Ricky Ray Hamilton

Okay, I need to make a confession and I figured why pay good money for counselling when I can unburden myself on the general public. It’s time to come out of the closet. I………am………a………CFL fan.

In fact………I LOVE THIS GAME! (That’s right David Stern, I’ve nicked the NBA’s slogan the same way you let Clay Bennett steal the Seattle Sonics.)

I realise the CFL is not viewed as particularly cool in a city with MLB, NHL and NBA franchises, but I’ve enjoyed it ever since going to my first game at the Skydome. As such, I’m revved up for tonight’s season-opener in Edmonton.

The question is, do the Toronto Argonauts have any chance of making some noise this season? I say yes, and not just because they play in an eight-team league where 75% of the franchises make the play-offs. (Hey, I may love the CFL but it still needs fixing.)

The biggest concern is the defence, which last year was softer than a 90-year-old man in bed with Sarah Jessica Parker and Rosie O’Donnell. (Translation for the more sophisticated and/or naive amongst you: the Boatmen ranked dead-last in all major defensive categories.)

Of course Willie Pile’s recent retirement didn’t help, but even with a revamped secondary (four new starters) I firmly believe they’ll play better D, galvanised by the potential of home-field advantage for the 100th Grey Cup.

On offence, the loss of former All-Star Rob Murphy (retirement) and Dominic Picard (free-agency) could impact the line. However, future Hall-of-Famer Ricky Ray represents a major upgrade over Cleo Lemon (that dude still gives me nightmares) as long as he has time to throw from the pocket.

And if I’m wrong? Then it’s back into the closet to continue quietly supporting the Argonauts and we can all forget this conversation ever took place.

Photo: Chris Young – The Canadian Press


Tags: , clay bennett, cleo lemon, david stern, , edmonton eskimos, , , , ricky ray, rob murphy, seattle sonics, , ttoronto argonauts, willie pile