CFL Power Rankings: Stamps the team to beat

A winter of discontent (with their former team's contract offer) has sent an unusual whirlwind of free-agent changes through the Canadian Football League. So much so that picking who finishes where by November is one-half bold thinking and one-half balderdash.

Undaunted, let's give this a try:

1. Calgary Stampeders 

2015 record: 14-4 (1-1 post-season)

Week 1: at B.C.

The median IQ number in the Stamps' dressing room slipped a couple of points when RB Jon Cornish retired, done in by concussions. With him, of course, went long-time coach John Hufnagel, who stepped aside to concentrate on GM and President roles. Dave Dickenson, who has been with Huf for eight years, is now the head coach and still the offensive coordinator. The other big loss was defensive guru Rich Stubler, who built the league's best unit there in south Alberta. DeVone Claybrooks moves up from D-line coach, maintaining consistency. The White Stallions are still led by QB Bo Mitchell, with strong receivers and an offensive line that, given any luck, will be able to avoid the ridiculous injury bug from 2015 that had defensive linemen switching sides. Changes on defence can be mitigated if the large Charleston Hughes, now 32, can come back from some injury problems the last two years and lead the charge. The Stamps will be tough from the get-go. 

2. Toronto Argonauts

2015 record: 10-8 (0-1)

Week 1: vs. Hamilton 

This is a club that built a 10-8 mark despite playing home games in Fort McMurray, Hamilton (2), and Ottawa. Imagine how well it can do with a real stadium? The Double Blue have moved (finally) to BMO Field — the only real grass surface in the loop — and the new address is expected to bring the fans back in a Grey Cup hosting year. Under new ownership (Bell Canada and Larry Tanenbaum), the club had the money to hire Rich Stubler back as defensive boss, and spend on free agents, including linemen Brian Bulcke, Bryan Hall and Justin Hickman. The key here still is QB Ricky Ray, now 36, who is healthy again and has to stay that way. Logan Kilgore, strong in pre-season, is the backup, but they'd rather not go there. Josh Bourke, who protected Anthony Calvillo all those years in Montreal, is in at blind-side tackle, and you get to Ray over his prostrate body. Tough to do. Kicker Swayze Waters danced off to the NFL, so ex-Bomber Lirim Hajrullahu (careful what you wish for, 'Peg fans) will take over. 

3. Edmonton Eskimos 

2015 record: 14-4 (2-0, won Grey Cup)

Week 1: vs. Ottawa

Champions always lose players to free agency, but an entire coaching staff is something new. Chris Jones took eight assistants with him to Regina, replaced by ex-QB Jason Maas (former excellent OC in Ottawa), and an office full of new bodies. The Eskies lost five free agents to the Riders, and two to the NFL. Maas, who played 10 years in Edmonton, will bring some new offensive ideas for QB Mike Reilly to work with, and the pivot still has lots of weapons at his disposal. Mike Benevides, the new defensive guru, has the job of rebuilding that unit and his long-term experience says he'll be successful. Pre-season injuries have hurt the secondary, particularly with all-star corner John Ojo out for the year (torn Achilles). Yes, a lot of guys have gone, but there are a ton in that dressing room still who proudly wear Grey Cup rings.

4. Hamilton Tiger-Cats 

2015 record: 10-8 (1-1)

Week 1: at Toronto

There's a meme going through the league, based around the health of QB Zach Collaros, whose 2015 knee injury will keep the star out for some weeks still. This apparently means a tough slog in a difficult division for the Cats, who also lost eight defensive free agents (not all starters). They did not, however, lose Kent Austin, the head coach and GM, who has this history of, you know, winning. Not to mention the schedule is 18 games, not eight. Jeremiah Masoli will be back under centre to start the year, and has experienced receivers and a reliable offensive line. Ted Laurent, the terrific defensive tackle, has been joined by John Chick (from Regina), with Simoni Lawrence leading the linebackers. A fascinating signing is Chad Owens, from Toronto, as the Cats hope he bounces back from an injury-plagued 2015. Returner Brandon Banks can destroy all opponents' plans in mere seconds. 

