- Being a blogger is funny. You get to step out of the fanatical fan role and try to analyze games objectively. Obviously no one is perfectly objective but you certainly try.

- I always liked when my team lost and a player acknowledged how badly they played because I knew, the next week, they’d be much better. See Rob Maver, Darian Durant, Marc Parenteau. Do not see Kevin Glenn (maybe some others).

- Durant was very quick to blame himself (see TSN’s post-game interview). It is the job of a team’s leader to shoulder the blame whether or not its deserved. If I were to be critical of Durant I’d say just take care of the ball. No fumbles, run more, and relax.

- I also could say well the first interception should have been overturned because the ball hit the turf, the second one was a goofy tip (although probably an overthrow to a short receiver) and the third one was in garbage time.

- How about this. If Durant had not thrown his three interceptions he would have ended up with a 81% passing average. With them he had a 73% passing percentage (which is still very good about 65% is a “good” average). This shows two things. 1) Durant is a good QB 2) Interceptions will kill you! 3) If the defence isn’t getting the ball back for you, then its tough to win.

- It would also be wrong to not give Edmonton credit. They played very well!

- Perhaps I am less forgiving of Kevin Glenn because his quote after the game was “Real frustrating, especially getting the loss, getting pulled in the first game of the season. It just felt like a smack in the face.”

- Just step up! Say “Ya I didn’t produce the way my team needed me to” or “3 interceptions is not acceptable.” No I am not excusing Durant’s three but he certainly took the blame.

- On cue, the Stampeders brought in another kicker. I’ve never felt that Maver was overwhelmingly good and so this may backfire even further on him to give him further competition.

- Looks like De’Audra Dix is getting a second shot as he returns to the Als lineup. I’m not sure this move was because he’s better than what is on the market but he knows the defence. Jerald Brown will be missed in the Alouettes secondary. Dix is not very strong.

- Travis Lulay had 45 pass attempts against Montreal. Conversely, there were only 3 rushing attempts. Is this a trend for BC or something they felt they could exploit against Montreal? We know that in the CFL a “pass attempt” can take many forms. Yet it seems like the attack was anything but balanced.

- I’d love to hear your opinion on this section from Lowell Ullrich’s blog “The Fifth Quarter”

Yes, there was only 1:47 left; yes, they didn’t have a timeout and yes, the Lions were well positioned in Als territory. So after the team held a rundown Saturday, the topic was raised and Buono spent about six minutes talking about the decision to send out Paul McCallum rather than go on third-and-five, a move which may have been formulated in about 1.6 seconds. You almost expect to be drawn into a debate with the head coach because rest assured that has been the case many times in the past. Not this time. Buono said he apologized to his team Saturday and admitted he had made another error in the seconds immediately prior to summoning the field goal unit. More in the paper tomorrow. Buono bashers are likely about to feel vindicated.

- Does anyone know if Chad Owens is seriously hurt? If so… wow that could be a big blow to the Argos.

- O’Neil Wilson will be a good addition to Toronto. Maybe I can criticize their receivers and they will start doing well just like in Edmonton did when I criticized them. But seriously, aside from Copeland their dominant threat is? Brandon Rideau? Spencer Watt? Maybe.

- It’s great to watch these games early in the year because you never know who will win. Lets take Calgary and BC this weekend. The winner will be .500 and the loser will be 0-2. I’m sure BC does not want to start the season in a hole like that again!

- Winnipeg and Toronto play to see who can be 2-0. Great matches and really I can’t predict either of them!

- It needs no mention that the game of the week will be Montreal and Saskatchewan. I am eager to see two great QBs square off. Advantage to Montreal. Way less injuries. Motivated. Same receivers as last year. Not saying Saskatchewan can’t win but it’ll be hard-fought.

- The week finishes off with another unpredictable match between Hamilton and Edmonton. Advantage Edmonton? I liked Hamilton’s defence last week though.

- Did you hear Chris Cuthbert say on Sunday night that Rich Stubler told his team that it would take them until labour day to learn his defence? I wonder if its complex…

- Calgary is getting beat up with injuries just like the Riders. They lose Maver, Mace, Rambo (hamstring pull) and Malik Jackson with a concussion. I was talking with someone the other day and we both agreed that the CFL isn’t just who plays best, but the team that can whether the storm of the long season with the bulk of their starters in tact.

- My class act of the week award goes to Greg Marshall. First game as a head coach. His team gets beat quite soundly and he answers questions for nearly 10 minutes from the media and maybe longer. That’s not an easy place to coach and he is a classy guy.

