Calgary Stampeders to Lift the Grey Cup

Calgary Stampeders to Lift the Grey Cup

The start of the season is fast approaching and all the teams in the Canadian Football League are gearing up for another incredible season after last year’s dramatic conclusion.

At the league level the biggest change is the decision to extend the regular season to a 21-week regular season. It’s hoped the move will decrease short turnaround times and increase rest time for players.

The 2017 season ended with a thrilling final as Toronto Argonauts beat Calgary Stampeders 27-24 in Ottawa. After their fairy-tale achievement and pre-season activities, the Argonauts are confident they can retain their title but will the Stamps bounce back after losing two finals in a row?

Calgary Stampeders Ready to Trample Over the Opposition

The bookmakers consider Calgary Stampeders the favourites for Grey Cup glory at a general price of $3.00. It’s tough to argue with that assessment.

They have been very active in the off-season with several departures and arrivals leaving the squad looking stronger than last year.

Stalwarts like Charleston Hughes and Josh Bell are among the key departures while Tommie Campbell, Jerome Messam, Marquay McDaniel and Rob Cote have also left.

It appears the Stamps are targeting the signing of fresh, young talent so you can bet they’ll be keeping an eye on the best up and coming talent around.

They secured the services of key targets including Jamar Wall, Ciante Evans, Roy Finch and possibly the best signing of the lot, DaVaris Daniels. Those new arrivals leave the squad looking well balanced while you have to think everybody at the Stampeders will be hungrier than ever following those heart-breaking final losses.

On paper, Calgary Stampeders have the best team in the league with plenty of flexible options. Trophies aren’t won on paper though so the Stamps must be at their best when it matters to get their hands on the Grey Cup again.

Toronto Argonauts Can Challenge Again

Defending champions, Toronto Argonauts, aren’t overly fancied by the bookmakers. If you enjoy wagering on sports in Canada you can still get the champions at a general $9.00.

In head coach, Marc Trestman, the have a three-time Grey Cup championship winner who is known as ‘the quarterback whisperer’. He’ll be whispering to a new quarterback this year in the shape of James Franklin. Argonauts fans hope that move will improve an offense which was ranked only in the middle of the CFL pack last year.

As well as a few departures, the most notable acquisitions are a pair of international receivers – Tobias Palmer and Kendall Sanders – which should solve a problem position.

The biggest addition though, may have been to the coaching department. Antony Calvillo joins as a highly respected quarterbacks coach with the Argos hopeful he’ll bring the same intensity to the role he brought as a player.

The Argonauts hierarchy have also made moves off the pitch. Lower ticket prices, a change in branding and the decision to move tailgate parties inside the stadium are the highlights of moves to try and increase fan numbers and give the players a boost. Might those changes help the Argonauts spring another surprise?