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Is it just me, or does the CFL have renewed life here in 2010?
The storylines seem a lot more intriguing, we've seen plenty of thrilling finishes, and we're only entering the fifth week of the season.
I'll admit, posting a perfect 8-0 record through the first four weeks of the season might have a little something to do with my excitement level.
I thought this would be a good time to rank the league's eight teams from top to bottom on the eve of Week number five.
1. Montreal Alouettes
We still haven't seen the Alouettes play their best football, yet they're tied for the best record in the league at 3-1, with their only blemish coming in a narrow three-point OT loss in Saskatchewan back in Week 1. Credit the Als for enduring three consecutive road games to start the season, and now they're enjoying a stretch of three straight games at home.
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
I'll probably take some heat for ranking the Riders behind the Als, but hear me out. Saskatchewan actually trailed still-winless Edmonton entering the fourth quarter two weeks ago, and then got throttled in the second half in Calgary last Saturday. The combo of Durant and Cates is formidable, but the Riders defense still has some holes.
3. Calgary Stampeders
Give the Stamps credit for rebounding from that disheartening loss in Toronto two weeks ago. Their 40-20 drubbing of Saskatchewan proved that they can hang with the big boys and certainly silenced a lot of their critics. Henry Burris has had a tough time so far, but we saw what he's capable of last Saturday. He'll settle down, and their defense will continue to improve. Expect the Stamps and Riders to be in a dog fight in the West all season.
4. Toronto Argonauts
Who would have thought the Argos would be tied for the best record in the CFL four weeks into the season? Most were expecting the worst from the Boatmen, but they've taken advantage of every break that has come their way, and have made a few for themselves. Cleo Lemon is only going to get more comfortable in this offense, but the defense can't continue to live and die by the turnover.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
It's safe to say the Ti-Cats are going to be in for an up and down year. They've got enough talent to pull a few upsets along the way, but they're also going to lose their share of winnable games. I feel like they're relying a little too heavily on Kevin Glenn right now. As we saw last week, the better defenses in the league will be able to shut him down.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Bombers have looked dominant on a couple of occasions this season, but I can't say that I love the make-up of this team. Buck Pierce is expected to be ready to return this week, but it sounds as if they're actually considering giving Steven Jyles his second straight start. He's certainly more of a running threat, but there's a reason he's with his third team since breaking into the league in 2006. Look for the Bombers to return to Earth in Calgary this week.
7. B.C. Lions
I'm not convinced that the Lions are superior to the Edmonton Eskimos, but at least they have a win (against Edmonton no less), so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt this week. I'm not a big fan of Wally Buono at this stage of his coaching career, and I'm not convinced that Travis Lulay is the answer at quarterback. The Lions were banking on a big year from Casey Printers, and now that he's sidelined, they seem to be lacking an identity.
8. Edmonton Eskimos
A win would do wonders for the Eskimos right now, but earning one is easier said than done. Some are saying this is the best 0-4 team in CFL history. I wouldn't go that far. I will point out that they led both the Roughriders and Alouettes entering the fourth quarter in consecutive weeks so the talent is there. Things can only get better from here, right?
The storylines seem a lot more intriguing, we've seen plenty of thrilling finishes, and we're only entering the fifth week of the season.
I'll admit, posting a perfect 8-0 record through the first four weeks of the season might have a little something to do with my excitement level.
I thought this would be a good time to rank the league's eight teams from top to bottom on the eve of Week number five.
1. Montreal Alouettes
We still haven't seen the Alouettes play their best football, yet they're tied for the best record in the league at 3-1, with their only blemish coming in a narrow three-point OT loss in Saskatchewan back in Week 1. Credit the Als for enduring three consecutive road games to start the season, and now they're enjoying a stretch of three straight games at home.
2. Saskatchewan Roughriders
I'll probably take some heat for ranking the Riders behind the Als, but hear me out. Saskatchewan actually trailed still-winless Edmonton entering the fourth quarter two weeks ago, and then got throttled in the second half in Calgary last Saturday. The combo of Durant and Cates is formidable, but the Riders defense still has some holes.
3. Calgary Stampeders
Give the Stamps credit for rebounding from that disheartening loss in Toronto two weeks ago. Their 40-20 drubbing of Saskatchewan proved that they can hang with the big boys and certainly silenced a lot of their critics. Henry Burris has had a tough time so far, but we saw what he's capable of last Saturday. He'll settle down, and their defense will continue to improve. Expect the Stamps and Riders to be in a dog fight in the West all season.
4. Toronto Argonauts
Who would have thought the Argos would be tied for the best record in the CFL four weeks into the season? Most were expecting the worst from the Boatmen, but they've taken advantage of every break that has come their way, and have made a few for themselves. Cleo Lemon is only going to get more comfortable in this offense, but the defense can't continue to live and die by the turnover.
5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
It's safe to say the Ti-Cats are going to be in for an up and down year. They've got enough talent to pull a few upsets along the way, but they're also going to lose their share of winnable games. I feel like they're relying a little too heavily on Kevin Glenn right now. As we saw last week, the better defenses in the league will be able to shut him down.
6. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Bombers have looked dominant on a couple of occasions this season, but I can't say that I love the make-up of this team. Buck Pierce is expected to be ready to return this week, but it sounds as if they're actually considering giving Steven Jyles his second straight start. He's certainly more of a running threat, but there's a reason he's with his third team since breaking into the league in 2006. Look for the Bombers to return to Earth in Calgary this week.
7. B.C. Lions
I'm not convinced that the Lions are superior to the Edmonton Eskimos, but at least they have a win (against Edmonton no less), so I'll give them the benefit of the doubt this week. I'm not a big fan of Wally Buono at this stage of his coaching career, and I'm not convinced that Travis Lulay is the answer at quarterback. The Lions were banking on a big year from Casey Printers, and now that he's sidelined, they seem to be lacking an identity.
8. Edmonton Eskimos
A win would do wonders for the Eskimos right now, but earning one is easier said than done. Some are saying this is the best 0-4 team in CFL history. I wouldn't go that far. I will point out that they led both the Roughriders and Alouettes entering the fourth quarter in consecutive weeks so the talent is there. Things can only get better from here, right?
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