If Allen can last through the season, then the Argos might finish first. I say might because they aren't a lock. With Allen having a decent, healthy year, they should get enough production out of him to finish first since their defence is still solid and their special teams are great. I am not sold on Michael Bishop starting because when he has filled in for Allen as a starter, his TD-to-INT ratio has been putrid. I am convinced he is colour-blind when he has to throw the ball 25 yards or more. The Argos will have to pick it up offensively this season (having Avery start will help, IMHO) for them to win the East.
Winnipeg could win the East if Glenn becomes a QB who can win games at clutch times consistently. He is a decent QB who has flashes of brilliance but can also make poor decisions. If the Bombers can get the ball in Charles Roberts's hands more this year, it will help Glenn out even more. I am not a fan of Doug Berry's game management skills, so it will be interesting to watch. if Glenn gets hurt, they have NO clear backup at QB. None.
Defensively, the Bombers have a lot of talent. Any team with Barrin Simpson in the middle can bring it. It really depends on Glenn becoming an elite QB. Punting help for Westwood is needed...Pat Fleming? Ugh.
Montreal: flux. It reminds me of the Tabbies, circa 2002. The roller coaster is starting to descend and this isn't LaRonde. They have an aging OL, depth issues at wideout, and they have the same fundamental pressure-D scheme they had under Matthews without the big sack-production they had in 2004 with Anwar Stewart laying waste and being the Most Outstanding Defensive Player. Can be play-actioned and run at (the loss of Ed Philion will be big in the run-stopping area)...
The Cats? We shall see. If you are talking who has the best football-minded head coach (X's and O's-wise) in the East, it's Taaffe. Period. Gameplanning will be much improved this year and the depth coordinator-wise will pay dividends. We will have a balanced attack. The running game as a commitment is back and you will see a play-action game again, something the Cats haven't had since...Kerrigan to Stapler and Ingram, 1985?

I really like the overall upgrades in our Canadian depth -- the drafting of Bekasiak will be as huge as he is. He isn't Mike Philbrick II yet, but given time, he will be the run-stopping inheritor of that mantle. I also have liked Zeke Moreno from his time with the Chargers and he could become an impact guy for our D. If we get any improvement on our pass rush this year, Tay Cody can be an all-Canadian. Karikari as safety would make more sense to me, but it's the coaches' call. I hope Armour is able to have all his recent troubles sorted out because he brings it on the field. The defence could surprise.
In Setta We Trust. LOL If he can do both kicking roles, it would be huge. Regardless, our special teams will be better coached and they will be better because of the drafting we've had. Ray mariuz is a special teams assassin along with Hitch: more depth will help us win more field position battles.
One word: TURNOVERS! We simply need more fumble recoveries and interceptions to even dream of being in the competitive mix come November. Attacking the ball at every opportunity. We haven't had a ball-popping psycho in the middle since the days of Calvin Tiggle, frankly.
I like the personnel upgrades we've made and I expect more defensive scoring and game swings from this unit than we've had since 1-17.
The roster has to jell and the X-factor -- Corey Holmes -- will have to re-emerge with a banner year if the Cats are going to make any noise in the regular season. A playoff spot is certainly not out of the question. But questions remain.
We have to get out of preseason before the concreteness can set of course. LOL
Oski Wee Wee,