CFL

Seven weeks into the 2014 CFL season, one thing is becoming clear: teams in the CFL East are no match for teams in the CFL West.

Teams in the West Division are a combined 23-9 while teams in the Eastern Division are a combined 5-19. In play between the two divisions, the eastern team has only come out on top twice in 18 games.

And it isn't like things have been terribly close in those games either.

Although the two East Division wins were both blowouts—the Montreal Alouettes crushed the BC Lions 24-9 and the Toronto Argonauts hammered the Saskatchewan Roughriders 48-15, both in Week 2—the West has been equally savage in their beatdowns of eastern rivals. Only two games have been decided by three points or fewer, with the West holding a commanding 548-352 advantage in points for and against in interdivisional games.

All five West Division teams have more wins and more points for than all four East Division teams—if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers were still in the East this year, they'd be running away with the division. In fact, three teams in the west—the Calgary Stampeders, the Edmonton Eskimos and the Blue Bombers—each have as many wins as all the East Division teams combined.

Some of this can be explained by having the expansion Ottawa RedBlacks in the mix. They've won just a single game this year, besting the Argos 18-17 in Week 4. Against West Division teams, their closest game so far was an eight-point loss to the Blue Bombers in Week 2.

And things aren't getting any better for them—the Stampeders never trailed in a 38-17 rout of the Rouge et Noir in Week 7 action, although Ottawa finally earned their first-ever passing touchdown in franchise history when Henry Burris connected with Wallace Miles in the third quarter.

But Ottawa only accounts for four of the 16 losses eastern teams have suffered to western opposition at this point in the schedule. 

In Ottawa's case, they're going through growing pains as an expansion team trying to find its way.

In Toronto's case, they're dealing with some significant injuries to key players, as receivers Chad Owens, Andre Durie, Jason Barnes and Anthony Coombs have all missed time, while linebacker Nick Williams is done for the year with a torn ACL.

Montreal is struggling to find a reliable quarterback since last year's retirement of all-time passing leader Anthony Calvillo, and former Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith isn't getting it done. 

And the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, who made it all the way to the Grey Cup last year, currently have 21 players on the injured list, including starting QB Zach Collaros as well as six offensive linemen and five defensive linemen.

Of course, all is not lost. If Hamilton and Toronto can get healthy in the coming weeks, they should see their fortunes improve significantly. Ottawa still has time to find their groove and pick up a few more wins. And if Montreal's quarterbacks can start finding their talented receivers, they'll begin putting points on the board.

But for right now, it looks like the Grey Cup is going to remain in the West for another year.

Follow me on Twitter @calgaryjimbo

While the game itself was a laugher—the Saskatchewan Roughriders pummelled the Ottawa RedBlacks 38-14—Ottawa's first score of the game was something special.

Late in the second quarter, the RedBlacks were already down 32-0 and had missed two field goals that would have at least put them on the board. On 3rd-and-3 from their own 53-yard line, Ottawa looked as if they were going to go for it, keeping quarterback Thomas DeMarco on the field with a full complement of backs and receivers.

DeMarco took the snap as his backfield took off in what appeared to be receiving patterns. But instead of dropping into the pocket for a pass, DeMarco punted the ball deep into Roughriders territory. The ball skipped at about the 17-yard line and rolled into the end zone.

As players from both teams trotted into the end zone to down the ball, RedBlacks receiver Dobson Collins stormed in from well behind the lead players and pounced on the loose ball. Upon review, Collins was indeed onside when DeMarco kicked the ball, still at least a yard behind the QB when the punt was made.

Net result, Ottawa's first home-field touchdown in their brief history as the newest CFL team. A highlight-reel play in an otherwise ugly game for the RedBlacks.

See the replay on the CFL website.

Follow me on Twitter @calgaryjimbo

Through five weeks of the 20-week CFL season, it's already apparent the West Division is ruling the league with an iron fist.   

The Calgary Stampeders remain the only unbeaten team in the league after defeating the previously undefeated Edmonton Eskimos by a score of 26-22. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers torched the BC Lions 23-6 to further establish the balance of power in the West.

As for the East Division, things remain close, as each team has only amassed one victory this season.

