This is not only a way for me to get to know the ins and outs of the Canadian Football League, or to merely inform all of you about what is going on in the game of football in the Great White North. Football people should know some of these names because every so often one of these guys comes to the NFL and lights things up. Since the future of the United Football League is swirling around the drain, the CFL becomes another step for guys who do not initially get drafted by the 32 NFL teams. On top of that this league is a huge deal in Canada, and I do not know how else to make that point clear.
The name everyone has to know right now is Anthony Calvillo. This kid is lighting it up, and he is a CFL import. He went to school at Utah State, and has been up north since 1998. In that time he has won three Grey Cups, a Grey Cup MVP (2002), and won the CFL Most Outstanding player three times tying one Doug Flutie. He is currently fourth in all time professional football leagues passing yards, and set to smash many CFL records. He is the standard bearer for this league.
Ricky Ray of the Edmonton Eskimos is also very good. His team is 5-1 and Ray has completed 66% of his passes for over 1,700 yards and 11 TD’s. For those of you who play Canadian fantasy football he is a must start each week.
While the folks over at canadianfootballtalk.com are down a bit on Calgary Stampeders QB Henry Burris, his numbers for the year still look pretty good. He has completed 62% of his passes, but has just 7 TD’s. He is over 1,700 yards passing, but does have five INT’s. The added bonus with him is his ability to run with the ball, and extend plays with his elusiveness. He is currently ninth in rushing.
