Stamps start on top of CFL Power Rankings

It's easy to like the Stampeders' chances to repeat, not least of all because the guys that touch the ball the most -- QB Bo Levi Mitchell and RB Jon Cornish -- are among the best at their respective positions. Mitchell is a 25-year-old who is growing into his role as a top-tier quarterback, Cornish is the league's best runner and they are complemented by a Calgary defence that is strong in the secondary, not a bad feature in a pass-heavy league (at this point, aren't they all?).

Key Injuries: DT Corey Mace (foot).

The Eskimos had the second-best record and second-best point differential in the league last season and they should be similarly competitive this year. They will need someone to step up in the backfield, after losing John White for the season, but the rest of the squad is strong, and QB Mike Reilly is a dual threat, who threw the ball for more than 3,300 yards last season while running for more than 600.

Key Injuries: RB John White (Achilles), G Simeon Rottier (knee), WR Shamawd Chambers (knee).

Will the Lions rev up the attack under the guidance of new head coach Jeff Tedford? QB Travis Lulay is healthy and the preseason favourite to win the Most Outstanding Player. He also has help, notably from RB Andrew Harris, WR Emmanuel Arceneaux and from former NFL WR Austin Collie. If B.C. can play any D, they could be contenders.

Key Injuries:  WR Lavelle Hawkins (arm).

A healthy Darian Durant will give the Riders a chance to be good, maybe very good, though they start the season without a couple of starters, as slotback Weston Dressler and defensive back Tyron Brackenridge are out for the opener against Winnipeg.

Key Injuries:  SB Weston Dressler (undisclosed), DB Tyron Brackenridge (lower body).

This might seem like a rough opening ranking for the team that represented the East in the Grey Cup, but injuries have decimated the Tiger-Cats, so they're starting the season with an uphill fight. Ray Holley will get some reps at running back, but the strength of the Tiger-Cats attack should be the passing game, led by QB Zach Collaros who, even without Luke Tasker, has some weapons at his disposal. Can they hold the fort until the team gets healthy?

Key Injuries: RB C.J. Gable (hand), WR Luke Tasker (knee), DT Brian Bulcke (knee), DT Linden Gaydosh (Achilles), RB Mossis Madu (shoulder), DE Eric Norwood (lower body).

Even with the addition of former NFL defensive end Jamal Westerman, it's fair to question whether the Bombers can stop anyone defensively, so they might need to move the ball a lot on offence to keep pace. QB Drew Willy had a decent receiving corps and more protection with the addition of LT Stanley Bryant. If RB Paris Cotton can have something of a breakout season, then maybe Winnipeg could impove on last season's West-worst 7-11 record.

Key Injuries:   DB Mo Leggett (undisclosed).

Starting the season without star QB Ricky Ray is less than ideal, but if fill-in Trevor Harris can build on his modest resume, then the Argos could be okay, particularly if their running game gets any kind of boost from former Alouette Brandon Whitaker. There remains pressure on the offence to produce because Toronto's defence was so porous last season and there aren't yet enough pieces in place to think that everything is okay on the defensive side of the ball.

Key Injuries: QB Ricky Ray (shoulder), DB Travis Hawkins (quad), LB Thomas Miles (wrist), RB Curtis Steele (knee), TE Zander Robinson (knee).

There is lots of talk about the Alouettes running a two quarterback system, with both Jonathan Crompton and Dan LeFevour getting turns, but that would seem to indicate that they don't really have one guy that they are truly comfortable with (isn't the old saying that if you have two QBs, you really have none?). Crompton had a good record last season, but has room for improvement and has a receiving corps that should be able to help him, or LeFevour, along.

Key Injuries: WR Eric Deslauriers (finger), DB Andrew Lue (hamstring), DE Aaron Lavarias (arm), WR James Rodgers (undisclosed).

It takes time for an expansion team to get competitive, as the RedBlacks ought to be all to aware after last season, and they're still hoping for 40-year-old QB Henry Burris to lead the offence. The RedBlacks have bolstered the receiving corps, giving Burris real help, but they need more playmakers on both sides of the ball in order to be competitive.

Key Injuries: LB Malik Jackson (undisclosed), WR Marcus Henry (undisclosed).