After a wild finish, the stage is set for what has the potential to be an equally wild playoff. Considering what?s happened in the last month of the CFL season, there really are no clear-cut favourites in Sunday?s semifinals.
In the East, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes ended the season on losing streaks. In the West, the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos ended up in a three-way tie for first thanks to season-ending victories.
EAST SEMIFINAL
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-10)
at Montreal Alouettes (10-8)
1 p.m., Olympic Stadium
THE QUARTERBACKS
Hamilton: This is the game where we find out whether head coach Marcel Bellefeuille is a genius for alternating his two quarterbacks late in the season or a mad scientist whose experiment destroyed the confidence of starter Kevin Glenn. Glenn will get the start but certainly didn?t look strong as the Cats finished the season with two straight losses. It wasn?t a banner season for the veteran, who gave up too many interceptions (17) and has all but abandoned running.
Montreal: It?s been a tale of two seasons for one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history. All looked rosy a month ago when Anthony Calvillo set the all-time pro football passing record. But since then he?s looked shaky at best and absolutely awful in last week?s showdown blowout in Vancouver. Some of that can be blamed on an injury-riddle offensive line, but that doesn?t account for the errant passes. Still, he?s 9-2 in East Division playoff games since 2000 and led the league in passing yardage.
The Edge: Calvillo has struggled during the Als? three-game season-ending losing streak, but is still a force.
THE PLAYMAKERS
Hamilton: Running back Avon Cobourne has used revenge against his old team as motivation, though that produced mixed results. He rushed for 169 yards in Hamilton?s two wins over the Als, but only 40 in the two losses. Glenn will look to rookie receiver Chris Williams for big plays, but doesn?t have many more weapons. Returner Marcus Thigpen can make a difference. Defensively, the Cats will count on defensive end Justin Hickman, tied for the league lead in sacks with 13, and hard-hitting linebacker Rey Williams.
Montreal: As good as Calvillo is, he has some great weapons at his disposal. Slotback Jamel Richardson led the league in receiving yards with 1,777 and in touchdown passes with 11. Then there?s S.J. Green, who had 1,147 yards while turning apparent incompletions into highlight-reel catches. Toss in running back Brandon Whitaker, who led the league in rushing with 1,378 yards, and you have a multifaceted offence. Big plays on defence are usually provided by defensive ends John Bowman (12 sacks) and Anwar Stewart (seven.)
The Edge: It?s difficult to shut down Montreal?s many weapons, especially after a bad performance.
THE SKINNY
The Ticats have a shot if Montreal left tackle Jeff Perrett, filling in for the injured Josh Bourke, can?t control the likes of Hickman and Stevie Baggs. They?ll also need to control Whitaker on the ground. There?s definitely something amiss in Montreal ? and the slew of injuries that has decimated their defence and will deprive them of middle linebacker Ramon Guzman Sunday ? but the home crowd and the Alouettes? superior talent should be enough to carry the day.
WEST SEMIFINAL
Calgary Stampeders (10-8)
at Edmonton Eskimos (10-8)
4:30 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
THE QUARTERBACKS
Calgary: A month ago, Drew Tate was a promising young quarterback charged with running short-yardage plays and caddying for the league?s reigning most outstanding player, Henry Burris. Today, he?s Calgary?s hope for the future after replacing Burris, who was unceremoniously benched. He?s won all three starts, completed 65 per cent of his passes and averaged 263 yards passing. More important, he beat both Winnipeg and Montreal. But he has thrown more interceptions (five) than TD passes (four.)
Edmonton: Heading into 2011, Ricky Ray had a lot to prove. He was coming off a sub-par season and had taken a substantial pay cut as the Eskimos restructured their operations in hopes of turning things around. They did and one of the big reasons was Ray, who re-established himself as one of the league?s elite quarterbacks. His 99.3 efficiency rating and 65.2 completion percentage topped the league?s regular QBs as he exhibited the kind of leadership that wins championships.
The Edge: Tate is still learning while Ray has been there and done that many times.
THE PLAYMAKERS
Calgary: With Ken-Yon Rambo back in the fold to join Nik Lewis (1,209 yards receiving) and Johnny Forzani, the Stamps have a potent passing attack. Non-import running back Jon Cornish (863 yards rushing and a 7.3-yard average) has been good enough to put perennial all-star Joffrey Reynolds on the bench. Returner Larry Taylor can turn around a game quickly and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Defensive end Charleston Hughes (seven sacks) can be a force.
Edmonton: No team in the league has a better pass-catching trio than the Eskimos. Fred Stamps and Adarius Bowman ended the year with 1,153 receiving yards each despite missing time with injuries and Jason Barnes contributed 869. Toronto product Jerome Messam (1,057 yards rushing) is the toughest guy to tackle in the league next to Cory Boyd, though he?s only 50-50 because of a leg injury. Defensive end Marcus Howard (11 sacks) can terrify opposing quarterbacks and Rod Williams (six interceptions) leads a tough secondary.
The Edge: This is pretty much a draw, with plenty of big play guys on both sides.
THE SKINNY
This should be a classic Battle of Alberta match-up with both teams heading into the game after strong finishes. They?re as evenly matched as the records indicate, but Edmonton?s tough defence gives them an edge, especially facing an inexperienced quarterback. With Ray at the helm, packing plenty of experience, the Esks should prevail even if Messam isn?t firing on all cylinders.
