Week 1 Aftermath: Als, Stamps, Argos, & Riders win

What do all these four teams have in common? They're all starting the 2008 season with rookie head coaches. Could it be beginner's luck? Or are these teams going to capitalize and improve their records to 2 and 0 next week?

Montreal totally controlled every aspect of their game against Hamilton, as Printers struggled to gain momentum in week 1. Calvillo looked WAY better than I had imagined and Kerry Watkins has significantly improved his game from last season.

BC at Calgary was, I must admit, a surprise. I should have known that Calgary was not going to let their home opener be spoiled by the Lions, but I didn't expect the BC defense to really bite the dust. Missed/broken tackles made it easy for Joffrey Reynolds and Henry Burris to run all over BC and thus, keeping the drive alive for the Stamps to put it into the end zone when it mattered.

While Kevin Glenn and the Blue Bombers outplayed the Joseph/Bishop Argonaut team, it was running back Jamal Robertson who did all the damage needed to lift Toronto past Winnipeg. It also would have been a more convincing loss if NFL-reject Mike Vanderjagt made his first two field goals - both from reasonable distances (32 and 39 yards). Add six points, and more people would think that this game was clearly won by the Argos. But, leave it to Winnipeg and their great receiving corps to keep the game close even though two-turnovers and a blocked punt put the Blue deep in their end and eventually giving up points.

With all eyes on Saskatchewan after their unsuspected off season, Marcus Crandell put forth a good performance, out-passing Burris, Printers, Pierce, Bishop, Jackson and Joseph. That being said, the best player on the Roughrider team this week was Wes Cates who made the highlight reel like it was nobodies business. While Edmonton hung in the game, taking the lead twice, Ray couldn't get into this groove after a pick by James Johnston that set up a drive to give Cates his first TD and restore confidence in the Rider offense.

Did Joseph's lack of a performance this week and Crandell's win, make his release from the Rider club worthwhile? What does Winnipeg need to do to put points on the board when Glenn is starting his season by passing for over 300 yards? Can Pierce and Jackson co-exist in BC now that Dickenson is gone? Will the Tiger-Cats ever start a season not in the hole? Can Edmonton make the playoffs this year, or will they miss it again? Will Burris become a consistent quarterback now that Dave Dickenson will be looking over his shoulder?

I guess I have a lot to ponder.