Here's a look at the final scores from each Week 5 contest:

Team 1	Score	Team 2
Calgary Stampeders	26-22	Edmonton Eskimos
Winnipeg Blue Bombers	23-6	BC Lions
Ottawa Redblacks	23-33	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Toronto Argonauts	9-37	Saskatchewan Roughriders

With those results now in the books, the standings have shifted in a big way—especially in the East. Take a glance at how each team is faring heading into Week 6:

East	Team	Record	PCT	STK
West	Team	Record	PCT	STK
1	Tiger-Cats	1-3	.250	W1
2	Redblacks	1-3	.250	L1
3	Alouettes	1-3	.250	L2
4	Argonauts	1-4	.200	L3
1	Stampeders	4-0	1.000	W4
2	Eskimos	4-1	.800	L1
3	Blue Bombers	4-1	.800	W1
4	Roughriders	2-2	.500	W1
5	Lions	2-3	.400	L1

While the season has another 15 weeks remaining before the playoffs, certain teams already have plenty of ground to make up to stay in contention.

The path to redemption for these squads starts with their Week 6 contests, and due to some intriguing matchups, the current standings could shift dramatically once more.

Week 6 Schedule

Away Team	Home Team
Winnipeg Blue Bombers	Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Toronto Argonauts	Montreal Alouettes
BC Lions	Calgary Stampeders
Saskatchewan Roughriders	Ottawa Redblacks

Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Each of these teams is looking to continue momentum after earning impressive victories in Week 5.

Winnipeg is looking good at 4-1 on the season, but a win here is crucial in a very strong West Division. The team will once again rely on the arm of Drew Willy. The quarterback hasn't been overly efficient this year, tossing six touchdown passes and four interceptions, but he's been moving the ball nicely, accumulating 1,301 yards so far—good enough for second in the league.

Take a look at the Blue Bombers' most recent performance, courtesy of CFL Official Feed:

Willy is coming off a strong performance in Week 5 against the BC Lions, and with a lackluster running game behind him, another big showing will be needed to fend off a Hamilton team that seemed to discover its offense in Week 5 due to a well-balanced offensive attack.

Toronto Argonauts at Montreal Alouettes

The Alouettes are back in action in Week 6 after a terrible start to their season. This team was simply dominated by the Lions in Week 4, losing by a score of 41-5 after being unable to muster any kind of offense.

Although, the Argonauts are facing a similar situation. They were torched 37-9 by Saskatchewan in Week 5 with no signs of a running game and some poor decisions from quarterback Ricky Ray.

The victor of this contest will benefit greatly from a much-needed boost of confidence.

BC Lions at Calgary Stampeders

Calgary will look to keep its unbeaten streak alive in Week 6 against the Lions. The Stampeders have been able to get it done with an efficient passing attack from Bo Levi Mitchell, who has thrown seven touchdown passes so far this season without tossing a single interception.

Special teams has played a big role for Calgary as well. Here's a great look at a touchdown the unit produced against Edmonton, via the Stampeders' official Twitter account:

For the Lions, a more consistent effort from quarterback Kevin Glenn is necessary. He's fourth in the league in passing yards but struggles with accuracy, throwing five touchdowns against eight interceptions so far this season.

If Glenn gives Calgary's defense opportunities to create turnovers, the Stampeders will undoubtedly remain undefeated this season.

Saskatchewan Roughriders at Ottawa Redblacks

The Roughriders are 2-2 on the season after a dominant win against Toronto in Week 5, but this team has plenty of work ahead to contend in the ultra-competitive West Division.

Saskatchewan's defense showed up in a big way against Toronto, holding the Argonauts to just nine points while forcing two interceptions. The team also controlled the clock nicely with a solid 113-yard, three-touchdown performance from running back Will Ford.

Ottawa will be looking to get back on track after giving up 33 points to Hamilton in Week 5. The Redblacks allowed Hamilton's Dan LeFevour to gain 361 yards through the air and 109 yards on the ground in a terrible defensive showing.

If the Redblacks allow that same kind of freedom to the versatile Darian Durant, they'll suddenly find themselves in a two-game slump.

After overcoming uncertainty regarding his work permit, Chad Johnson is finally in Canada and ready to work for his new employers, the Montreal Alouettes of the Canadian Football League.

The only problem now, however, seems to be all the French road signs lining the streets of his new home. Johnson posted a picture to Instagram of two parking tickets he earned after illegally parking in Montreal.

