CFL 2023- A Question and a Prediction for each Eastern Division Team

The CFL season starts Thursday. It’s time to consider how things will go for all nine teams this season after an off-season of considerable changes, especially at the QB position for many teams. Seven of nine teams have a different starter at QB to start the season and it looks like Masoli in Ottawa will start on the injured list. Today I’ll consider one burning question and a prediction for each Eastern Conference team and tomorrow I’ll look at the Western Conference. Watch for my picks on Thursday for opening games.

Hamilton

Will Bo Levi-Mitchell thrive as the biggest off-season signing for the Tiger Cats?

He won’t have the most outstanding offensive line in the past 20 years like he had in Calgary. Hamilton has improved their O-line but it won’t compare to Calgary’s. Levi-Mitchell has been in decline for the last few years, partly from injuries and partly from aging. This will be a fresh start and he will want to prove Calgary wrong but it should take him awhile to get productive, even with top receiver Tim White still running routes. James Butler (another off-season signing from the Lions) should provide the run game to help set up the pass with fellow ex-Lion Joel Figueroa opening up holes for him on the offensive line. Some betting sites predict Butler will lead the league in rushing this year.

Prediction 1st in East

Hamilton’s defense should be dominant with a defensive line returning with 35-year-old ageless wonder Simoni Lawrence leading the way alongside standout returnees Kasey Sales and Malik Carter.

Montreal

Will new head coach Jason Maas be able to create a successful scheme for new QB Cody Fajardo?

Jason Maas was a QB in his playing days. He will need all that experience and his experience as a head coach in the CFL to help Fajardo become more consistent than he has been the last few seasons. Injuries and a suspect offensive line made it difficult for Fajardo to succeed in Saskatchewan. Injuries limited his mobility which is a big part of his game. He looked mobile in the pre-season. It will be interesting to see if he is healthy enough to produce. 

Prediction 2nd in the East

GM Maciocia had a tough off season. There was an ownership change that wasn’t finalized until March so he lost some key free agents in the interim. But he did get Maas and Fajardo who share his work ethic. Running backs Stanback and Fletcher should excel this season. On the other side of the ball NFL practice squad defensive lineman Antwine recorded two sacks in the final preseason game and should create havoc this year. Sewell and Johnson are back in the interior of the defensive line and should continue to control the line of scrimmage. Williams and Beverette return as linebackers that will keep that effective front seven producing again this year.

Toronto

Can Chad Kelly produce over a full season at QB?

Last year Kelly started only one mean-nothing game after playoff seedings were already determined. He did all right but is that something that will predict success this year? Sure, he came on in relief in the Grey Cup, showed poise and was under center for the victory but that is different than having teams prepare for you and your team depending on you week in and week out. 

Prediction 3rd in the East

Toronto lost many starters in the off season. Andrew Harris is another year older and already looked like he had lost a step last season. At times last season, speedster Brandon Banks was a non-factor and could be even less effective this season. Their defence was outstanding last year but can they carry a limited offence? It seems like a tall order. The Argos have the biggest potential to fall in the standings this year.

Ottawa

Can Jeremiah Masoli stay healthy long enough to lead Ottawa back into the playoffs?

It looks like he is hurt again and may not start their opener. He had a catastrophic injury from a dirty hit from noted villain Marino in the fourth game last season. He had a solid start to last season but Ottawa struggled after he went down with the second lowest points/game in the CFL. 

Prediction 4th in the East

Not only Masoli is hurt to start the season. All-star cornerback Money Hunter is out and so is receiver Shaq Evans. A major overhaul of the offensive line should take time to gel as it is a technically complex player group to develop. This should put the Red Blacks behind in the first part of the season as rookie coach Bob Dyce tries to get everyone on the same page. Only Edmonton had a worse defence last season so it looks like an uphill battle for Ottawa to start the season

Part Two, the Western Conference coming shortly.