Montreal Gazette
Here are 10 questions we hope will be answered over the coming months.
1 - Who needs tickets? With 5,000 additional seats now available at Molson Stadium, what potentially happens should the Als start losing? While we've never put much stock in exhibition games, you probably noticed attendance against Toronto was almost 2,000 short of capacity.
2 - Has any team lost more? The Calgary Stampeders fell short in their bid to repeat as Grey Cup champions -with the game at McMahon Stadium. And now they've lost Sandro DeAngelis, in our estimation the most-reliable field-goal kicker in the league, who signed with Hamilton as a free agent, along with highly-respected offensive coordinator George Cortez, who went to the University of Buffalo after growing tired of waiting to be named a CFL head coach.
3 - What happens with mighty Casey at the plate? We're still not sure what to make of quarterback Casey Printers. He was the league's outstanding player in 2004, with British Columbia. He wasn't during his two seasons with the Tiger-Cats. Now he has returned to the Lions and Wally Buono, where he led the team to a semifinal upset at Hamilton. One week later, against the Als, he completed only 50 per cent of his passes, and his team lost by 38 points.
4 - What does he do for an encore? In his first head-coaching gig, Edmonton's Richie Hall didn't exactly set the league on fire; the Eskimos going 9-9. Now Hall has decided to add the defensive coordinator's title to his portfolio. How will that work?
5 - Is Saskatchewan the CFL's next dynasty? Quietly, the Roughriders have been in two of the last three Grey Cups. They defeated Winnipeg in 2007 and should have won last year's game against Montreal. They would have, except they squandered a 16-point fourth-quarter lead.
6 - How many fingers do you see, Buck? We'll give new Winnipeg head coach Paul LaPolice credit for this much -he identified Buck Pierce as his starting QB early and backed it up through training camp and exhibition games. But how long will it be before the frequently-concussed former Lion gets cold-cocked? When that occurs it'll be the Bombers who develop the headache.
7 - Can the Argos win a game? They have no experience at QB, running back and kicker. Otherwise, Toronto looks strong. Insert punchline here. Hamilton went 1-17 in 2003. That futility streak could be in jeopardy.
8 - Can the Ticats take the next step? Hamilton was 9-9 last season. If the Ticats can win two or three more, and if the Als lose two or three more, we just might have an honest-to-goodness race in the East Division.
9 - You think you're confused? Hopefully, David Braley keeps two sets of cheque-books, because he's the proud owner of two franchises -Toronto and B.C. Certainly there's no conflict of interest there. And if things fall apart in Hamilton, will Braley, a resident of Burlington, Ont., assume control of a third team?
10 - Who will be the first player to fail? The new four-year CBA will include a drug-testing policy -the first in the history of the league -although it is unlikely to begin before 2011. And this goes beyond the smoking of joints. Does the CFL have a steroid problem? Not even league officials are certain.
© Copyright (c) The Montreal Gazette
14 comments:
Point number 5 is interesting coming from someone in Montreal. Classy.
Sandro the most reliable??? I am not cleaning the coffee off my computer screen. Wow...just...wow!!
Dan
Why is he so negative? I can see why Don Mathews always thought this guy was a creep.
Why would things fall apart in Hamilton? The team is on the rise, the Owner is a local Billionaire, they finally after hit/miss figured out how to build an organizational infastructure.
Why would Montreal not sell out? They are the flagship franchise.
Why even mention Winnipeg? When Pierce goes down, and he will they have Steven Jyles.
You know the CFL can't win for trying when it comes to these Eastern based goofballs.
Obama
Obama writes:
Why is he so negative? I can see why Don Mathews always thought this guy was a creep.
Obama, but, we both read it....I agree with you we may not like what he writes; however, you have to admit; "opinions" stimulate thought/discussion :)
Matthew
I didn't find it negative at all.
Cortez went to The Bills of Buffalo, not the Univiersity of Buffalo.....That is where Danny Barrett went Herbie!
Speaking of that where is Dann Barrett coaching this year? Turner Gill left to takeover Nebraska, and I don't think Barrett followed.
Montreal had 2000 empty seats against Toronto. That would be 100 fans for every starter the Argos are lacking. Unless there are a lot of people who enjoy carnage, the Argos will not be a draw anywhere. Montreal is a well managed, well coached team. There is no reason to think they will not be a contender as long as Calvillo stays healthy. Casey Printers should rebound and have a good year. He has a full training camp behind him and a solid coaching crew to support him. I wouldn't be surprised to see Calgary struggle. Hufnagel seemed to be getting pretty intense on the sidelines last year and if that is the case, players often become afraid to make a mistake which usually means poor teamwork. Nothing spurs debate like negativity, let the games begin.
I guess so what it's assumed because a preseason game doesn't sell out that somehow signals a downturn? Montreal with Larry Smith as the President is on par with what Jim Hopson as CEO is doing here. Unless it came with your season ticket package you'd have to be a loon to go an purchase a full price ticket to an exhibition game. Teams never plan a budget anticipating what a preseason came will bring in. To have a sell out or in Montreal's case 2000 below capacity that is all gravy. You will not hear Montreal say they were disappointed that's for sure.
Obama
I'm sorry, but that wasn't negative. These questions are honest and obvious. Montreal didn't sell out the new seats yet, will they? Buck Pierce gets injured a lot. Will it happen again? Hamilton improved last year, will they continue to improve this year? If these questions anger you then you're reading them wrong.
to the first comment:
You know what, i would rather it be said that we "squandered a 16-point fourth-quarter lead" then the "13th man lost us the grey cup"
I wasn't being sarcastic in the first comment.
As an FYI, Turner Gill went to University of Kansas, not Nebraska. Additionally, Danny Barrett did not follow him.
Elmer from Dilke here. If I lived in Troi Riveria as opposed to "The Pearl of the Prairies, DIlke", I'd have a negative bent on life too. Parlay voo to you too Mr. Negative Herb. Hope the boys give Herb a good dose of green fever on Thursday and color his world blue and bluer.
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