I've said it before, and I'll say it again: if you are looking to have your football appetite whetted during the offseason, your best bet is the CFL. NFL Europa is no more, and I continue to maintain that arena football is some other sport. Some nigh-on-unwatchable sport. The upstart United Football League is a contender, and being a fan of fringe sports and leagues, I might do a preview of that, as well, but their season starts during the NFL preseason and runs largely concurrently with the NFL.
The CFL game is wide-open, with a longer, wider field and only three downs. This, of course, makes the league quite pass-heavy, which in turn sets up the run. You've probably heard about the other big differences between the Canadian and American games (12 men on the field vs. 11, sacrificing a point on touchbacks, etc.), so I won't belabor them.
It's easier than ever to watch the CFL stateside this year: for the second year in a row, all games, every one, will be on ESPN3.com, and the NFL Network will show a handful of games until the NFL season gets rolling.
Here is a team-by-team breakdown of the 2011 CFL:
Eastern Division
Montreal Alouettes
Last year: 12-6
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: QB Adrian McPherson, RB Dahrran Diedrick, WR Dallas Baker
The Alouettes have something of a dynasty going. They have won the last two Grey Cups and have appeared in eight of the last 11. They have also taken eight of the last 11 Eastern Division titles.
Of course, dynasties are only possibly with a peerless quarterback, and the Als have one in Anthony Calvillo, the greatest quarterback you've never heard of. He's second all-time in CFL career passing yards and seems set to break the record for career touchdown passes this year. Last year, at age 38, he still managed to put together a remarkable 32/7 TD/INT ratio and garnered a QB rating of 108.1 As he is still superstar caliber despite his age, it will be interesting to see how long he can maintain solid-starter status.
Toronto Argonauts
Last year: 9-9
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: QB Cleo Lemon, WR Jeremaine Copeland
One of the reasons Montreal has been able to win so many Eastern Division titles recently is the rest of the division has been lacking. Toronto has perhaps the proudest history of any team in the CFL this side of Edmonton, with 15 Grey Cups, but have won just 17 out of 56 games in the last three seasons. Last year's 9-9 mark was a big step in the right direction.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Last year: 9-9
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: RB Avon Cobourne, QB Quinton Porter
The Ti-Cats are another team taking steps in the right direction, after spending many, many years as the laughingstock of the league. I always enjoy watching their home games, as their field announcer (I don't know his name) sounds just like Randy "Macho Man" Savage; may he rest in peace.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Last year: 4-14
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: WR Terrence Edwards, LB Merrill Johnson
It is the Blue Bombers that have replaced Hamilton and Toronto as the dregs of the East. Part of the problem is they just got old: they were dominant in the early part of the decade with future CFL HOFers Milt Stegall, Charles Roberts, and Khari Jones. When they moved on, no one electrifying came in to replace them.
Western Division
Calgary Stampeders
Last year: 13-5
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: QB Michael Bishop, QB Drew Tate, WR Ken-Yon Rambo
I remember a 2002 NFL Sunday Night game between the Chicago Bears and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs were gunning for, and got, their first every victory where the game time temperature was under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
The Bears' starting quarterback that day was abysmal. I just remember how lost he looked out there, and I just looked up the box score on him: 7-19, 0 touchdowns, 4 interceptions.
Hard to believe that same quarterback (who was also the starter for Temple during some of their most hapless years) is now a CFL superstar starting over the "names" I listed above. He is Henry Burris, last year's Most Outstanding Player in the league. The Stamps are the toughest team in the toughest division.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
Last year: 10-8
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: QB Terrelle Pryor (maybe), QB Ryan Dinwiddie, QB Darian Durant
Saskatchewan had a fairly non-notable history up until the last few years. In 2007, they won their first Grey Cup since 1989 and their third ever. They came back to the Grey Cup in 2009 and 2010 and lost to Montreal both times. They might take a step back this year with the loss of one of the league's most valuable Canadians ("non-imports," in the league's parlance), wide receiver Andy Fantuz, who has joined the Chicago Bears.
British Columbia Lions
Last year: 8-10
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: QB Jarious Jackson, DB Anthony Reddick
The Lions were the team to beat around the time I started paying attention to the CFL: In the 2006 and 2007 seasons, they went a combined 29-9-1 and won a Grey Cup. They haven't managed a winning record in the last two seasons, however. They might get a boost this year with the re-opening of their normal home after a year of renovations, BC Place, the only domed stadium in the CFL.
Edmonton Eskimos
Last year: 7-11
Former college stars/NFL washouts you might be familiar with: G Patrick Kabongo, WR Brandon James
In what's considered the CFL's modern era, 1949-present, the Esks are the most decorated franchise, with 13 Grey Cup championships. But like BC, they've slipped in recent years, just a tad, along with their longtime quarterback, Ricky Ray. Ray led Edmonton to a Grey Cup win 2005, but last year threw 11 touchdown passes against 16 interceptions.
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