- CFLjoe is a daily blog that can be found at www.cfljoe.blogspot.com

In the 2009 campaign, in which Calgary hosted the 97th Grey Cup, Calgary finished second in the West with a record 10-7-1. After a narrow 24-21 victory over the Edmonton Eskimos in the West semi-final, the Stampeders fell 27-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the West final, ending their Grey Cup hopes. If they want to get back to the Grey Cup this season, Maver and Reynolds will have to be on the top of their game.

Reynolds is the one consistent threat in Calgary's offence.

When Calgary’s former star kicker Sandro DeAngelis signed with the Hamilton Tiger Cats via free agency, it was one of the most shocking moves of this off-season. DeAngelis has made 83.8% of his field goals during his five year career in the CFL with Calgary. It was no secret that DeAngelis had NFL aspirations, but to see him leave for another CFL team was shocking.

This brings us to Maver.

Maver, a placekicker/punter for the University of Guelph, was selected by the Stampeders in the first round of the 2010 CFL Draft with their fifth pick. Last season, the 22-year-old led the CIS in punting with a 46.12 yard average and also connected on 78.26 percent of his field goals. Still, unless Warren Kean somehow beats out Maver for the starting job, there will be a lot of pressure on Maver to replace DeAngelis.

Last season DeAngelis had the second most points of all kickers, behind only Damon Duval of the Montreal Alouettes, accounting for nearly 35 percent of Calgary’s scoring. Maver will need to be able to match this success this season. When the Stampeders offence fails to put up touchdowns, they will look to Maver to put points on the board.

During his time in Calgary, DeAngelis also won many games for the Stampeders thanks to his game winning kicks. When the game is on the line, will the young Maver be able to buckle down and make a big kick?

A kicker may not be the most important part of a team, but consider this. A couple of missed kicks in a game could mean a loss, a missed kick in the playoffs could mean the end of a season. Clearly, a lot rides on Maver this season.

As for Reynolds, he will need to step up and lead Calgary’s offence this season.

At 34 years old, quarterback Henry Burris isn’t getting any younger and there are serious questions about the passing game. Calgary traded away their leading receiver last season in Jermaine Copeland (1,235 yards, 12 touchdowns), meaning they will have a less talented receiving core. Reynolds could help open up the passing game for Calgary, while taking some pressure off of the team’s new look offensive line.

Fortunately for Calgary, Reynolds is the right man for the job. Even though he is over 30, Reynolds has seen his productivity rise the last three seasons, finishing 1,504 yards and 11 touchdowns last season. When Reynolds rushed for 100 yards in a game last season, the Stampeders only lost three times.

Burris is great at running the play action pass. When Reynolds is running the ball effectively it opens this play up and tires out opposing defences.

Heading into a new season, Calgary will be looking to prove they are still one of the top dogs in the West. Saskatchewan finished first in the West last season. The Stampeders defence won’t be amazing, but should be consistent enough to keep Calgary in ball games. On offence, the Stampeders offence won’t do much if Reynolds struggles. If Maver fails in the kicking game, Calgary could find themselves on the short end of many close game.

That’s a lot of pressure on two players.

Hunt would be a solid pickup for the B.C. Lions.

We at CFL Daily Dose believe that relationships are a beautiful thing. Like the relationship, for example, between a football player and his team. When things are going well, the player contributes to the team by putting forward a solid effort. He is rewarded by collecting a pay check.

But, sometimes things change.

The relationship starts to run its course. The team may become dissatisfied with the player’s attitude, or the player may become unhappy with the treatment he is receiving from the team. Furthermore, the player may become too old for the team. This usually results in the player getting released.

In the CFL, there are currently some top-notch free agents out there. With that being said, CFL Daily Dose shall attempt to match them up with a new partner.

Jesse Lumsden – Running Back

(Career: 1,802 yards, nine touchdowns and a 6.3 yard average)

CFL Matchmaker: Toronto Argonauts

Yes, Lumsden has had an injury-filled career. However, it couldn’t hurt Toronto to take a chance on Lumsden. As it stands, the Argos don’t even have a running back on their team that rushed for over 100 yards last season, thanks to the departure of 1,000 yard rusher Jamal Robertson. Lumsden has been effective when not injured. In 2007, he rushed for 743 yards and averaged 7.6 yards a carry. More than that, Lumdsen is only 27 years old and still has the will to play. Toronto would not have to pay a ton of money to bring in Lumsden and the potential reward could be great.

Zeke Moreno – Middle Linebacker

(Career: 306 tackles, six sacks and five interceptions)

CFL Matchmaker: Calgary Stampeders

With the retirement of Tim Johnson this off-season, and a linebacking core that is far from solid, Calgary could really benefit from adding a shutdown linebacker like Moreno. Moreno could step in nicely for Johnson, who had 54 tackles and a sack last season for Calgary. Moreno started his CFL career with the Hamilton Tiger Cats in 2007 and was named an all-star in his first two years. Moreno, who has averaged over 100 tackles a season, would add some punch to Calgary’s defence, which allowed 123 rushing yards a game last season.