The wide receiver captioned the picture with a less than jovial message.

"I [bleeping] love everything about Montreal, they gave me a ticket for each windshield wiper. Now that's some thoughtful [bleep]," Johnson wrote.

Johnson tweeted a message to Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre on Tuesday, asking if there’s any way Coderre can help him out of the 15 parking tickets he’s accumulated since arriving in town.

How long did it take Johnson to rack up 15 parking tickets? He says he’s been in Montreal for two weeks.

Rest assured, Johnson might be averaging over a ticket a day since arriving in Canada, but the mayor appears to be willing to hear him out. Johnson suggested they meet up for some fast food, coffee or cigars.

Coderre says he's down to meet for a crash course in French.

So, let it be known: It could come to pass that Johnson and the mayor of Montreal sit down for cigars and a private, high-level discussion about the city’s public infrastructure—which could be the plot of a very Canadian James Bond movie.

I’ll keep you in my thoughts, Ocho. Moreover, I’ll send you a book filled with easy instructions on how to use your smartphone to translate French into English.

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TSN has revealed its list of the top 50 players in the CFL for the 2014 season, and wide receiver Chad Johnson of the Montreal Alouettes is not on the list.

While this might not come as much of a shock to CFL fans, it might be surprising for fans of the NFL or of Johnson. After all, when a (formerly) elite receiver from the NFL decides to try his hand in the Canadian game, it just stands to reason that he'll start right at the top of the class, right?

Wrong.

Johnson was not much of a factor in his preseason debut, making just a single catch for 13 yards. 

Meanwhile, slot back S.J. Green, sixth on TSN's Top 50 list, caught two passes for 44 yards, and wide receiver Duron Carter, 35th on TSN's list, has caught five passes for 51 yards in two preseason games.

And that's going to be the reality for "Ochocinco" as he acclimates himself to the CFL game this year; he is going to be, at best, the third option for quarterback Troy Smith. 

Chances are good that this is as far up the pecking order as Johnson will ever get on the Alouettes. He's 36 years old and hasn't been involved in a meaningful game since he parted ways with the New England Patriots in 2011. 

But I'm okay with that. It takes guts for Johnson to attempt a comeback after two years away from the sport. More than that, it's good for the CFL. The entire league is getting more attention this year because of Johnson's presence, and more attention means more fans in the seats, better TV ratings and more profitability.

Since the recent collective bargaining agreement strife, everyone is talking about the CFL's ability to generate income. The boost that No. 85 should bring to the Alouettes in particular and the CFL in general should help to make the product more financially viable.

Just don't expect Ochocinco to go breaking any receiving records.

The Alouettes open the regular season on the road when they take on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday, June 28 at 3 p.m. ET.

Follow me on Twitter @calgaryjimbo.

It's been a full two seasons since we've seen wide receiver Chad Johnson in uniform.

On Friday, he finally made his debut with the Montreal Alouettes after signing with the team two months prior.

Some things have changed for Johnson; his new scenery brings with it rule changes, new schemes and a field much longer and wider than what he's been used to throughout his career.

Other things are still the same.

Johnson still wears No. 85 and has plenty of enthusiasm for the game; however, he also continues to show his age.

That was all apparent during his one-catch performance on Friday.

No. 85 lined up outside and appeared rather slow off the line of scrimmage, only able to separate from the secondary due to other wide receivers' clearing routes. He did record a catch, but his sloppy footwork led to a slip-up and a gain of just 13 yards.

Here's a look at his catch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4Zd1LMNbUY

Johnson, now 36 years of age, doesn't quite have the acceleration and quickness that made him a star while playing for the Cincinnati Bengals. However, that fact was well on display once the wide receiver was traded to the New England Patriots.

While in New England, Johnson struggled with Bill Belichick's system, and his numbers took a drastic slide as a result.

Just two years removed from a 1,000-yard season, Johnson recorded just 15 receptions for 276 yards and one score with the Patriots in 2011.

Expect more of the same from Johnson with the Alouettes this season.

Against a bevy of talent in the Canadian Football League, Johnson not only has to deal with his deteriorating abilities on the football field, but he must learn a completely new system—and the league's rules—and find a rapport with his quarterback, former Heisman winner Troy Smith.

That's no easy feat.

