West - East predictions ?

[R.J]

West:
#1. Eskimos
#2. Stamps
#3. Lions
#4. Riders
#5. Bombers
I could see the Riders and Lions move up, but I don't want to bet against Hufnagel.

East:
#1. Argonauts
#2. Blackreds (Noel Thorpe should have that D playing well)
#3. Tiger Cats (Could be second, but it all depends on Masoli and Manziel)
#4. Alouettes. I'd be shocked if the Als win more than 2 games. One of Bridge/Collaros/Masoli ends up in Montreal by trade deadline. Kavis and maybe even Sherman gone before 2019. Maciocia to the rescue lol.

[Bleeds Double Blue]

It's hard to argue with your predictions particularly after the Bombers lost their QB. We know what that is like. Here's a question for you though. Do you think there will b a cross over team?

[rdavies]

West:
#1. Eskimos
#2. Stamps
#3. Lions
#4. Riders
#5. Bombers

You read it here first. I don't know why but I have a good feeling about Streveler. I'm going out on a limb considering the total lack of experience this guy has, but even before the exhibition I had a good vibe. We shall see.

[R.J]

It's hard to argue with your predictions particularly after the Bombers lost their QB. We know what that is like. Here's a question for you though. Do you think there will b a cross over team?

At this point I don't think so, but it's the CFL and a lot can happen. IMO it all depends on how the Bombers do without Nichols early on, and how good their D is this season. For the Riders: it's dependent on whether or not Collaros regains form or if Bridge takes the reins and excels. Hamilton likewise with Masoli and Manziel - I've never been sold on Masoli as a starter for some reason, but if he continues to grow they're fine; if not then enter Manziel who IMO has the talent to be a superstar, but hasn't been up here for too long.

[rdavies]

At this point I don't think so, but it's the CFL and a lot can happen. IMO it all depends on how the Bombers do without Nichols early on, and how good their D is this season. For the Riders: it's dependent on whether or not Collaros regains form or if Bridge takes the reins and excels. Hamilton likewise with Masoli and Manziel - I've never been sold on Masoli as a starter for some reason, but if he continues to grow they're fine; if not then enter Manziel who IMO has the talent to be a superstar, but hasn't been up here for too long.

I agree about Masoli, I don't see where the praise for Masoli comes from, he doesn't have much of a body of work, (one half of a season) I don't think Collaros is much better, either. I could be wrong, but I think he's lost it. I'm on the fence with Bridge, I just don't know. I am hoping he succeeds because I really like what he is doing off field promoting Canadian players. I think the Bombers will rally around Steveler like they did with Nichols when he first began starting.

Manziel looks pretty comfortable to me so far, some people are just naturals.

[rdavies]

Well Manziel is no Bryant Moniz, that's for sure. Moniz who seems to have been the poster boy for not very effectual non starting CFL QBs sticking around, has finally been cut. I remember Buckley beating him out in camp only to see Moniz getting time with the club he went to before Buckley.

Regardless of the hype, Manziel has adapted well and looked good. Unless the simplified offense is hiding something sinister I fully expect him to follow the Flutie model and be starting before the second half of the season begins.

[rdavies]

I saw enough of Manziel in college that tells me he has talent.

I don't care about what he did in college, years ago, I want to see what he is doing now with mature players. And in my opinion, he looks like he fits.

[R.J]

Well Manziel is no Bryant Moniz, that's for sure. Moniz who seems to have been the poster boy for not very effectual non starting CFL QBs sticking around, has finally been cut. I remember Buckley beating him out in camp only to see Moniz getting time with the club he went to before Buckley.

Regardless of the hype, Manziel has adapted well and looked good. Unless the simplified offense is hiding something sinister I fully expect him to follow the Flutie model and be starting before the second half of the season begins.

I for one am not ready to include Flutie and Manziel in the same category yet.

[rdavies]

I for one am not ready to include Flutie and Manziel in the same category yet.

I didn't intend on meaning that he will be the next Flutie but like Flutie I think he'll be starting before the second half of his first season.

[R.J]

I didn't intend on meaning that he will be the next Flutie but like Flutie I think he'll be starting before the second half of his first season.

Oh okay. Yeah, I agree - I don't think the Cats brought him in to sit on the bench for 2 years, and eventually the pressure will mount to play him. Especially if Masoli struggles even a tiny bit.

[rdavies]

and eventually the pressure will mount to play him. Especially if Masoli struggles even a tiny bit.

Too late, it's already happened.

[PullTogether73]

You read it here first. I don't know why but I have a good feeling about Streveler. I'm going out on a limb considering the total lack of experience this guy has, but even before the exhibition I had a good vibe. We shall see.