Fred Perry – Defensive End

(Career: 315 tackles, 62 sacks and 46 special teams’ tackles)

CFL Matchmaker: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Riders are in need of a starting defensive end. Why not bring back the defensive end that had great success in Saskatchewan? Perry, a ten-year veteran and two-time CFL all-star, was a dominant force during his three-year tenure with the Riders. He recorded 159 tackles, 33 sacks and was part of their 2007 Grey Cup team. This off-season, the Riders lost defensive ends John Chick, who had 32 tackles and 11 sacks last season, as well as Stevie Baggs, who recorded 55 tackles and 12 sacks last season. Though Perry is 35, he could provide some veteran leadership on the defensive line.

Reggie Hunt – Middle/Outside Linebacker

(Career: 514 tackles, 28 sacks and eight interceptions)

CFL Matchmaker: B.C. Lions

Hunt signing in B.C. makes a lot of sense. First of all, Hunt is the older brother of Aaron Hunt, the Lions star defensive tackle. Secondly, B.C.’s run defence was horrid last season as they gave up 138 rushing yards a game. They could use a solid middle linebacker to play next to Anton Mackenzie. After Mackenzie, who tallied 85 tackles and six sacks last season, the Lions don’t have a proven linebacker. Hunt is a solid veteran.

Siddeeq Shabazz – Middle/Outside Linebacker

(Career: 212 tackles, seven sacks and five interceptions)

CFL Matchmaker: Montreal Alouettes

While the Alouettes have one of the deepest rosters in the CFL, they could afford to add a solid linebacker to the mix. Shabazz would compliment current linebackers Chip Cox and Shea Emry. He has averaged 71 tackles, two sacks and nearly two interceptions a season. Another thing to consider is the fact Shabazz holds a grudge against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who released him, and Montreal plays them three times this season.

Kelly Malveaux – Defensive Back

(Career: 461 tackles, 17 interceptions and six sacks)

CFL Matchmaker: Hamilton Tiger Cats

After trading away solid defensive back Chris Thompson this off-season, the Tiger Cats could use some depth in the defensive backfield. Though Hamilton’s defence improved greatly last season, they did allow 24 points a game. The Tiger Cats have a solid front seven but the defensive backfield has always been an area of concern for them. If Hamilton hopes to compete with Montreal, who has a group of deadly receivers, they will need good defensive backs.

Kerry Joseph – Quarterback

(Career: 24,831 yards, 130 touchdowns and a 58.5 completion percentage)

CFL Matchmaker: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

While the Bombers already added pivots Buck Pierce and Steven Jyles in the off-season, it wouldn’t hurt to give Joseph a look. Pierce has had a history of injuries and Jyles is an unproven quarterback. Joseph is the league’s former most outstanding player and could challenge Pierce and Jyles for the starting position. If he fails to get the position, Joseph could serve as a reliable backup for a team that ran into quarterback troubles last season.

Kenton Keith – Running Back

(Career: 3,913 yards, 21 touchdowns and a 6.1 average)

CFL Matchmaker: Saskatchewan Roughriders

During his time in the CFL, Keith has found his most success with the Riders. During his four-year stint with the team, Keith rushed for 3,811 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Riders have question marks in the backfield currently. Wes Cates was the only starting running back last season not to rush for 1,000 yards. Behind Cates, the Riders have Dominique Dorsey, Hugh Charles and Stuart Foord. These three running backs are explosive, but have not seen a ton of time in the backfield.

Ian Smart – Running Back/Kick Returner

(Career: 318 yards, three touchdowns and a 5.8 average)

CFL Matchmaker: Toronto Argonauts

Since the Argos did not bring back Dorsey, their special teams’ demon, in the off-season, they need a good return man. Smart was the CFL’s most outstanding special team’s player in 2007. Furthermore, he could be used as a running back on occasion, giving Toronto depth at that position. Smart could help the Argos win the field position battle, something that will be important with their inexperienced offence.

Jerome Haywood – Defensive Tackle

(Career: 232 tackles, 31 sacks and one special teams’ tackle)

CFL Matchmaker: Saskatchewan Roughriders

Since Saskatchewan did not draft a defensive tackle in the CFL draft, they may want to give Haywood a look. At around 280 pounds, Haywood can certainly dominate the line of scrimmage. This would help the Riders, who gave up 124 rushing yards a game last season. While Marcus Adams and Keith Shologan appear to be the starting defensive tackles going into training camp for the Riders, the veteran Haywood could push them.