February 2015 CFL Power Rankings

If there is one thing Tigercatonia's likes it is power rankings that are not in season. Free agency has opened, so we have more information.

1. Calgary Stampeders
They won the Cup last year (although on a somewhat dubious call), and had the best regular season record. They have arguably the best quarterback in the CFL, who is still young and not at all washed up. They have lost some talent on the offensive line, but I'm sure they can compensate. The Stamps at this time of year are a safe bet to be at the Grey Cup in Winnipeg this year.

2. Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The other team in the Grey Cup, the Cats made some signings at the start of free agency, signing import receiver Luke Tasker, receiver and return man Brandon Banks plus linebacker Taylor Reed. The Cats may have problems signing all their import receivers, however the Cats have shown ability to find them the past few years. The Cats look good at running back if Gable can come back healthy, the return of guard Peter Dyakowski should improve the line and help with the ratio and the Cats are strong with starting Canadian defenders (especially at defensive tackle). As long as quarterback Zach Collaros doesn't get his bell rung too often in the season, the Cats are looking good.

3. Edmonton Eskimos
The Eskimos had a great regular season, but petered off towards the end with quarterback Mike Reilly being injured. Assuming that Reilly becomes healthy over the off-season, the Eskimos should still have a good team, especially on offense. 

4. Saskatchewan Roughriders
I'm making the assumption that the Riders will have Darian Durant back as quarterback and he will be healthy. However the Riders picking up Kevin Glenn is a smart move for them. I'm a bit concerned about turnover this year, but the team still has talent and seems to benefit from being a place players want to play.

5. Montreal Alouettes
The Als were terrible in the first half of the season and then made an impressive turnaround in the second half, ultimately losing to Hamilton in the Eastern final. The emergence of Jonathon Crompton at quarterback was the main turning point for Montreal. His stats aren't particularly impressive, but combined with a strong defence and receivers like S.J Green and Duron Carter, the team was good. Carter's gone, but GM Jim Popp has always had a good pipeline of import talent.

6. Toronto Argonauts
The Argos barely missed the playoffs, mainly due to Ricky Ray being injured. Ray should be back and is consistent and good. There's concerns that the Argos ownership woes will affect the team next year.

7. BC Lions
I'm not sure what to say about BC. They have talent, but without a healthy Travis Lulay, they aren't very good. I think the era of GM Wally Buono fielding strong teams is ending.

8. Winnipeg Blue Bombers
The Bombers were great at the beginning of 2014 and ended up terrible. The Bombers off-season moves haven't impressed me that much. In a tough Western conference, they will be in tough.

 9. Ottawa REDBLACKS
I still think that Ottawa has the highest chance of finishing last, but they definitely will be better this year. However last year they had two wins, so improving by four wins would still leave them at six. Certainly the receiving corps has vastly improved, with the signings of Jackson, Price, Sinopoli and Ellingson. However they appear to still be going with Henry Burris, who was ineffective last year. Maybe a healthy DeMarco can do something.