2013 Season Opener Aftermath, Ticats at Argos

I was in the US for the game and was only able to follow the CFL.ca game tracker for the first half, so I'm basically looking at the stats for the game for this analysis.

First off, Burris stats were good, which is a positive in the is he too old sense. Going 24 for 37 for 361 yards with 3 TDs and no picks is a good line. He also ran seven times for 36 yards which is also good. Good to see that Fantuz had ten receptions for 155 yards and a TD. Fantuz seems to be on a mission this year which helps the Cats. A surprise in rookie Greg Ellingson, from the august institution known as Florida International University, with 6 catches for 120 yards. Gable picked up two TDs which is also good. Onrea Jones, Bakari Grant and Samuel Giguere only had a catch each.
So for the receiving game, the Cats looked good, with Ellingson emerging as a significant target in the absence of Chris Williams.

The Cat running game was merely meh, but with all the passing attempts was fine, with 103 yards on 16 attempts for a respectable 6.4 yard per attempt average with a mixed group of players.

The defence was poor overall, with Ricky Ray having slightly better numbers for Toronto than Burris, with 24 completions from 34 attempts for 368 yards and 4 TDs and no picks. So not good news for the Hamilton secondary. Veteran defensive back James Patrick, formerly of Saskatchewan had 8 tackles, which isn't always a good sign. No sacks for the Cats either so not a great show by the Cats front four. DE Greg Peach apparently left injured at some point, which isn't good, however he has over his career been injury prone so not much of a surprise.

The Argos gained 121 yards on the ground with 13 attempts for a stellar 9.3 yards per attempt average with 10 of those attempts coming from running back Chad Kackert.

Lindsey Lamar at least returned a kickoff for a TD, which is a positive for the special teams unit and again good to see without Chris Williams.

So the Cats start out 2013 like the 2012 season overall. Excellent offense with a bad defence that ends up losing a lot of close games. Not a great way to start the season, however the Argos were at home, are the defending Grey Cup champs and have a seasoned quarterback in mid-season form. Fortunately for the Cats that last one is a rarity in the CFL. 

Half-Time Hamilton at Toronto, Season Opener

I'm in the US, so I can't watch the game. I am following the CFL.ca game tracker. Really high scoring game, which considering expectations of the Cats having a good offense and a bad defence isn't that surprising. Argos defense is quite weak as well which is a bit odd.

Good to see Andy Fantuz over 100 yards at the half receiving. Burris with over 200 yards receiving and 3 TDs and no picks is good to see as well. The question is whether this good offense can end up as a win. So often last year it didn't.

Ticat rush defence is looking flaccid, giving up over 100 yards to Kackert alone in the first half. Not much of a shock, although the Cats are supposed to have some decent linebackers.

Over Under Ticats Argos Season Opener

Following along the game with the CFL.ca game tracker. Seems like I should have picked higher scores for my predictions.

2013 CFL Predictions Week 1

Montreal at Winnipeg
The Bombers have their new stadium open and home field advantage so that's something. Buck Pierce is also not injured yet which is also something. But Winnipeg just isn't much of a team. Anthony Calvillo is also not injured yet, however the Alouettes no longer have Marc Trestman as coach anymore. I still like the weapons Calvillo has at his disposal and that should be enough.
Alouettes 26 Bombers 19

Hamilton at Toronto
For a lot of Hamilton fans, getting to Toronto is easier than Guelph. The GO bus from downtown runs quite frequently. So there may be a lot of Cat fans in attendance and the Argos have never been a great draw. Both teams have veteran quarterbacks that should be in decent form in the first game in the season. The Argos are coming off a Grey Cup, while the Cats were the worst team in the league. Against a bit worse opponent or at home I would have picked the Cats, but missing Chris Williams at receiver and as a returner will hurt.
Argos 24 Cats 18

BC at Calgary
I think the Lions are the best team entering the season and Drew Tate hasn't really shown he's a great CFL quarterback. Until I see evidence to the contrary, I'm picking BC, even on the road.

Lions 28 Stamps 26

Saskatchewan at Edmonton
Veteran quarterback Darian Durrant for the Riders versus that guy who's not Matt Nichols and has a functioning ACL for Edmonton. Durrant has certainly been, to quote a Katy Perry song title, Hot and Cold over the pass few years, but early in the season, his experience and running ability if he gets in trouble will be the edge over some guy I can't be bothered to look the name up of and probably wouldn't be starting if Nichols hadn't blown out his knee doing basically nothing my 70 year mother doesn't do in her aerobics class.

Riders 31 Edmonton 29

2013 CFL Power Rankings Week Zero

1. BC Lions

Until I see some regular season action, the Lions and Travis Lulay are number one.

2. Toronto Argonauts

I don't think necessarily that the Argos are a great team, but they did win the Grey Cup last year, they have Ricky Ray and Chad Owens and Chad Kackert on offense. Their defensive line has turned over, which probably isn't good, but a stable offense is more important early in the year.

3. Saskatchewan Rough Riders

Mostly I'm going off Darian Durant as a proven quarterback and a good receiving corps.

4. Montreal Alouettes

The Alouettes still have Calvillo and some formidable offensive weapons, but they no longer have Marc Trestman as coach and with the release of Quinton Porter as a backup quarterback, I have no idea who their backups are.

5. Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Cats looked good against the Bombers last week in pre-season, albeit against a Bomber team who left people in Winnipeg to be bit by mosquitoes, but more importantly Henry Burris and slotback Andy Fantuz looked to be in mid-season form. Offenses can struggle early, so that bodes well for the Cats.
The secondary which was poor last year also looked good against the Bombers, again against backup quarterbacks.

6. Calgary Stampeders

Never been a huge fan of Drew Tate at quarterback and I won't be until I see some more proof. Luckily the Stamps have Kevin Glenn as a capable backup.

7. Edmonton Eskimos

One of their two quarterbacks competing to be the starter is now gone for the season. Not a lot of confidence in their offense.

8 Winnipeg Blue Bombers
If Buck plays his ass off, the Bombers could make the playoffs. Otherwise, things aren't looking good and lets leave it at that.

Frederic Plesius Signs Three Year Deal with Ticats

Good news that Laval linebacker Frederic Plesius signed a three year deal with the Ticats. A 2012 draft pick, Plesius went back to Laval last year to win a Vanier Cup. 

Plesius wanted to get an NFL shot but looks like it didn't happen. Too bad that Plesius missed most of training camp and the two preseason games, but realistically Plesius will only play special teams this year. At least he did sign before the season started rather than getting released by an NFL team in August. 

Quinton Porter Released By Alouettes

Former Hamilton backup quarterback Quinton Porter was released by the Montreal Alouettes in a bit of a surprise. Porter seemed to have a good shot of being Anthony Calvillo's primary backup but not anymore. 

Does Porter have a chance anywhere else on the CFL or is he done? I could see somewhere like Winnipeg whose backups are inexperienced picking up Portter or a team with injury problems, like Edmonton with Matt Nichols out for the season.