5. Ottawa Redblacks 

2015 record: 12-6 (1-1, lost Grey Cup)

Week 1: at Edmonton 

The Year of High Expectations begins with coach Rick Campbell having to rebuild his defence following the loss of four key free agents, and his offensive backfield thanks to a car-crash training camp. Running back William Powell, unstoppable in the second half of 2015, had his Achilles blow out two carries into pre-season, and FB Brendan Gillanders is out up to 10 weeks (knee). With Maas gone to Edmonton, Jamie Elizondo is the new OC and he brought a gift with him from Toronto — QB Trevor Harris (33 TDs in '15). The Redblacks are now set with ageless Henry Burris, the 2015 most outstanding player, as the starter, and Harris the backup and future star. Burris has all four of his 1,000-yards-plus receivers back, and (this is key everywhere, folks) SirVincent Rogers, the league's best tackle, returning to protect the blind side. No surprising anyone this year. 

6. Saskatchewan Roughriders

2015 record: 3-15

Week 1: Bye 

Back in the chase right away, unless … (see below). No, 3-15 was not an aberration, it was deserved. Craig Reynolds, taking over as the big boss, did something about it by hiring the entire coaching staff of the Grey Cup-champ Eskimos. HC Chris Jones brought five good ring-wearing free agents with him and set out to rebuild a terrible defence. Program sales will be brisk, as the defenders are almost all new (including six free agents). QB Darian Durant, who blew his (wait for it) Achilles in the first game of '15, must stay healthy to make a championship run as his backup is B.J. Coleman, who's not ready to frighten anyone. There are good receivers, a good line, and a lot of hope. Hope springs eternal in the heart of the prairie. Jones may not be the most popular fella in the league (insert comment here), but he knows how to win. 

7. B.C. Lions 

2015 record: 7-11 (0-1)

Week 1: vs. Calgary

Wally Buono is back on the sidelines after four seasons in the office, bringing his five Grey Cup wins and 254 overall victories with him. Everything went wrong last year (including another significant drop in attendance) and a plethora of injuries didn't help. Wally went right to work. RB Andrew Harris was not re-signed, so the Leos brought in Anthony Allen and Jeremiah Johnson, both of whom can rumble. Young Jon Jennings, 23, has quickly ascended to starting QB after a strong finish in '15, but with vet Travis Lulay behind him there is another choice. Talented catching staff, and the O-line has been rejigged … again. On defence, all eyes are on the return of Solomon Elimimian, who suffered an Achilles injury last year. LB Adam Bighill makes a strong twosome, and Buono rebuilt the defensive backfield behind them. No Wally team ever drags its butt, so you know they'll work hard.

8. Montreal Alouettes

2015 record: 6-12

Week 1: at Winnipeg

Anthony Calvillo took over as full-time offensive coordinator this winter, took one look at the playbook and apparently tossed most of it. You can do that when you're a legendary former QB. Coach Jim Popp (and his 19-27 career mark) asked GM Popp (and his four championships and 10 trips to the big game) to find him some weapons. Veteran (very) QB Kevin Glenn comes to his sixth team, and he'll settle things down up on the McGill hill. Calvillo has also turned Rakeem Cato from almost cut to solid backup this pre-season. The big signing is WR Duron Carter, who brought his skills back from floating around the NFL to give the Larks a big-gain threat to go with the always-terrific S.J. Green. Question: Who will replace the departed Josh Bourke at blind-side tackle to protect these pivots? They'd better figure it out quickly. Chip Cox and John Bowman lead a defence that should be competitive. 

9. Winnipeg Blue Bombers 

2015 record: 5-13

Week 1: vs. Montreal 

Each season starts with an unreadable team (not "unwatchable", Peg fans) and this time it's the Bombers. Can they really be as bad as whatever that was in 2015? Did it truly go south simply because QB Drew Willy went down with injury and only played seven games? GM Kyle Walters decided not and signed a pile of free agents on offence, including runner Andrew Harris (B.C.), receivers Weston Dressler (and isn't that weird looking), and Ryan Smith (both from Regina). Harris, in his seventh year, has been pounded the last few seasons so a job here will be taking advantage of his skills while not exposing him so much to huge hits. Willy was to have an experienced centre in Jeff Keeping (Toronto) to start, but Keeps was hurt in exhibition and will be out two months. Defence has DE Jamaal Westerman, and he's great, if a little lonely out there. Best news? No more ugly gold road unis. Great looking new/old duds. 

My picks by division (never right, bet the opposite)

East:

• 1. Toronto
• 2. Hamilton
• 3. Ottawa
• 4. Montreal

West:

• 1. Calgary
• 2. Edmonton
• 3. Saskatchewan
• 4. Winnipeg
• 5. B.C.