Newf
11-29-2009, 03:29 PM
Perry Lefko offers a comparative breakdown of both teams in Sunday’s Grey Cup:
QUARTERACKING: Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo has won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player the last two years and is playing in his seventh Cup this decade. Saskatechewan’s Darian Durant just completed his first full season and has no Grey Cup experience.
Edge: Montreal.
RUNNING BACKS: Als’ Avon Cobourne and Saskatchewan’s Wes Cates are comparatively even. Both teams use their quarterbacks for added rushing. Durant has more yards than Calvillo, but Montreal uses Adrian McPherson at times. Sasakatchewan’s Chris Szarka is used near the goal line.
Edge: Even.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Both teams are good in run and pass protection.
Edge: Even.
RECEIVING: Als have two receivers in top-10 in receiving yards and catches: Kerry Watkins and Ben Cahoon. Saskatchewan has three from the 11th to 20 slots. But they really miss Weston Dressler, who is 11th overall and would have been in the top-10 and possibly in top five were it not for a late-season injury. Riders rely on Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg, Andy Fantuz and Jason Clermont, the so-called Canadian Air Force. Als are more explosive and experienced, Riders more workmanlike.
Edge: Montreal.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Both teams are solid at the rush ends – Montreal with veterans Anwar Stewart and John Bowman, Saskatchewan with John Chick and Stevie Baggs. Interior linemen are basically about the same.
Edge: Even.
LINEBACKING: Montreal’s Chip Cox and Saskatchewan’s Sean Lucas are tied for seventh overall in the league with 81 apiece. Riders have received some big-time play late in the season from middle linebacker Rey Williams. He had an unbelievable game in the Western Final. His counterpart, Shea Emry, is improving each game.
Edge: Saskatchewan.
SECONDARY: Als were torched in some games this season, but appear to be settled because the offence is controlling the clock. Riders have more experience with the likes of Eddie Davis and Omarr Morgan.
Edge: Even.
PUNTING/KICKING: Montreal’s Damon Duval may be the best overall in the league. Saskatchewan counters with kicker Luca Congi and rookie punter Louie Sakoda.
Edge: Montreal.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Montreal’s Larry Taylor can turn around a game in a flash with his punt returns and his kickoff returns. Saskatchewan made a huge upgrade signing Jason Armstead, who has provided timely returns:
Edge: Even.
COACHING: Als Marc Trestman is in his second Grey Cup in his only two years in the league and is the mastermind of the offence. Saskatchewan’s Ken Miller has improved his record in each of his first two seasons at the helm. Als’ defence isn’t flashy because it doesn’t blitz a lot, while Saskatchewan’s has a zillion looks. Special teams are about the same.
Edge: Montreal.
INTANGIBLES: Als have won only once in six previous tries this decade in the Cup and will likely have to battle a pro-Riders crowd.
Edge: Saskatchewan
QUARTERACKING: Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo has won the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player the last two years and is playing in his seventh Cup this decade. Saskatechewan’s Darian Durant just completed his first full season and has no Grey Cup experience.
Edge: Montreal.
RUNNING BACKS: Als’ Avon Cobourne and Saskatchewan’s Wes Cates are comparatively even. Both teams use their quarterbacks for added rushing. Durant has more yards than Calvillo, but Montreal uses Adrian McPherson at times. Sasakatchewan’s Chris Szarka is used near the goal line.
Edge: Even.
OFFENSIVE LINE: Both teams are good in run and pass protection.
Edge: Even.
RECEIVING: Als have two receivers in top-10 in receiving yards and catches: Kerry Watkins and Ben Cahoon. Saskatchewan has three from the 11th to 20 slots. But they really miss Weston Dressler, who is 11th overall and would have been in the top-10 and possibly in top five were it not for a late-season injury. Riders rely on Chris Getzlaf, Rob Bagg, Andy Fantuz and Jason Clermont, the so-called Canadian Air Force. Als are more explosive and experienced, Riders more workmanlike.
Edge: Montreal.
DEFENSIVE LINE: Both teams are solid at the rush ends – Montreal with veterans Anwar Stewart and John Bowman, Saskatchewan with John Chick and Stevie Baggs. Interior linemen are basically about the same.
Edge: Even.
LINEBACKING: Montreal’s Chip Cox and Saskatchewan’s Sean Lucas are tied for seventh overall in the league with 81 apiece. Riders have received some big-time play late in the season from middle linebacker Rey Williams. He had an unbelievable game in the Western Final. His counterpart, Shea Emry, is improving each game.
Edge: Saskatchewan.
SECONDARY: Als were torched in some games this season, but appear to be settled because the offence is controlling the clock. Riders have more experience with the likes of Eddie Davis and Omarr Morgan.
Edge: Even.
PUNTING/KICKING: Montreal’s Damon Duval may be the best overall in the league. Saskatchewan counters with kicker Luca Congi and rookie punter Louie Sakoda.
Edge: Montreal.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Montreal’s Larry Taylor can turn around a game in a flash with his punt returns and his kickoff returns. Saskatchewan made a huge upgrade signing Jason Armstead, who has provided timely returns:
Edge: Even.
COACHING: Als Marc Trestman is in his second Grey Cup in his only two years in the league and is the mastermind of the offence. Saskatchewan’s Ken Miller has improved his record in each of his first two seasons at the helm. Als’ defence isn’t flashy because it doesn’t blitz a lot, while Saskatchewan’s has a zillion looks. Special teams are about the same.
Edge: Montreal.
INTANGIBLES: Als have won only once in six previous tries this decade in the Cup and will likely have to battle a pro-Riders crowd.
Edge: Saskatchewan