2006 CFL Betting Preview

CFL FOOTBALL - 2006 CANADIAN FOOTBALL BETTING PREVIEW

With the demise of the Ottawa Renegades looming like a black cloud over the Canadian Football League,fans are looking at a sprinkling of bright lights popping up across the country. The cream of the Renegade crop have been scooped up by the other organisations and now with 8 teams the CFL will be more competitive than ever before.

The CFL has adopted the NFL replay option by way of a coach's challenge. Hopefully this will be another tool that can make the game even more exciting and interesting and fairer. GS Sports takes a look at all 8 teams-the good-the bad and the ugly.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

B.C. Lions - Hear Them Roar!
Casey Printers signed a contract with the Kansas City Chiefs. Middle line backer Barrin Simpson went over to Winnipeg. Korey Banks from the Renegades will be a great addition to B.C.'s secondary. As long as they have Dickensfield and Simon and Warren the fans will have a reason to keep roaring.

Edmonton Eskimos - Grey Cup or Bust!
Renegades sackmaster Anthony collier has joined the Eskimo's defence. He may be the one bright spot as long time #2 QB Jason Maas left for Hamilton this year. Another big loss was Joe Montford OL who is gone due to salary cap limitations. QB Khari Jones did not make the cut and publicly stated that this is probably the end of his playing career. He is now with CBC as game commentator on the sidelines. Doing a pretty good job so far what I heard.

Losing on the road to Calgary their #1 rival in the CFL on their season opener is not what the 2005 Champions expected. Blame it on a Grey Cup hangover. Ricky ray runs hot and cold but when he is hot-watch out!

Saskatchewan Roughriders - In the Rough!
The addition of Kerry Joseph and Jason Armstead from the Renegades was likened to the second coming. Nealon Greene has been traded for Montreal's DB Almondo curry. Another big loss was likeable RB Corey Holmes to Hamilton.

Paul McCallum is gone and that may not be a bad thing after his up and down season last year. Another big loss is their leading receiver Elijah Thurman to Calgary. Saskatchewan had a very poor showing in their first game of the year against the Lions. Coach Barret may be in for a rough season.

Cagary Stampeders - The Right Mix!
Former Renegades linebacker Cam Yeow and receiver Markus Howell;Saskatchewan's Special Teams veteran Walter Spencer and receiver Elijah Thurman, and assorted rookies round out the ever improving Stampeders.

QB Henry burris likes to air out the ball to his veteran receivers. Their home opener was a huge success agianst the heavily favoured Edmonton Eskimos. Coach Tom Higgins had the right recipe to satisfy the hungry Calgary fans.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Montreal Allouettes - Smoke and Mirrors!
The overflow from the Renegades continues with the addition of CB/DB Greg Marchall and DE Kai Ellis. Veteran running backs Cahoon,Watkins,and Stalla have remained and RB Robert Edwards-all stats are over 1,000 yards.

The best QB in the CFL last year was Montreal's Anthony Calvillo with 34 TD'S who threw for over 5500 yards. The Als did make the Grey Cup final game but lost in double overtime. Three QB'S stand at he ready behind him and not one can hold a candle. All well recognised names-none with big stats.

Nealon greene-Marcus Brady-NFLer Quincy Carter. Coach Don Mathews should stay with the tried and true players on the roster and keep the rest on the shelf. Montreal won their season opener handily and are off to a good start.

Toronto Argonauts - Quarterback Controversy
Husband-Father-Grandfather-GRANDFATHER! Yes you read this right-soon to be 42 Damon Allen got injured very early in the first quarter of the home opener to Hamilton. Back up Spergon Wyn took over and led his team to victory. His first throw was to Tony Miles in the end zone for a touchdown.

Also on hand is 2001 Heisman Trophy winner Eric Crouch. He has been compared to a young Matt Dunigan-high praise for an untried CFL backup. Bigger news is the addition of Ricky williams who was sent packing by the NFL. He put up 98 yards combined rushing and recieving in his first game. New hairdo-new attitude-new and improved Ricky Williams. What more can you say? Hopefully he has left his problems behind him and can make a fresh start in Canada. There will be enough controversy to deal with when Damon Allen returns.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers - The New Is Old Again!
New coaching staff,new players,same old story. No offence! Kevin Glenn has been #1 QB since Khari Jones left 2 years ago and the Bombers have not made any significant progress.

Coach Doug Berry aquired no less than 7 players from the dismantled Renegades. The core players like Stegall,Brazzel,Canada,Walls and kicker/punter Troy Westwood are still there. Game 1 of the 2006 season was a learning experience. Enough said!

Hamilton Tiger-Cats - Extreme Makeover!
If there was ever a competition for the best football fans in Canada the last 2 cities standing would be Regina and Hamilton. Hamilton fans would win out by a cats whisker. When you look in the Dictionary for the word loyalty it reads-"see Hamilton Ti-cats fans". Even the year they went 1-17 the seats were filled.

This seson there should be standing room only. Newly aquired QB Jason Maas from edmonton;who has proved his skills many times over,takes over #1 spot from Danny McManus. McManus has gone to Calgary behind Henry Burris. The great RB Corey Holmes AND the Renegades starting RB Josh Ranek are both on the team. Terry Vaughn,who played with the Eskimos when Maas was there and then went to Montreal has plenty of football left in him wioth great hands and running ability. D.J. Flick and Craig Yeast round out a superb cast of players. You won't recognise this team when they hit the gridiron!

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