Still, Johnson remains excited and optimistic for his opportunity to continue playing football. The wide received conveyed his interesting thoughts during an interview with Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette:

"It's similar to the feeling before I lost my virginity. There's a certain level of excitement, anticipation—not knowing what’s going to happen or what I'm going to get."

Johnson may be excited, but don't expect a bounce-back year from the aging wide receiver. He'll serve the team better in terms of ticket sales rather than on-field production.

Is Mike Reilly a magician or just a sniper with the football? 

It’s difficult to say.

The Edmonton Eskimos quarterback remains adamant that he pulled off a ridiculous trick shot in a new Reebok commercial. With the help of fellow CFLers Jason Vega, Adam Bighill and Brian Bulcke, Reilly appears to throw the ball through three falling tires. 

“That was legitimate,” Reilly told Gerry Moddejonge of the Edmonton Sun. “You saw the ball…it took a couple of tries, but we weren’t there all day. I’ll say that…magicians never reveal their secrets, know what I mean?” 

Well, that’s a bit paradoxical. You can’t lead by saying it was legitimate and then wink at us like David Blaine.

Nonetheless, Reilly says his job in the stunt was the easiest. As usual, the big guys got stuck doing all the inglorious work. 

“The hardest part about that video was the guys throwing the tires,” Reilly said. “Those were not light tires and to try to throw them all in unison like that, they did a good job…I felt bad for Jason because he was throwing first, so if we screwed it up he had to keep going…when they were telling me about it, I was like, ‘We’re going to be here for a week.’ ” 

Do you believe the man?

After slowing the video down to one-quarter speed, the ball appears to pass through all the tires without jumping. Then again, it doesn’t exactly take a Michael Bay effort to edit a football pass.

Regardless of tampering, the video is a cool piece of work from a league that gets little attention relative to its American counterpart. Unless Chad Johnson gets his clavicle pulped in his CFL debut for Montreal Alouettes, this could be the only Canadian football video most Americans watch this year.

 

On the Twitters.

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The CFL's 2014 season is in danger.

Negotiations between the league and the CFL Players' Association on a new collective bargaining agreement seem to have reached an impasse. The current agreement expires on May 29, so a deadline to reach a new CBA is looming.

CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon finally let his frustrations be known on May 21 when he sent out "An Open Letter to Canadian Football League Fans" via CFL.ca:

Out of respect for our players and the negotiation process, we have had little to say in public. But now that the talks have reached a critical juncture, I want to provide you, the most important people in the CFL, with an update.

Today, we have directly communicated to CFL players the full details of our offer to them. ...

Unfortunately, the union’s bargaining team has rejected this offer, and instead put forward an unrealistic proposal which, if adopted, would threaten the very existence of the CFL.

The details of the offer from the CFL were noted in another letter directed to the players and also posted to CFL.ca:

Financial Terms
• Increase the salary cap by 9% this season from $4,400,000 to $4,800,000 per team (and further increasing by $50,000 each year over the following five years to $5,050,000)
• Effectively increase the average player salary up to 12% this season from $82,904 to $92,917 (and further increasing over the following five years)
• Increase the minimum player salary by 11% this season from $45,000 to $50,000 (and further increasing to $55,000 over the following five years)
• A further increase to the salary cap of $100,000 per team if the CFL receives more television revenue from TSN under a renegotiated broadcast agreement for each remaining year on the CBA
• Maintain the $450,000 annual payment to the CFLPA for Player marketing and other rights

This has been a long and difficult process for all involved. And when it comes right down to it, we just want to play. So, we have also offered to pay a ratification bonus of $3,000 to veteran Players and $1,000 to rookie Players (on a team roster as at June 22, 2014) if this agreement is ratified on or before June 2, 2014.

Player Safety & Welfare
• Immediately add two players to each team’s Active Roster
• Immediately restrict the number of contact practices during the regular season
• Maintain 2013 CFL policy to restrict the number of contact practices during training camp
• Maintain all current Player pension, medical plan and life insurance benefits
• Maintain all CFL annual payments for Player counselling and rehabilitation support under the CFL-CFLPA Drug Policy

To this point in the negotiation process, the commissioner's office has consistently chosen to keep the details of the talks quiet, but with the clock ticking, it seems they have decided to try to sway public opinion in their favor. 

I don't think it's going to work.

