.
Lineman Eric Carter (CFL-best 14 sacks) anchors defensive coordinator Rich Stulber's three-man front while veteran Mike O'Shea will again lead the unit's four linebackers. The secondary is rock solid with cornerback Adrion Smith (CFL-high eight interceptions) and safety Orlondo Steinauer leading the way.
Noel Prefontaine is undoubtedly the CFL's premiere punter and is also a very capable kicker. Bashir Levingston, the league's top special-teams player last year, is back trying his hand as a receiver while Avery is also a very accomplished returner.
The skinny: For two years, the Argos have played second fiddle to Montreal. But Clemons is older and wiser and has surrounded himself with quality people with plenty of CFL experience.
Not surprising, injuries will be a key for Toronto. But with both Allen and Brady at quarterback, the Argos have arguably the best 1-2 punch at that position in the CFL. Also, a healthy Avery gives the club big-play potential and versatility.
So, it would appear that after knocking on the door the last two seasons the Argos are ready to plough their way through it in 2004.
Sports Network predicted finish: First.
2004 CFL Eastern Preview - Montreal Alouettes
From The Sports Network
Dan Ralph, CFL Editor
FACTS & FIGURES: Division - East. 2003 record - 13-5-0-0. Playoff result: Beat Toronto 30-26 in East Division final; lost 34-22 to Edmonton in Grey Cup. Stadium - Percival Molson Memorial Stadium. Capacity - 20,202. Club Colors - Blue, Red, Grey and Blacmc
After registering consecutive Grey Cup appearances the last two seasons, the Montreal Alouettes enter the 2004 campaign with no shortage of holes to fill.
Montreal endured substantial personnel losses this off-season. Defensive tackle Adriano Belli signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, while wide receiver Pat Woodcock jumped to the Ottawa Renegades. Slotback-kick returner Keith Stokes was traded to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and cornerback Omar Evans was dealt to the Calgary Stampeders.
Cornerback Wayne Shaw was released and signed with Hamilton while special- teams member Mat Petz signed with the Ticats as well.
However, it's not all doom and gloom for the defending East Division champions.
Quarterback Anthony Calvillo enjoyed a banner 2003 campaign, leading the CFL in passes attempted (675), completed (408), yards (5,891) and touchdowns (37) while surrendering just 14 interceptions. Not surprisingly, Calvillo was named the league's outstanding player, ahead of B.C. Lions quarterback Dave Dickenson.
Calvillo's two favorite targets also return. Jeremaine Copeland had 99 catches for a CFL-high 1,757 yards and 14 touchdowns, while slot back Ben Cahoon registered a league-best 112 receptions for 1,561 yards and 13 touchdowns in being named the CFL's top Canadian for the second straight year.
The Alouettes also bolstered their receiving corps in the off-season by signing Jacquez Green, who had 162 catches for 2,311 yards in five seasons with the NFL's Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions.
After struggling in B.C. to replace legendary Lions kicker Lui Passaglia, Matt Kellett came to Montreal and enjoyed a solid 2004 campaign. He connected on 43-of-56 field goals (78.2 percent) and accumulated 191 points to finish third in the CFL scoring race. Kellett also registered a respectable 41.5-yard punting average.
Montreal's offensive line, which has traditionally been one of the CFL's best, should benefit from the return of Scott Flory. Flory spent the entire off- season pondering offers from the Alouettes as well as his hometown Saskatchewan Roughriders before signing a deal with Saskatchewan.
But when Flory learned he wasn't playing right guard -- a position he played in Montreal -- the East Division nominee for the CFL's outstanding offensive lineman signed a deal with the Alouettes, forcing the league to decide Flory's deal with Saskatchewan was binding.
So Montreal and Saskatchewan worked out a trade that saw Flory return to Quebec for a first-round draft picmc Flory's return will only further solidify an already solid offensive front.
Defensively, the Alouettes still have an abundance of talent.
The presence of veteran defensive linemen Ed Philion and Marc Megna will ease Belli's loss up front.
Kevin Johnson, the East Division's nominee for outstanding defensive player, will anchor the linebacking corps once again. The secondary will definitely be bolstered by the return of All-Star cornerback Davis Sanchez, acquired in an off-season trade with the Calgary Stampeders.
But Montreal's definite weakness last year was running the football, a huge surprise considering the Alouettes have traditionally been the league's best rushing squad, first with longtime back Mike Pringle (now in Edmonton) and in 2002 with Lawrence Phillips (out of football).
The skinny: Despite the personnel losses, Montreal will again have to be considered a Grey Cup threat. General manager Jim Popp is among the best when it comes to finding football talent and head coach Don Matthews is the winningest coach in CFL history, having been named the league's top coach an unprecedented five times.
Matthews has also earned 10 Grey Cup rings, including five as a head coach. Matthews is despised by many league officials and many media members for his abrasive demeanor, but is loved by his players because he takes care of them and always puts his team in a position to win. If there is anyone who knows what it takes to win, it's Matthews.
But there's no denying Montreal isn't the same team it was last year. While Toronto spent the off-season loading up, the Alouettes were losing talent and it would appear the Als aren't as good as they were last year when they went tooth and nail to down the hard-charging Argos.
Sports Network predicted finish: Second
