Advertisement

Players to watch in CFL division semi-finals

  • <b>Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Offence:</b> Henry Burris, QB<br> The QB is tasked with guiding the Ticats against the East’s best defence. The Als’ blitz-heavy attack means receivers will be open downfield, if Burris can get them the ball.
    1/7

    Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Henry Burris launches a pass against the Montreal Alouettes during first half CFL action in Guelph, Ont. on Saturday October 26, 2013. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

    Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Offence: Henry Burris, QB
    The QB is tasked with guiding the Ticats against the East’s best defence. The Als’ blitz-heavy attack means receivers will be open downfield, if Burris can get them the ball.
  • <b>Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Defence:</b> Mark Beswick, LB<br> The Ticats didn’t have a single defensive player named to the East All-Star team, but linebacker Beswick was a special-teams star. He led the CFL in special-teams tackles and is the East nominee for Most Outsanding Special Teams Player.
    2/7

    Mark Beswick Tiger-Cats

    Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Defence: Mark Beswick, LB
    The Ticats didn’t have a single defensive player named to the East All-Star team, but linebacker Beswick was a special-teams star. He led the CFL in special-teams tackles and is the East nominee for Most Outsanding Special Teams Player.
  • <b>Montreal Alouettes – Offence:</b> Troy Smith, QB<br> The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback joined the Alouettes late but was impressive in a couple starts. He has the burden of replacing Anthony Calvillo under centre.
    3/7

    Montreal Alouettes quarterback Troy Smith scrambles away from Hamilton Tiger-Cats Brandon Isaac in Guelph

    Montreal Alouettes – Offence: Troy Smith, QB
    The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback joined the Alouettes late but was impressive in a couple starts. He has the burden of replacing Anthony Calvillo under centre.
    REUTERS
  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <b>B.C. Lions – Offence:</b> Andrew Harris, RB<br> The Lions still haven’t announced who their starting quarterback will be on Sunday, which puts added pressure on the running game. Luckily for the Lions, they have a dangerous two-headed running attack. Harris finished third in the CFL in rushing yards this year and will be counted on, along with Stefan Logan, to carry the load against the Riders.
    4/7

    B.C Lions quarterback Travis Lulay hands the ball off to teammate Andrew Harris against the Calgary Stampeders during the first half of their CFL football game in Vancouver

    B.C. Lions – Offence: Andrew Harris, RB
    The Lions still haven’t announced who their starting quarterback will be on Sunday, which puts added pressure on the running game. Luckily for the Lions, they have a dangerous two-headed running attack. Harris finished third in the CFL in rushing yards this year and will be counted on, along with Stefan Logan, to carry the load against the Riders.
    REUTERS
  • <b>B.C. Lions – Defence:</b> Cord Parks, CB<br> The CFL rookie made a splash in his first season finishing second in the league in interceptions with six and being named a West Division All-Star.
    5/7

    BC Lions cornerback Parks stops Saskatchewan Roughriders wide receiver Bagg from catching the ball during their CFL football game in Vancouver

    B.C. Lions – Defence: Cord Parks, CB
    The CFL rookie made a splash in his first season finishing second in the league in interceptions with six and being named a West Division All-Star.
    REUTERS
  • <b>Saskatchewan Roughriders – Offence:</b> Kory Sheets, RB<br> The Roughriders’ All-Star running back had another impressive season, finishing with over 1,000 rushing yards for the second year in a row. If the weather turns foul in Regina on Sunday he could get a lot of touches.
    6/7

    Saskatchewan Roughriders running back Kory Sheets celebrates his team's win against the BC Lions during the second half of their CFL football game in Regina

    Saskatchewan Roughriders – Offence: Kory Sheets, RB
    The Roughriders’ All-Star running back had another impressive season, finishing with over 1,000 rushing yards for the second year in a row. If the weather turns foul in Regina on Sunday he could get a lot of touches.
    REUTERS
  • Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

    Yahoo News is better in the app

    Stay in the know at a glance with the Top 10 daily stories

  • <b>Saskatchewan Roughriders – Defence:</b> Alex Hall, DE<br> Hall was acquired in a late-season trade with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and made an immediate impact with the Riders. He finished second in the CFL with 16 sacks and added 40 tackles and a fumble recovery.
    7/7

    Alex Hall Roughriders

    Saskatchewan Roughriders – Defence: Alex Hall, DE
    Hall was acquired in a late-season trade with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and made an immediate impact with the Riders. He finished second in the CFL with 16 sacks and added 40 tackles and a fumble recovery.
<b>Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Offence:</b> Henry Burris, QB<br> The QB is tasked with guiding the Ticats against the East’s best defence. The Als’ blitz-heavy attack means receivers will be open downfield, if Burris can get them the ball.
<b>Hamilton Tiger-Cats – Defence:</b> Mark Beswick, LB<br> The Ticats didn’t have a single defensive player named to the East All-Star team, but linebacker Beswick was a special-teams star. He led the CFL in special-teams tackles and is the East nominee for Most Outsanding Special Teams Player.
<b>Montreal Alouettes – Offence:</b> Troy Smith, QB<br> The former Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback joined the Alouettes late but was impressive in a couple starts. He has the burden of replacing Anthony Calvillo under centre.
<b>B.C. Lions – Offence:</b> Andrew Harris, RB<br> The Lions still haven’t announced who their starting quarterback will be on Sunday, which puts added pressure on the running game. Luckily for the Lions, they have a dangerous two-headed running attack. Harris finished third in the CFL in rushing yards this year and will be counted on, along with Stefan Logan, to carry the load against the Riders.
<b>B.C. Lions – Defence:</b> Cord Parks, CB<br> The CFL rookie made a splash in his first season finishing second in the league in interceptions with six and being named a West Division All-Star.
<b>Saskatchewan Roughriders – Offence:</b> Kory Sheets, RB<br> The Roughriders’ All-Star running back had another impressive season, finishing with over 1,000 rushing yards for the second year in a row. If the weather turns foul in Regina on Sunday he could get a lot of touches.
<b>Saskatchewan Roughriders – Defence:</b> Alex Hall, DE<br> Hall was acquired in a late-season trade with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and made an immediate impact with the Riders. He finished second in the CFL with 16 sacks and added 40 tackles and a fumble recovery.

The CFL playoffs begin this week with the Montreal Alouettes visiting Guelph to take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Division semi-final. Over in the West it’s the B.C. Lions taking on the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Here are two players from each team who could be difference makers this week, one on offence and one on defence.