I don't understand this post.

What am I reading here first?
You highlighted the Bombers, which RJ put in last place in the west.
What does the highlighting of the Bombers in last place mean?

[PullTogether73]

West:
#1. Eskimos
#2. Stamps
#3. Lions
#4. Riders
#5. Bombers
I could see the Riders and Lions move up, but I don't want to bet against Hufnagel.

East:
#1. Argonauts
#2. Blackreds (Noel Thorpe should have that D playing well)
#3. Tiger Cats (Could be second, but it all depends on Masoli and Manziel)
#4. Alouettes. I'd be shocked if the Als win more than 2 games. One of Bridge/Collaros/Masoli ends up in Montreal by trade deadline. Kavis and maybe even Sherman gone before 2019. Maciocia to the rescue lol.

Have to agree with this order.

I think the Bombers are overrated even with a healthy Nichols. I think they over-achieved last year and are likely to be exposed this year.
Riders are always a moving target with their coach/GM constantly shuffling personnel. And that offensive line could leave them without any healthy QBs!
Lions? Who knows, but their dismal season last year seemed like underperformance to me, and should correct somewhat this season.
Stamps glory days should start to slip this year given personnel changes.
Esks have Reilly - compensates for any shortcomings on offense. Hopefully he stays healthy.

I think the Argos will be competitive with all teams in the league this year, and won't win the East simply by being the least bad in their division.
BLACKREDS/Tiger-Cats...flip a coin. So much uncertainty for either team.
Alouettes. Oh merde!

[rdavies]

I just highlighted the team, I don't think they'll finish last, I think they and Streveler will do alright, contrary to the doomsday scenarios without Nichols.

[R.J]

Have to agree with this order.

I think the Bombers are overrated even with a healthy Nichols. I think they over-achieved last year and are likely to be exposed this year.
Riders are always a moving target with their coach/GM constantly shuffling personnel. And that offensive line could leave them without any healthy QBs!
Lions? Who knows, but their dismal season last year seemed like underperformance to me, and should correct somewhat this season.
Stamps glory days should start to slip this year given personnel changes.
Esks have Reilly - compensates for any shortcomings on offense. Hopefully he stays healthy.

I think the Argos will be competitive with all teams in the league this year, and won't win the East simply by being the least bad in their division.
BLACKREDS/Tiger-Cats...flip a coin. So much uncertainty for either team.
Alouettes. Oh merde!

I agree with everything here. In Winnipeg Richie Hall is still the DC, and Adam Bighill can only help them so much. Lions: It depends on Jennings.

[jerrym]

East
1. Toronto
2. Ottawa
3. Hamilton
4. Montreal

West
1. Eskimos
2. Calgary
3. Winnipeg
4. BC
5. Riders

[ArgoZ]

With minutes before opening kickoff, I wanted to predict an 11-7 season for the Argonauts. Enough for first in the East and another awesome East Final at BMO.

[Flutie]

I just highlighted the team, I don't think they'll finish last, I think they and Streveler will do alright, contrary to the doomsday scenarios without Nichols.

The Bombers looked pretty good without Nichols and they will finish ahead of the Lions. The west looks pretty competitive again this year.

East:
Ottawa
Toronto
Hamilton
Montreal

West:
Edmonton
Calgary
Saskatchewan
Winnipeg
BC

[macspectrum]

At this point I don't think so, but it's the CFL and a lot can happen. IMO it all depends on how the Bombers do without Nichols early on, and how good their D is this season. For the Riders: it's dependent on whether or not Collaros regains form or if Bridge takes the reins and excels. Hamilton likewise with Masoli and Manziel - I've never been sold on Masoli as a starter for some reason, but if he continues to grow they're fine; if not then enter Manziel who IMO has the talent to be a superstar, but hasn't been up here for too long.

argos mised a great opportunity when mtl let bridge go
he is a very good runner from a running pgm in usa and has a good arm
he came close to beating argos in east final
i would love to see argos get bridge for #2 and have him learn under ray - and trestman needs to give other qbs reps in games
cause ray is just getting older
a backfield of messam, wilder and cross would be a geeat running game and take pressure off an older, oft injursed, #1 qb and help a #2 adjust
wilder looked very good catching passes downfield

[paulwoods13]

a backfield of messam, wilder and cross would be a geeat running game and take pressure off an older, oft injursed, #1 qb and help a #2 adjust
wilder looked very good catching passes downfield

Are you Messam's brother or something? News flash -- Messam is with Saskatchewan.