In the East, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Montreal Alouettes ended the season on losing streaks. In the West, the Calgary Stampeders and Edmonton Eskimos ended up in a three-way tie for first thanks to season-ending victories.
EAST SEMIFINAL
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (8-10)
at Montreal Alouettes (10-8)
1 p.m., Olympic Stadium
THE QUARTERBACKS
Hamilton: This is the game where we find out whether head coach Marcel Bellefeuille is a genius for alternating his two quarterbacks late in the season or a mad scientist whose experiment destroyed the confidence of starter Kevin Glenn. Glenn will get the start but certainly didn?t look strong as the Cats finished the season with two straight losses. It wasn?t a banner season for the veteran, who gave up too many interceptions (17) and has all but abandoned running.
Montreal: It?s been a tale of two seasons for one of the greatest quarterbacks in league history. All looked rosy a month ago when Anthony Calvillo set the all-time pro football passing record. But since then he?s looked shaky at best and absolutely awful in last week?s showdown blowout in Vancouver. Some of that can be blamed on an injury-riddle offensive line, but that doesn?t account for the errant passes. Still, he?s 9-2 in East Division playoff games since 2000 and led the league in passing yardage.
The Edge: Calvillo has struggled during the Als? three-game season-ending losing streak, but is still a force.
THE PLAYMAKERS
Hamilton: Running back Avon Cobourne has used revenge against his old team as motivation, though that produced mixed results. He rushed for 169 yards in Hamilton?s two wins over the Als, but only 40 in the two losses. Glenn will look to rookie receiver Chris Williams for big plays, but doesn?t have many more weapons. Returner Marcus Thigpen can make a difference. Defensively, the Cats will count on defensive end Justin Hickman, tied for the league lead in sacks with 13, and hard-hitting linebacker Rey Williams.
Montreal: As good as Calvillo is, he has some great weapons at his disposal. Slotback Jamel Richardson led the league in receiving yards with 1,777 and in touchdown passes with 11. Then there?s S.J. Green, who had 1,147 yards while turning apparent incompletions into highlight-reel catches. Toss in running back Brandon Whitaker, who led the league in rushing with 1,378 yards, and you have a multifaceted offence. Big plays on defence are usually provided by defensive ends John Bowman (12 sacks) and Anwar Stewart (seven.)
The Edge: It?s difficult to shut down Montreal?s many weapons, especially after a bad performance.
THE SKINNY
The Ticats have a shot if Montreal left tackle Jeff Perrett, filling in for the injured Josh Bourke, can?t control the likes of Hickman and Stevie Baggs. They?ll also need to control Whitaker on the ground. There?s definitely something amiss in Montreal ? and the slew of injuries that has decimated their defence and will deprive them of middle linebacker Ramon Guzman Sunday ? but the home crowd and the Alouettes? superior talent should be enough to carry the day.
WEST SEMIFINAL
Calgary Stampeders (10-8)
at Edmonton Eskimos (10-8)
4:30 p.m., Commonwealth Stadium
THE QUARTERBACKS
Calgary: A month ago, Drew Tate was a promising young quarterback charged with running short-yardage plays and caddying for the league?s reigning most outstanding player, Henry Burris. Today, he?s Calgary?s hope for the future after replacing Burris, who was unceremoniously benched. He?s won all three starts, completed 65 per cent of his passes and averaged 263 yards passing. More important, he beat both Winnipeg and Montreal. But he has thrown more interceptions (five) than TD passes (four.)
Edmonton: Heading into 2011, Ricky Ray had a lot to prove. He was coming off a sub-par season and had taken a substantial pay cut as the Eskimos restructured their operations in hopes of turning things around. They did and one of the big reasons was Ray, who re-established himself as one of the league?s elite quarterbacks. His 99.3 efficiency rating and 65.2 completion percentage topped the league?s regular QBs as he exhibited the kind of leadership that wins championships.
The Edge: Tate is still learning while Ray has been there and done that many times.
THE PLAYMAKERS
Calgary: With Ken-Yon Rambo back in the fold to join Nik Lewis (1,209 yards receiving) and Johnny Forzani, the Stamps have a potent passing attack. Non-import running back Jon Cornish (863 yards rushing and a 7.3-yard average) has been good enough to put perennial all-star Joffrey Reynolds on the bench. Returner Larry Taylor can turn around a game quickly and is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. Defensive end Charleston Hughes (seven sacks) can be a force.
Edmonton: No team in the league has a better pass-catching trio than the Eskimos. Fred Stamps and Adarius Bowman ended the year with 1,153 receiving yards each despite missing time with injuries and Jason Barnes contributed 869. Toronto product Jerome Messam (1,057 yards rushing) is the toughest guy to tackle in the league next to Cory Boyd, though he?s only 50-50 because of a leg injury. Defensive end Marcus Howard (11 sacks) can terrify opposing quarterbacks and Rod Williams (six interceptions) leads a tough secondary.
The Edge: This is pretty much a draw, with plenty of big play guys on both sides.
THE SKINNY
This should be a classic Battle of Alberta match-up with both teams heading into the game after strong finishes. They?re as evenly matched as the records indicate, but Edmonton?s tough defence gives them an edge, especially facing an inexperienced quarterback. With Ray at the helm, packing plenty of experience, the Esks should prevail even if Messam isn?t firing on all cylinders.
