Well, seems to me that I
said our games against Winnipeg and Toronto were key. Were they ever.
Great performances both games, and we are now in the eastern driver's seat, and
well deserving of that status.
With all due respect to
Charles Dickens, comparing last year to this year, particularly along the
offensive and defensive lines, it was the worst of times and the best of times.
The improvement on both lines has been dramatic.
In the Winnipeg game, do I
think the star of the game was Anthony Calvillo? Avon Cobourne? A
receiver? A defensive player? No. There were 6 stars in that game,
and their names are Martino, Bourke, Perrett, Chiu, Flory, and Lambert.
That was one stellar performance by our offensive line, they were the story of
the game as far as I could see. Not, mind you, taking anything away from
anyone else, but they really stood out to me. Major kudos go to Vince
Martino, our new offensive line coach, for doing a brilliant job with this
group.
Were last year's problems
on the line due to personnel or scheme? I suspect it was a bit of both.
Clearly scheme had a lot do with it, and Martino's work within Trestman's
exciting quick strike offence has been stellar. However, while some
talking heads on TV refer to our line as being the same group as last year,
that's not quite accurate. Mudge and Fritz were our starting tackles last
year, now it's Bourke and Perrett. So there is both an improved scheme
and an upgrade in personnel. Luke Fritz may be a bit peeved at not being
a starter anymore, but, sorry Luke, there's no way given the way they are
playing that you are going to supplant either Bourke or Perrett.
In our game against the
Dysfunctional Argos (I'm taking that eptithet away from the Tiger-Cats and
giving it to the deserving Blue team), it was the defensive line that took
centre stage. After last year's poor showing, they are now on the top of
their game, and lead the league in sacks. Stewart is reborn at one end,
Bowman is providing solid play at the other end. Kashama has been reduced
to a spare part, and Kai Ellis sees only spot duty (and won't see any if he
repeats a bonehead error like the unnecessary shot to Bishop's head late last
game); Claybrooks is giving us good run-stopping at tackle, and kudos to Jim
Popp for doing what he does best....finding us good talent.....Keron Williams
has been nothing short of brilliant at the other tackle spot. Keep
playing like that Keron and we'll all forget Ed Philion right quick (okay, probably
not forget him, but at least not miss him as much!).
So we have a bye, and can
for a week or so rest on our laurels (if anyone can find some laurels......what
the heck are laurels, anyhow?).
At this point in the season,
I am very happy with the Als.........great new coaching, great offence, great
running, passing, blocking, great defence, lead the league in sacks, I could go
on and on. So, for this week at any rate, no darts are aimed at
anyone.......let's just enjoy the ride. The team is winning, and we are
winning in very entertaining ball games. Keep it up, gang!