Defence leads Argonauts and Stampeders
There are four teams tied for first in the CFL at 3-1. Three of these teams were expected to contend this season, but two have surprised everyone because of their defensive play.
Having battled for the 2009 Grey Cup in one of the greatest CFL games in history, the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders didn’t lose enough in the off-season to drop out of contention for first in their divisions.
After four weeks in the CFL, the Riders and Alouettes are tied for first as expected. Right along side, however, are the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts.
"After four weeks in the CFL, the Riders and Alouettes are tied for first as expected. Right along side, however, are the Calgary Stampeders and the Toronto Argonauts"
The Stampeders showed last year their offence could usually get the job done, but they had some defensive troubles keeping them from moving forward. Some positions were addressed, but changes on the offensive line had people questioning them coming in. The offensive line has answered most of those questions, allowing less than two sacks a game and averaging 158 rushing yards a game.
It is Calgary’s defence that has most impressed, as they have only given up 21 points a game, 99 rushing yards a game and only two rushing touchdowns. What was most impressive was their ability to shut down a Saskatchewan offence in Week 4 that coming into the game was leading the league in many offensive stats.
Even though there have been offensive struggles this season, the Stampeders defence has held its own, keeping them in games and giving the offense more chances to succeed.
Much of the same can be said for the Argonauts. The Argonauts were very hard to watch last year, from a fan’s perspective, lacking in many positions from the coach down. A new coach and philosophy gave a lot of people hope when the season began, but expectations weren’t high with so many new faces in the lineup.
Receiver Jermaine Copeland was brought in to bring a spark and to mentor young receivers. So far his output has been limited, but not due to his lack of effort. The Argonauts made a questionable choice in starting NFL veteran, but CFL rookie, Cleo Lemon in the quarterback position. In doing so, Toronto bumped back veteran backup Dalton Bell.
While the Argos are 3-1 this season, the offence can’t be credited for much of the teams success. Some questioned the choice to go with Lemon over Bell and I think the statistics are showing they might be right.
Lemon is averaging 190 passing yards a game, with three touchdowns, four interceptions and four fumbles in four games.
Rookie running back Cory Boyd has been the only shining light for the Boatmen on offence, leading the CFL in rushing through four weeks with 431 yards on 66 carries.
The defence, on the other hand, has been incredible at shutting down some solid offences and bringing their team back in games they probably should have lost.
Many thought the Stampeders would have wiped the floor with the Argonaurts in Week 1. Toronto didn’t play well on offense, but the defence held Calgary to 23 offensive points. The other seven points were off a fumble return for a touchdown near the end of the game.
After giving up some big yards in the win over Winnipeg, Toronto’s defence came up huge against Calgary, limiting Henry Burris to 207 yards passing and intercepting him four times. The Argonauts defense also held two-time CFL rushing leader Joffrey Reynolds to 44 yards on the ground.
Calgary had the lead for most of the game, but Toronto was able to stop Burris and the Calgary offence from putting the game away and opened it up for the Argonauts to come back and take it.
The Argonauts defence wasn’t finished there. The British Columbia Lions looked like a formidable opponent and again had a lead on the Argonauts late in the game.
Former Argonauts running back Jamal Robertson did have two touchdowns, but only rushed for 54 yards, and did fumble once.
Travis Lulay looked pretty sharp in his first CFL start, but threw two picks to the Argos defence, one of which was returned for a touchdown late in the game to give up the lead and eventually the game.
While both teams deserve credit for their victories, I have to wonder how long the winning streaks will last. Calgary overcame some offensive struggles to put up a huge win over Saskatchewan. The Argonauts haven’t been able to do much offensively, and while Boyd leads the league in rushing, he only has one touchdown.
Calgary looks to be moving in the right direction and could be number one at the season’s end, and while the Argos do look much better than anticipated, they will have to get much more out of their offence if they plan on challenging Montreal for first in the east.
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Good read, Scott.
You are right, both defences have been epic. Calgarys offensive line has been the biggest surprise to me. Everyone thinks the Riders had amazing offensive line depth heading into the season, but you could argue it is the Stamps who ahve the best depth at this position.
I can understand where people would have thought Calgary was going to be weak there. But from what I saw in the preseason and the experience of some of the guys that came in, I knew it wouldn't be worse than last year. Last year a lot of injuries caused them to use new players all over, and they didn't do too badly.
Plus some young guys that weren't necessarily expected to start right away stepped up and proved worthy. That stuff you can't predict.
I would have said the same for the Riders too. It just sucks Smith went down, and they haven't been able to get Bell in. They still are one of the best in the league though.