CFLPA President Scott Flory responded via Facebook:

I want to start by saying how disappointed I am in the CFL’s decision to walk away from these very crucial negotiations. The unfortunate ones caught in the middle are you, the fans. We, the players, only want a fair deal that reflects the concept of Players sharing in the potential growth of what we have all built. ...

As professionals, we want to be fairly compensated for the fast pace, physical, entertaining game that is on the field. We are in not interested in destroying the game that has given us all so much. We put our bodies, hearts and souls on the line and seek nothing more than to be fairly paid for what we do.

We understand the limitations, but we also understand what is fair. It is unfortunate that the business side of the game has tarnished what we are building. We want to build a partnership where both sides benefit.

News of these latest developments in the CBA negotiation have been a hot topic on Twitter, with a number of people weighing in. Said Scott Mitchell, of the Calgary Sun: 

The tone has been the same through three months of "negotiations." This isn't surprising at all, which is unfortunate. #CFL

— Scott Mitchell (@SUNMitchell) May 21, 2014

Added Calgary Stampeders running back Jon Cornish:

I'd invite those thinking we make "enough" to actually play in a CFL game but you'd have to take a pay cut :(

— Jon Cornish (@jonnycornish) May 21, 2014

Cornish isn't entirely wrong either. According to StatCan, the average household income in Canada in 2011 was $79,600. That's $29,600 more than the minimum wage being proposed by the CFL for the 2014 season and only $13,317 less than the proposed average CFL salary.

In big Canadian cities, with big Canadian costs of living, this is a long way from giving players financial security during or past their playing days.

Granted, this isn't the NFL and the players shouldn't be expecting to earn NFL-sized wages, but these are highly trained professional athletes playing a very physically demanding sport. The fact that many of them are earning such a modest income probably comes as a surprise to many fans. Having the CFL's commissioner whining publicly about having to pay them a living wage will probably not engender much sympathy among fans.

When the NBA and NHL went through their recent battles—and work stoppages—fans I know got progressively more irritated listening to millionaires argue with billionaires over how to slice up the revenue pie. But the CFL is a different animal. The revenue stream is much smaller, and the payouts are much smaller across the board as a result. 

Still, if Cohon's plan is to demonstrate to the fans that the CFL aren't the bad guys in this negotiation and that the players are just trying to milk the teams for a bunch of undeserved money, I don't think he's going to get the response he's hoping for. 

In this regard, I think Cohon is making a mistake. If he's trying to get the fans on his side in order to put pressure on the CFLPA, this is the wrong tactic, and it is liable to backfire. The commissioner's office and the CFL may wind up on the wrong side of the fans they are trying to win over, instead putting the pressure on the league to make a deal the players are happy with.

Follow me on Twitter @calgaryjimbo.

Former NFL receiver Chad Johnson stirred up headlines this week with the announcement that the man once known as "Ochocinco" had signed a deal with the Montreal Alouettes. 

While Johnson is an enigmatic sports personality and draws attention wherever he goes and for whatever he does, the reality is that he has been out of the game for two years and, at age 36, might not be able to contribute much to an Alouettes squad that struggled last year and that is in flux after the retirement of superstar quarterback Anthony Calvillo. 

Johnson's attempted CFL comeback brings to mind other high-profile attempts to return to football by way of the Canadian game.

For example, a decade ago, a 37-year-old Andre Rison decided to come out of retirement after three years away from the sport. Although he was a part of the Toronto Argonauts' 2004 Grey Cup champion team, he caught just 14 passes in five appearances that year, averaging a decent—but unremarkable—12.4 yards per catch while scoring just a single touchdown.

A year later, "Bad Moon" played in just one game, catching one pass for four yards before being released. 

Johnson's comeback attempt with Montreal mirrors Rison's in that they're of a similar age and have been away from the game for a similar amount of time. That may not bode well for Johnson's bid.

What makes this even more interesting (at least for me) is that there has been no mention of Montreal pursuing quarterback Tim Tebow, who is the property of the Alouettes in the CFL. Although Tebow has stated in the past that he isn't interested in a CFL career—preferring to continue to chase his dream of once again playing quarterback in the NFL—a full season away from the field may have changed his feelings on the matter.

