2014 CFL season preview: one thing to watch for each of the league’s teams

The 2014 CFL season kicks off Thursday with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hosting the Toronto Argonauts (8:30 p.m. Eastern, TSN/ESPN3), and it should be a fascinating one. There's a new team in Ottawa, a new stadium in Hamilton, new coaches in almost half of the league's cities and new players all over. We've spent a lot of time talking about each team in depth with our preview chat and CFL Soundtrack series, but what's important for fans of one team (or fans of the league as a whole) to keep an eye on with other teams? Here, we present one key issue to watch for each of the CFL's nine teams, going West to East.

West Division:

B.C. Lions: Can the new coordinators find success?

There's lots to keep an eye on B.C., including quarterback Travis Lulay's health (he's still recovering from shoulder surgery, and backup Kevin Glenn will start the season), but new coordinators Mark Washington (defence) and Khari Jones (offence) may be the most crucial. Both found a lot of success in the CFL as players and assistant coaches, but this is their first time stepping up to coordinator roles, and they're replacing two long-time veterans in Rich Stubler and Jacques Chapdelaine. They'll be under plenty of pressure to learn fast, as B.C. is hosting the Grey Cup this year and wants to win now.

Calgary Stampeders: Will Bo Levi Mitchell keep his job as starting quarterback?

The battle for Calgary's starting quarterback job played out between Mitchell and Drew Tate throughout training camp and the preseason with no clear resolution, and head coach/general manager John Hufnagel only officially chose Mitchell this week. The 24-year-old Mitchell has shown lots of promise in his two years with the Stampeders so far, but hasn't started much. Will he be able to hang on to the job when the games start to matter?

Edmonton Eskimos: How will Chris Jones do as a head coach, especially on offence?

New Edmonton coach Chris Jones has over a decade of CFL experience, but it was mostly on the defensive side of the ball. How will he handle the adjustment to a head-coaching role, especially on offence? OC Stephen McAdoo and OL coach/run-game coordinator Jonathan Himebauch are promising assistants, but we'll still see what Jones can do as an overseer of them. This may be critical, as offence (and the offensive line in particular) was a big issue in Edmonton last year.

Saskatchewan Roughriders: Can they replace Kory Sheets?

Grey Cup MVP Sheets leaving Saskatchewan for the NFL's Oakland Raiders marked perhaps the biggest loss any CFL team suffered this offseason. The Riders' whole offence was established by Sheets, with the team running more than anyone else (and running very successfully). Will they run as much without him? Rookie Keith Toston is promising, and they did acquire vet Hugh Charles as insurance, but unless someone can be almost as effective as Sheets, they may have to pass more. QB Darian Durant's life could be more difficult if they're not setting up the pass with the run as much.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers: How will Drew Willy do?

There are new quarterbacks all over this league, but Willy has the least experience of any new starter. He impressed as a backup in Saskatchewan, but rarely got to play. Winnipeg took a major gamble on him as their starter; we'll see if that pays off, especially now that the Bombers are in a tough West Division.

East Division:

Hamilton Tiger-Cats: Can this team keep it up?

The Tiger-Cats made quite the turnaround in 2013, going from 6-12 the year before to 10-8 with a Grey Cup appearance in general manager/head coach Kent Austin's first year. However, there were some notable flaws on that team, especially on defence, and they were outscored 468-453 on the year. Now, they've replaced veteran QB Henry Burris with less-tested pivot Zach Collaros and made plenty of other wholesale changes. Will they be able to get back to the Grey Cup, or will there be some regression to come?

Toronto Argonauts: Is Ricky Ray going to be able to stay healthy?

Ray was the league's best player last year when he was playing, but he only suited up for 10 of the Argos' 18 games. He's shown an incredible accuracy recently, completing 77.3 per cent of his passes last year, tearing up the CFL record books and being a dominant offensive force with 21 touchdowns and just two interceptions. However, he has faced significant injuries recently, and he is turning 35 this year. The Argos' offence may depend on if he can stay in the game, especially now that promising 2013 backup Collaros has headed to Hamilton.

Ottawa Redblacks: How quickly will they gel?

The Redblacks have a solid collection of talent thanks to looser expansion draft rules this time around, plus some impressive trades and free-agency signings. Unlike every other CFL team, though, they have no returning core; few of their guys have ever played together, and their coaching staff is new as well. That may take some time to work out, especially considering that they're on the road for the first three weeks of the season.

Montreal Alouettes: Will they stay on the same page?

There's lots of talent in Montreal, but there are plenty of personalities as well, from long-time GM Jim Popp to new head coach Tom Higgins (picked over Popp's wishes) to quarterback and former Heisman winner Troy Smith to new receiver Chad "Ochocinco" Johnson. Can all of these big names work together, especially when the going gets tough, or are things likely to implode?

Stay tuned to 55-Yard Line for tons of coverage this CFL season. Also check out the new Yahoo CFL standings and statistics pages.