10 things we've learned so far this CFL season

Here are 10 thoughts that crossed my mind as the Canadian Football League heads to the second half.

1. Nobody knows nothing (Part XXXVIII)

Hey, there's a reason why people put "for entertainment purposes only" on those pre-season predictions. Nobody gets them right. So let's compare my original prediction with where everyone is now, and add a new prognostication for the end of the season ("for entertainment purposes only").

West Division

Calgary Stampeders (8-1) First prediction: 11-7. New prediction: 15-3.

Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-3) First: 12-6. New: 12-6.

B.C. Lions (2-7) First: 10-8. New: 5-13.

Edmonton Eskimos (2-7) First: 8-10. New: 3-15.

East Division

Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-4) First prediction: 12-6. New: 11-7.

Montreal Alouettes (6-3) First: 11-7. New: 11-7.

Toronto Argonauts (5-4) First: 4-14. New: 10-8.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2-7) First: 4-14. New: 5-13.

And yes, before you send the note, I'm dumber than mud.

2. If you're around long enough you'll see everything

That was famous old coach Bud Grant's philosophy, and it makes sense. 

Still, in 42 years of watching the Canadian Football League, this columnist never thought he would see the mess being made by the Edmonton Eskimos. Yes, now-fired GM Danny Maciocia made nine changes on defence, but to have the offensive line collapse and so many dropped passes and such a lack of spirit at times is stunning.

There hasn't been dismal like this in northern Alberta since the 1960s. And remember, another sub-.500 year in 2010 means three times in the last five seasons. And this by the Edmonton Eskimos, for gosh sakes. You have to repeat it a few times to believe it.

3. Anthony Calvillo — Most Important Player

There is no player who means more to his team than AC does to the Montreal Alouettes.

He's 38 years old and since arriving with the club in 1998 has started all but seven games at quarterback (218 out of 225). Counting the one he missed last week with a bruised sternum (that's the big bone in the middle of your chest where all the ribs attach in front), Montreal has gone 2-5 without him.

The Als' offence against B.C. was just awful. 

Part of the problem is the lack of playing time for Calvillo's principal backups over the years, but it's much more than that.

AC's leadership, his accurate arm, his innate understanding of the CFL game, and his absolute refusal to come out unless he's half-dead (and didn't he look it when the most recent injury occurred?) has made the cinch Hall of Famer one of the greatest players this old league has ever seen.

May whatever higher being you believe in help these Alouettes when Calvillo retires.

4. It's dangerous to corner these Cats.

Given the decade horribilis the Hamilton Tiger-Cats went through to start this century, it's hardly surprising a slow 1-4 opening to 2010 left everyone thinking more of the same was on the way.

Same old Cats. Shows what they know.

These are not my son's kitties, they're the ones you remember from the old century, tough to corner and dangerous if you get them there.

Four wins in a row, led by quarterback Kevin Glenn (Question: What were they thinking in Winnipeg when they let this guy go?), an excellent linebacking corps and a bunch of guys who believe in themselves, has left the Cats the second hottest team in the CFL.

5. If life hands you a Lemon, teach it to make lemonade.

Rob Longley of the Toronto Sun pointed out recently that when you combine Cleo Lemon's record in college with his limited starts in the NFL (career backup), he's 12-41.

This year with Toronto he's 5-4, so that says something.

Much moaning has gone on about coach Jim Barker's starting pivot, but he is moving along the learning curve, exhibiting a strong arm, quick release, occasional lapses (three picks against Hamilton when he'd only had five in the previous eight games combined) and a good attitude.

What Lemon is really missing are receivers. At the halfway point, Toronto pass catchers were Nos. 21, 22, 27 and 30 on the receptions list. Yes, the Argos are last in passes attempted, but the catchers don't seem to be able to get open deep. They drop a few too many balls. There's no depth at non-import receiver.

Help is on the way. By Week 11, Jeremaine Copeland and Reggie McNeal (remember him?) are due back off the injured list. On the other hand, right now there are two, possibly three, starting offensive linemen out of action so it could be busy in the backfield for a while. But Lemon will overcome.