While people like former CFL and NFL quarterback Warren Moon have said that Tebow's passing abilities (or lack thereof) make him a poor candidate for the CFL, the fact that no one is even giving him a training camp invite surprises me, as Tebow's reputation for hard work and the media attention he brings would probably be a positive for any team that gave him a shot.

Montreal is in need of a starting quarterback. Calvillo's retirement leaves a big gap in that spot, and the team has yet to re-sign its No. 2 quarterback from last year, Josh Neiswander, who remains a free agent.

Neiswander threw for 1,311 yards last year, and having both of the top two quarterbacks for the team currently out of the picture makes the Alouettes especially vulnerable in a pass-first league. While their third option from 2013, Tanner Marsh, is signed and threw for 972 yards last year, they are thin in that critical spot.

Having as many choices as possible on the preseason roster makes sense to me, and that might include someone like Tebow—because, at the end of the day, all the receivers in the world won't matter if they don't have someone who can consistently throw to them.

But all of this conjecture could still be for naught. The CFL and the Players Association are still in the process of renegotiating a new collective bargaining agreement and, as CFLPA president (and Montreal lineman) Scott Flory has stated, the players will not play under the terms of the current deal, which expires on May 30.

Said Flory, via Curtis Rush of the Toronto Star: "The players want a fair share and deserve a fair share of what’s gone on in this league because it’s been on the backs of the players that the CFL has enjoyed the success and continued growth."

If no agreement can be reached before the May 30 deadline passes, the players might strike, putting the preseason in jeopardy, which might spill over into the regular season as well. And that could make any discussion about Chad Johnson, Tim Tebow or any other former NFL player trying to make the CFL moot.

Follow me on Twitter @calgaryjimbo

Updates from Tuesday, April 22

Alex Marvez of Fox Sports 1 has the latest on Chad Johnson's contract with Montreal:

Original Text

Six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver Chad Johnson has found an opportunity to extend his career in the Canadian Football League with the Montreal Alouettes, agreeing to a deal with the team on Thursday.   

The CFL's official feed broke the news, and the Alouettes captured Johnson putting pen to paper with Montreal vice president and general manger Jim Popp at his side:

Kirk Penton of the Winnipeg Sun provided comments from Johnson:

According to the Alouettes' Facebook page, the deal runs for two years, suggesting that Johnson will finish his days on the gridiron in Montreal since he's already 36 years old. That is, if he can prove capable of competing in the CFL in the first place, which is no guarantee.

However, Popp seemed to think that Johnson did well enough in his tryout to warrant the contract:

A recent post on Instagram showed Johnson running a sharp slant route and getting a step on an unknown cornerback on a deep route, suggesting he might still have something left in the tank:

CBS Sports' Jason La Canfora provided some insight into what Johnson was doing to prepare for his tryout for Montreal:

Johnson was among the NFL's best receivers when he was in his prime, stringing together six consecutive 1,000-yard seasons at his peak from 2002 through 2007 as a member of the Cincinnati Bengals. However, he hasn't played a down in a significant game since his lackluster stint with the New England Patriots in 2011.

The Miami Dolphins took a chance on Johnson prior to the 2012 campaign, but after he was arrested and charged with simple domestic battery, Miami terminated his contract before he made a regular-season appearance.

Bringing in a colorful personality such as Johnson will enhance publicity for the CFL and the Alouettes organization in particular, but this could turn out to be just a splash move to generate attention rather than something that will ultimately help the team.

Drew Edwards of The Scratching Post alluded to the attention Johnson would inevitably command in his first action for the Alouettes:

Then again, the level of competition he will face in Canada should be significantly worse, so perhaps he'll produce at a high level. Since winning back-to-back Grey Cups—the CFL version of the Super Bowl—in 2009 and 2010, Montreal has struggled to thrive in the playoffs. Johnson may be the spark the Alouettes need, both in terms of his level of play and the enthusiasm and passion he brings to the locker room.

This isn't a long-term investment by Popp, though, so even if the Johnson experiment blows up in a bad way, it should be rather easy to dispose of him. One potential scenario that could be dangerous is Johnson developing a superiority complex having starred in the NFL in the past, then trying to impose his influence with too much zeal.

Evidently, Popp and the Montreal front office don't believe that will be a problem. This acquisition of Johnson therefore seems like a win for both sides and should help the Alouettes' efforts to return to prominence in the CFL postseason.