Week 1 Picks by Chris Schultz:
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7:00 PM Thursday, July 01, 2010
Montreal Saskatchewan Schultz Picks: Montreal:
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There are certain positions that if you lose a key player or players, it is very difficult to overcome. You can't overstate the absence of John Chick and Stevie Baggs. That pair made game changing plays and made other players look good because of their abilities. That is the single biggest question with the Riders this year. Are Luc Mullinder and Brent Hawkins as defensive ends the next Chick and Baggs? And who is going to replace Ernie Davis in the secondary? The Alouettes have the best offense and the best defence heading into the CFL season. Their Special Teams are an unknown due to coaching decisions and player retirement. Who will the next dominant punt and kick returner for the Als? It will be fun to watch as it develops.
MON 31 SAS 21
10:00 PM Thursday, July 01, 2010
Toronto Calgary Schultz Picks: Calgary:
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This opening day game is going to be a tough one for the Argonauts. Even though the Stampeders have three new offensive linemen and a new offensive coordinator, they still have a level of continuity that the Argos must create over time. I think both Winnipeg and Toronto will close the gap of football efficiency between themselves and Hamilton and Montreal, but that may not be evident until the second half of the season. The hardest aspect of football to master is the passing game. All four phases of blocking, receiving, running back blitz pickup or check downs and QB play must work together consistently. That advantage goes to Henry Burris and the Stampeders. The only way I see Toronto pulling off an upset is by a major domination in the pass rush, but Burris is too sly and sharp to let that happen. He will get rid of the ball fast, especially early in the game.
TOR 17 CAL 29
8:00 PM Friday, July 02, 2010
Hamilton Winnipeg Schultz Picks: Hamilton:
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Logic says that Hamilton wins because similar to the Calgary/Toronto game, the Ticats have continuity in personnel. Also Kevin Glenn is the clear starting QB at the beginning of the season, not half-way through. Glenn does not have Quinton Porter's height, speed and perhaps deep ball ability, but he is smart and gets rid of the ball fast. I think the only aspect he needs to improve from my perspective is his deep ball accuracy, which I think will develop, if for no other reason than mass reps of deep balls as a confirmed starter. Winnipeg is going to be better than last year, and just like Toronto, as the games go by, they will improve. I agree with Paul Lapolice to start two American offensive tackles and putting a priority on solid pass protection. Winnipeg needs a new Jonathan Hefney to emerge. It's time for Sandro Deangelis to be mentally tough. I know he will.
HAM 29 WIN 24
7:00 PM Sunday, July 04, 2010
B.C. Edmonton Schultz Picks: Edmonton:
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Both teams should be improved for completely different reasons. For BC, Casey Printers is the quarterback from the very first game and Travis Lulay is a solid backup. Head coach Wally Buono has said many times that he is quarterback dependent for Grey Cup success and with Printers, he has one that can execute structure and make it happen when it all breaks down.
Edmonton has improved because Richie Hall is more actively involved with the defence. Hall is going to figure out who can play and stick with them until that particular player proves he can't play. This will be the first game on field turf for a new Commonwealth Stadium that has been renovated to be as good as any football stadium in North America.
EDM 33 BC 27
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7:00 PM Thursday, July 01, 2010
Montreal Saskatchewan Schultz Picks: Montreal:
-----------------------------------------------
There are certain positions that if you lose a key player or players, it is very difficult to overcome. You can't overstate the absence of John Chick and Stevie Baggs. That pair made game changing plays and made other players look good because of their abilities. That is the single biggest question with the Riders this year. Are Luc Mullinder and Brent Hawkins as defensive ends the next Chick and Baggs? And who is going to replace Ernie Davis in the secondary? The Alouettes have the best offense and the best defence heading into the CFL season. Their Special Teams are an unknown due to coaching decisions and player retirement. Who will the next dominant punt and kick returner for the Als? It will be fun to watch as it develops.
MON 31 SAS 21
10:00 PM Thursday, July 01, 2010
Toronto Calgary Schultz Picks: Calgary:
--------------------------------------
This opening day game is going to be a tough one for the Argonauts. Even though the Stampeders have three new offensive linemen and a new offensive coordinator, they still have a level of continuity that the Argos must create over time. I think both Winnipeg and Toronto will close the gap of football efficiency between themselves and Hamilton and Montreal, but that may not be evident until the second half of the season. The hardest aspect of football to master is the passing game. All four phases of blocking, receiving, running back blitz pickup or check downs and QB play must work together consistently. That advantage goes to Henry Burris and the Stampeders. The only way I see Toronto pulling off an upset is by a major domination in the pass rush, but Burris is too sly and sharp to let that happen. He will get rid of the ball fast, especially early in the game.
TOR 17 CAL 29
8:00 PM Friday, July 02, 2010
Hamilton Winnipeg Schultz Picks: Hamilton:
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Logic says that Hamilton wins because similar to the Calgary/Toronto game, the Ticats have continuity in personnel. Also Kevin Glenn is the clear starting QB at the beginning of the season, not half-way through. Glenn does not have Quinton Porter's height, speed and perhaps deep ball ability, but he is smart and gets rid of the ball fast. I think the only aspect he needs to improve from my perspective is his deep ball accuracy, which I think will develop, if for no other reason than mass reps of deep balls as a confirmed starter. Winnipeg is going to be better than last year, and just like Toronto, as the games go by, they will improve. I agree with Paul Lapolice to start two American offensive tackles and putting a priority on solid pass protection. Winnipeg needs a new Jonathan Hefney to emerge. It's time for Sandro Deangelis to be mentally tough. I know he will.
HAM 29 WIN 24
7:00 PM Sunday, July 04, 2010
B.C. Edmonton Schultz Picks: Edmonton:
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Both teams should be improved for completely different reasons. For BC, Casey Printers is the quarterback from the very first game and Travis Lulay is a solid backup. Head coach Wally Buono has said many times that he is quarterback dependent for Grey Cup success and with Printers, he has one that can execute structure and make it happen when it all breaks down.
Edmonton has improved because Richie Hall is more actively involved with the defence. Hall is going to figure out who can play and stick with them until that particular player proves he can't play. This will be the first game on field turf for a new Commonwealth Stadium that has been renovated to be as good as any football stadium in North America.
EDM 33 BC 27
