Pre-Season Prognostications

[TecnoGenius]

Same reasoning that had Ottawa being first in the East last year.

OTT almost beat WPG twice to start the 2022 season.  Masoli was legit before injury.  The players can play above their station until they figure out they are on a sucky team and deflate.  OTT will be better than last year, as long as Masoli stays upright.

As for the comparison to EDM; their O looks capable of being league-leading, especially if Corny keeps getting better.  The only problem will be if they can't translate roster talent into wins.  Yes, it could be coaching, or discipline, or scheme, lack of cohesion, or many other things keep them sucking.  I'm not sold on whether the C.Jones effect is net positive or negative.

[TecnoGenius]

I see the end of the Huff's dynasty ahead, not much of a player in F.A. other than losing some of their best players, and now that they've compromised their standards by picking up scraps from lesser teams the end must be nye. They may still earn a playoff spot this season but they're no longer in the same tier as the Bombers.

CGY has always been strongest at scouting top IMP talent and getting them up to speed fast.  They've never been a huge FA team.  I'm sure Huff knows what he's doing.  But their general trend has been downwards.  Of course, when you're #1 for so many years, the only way to go is down.

I think the biggest problem is Dickenson The Greater.  He's a liability on the sidelines and should be ditched as HC, even if you have to move him upstairs to GM.

[theaardvark]

Yes, it's premature.
Yes, it's mainly speculative.
Yes, a lot can happen between now and pre-season.

But we arguably have completed the first 4 days of the Free Agency Season which is certainly the most interesting, competitive, and important part of every teams recruitment strategy.

With that in mind, let's hear your early predictions on standings at the end of the 2023 season.  Here's my attempt/effort...

West

1. Winnipeg
2. BC
3. Calgary
4. Edmonton
5. Riders

East

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

Might have rated the Riders a little too high... 

[Jesse]

CGY has always been strongest at scouting top IMP talent and getting them up to speed fast.  They've never been a huge FA team.  I'm sure Huff knows what he's doing.  But their general trend has been downwards.  Of course, when you're #1 for so many years, the only way to go is down.

I think the biggest problem is Dickenson The Greater.  He's a liability on the sidelines and should be ditched as HC, even if you have to move him upstairs to GM.

You realize that Huff has retired and Dickenson IS the GM, right?

[Jesse]

OTT almost beat WPG twice to start the 2022 season.  Masoli was legit before injury.  The players can play above their station until they figure out they are on a sucky team and deflate.  OTT will be better than last year, as long as Masoli stays upright.

As for the comparison to EDM; their O looks capable of being league-leading, especially if Corny keeps getting better.  The only problem will be if they can't translate roster talent into wins.  Yes, it could be coaching, or discipline, or scheme, lack of cohesion, or many other things keep them sucking.  I'm not sold on whether the C.Jones effect is net positive or negative.

So, Ottawa was 0-4 with Masoli and put of scores of: 17, 12, 31, and 13.

I think the legend of Masoli was kind of exaggerated because of his injury. 

[GOLDMEMBER]

So, Ottawa was 0-4 with Masoli and put of scores of: 17, 12, 31, and 13.

I think the legend of Masoli was kind of exaggerated because of his injury. 

He has always been above average more me. In the same category as T Harris. TSN overrates him a bit. He has never been the most accurate thrower.

[ichabod_crane]

You realize that Huff has retired and Dickenson IS the GM, right?

I believe huff is still president of the stamps, so not fully retired. Dickie Dee is head coach and gm.

[BlueInCgy]

I think the biggest problem is Dickenson The Greater.  He's a liability on the sidelines and should be ditched as HC, even if you have to move him upstairs to GM.

In 6 seasons he?s 71-29-2, never lost more than 6 games in a season.  Yup, real liability there.

[Jesse]

 

[GOLDMEMBER]

 

[3rdand1.5]

West

Wpg-Until we see a decline they are still the best
Cal-Dicky always has a competitive team
Edm-Jones will have them competitive
BC-Sorry BC fans, Burnham and Rourke gone drops you
Sask-could surprise with Harris, but for now at the bottom

East

Hammy-Home GC year, good roster they will be all in
T.O-If MBT flakes off I don't think Kelly is the answer, although talented roster, QB will be Achillies
Ott-Could hit higher if Masolli stays healthy
Mtrl-Ownership will lead to distractions

[bwiser]

I agree with Lincoln, and I believe Ham has really strengthen their team and are making a strong bid for being in a home GC game.

I also agree with Lincoln.

[bluebeard]

Bombers...    Best in the West
Calgay .....    Always tough
Edmonton .   Here comes Jones
BC ...........    No Rourke
Regina ......   As high as 3rd if B Jones signs  Med School?

Hamiton ....  Great recruiting in free agency
TO ............  Everything depends on QB
Ottawa ......  Better ciaching abd recruiting
Montreal ....  Trouble with ownership

[TecnoGenius]

You realize that Huff has retired and Dickenson IS the GM, right?

I believe huff is still president of the stamps, so not fully retired. Dickie Dee is head coach and gm.

Oh, my main point is Dickenson is a liability as HC, which he still is.  The GM spot is not the problem in CGY, and if Dickenson is the co-GM or full-GM, or if Huff is full-GM it matters not because the problem is on the field (HC).

In 6 seasons he?s 71-29-2, never lost more than 6 games in a season.  Yup, real liability there.

Now graph that record out over the years.  Notice anything?  Steady downtrend from invincible riding-Huffs-coattails to reliably 3rd in the W?  That downtrend is Dickenson The Greater's fault is what I'm proffering.  I believe they keep downtrending until they get Dickenson out of the HC job.

You guys think Killam won't do a better job??  Have you seen Dickenson's insane sideline decisions over the past 2-3 years??  He's totally lost it.

[TecnoGenius]

BC-Sorry BC fans, Burnham and Rourke gone drops you

East

Ott-Could hit higher if Masolli stays healthy

Ya, without Burnham and Rourke BC is pretty much nothing.  Remember the games when Rourke was injured?  They were relative garbage.  Now subtract Burnham, who was hands down the best SB in the league for years and years... BC is going to stink.  .500 at best.

Masoli: dude just has no luck.  Surely his luck has to change??  How many times can a guy get the short straw.