Sean Fitz-Gerald
National Post
OFFENCE
Calgary Henry Burris finished the regular season with the second-most touchdown passes (39), the second-highest quarterback rating (103.8) and, ultimately, the second-most votes for the CFL's outstanding player award. But he was the best in the West, and is flanked by the league's rushing champion (Joffrey Reynolds) and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers (Ken-Yon Rambo and Nik Lewis). Montreal A year after allowing a league-high 68 quarterback sacks, the Alouettes altered their blocking schemes and kept quarterback Anthony Calvillo remarkably upright. The offensive line allowed just 22 sacks, and Calvillo threw 43 touchdown passes, the fifth-highest total in history. Edge Montreal
Calgary Henry Burris finished the regular season with the second-most touchdown passes (39), the second-highest quarterback rating (103.8) and, ultimately, the second-most votes for the CFL's outstanding player award. But he was the best in the West, and is flanked by the league's rushing champion (Joffrey Reynolds) and a pair of 1,000-yard receivers (Ken-Yon Rambo and Nik Lewis). Montreal A year after allowing a league-high 68 quarterback sacks, the Alouettes altered their blocking schemes and kept quarterback Anthony Calvillo remarkably upright. The offensive line allowed just 22 sacks, and Calvillo threw 43 touchdown passes, the fifth-highest total in history. Edge Montreal
DEFENCE
Calgary No Calgary player finished in the top five in defensive tackles, interceptions or sacks, yet the Stampeders finished with the stingiest defence in the land. No team allowed fewer points (21.5 per game), and none allowed fewer rushing yards (89.7 per game). And it is not bereft of individual star power. We're looking at you, Mike Labinjo. Montreal The Alouettes allowed the second-fewest points in the league (23.5 per game) but also had the luxury of playing in a division with the league's three weakest teams. They allowed just three rushing yards against Edmonton in the East final last week, which made up for leaky pass coverage in the fourth quarter. Edge Calgary
Calgary No Calgary player finished in the top five in defensive tackles, interceptions or sacks, yet the Stampeders finished with the stingiest defence in the land. No team allowed fewer points (21.5 per game), and none allowed fewer rushing yards (89.7 per game). And it is not bereft of individual star power. We're looking at you, Mike Labinjo. Montreal The Alouettes allowed the second-fewest points in the league (23.5 per game) but also had the luxury of playing in a division with the league's three weakest teams. They allowed just three rushing yards against Edmonton in the East final last week, which made up for leaky pass coverage in the fourth quarter. Edge Calgary
SPECIAL TEAMS
Calgary Kicker Sandro DeAngelis was named to the CFL's all-star team for leading the league in total points (217) and for finishing second in accuracy (86.2%). There might not be another kicker in the league better suited for the pressure that will be heaped on his shoulders tomorrow. Montreal Larry Taylor was there all season, lurking underneath bigger names in the statistical tables. But he jumped into the spotlight in the East final, returning two punts for touchdowns and making himself an immediate threat in the Grey Cup. Edge Pick 'em
Calgary Kicker Sandro DeAngelis was named to the CFL's all-star team for leading the league in total points (217) and for finishing second in accuracy (86.2%). There might not be another kicker in the league better suited for the pressure that will be heaped on his shoulders tomorrow. Montreal Larry Taylor was there all season, lurking underneath bigger names in the statistical tables. But he jumped into the spotlight in the East final, returning two punts for touchdowns and making himself an immediate threat in the Grey Cup. Edge Pick 'em
COACHING
Calgary How did the Stampeders go from 7-10-1 in 2007 to 13-5 in the super-strong West Division? The transformation began last December, when John Hufnagel was hired as head coach and general manager. He has worked with the biggest names in the game, on both sides of the border, and transformed Calgary into a powerhouse.
Montreal Players love Marc Trestman, and some have talked about how they might consider delaying retirement to play for him again. He is smart, classy and humble -- like Hufnagel -- and his players have bought into his plan, right down to the blocking schemes. He studied under the master (Bill Walsh) and has shown he belongs. Edge Pick 'em
Calgary How did the Stampeders go from 7-10-1 in 2007 to 13-5 in the super-strong West Division? The transformation began last December, when John Hufnagel was hired as head coach and general manager. He has worked with the biggest names in the game, on both sides of the border, and transformed Calgary into a powerhouse.
Montreal Players love Marc Trestman, and some have talked about how they might consider delaying retirement to play for him again. He is smart, classy and humble -- like Hufnagel -- and his players have bought into his plan, right down to the blocking schemes. He studied under the master (Bill Walsh) and has shown he belongs. Edge Pick 'em
INTANGIBLES
Calgary The Stampeders are fired up, having been swept from the CFL's annual awards gala without so much as a participant's medal. Calgary is out to prove that the West Division is, undeniably, the CFL's strongest. Hufnagel blasted the team with recorded crowd noise during practice, just to get them ready for whatever the crowd at Olympic Stadium might have in store.
Montreal It has been 14 years since B. C. became the last host team to win a Grey Cup, beating the Baltimore Stallions. Those Stallions are now the Alouettes, and they could be playing in front of a sell-out crowd. Plus, it could be the last game all-time greats Calvillo and slotback Ben Cahoon play on the same field together. Edge Montreal.
Calgary The Stampeders are fired up, having been swept from the CFL's annual awards gala without so much as a participant's medal. Calgary is out to prove that the West Division is, undeniably, the CFL's strongest. Hufnagel blasted the team with recorded crowd noise during practice, just to get them ready for whatever the crowd at Olympic Stadium might have in store.
Montreal It has been 14 years since B. C. became the last host team to win a Grey Cup, beating the Baltimore Stallions. Those Stallions are now the Alouettes, and they could be playing in front of a sell-out crowd. Plus, it could be the last game all-time greats Calvillo and slotback Ben Cahoon play on the same field together. Edge Montreal.
Courtesy: http://nationalpost.com/