Says here by the end of the year, consensus opinion will be that the quarterback is a keeper.  

6. If it walks like a duck, and talks like a duck, it may be about to become fois gras. 

Let's not belabour the point, but signing the courageous and talented Buck Pierce out of B.C. as starting quarterback when you know he's brittle was seen as a bad idea in spring, and that has borne itself out in Winnipeg.

Six starts, two finishes, four games not available. Now possibly out for the season with a wrecked elbow.

I like backup pivot Steven Jyles a lot, and wish him well. But he doesn't have the ability to dominate a game offensively in the way a healthy Pierce does. Or that guy in Hamilton.

7. Even in the CFL, defence rocks.

Yes it's a wide-open league, and yes that big cow pasture can be taken advantage of to build up lots of points, but there's still no substitute for a real defence.

Check out the 25 defensive rankings in the CFL and you'll find the 8-1 Calgary Stampeders leading 19 of them.

That translates in so many ways, not the least being time of possession where the White Stallions hog the ball about 34 minutes of the game (league best), giving the offence more time to run up scores.

Calgary's one loss was to Toronto in the early going and that wasn't on the defence because QB Henry Burris threw four interceptions at the Rogers Centre.

Right now, the Stamps defenders are simply dominating and they're a joy to watch.

8. Pay attention — especially in the West. 

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are discovering the difference between a very good team (themselves) and a currently great team (Calgary) can be the little things.

For example, the Stamps are plus-9 in giveaway-takeaway while the Riders are even.

Also, the Stamps are out-punting Saskatchewan (Riders have changed the punter).

Another example: losing your concentration and dropping a game to the lousy Edmonton Eskimos, as the Riders did.

Or being a tad too loose on defence in your own zone so you give up touchdowns instead of field goals and trail the Stamps by 100 yards and six points in average allowed per game over both categories.

Nice thing about those little things, however, is they can be easily fixed in time for the playoffs.

Calgary should be keeping that in mind.

9. Politics and business aside, Hamilton is a state of mind.

Fascinating watching the folks in the Hammer argue over the site of a future new home for the Tiger-Cats and Pan American Games track and field (oops, make that soccer).

They sound just like a bickering couple.

City: We're building the stadium in the port area.

Cats: Then we're not going to be involved. We want our site on the highway, and if not, up on Hamilton Mountain*.

City: Too bad. We're going to build it in the port area anyway.

Cats: Fine, then we're leaving and going home to mother in Oshawa. See you.

City: Don't let the door hit you in the ass on the way out.

One week passes.

Cats: So, we're back. How about this new site over here?

City: Ummm. Sure. Why not?

Cats: Sorry about that. We weren't really leaving.

City: We know. We were being pig-headed too. Come and get a big hug. (Audience goes "Awwww" and applauds).

*Note for those in B.C.: Hamilton Mountain refers to a small southern Ontario ridge that in your province would be known as a "hill."

10. The National Football League is no friend of the B.C. Lions.

With the end of NFL Europa and "big-time" indoor football, there are even more NFL hopefuls coming to Canada as a showcase for their talents and then leaving at the first sign of a summer tryout.

Nobody has been hit more by it than the B.C. Lions who have lost five stars to NFL camps in the last two years.

Example: B.C. picked up runner Stefan Logan out of a grocery store, he had a nice year in 2008 and left for the NFL. They signed Martell Mallett as his replacement and he won rookie of the year in 2009 and then skedaddled.

Or there's Cam Wake, the CFL's best defensive player twice, who took his talents to Miami. And defensive end Ricky Foley did the same thing after last season, when he was the league's top Canuck.

All of these guys, by the way, are free agents in the CFL now so if they want to come back it won't necessarily be to the Left Coast. Side note: Foley might be available, but other teams are interested, including Hamilton G.M. Bob O'Billovich, who also is one of B.C. boss Wally Buono's best friends. 

Being buddies doesn't stop these guys from wanting to beat the crap out of each other on the field.