Is it safe to say the Als and the Riders will be the two worst teams this year?

[KCargosfan]

Montreal looks like a mess on offense. Sask looks like a mess everywhere.

My rankings at the moment (subject to change before week 1):

1. Calgary
2. Toronto
3. Hamilton
4. Edmonton
5. Ottawa
6. B.C.
7. Winterpeg
8. Montreal
9. Sask.

[ArgoRavi]

I know a lot of people on here are not huge Jim Popp fans at this point but I do see a lot of talent on that Montreal team. If Darian Durant stays healthy in Regina, I don't think that the Riders will rank among the worst either. I still think that Winnipeg is in tough and I wonder if we might not see Ottawa slip a bit this season.

[OV Argo]

Both the Als & Riders will be near the bottom this season IF their QBing does not come thru IMO; Durant could bounce back and be great or maybe not, and ego-Jones has so many new guys to try and build a TEAM? The Als are going nowhere if they see Glenn as the starter; maybe one of the young guns pulls thru with a great season - at least that potential.

Similarily - the Bummers are not going far with Willy as the starter - decent but just not good enough IMO - though they did add some top notch offensive talent in Dressler & Andrew Harris. BC has lots of questions too IMO.

Between those 4 as the non-play-off teams this season IMO; but nothing would surprise me - don't see anything close to a dominant team or two in the CFL now. Agree with Ravi that Ottawa may be in for a bit of a slide down this year.

[TheHammer]

1. Calgary
2. Hamilton
3. Toronto
4. Ottawa
5. Edmonton
6. Winnipeg
7. Saskatchewan
8. BC
9. Montreal

[AngeloV]

I know a lot of people on here are not huge Jim Popp fans at this point but I do see a lot of talent on that Montreal team. If Darian Durant stays healthy in Regina, I don't think that the Riders will rank among the worst either. I still think that Winnipeg is in tough and I wonder if we might not see Ottawa slip a bit this season.

I agree Ravi. Montreal has a lot of talent. Despite the lack of love for Chris Jones, the guy knows what he is doing. A healthy Durant, and that team will compete in the west. I think Edmonton will not be nearly as good as last season, especially on the defensive side of the ball.

1. Toronto
2. Montreal
3. Calgary
4. Ottawa
5. Edmonton
6. Winnipeg
7. Saskatchewan
8. BC
9. Hamilton

Fixed for my personal enjoyment.

[R.J]

At this point I think the Als finish last in the League, but things could change. I also believe that Ottawa is in for a rude awakening - Maas is gone and what are the odds that Burris throws 5,700 yards again ?

If I had to rank them I'd go.
1. Calgary
2. Hamilton
3. Toronto
4. Edmonton
5. BC
6. Saskatchewan
7. Winnipeg
8. Ottawa
9. Montreal

[AngeloV]

At this point I think the Als finish last in the League, but things could change. I also believe that Ottawa is in for a rude awakening - Maas is gone and what are the odds that Burris throws 5,700 yards again ?

If I had to rank them I'd go.
1. Calgary
2. Hamilton
3. Toronto
4. Edmonton
5. BC
6. Saskatchewan
7. Winnipeg
8. Ottawa
9. Montreal

So you're calling for yet another Western crossover? I REALLY hope you are wrong.

[R.J]

So you're calling for yet another Western crossover? I REALLY hope you are wrong.

Me too, but at this point I think Winnipeg squeaks into the playoffs leaving Ottawa out. Season can't come soon enough - I really want to see if Winnipeg actually improves and in a way I hope Ottawa's not as bad as I think they can be. For some reason Ottawa reminds me of the Flames this past season - overachieved the year before then brought back down to reality. One thing about winning in pro sports is that it's easier to go to the top when you start at the bottom and harder to stay up top once you get there. Hence why I don't want to overlook Calgary - they've been around the top for quite some time; not an easy thing to do.

