2022 CFL REGULAR-SEASON PREVIEW- EAST DIVISION

CFL / Football

Written by Joel Lefevre

The past few CFL campaigns have not been easy on Eastern teams, with the last Grey Cup victory for this division coming in 2017 when the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Calgary Stampeders.

While this division has long been the weaker of the two, there were signs a year ago that the Eastern clubs could be progressing in the right direction.

Three teams qualified for the 2021 postseason out East, with all three (the Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Montreal Alouettes) finishing the regular season with records of .500 or better.

Source (Background Photo/s): Peter Power/CP

Can this be the year someone finally defeats the West? And will a new team be able to dethrone the Hamilton Ti-Cats, who have been the Eastern representatives over the past two Grey Cups?

With the season opener set for Thursday when the Montreal Alouettes head to Calgary to battle the Stampeders, here is a breakdown of every East Division team and my projections for the 2022 campaign.

Toronto Argonauts

Key Additions

Andrew Harris (running back), Brandon Banks (wide receiver), Shawn Oakman (defensive lineman).

Key Subtractions

Cameron Judge (linebacker), Antonio Pipkin (quarterback), Charleston Hughes (defensive lineman).

Biggest Strength

McLeod Bethel-Thompson was named an East Division all-star in 2021 for the first time in his CFL career, and he should have a talented group of receivers to rely on this season.

Eric Rogers seems healthy, which is good news for head coach Ryan Dinwiddie and his team on offense.

Rogers missed eight games through injury in 2021, opening the door for Kurleigh Gittens Jr., who had 50 receptions for 604 yards, plus four touchdowns as he was named an all-star.

Those are two big returning weapons on offense, but the club did not stop there, signing 2019 Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks and former Calgary Stampeders wideout Markeith Ambles.

If Bethel-Thompson can maintain his consistency, the Argos have the potential to make their share of big plays this season.

Biggest Weakness

Defensively the Boatmen made great strides in 2021 compared to the previous season, but there is still room for improvement.

Under Dinwiddie, they conceded 19.6 points per game last year, a significant step forward from their 2019 mark of 31.2.

They still allow their share of big gains, while struggling to get teams off the field in second down situations, allowing the seventh-most yards in the league.

If Toronto wants to be considered a Grey Cup contender, they need to be better up front, and they added some good pieces, but will it be enough?

Projection- Second in East Division

The Argos were the most improved team in the league last year, earning five more wins than in 2019 to capture the division.

Although they have an explosive receiving corps, it will be hard to move past the steel curtain that is the Hamilton defense.

Montreal Alouettes

Key Additions

Hergy Mayala (wide receiver), Tyrell Richards (linebacker), Tyson Philpot (wide receiver).

Key Subtractions

David Menard (defensive lineman), Tony Washington (offensive tackle), Money Hunter (linebacker).

Biggest Strength

Khari Jones had a flashy and dependable running back named Charles Roberts during his playing career. As the former CFL Most Outstanding Player prepares for his third season as a head coach in Montreal, he’s got another good one to call upon in William Stanback.

Stanback was the only player to hit the 1,000-yard plateau in 2021, reaching that mark for a second-consecutive season with an impressive average of 6.1 yards per carry.

His strength and breakaway capability took a lot of pressure off their quarterbacks last year, and he may need to do the same for them in 2022.

Biggest Weakness

The Als improved tremendously in the secondary last season, leading the league in interceptions (17) and sacks (49), but they still had trouble stopping the run.

That will be something to be aware of this season after allowing 1,300 yards in 14 games last year.

This team needs to remain more disciplined as penalties were a massive backbreaker for them a season ago, and that needs to improve if they want to return to their dominant era in the mid-2000s.

Projection- Third in East Division

There is a lot to like about this defensive unit that Montreal possesses. They are aggressive, have swagger, and should be able to provide plenty of sparks for their offense.

Vernon Adams was on his way to a fantastic campaign before his wonky shoulder hampered his team’s chances.

If he can stay healthy, they have the potential to contend for the division, but I think it will take at least another year of experience before they make that jump.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Key Additions

Micah Johnson (defensive tackle), Lemar Durant (wide receiver), Alden Darby (defensive back).

Key Subtractions

Jeremiah Masoli (quarterback), Brandon Banks (wide receiver), and Ja’Gared Davis (defensive end).

Biggest Strength

Orlando Steinauer has built an intimidating defensive line who were near the top of most statistical categories last season.

Their linebacking corps though could be the best in the entire CFL, led by Simoni Lawrence, who always seems to be around the football, with remarkable closing speed.

They led the CFL when it comes to pass knockdowns in 2021 with 62, and with the addition of Micah Johnson on the defensive line, alongside Ted Laurent, quarterbacks might have a tough time getting their throws to their receivers once again.

Biggest Weakness

Even though this is a passing league at the moment, it doesn’t hurt to have a dependable running back who can convert those short-yardage situations and finish those long drives in the red zone with six points.

There is not enough evidence to suggest Don Jackson can be that guy for the two-time Eastern champions, as he only had 44 carries for 292 yards in 2021.

He was used primarily as a blocking back to set up the pass and did an admirable job at wearing out opposing teams’ front seven; however, they will hope to get some production from him, Sean Thomas-Erlington, and Wes Hills.

Neither of them is proven at the professional level, so it will be interesting to see how coach Steinauer chooses to employ them on offense.

Projection- First in East Division

The Tiger-Cats lost the Grey Cup in a heartbreaker last season, and the loss of Masoli could be a good thing as Dane Evans does not have to worry about media distractions or any quarterback controversy.

This is a stingy defensive unit that is good in every department, with all-stars all over the field.

Their experience and continuity, plus the motivation of having unfinished business, should be more than enough to see them earn a bye into the East Final.

Ottawa Redblacks

Key Additions

Jeremiah Masoli (quarterback), William Powell (running back), Darvin Adams (wide receiver).

Key Subtractions

Micah Awe (linebacker), DeVonte Dedmon (kick returner), Dominique Davis (quarterback).

Biggest Strength

Head coach Paul LaPolice will be happy to see William Powell returning to the fold, with the running back ripping off consecutive 1,000-yard seasons in the nation’s capital in 2018 and 2019.

Even at 34, he can still consistently gain positive yardage, enabling the Redblacks to be in more manageable second-down situations.

The versatility of Powell should add another dimension to what was often a stagnant offense in 2021 when they finished dead last in yards per game (268.2) and points scored (182).

Biggest Weakness

The secondary will face some big challenges this season, a challenge which they failed to meet in 2021.

They focused their offseason on improving offensively; however, they could struggle at preventing big plays through the air.

Ottawa allowed the second-most completions last year, making it far too easy for the opposition to convert second and third-downs, as they allowed an average of 8.9 yards per play through the air last season.

Projection- Fourth in East Division

The Redblacks should be a fun team to watch when they have the ball, and while I see them putting up a lot of points, they might need to score their share of touchdowns to win games.

That can be incredibly captivating to watch as a fan; however, needing to score touchdowns so much might not equal a lot of victories.