[R.J]

On second thought - I think this could be the outcome.
1. Toronto
2. Calgary
3. Hamilton
4. Edmonton
5. BC
6. Winnipeg
7. Ottawa
8. Saskatchewan
9. Montreal

[KCargosfan]

I know a lot of people on here are not huge Jim Popp fans at this point but I do see a lot of talent on that Montreal team. If Darian Durant stays healthy in Regina, I don't think that the Riders will rank among the worst either. I still think that Winnipeg is in tough and I wonder if we might not see Ottawa slip a bit this season.

Just my take, but it seems like the Riders have an awful OL. Their entire roster isn't all that impressive. Will be interesting to see how Durant does.

Montreal seems to be good on defense, but what about offense? Glenn looks to be over the hill, and everything after that at QB is a ?.

[PullTogether73]

Wow!
No love for the defending champs here.
Any rationale for that?
New head coach?
Jones stealing some of his former players over to Regina?

[OV Argo]

Wow!
No love for the defending champs here.
Any rationale for that?
New head coach?
Jones stealing some of his former players over to Regina?

Yeah - WTF ?

Guess it depends lots on Maas as an HC - but I have a feeling they will be allright there - especially on offence with Reilly and some good receivers; and still lots of talent on defence - guys like Sewell, Willis, Sherritt, Watkins.

I would bet on the Esks to finish 1st in the West; Stumps are over-rated and now without Cornish, plus lost 2 of their starting receivers (including a league leading receiver in Rogers); defence is not that talented / lost some key vets (Simpson, Raymond) AND their DC Stubler; excellent kicking game is their strong suit IMO; the rest of the West will be lucky to be at .500 IMO

Argos to battle Pussycats for 1st place in the East.

[R.J]

Wow!
No love for the defending champs here.
Any rationale for that?
New head coach?
Jones stealing some of his former players over to Regina?

So what are your thoughts on the matter and how do you think the rankings will go ?

[jerrym]

It's not safe to say that but it wouldn't be surprising. Injuries, especially QB injuries or a very high injury rate, can change things dramatically. One year Bud Grant's Bombers finished last by miles because of an incredible injury rate. The next year he won the Grey Cup with virtually the same personnel.

[paulwoods13]

On second thought - I think this could be the outcome.
1. Toronto
2. Calgary
3. Hamilton
4. Edmonton
5. BC
6. Winnipeg
7. Ottawa
8. Saskatchewan
9. Montreal

Man, if only Toronto had a decent head coach . . .

[R.J]

Man, if only Toronto had a decent head coach . . .

Yup, because then instead of me just hoping they finish first - they actually would. Also and I can't believe I have to actually explain this yet again; my issue with Milanovich is his offense not how he runs the team or manages the games. Milanovich is a decent Head Coach, but I won't apologize for wanting better.

[Jayahre]

Montreal looks like a mess on offense. Sask looks like a mess everywhere.

My rankings at the moment (subject to change before week 1):

1. Calgary
2. Toronto
3. Hamilton
4. Edmonton
5. Ottawa
6. B.C.
7. Winterpeg
8. Montreal
9. Sask.

After watching the Bombers last night I would have to put them at the bottom. I know it's pre-season but they played their second and final pre-season game last night. They started all their 1st team in the first half and Willy couldn't do a thing, he had no protection and couldn't complete a pass their "O" line is a mess their defense isn't much better.

Ottawa with Burris and Harris looked to be the best team so far in pre-season and that was their first game. When you make early season predictions you can only go by what you see so far.

[jerrym]

For what it's worth (not much considering how injuries, rate of development of newcomers, and personnel changes during the season) here's my prediction:
1. Calgary
2. Toronto
3. Edmonton
4. Hamilton
5. BC
6. Saskatchewan
7. Ottawa
8. Winnipeg
9. Montreal

[R.J]

I think it's starting to look like the Bombers and Alouettes will be the ones fighting for the #1 pick. Although, the Als traded away their first round pick, so maybe they should try and avoid finishing last.