Its not a game anyone would have circled on their calendar back last winter when the CFL schedule was released, but Fridays contest between Edmonton and Winnipeg is shaping up as the most anticipated game of the year so far. Wholesale Jerseys From China . The Bombers (4-1) and the Eskimos (5-0) both missed the playoffs last season and were picked by many to do the same again this season. Whats interesting is that each team has rebounded by taking completely different approaches to the off-season. The Bombers, coming off a 4-14 season and second consecutive year without a playoff appearance, mostly stood pat. After enduring three different head coaches and three different general managers in the previous three seasons, the Bombers had an uncharacteristically quiet off-season. They didnt shake up the coaching staff, other than landing former Montreal defensive co-ordinator Tim Burke to take the place of Kavis Reed after he landed the top job in Edmonton. The Bombers were mostly absent from the off-season free agent market, leading to plenty of head-scratching as to why a team with the leagues worst record wasnt in the hunt to upgrade its talent. Chasing free agents would have been the easy thing to do. The harder thing was to have faith in what they had, believing their young talent just needed more time to mature. The jury is still out on the decision to hang their season on quarterback Buck Pierce, who continues to struggle staying healthy but the Bombers, with virtually the same team as one year ago, dont appear to be lacking for talent right now. The Esks, meanwhile, took a very different road to this season, bringing in Reed as head coach and replacing much of the staff. Then, they shredded the roster on both sides of the ball, with veteran American players being the biggest casualties. Its interesting to recall that Reed and Winnipeg head coach Paul Lapolice were both with the Saskatchewan Roughriders for their heart-breaking Grey Cup loss to Montreal in the 2009 Grey Cup and the infamous 13th man penalty. In fact, each of them are featured in the lasting images of that game: Lapolice exploding in frustration in a coachs booth high above the field, and Reed standing up to publicly take responsibility for a critical mistake that may not have been his fault. Neither coach has been to the post-season since but that appears sure to change this season. Heres my assortment of thoughts from Week 5 and looking ahead to Week 6 in the CFL: Early in a football season, one of the most overlooked factors is strength of schedule. Consider that the five opponents faced by each of Edmonton and Winnipeg this season have combined records of 8-17. Not a single game during the past two weeks in the CFL has been decided by more than nine points. The most remarkable thing about Winnipegs league-leading total of 21 sacks through five games is that the Bombers lost CFL-sack leader Philip Hunt to the Philadelphia Eagles during the off-season. If everything wasnt going so well in Edmonton right now, it might be fair to ask why the Esks gave a six-figure salary to receiver Chris Bauman, who has just two catches so far this season. Bauman had just 17 with Hamilton last season, most during the latter part of the season. An anecdote from Friday night, if I may. Like a lot of kids I grew up watching football with my father. And like a lot of Dads, mine occasionally thinks hes smarter than the coaches, especially when it comes to goal-line situations. As long as I can remember, my Dad has preached that when teams get near the opposing goal line, the surest way to score is a play-action fake over the middle to a running back, with the quarterback then pivoting and running towards the cone. Not only does my Dad insist this play always results in a touchdown, but he swears that almost every time the quarterback goes in untouched. And anecdotally, studying his observation over the past 30 years or so, he seems to be right. So there I was Friday night, sitting next to him on the couch as the Hamilton Tiger-Cats executed that play to perfection, with Quinton Porter faking a handoff and then running towards the cone and entering the end zone without a hand being laid on him. A few hours later, in the same situation, we watched Edmontons Kerry Joseph try to force his way over the top at the goal line, eventually getting in when the Esks tried the same play three times in a row. "Think he might have got in easier doing play-action and going for the cone?" I asked my Dad. He didnt need to answer. Have to love the story of Montreals Jeff Hecht, starting at safety in Week 5 of his rookie season after not being taken in the CFL draft. When you consider how many players taken in that draft never play a game in the CFL, thats pretty amazing. A couple of Argo offensive line draft picks made news south of the border this weekend. Joel Reinders, whom the Argos took with the 26th pick overall last season, had a workout with the New York Giants. (Reinders was in training camp with Cleveland last season.) And Nick Kaczur, the Brantford, Ont. native who started at right tackle with New England during its 16-0 season, was released by the Patriots. Kaczur was taken by the Argos with the ninth overall pick back in 2005. Just as interesting as Montreals two-game losing streak is the fact the Als offence has started so slowly in both those game, which has not exactly been their trademark under Marc Trestman. With all due respect to Alouette fans, having them in third place after five weeks is a good thing for the CFL. Montreal running away with the regular season has become tedious after so many years. And while the Als have earned everything theyve achieved over the past decade or so, seeing more meaningful games for Montreal after September would make the league more interesting. The CFL has a zero-tolerance policy on complaints about officials and so no one will be surprised if B.C.s Geroy Simon gets a bill this week after complaining loudly after Thursdays loss to the Blue Bombers. Simon was grabbed and turned around by Winnipeg linebacker Merrill Johnson on a third-down play while the Lions were driving for the go-ahead score late in the fourth quarter. We understand the league doesnt want attention brought on the officiating but its hard not to sympathize with players in situations when such a blatant call is missed at such a critical time. Speaking of fines for complaining about officiating, its fair to wonder whether Argos head coach Jim Barker should have been given a break last week instead of hit with a $1,000 fine for his remarks following the Argos loss to Winnipeg on July 23rd. During that game, referee Glen Johnson explained to Barker that linebacker Ejiro Kuale had been ejected because of intent to injure. Barker questioned the call afterward by wondering aloud how anyone can judge the intent of a player. Turns out the league agrees with him, saying no such criteria exists for ejections. And while it backs Johnsons decision to eject Kuale for a helmet-to-helmet hit on Winnipeg quarterback Buck Pierce, it says he was wrong to explain the call that way to Barker. So why the fine? The league insists Barker simply violated the leagues zero-tolerance policy for discussing officiating in the media. But it seems that given Johnsons gaffe in explaining the call incorrectly, we should have had off-setting infractions that at the very least canceled each other out. Winnipeg may have the CFLs best secondary but the Hamilton Tiger-Cats arent far behind. The adjustment to new defensive co-ordinator Cory Chamblin seems to be settling in as the Cats did an outstanding job blanketing Montreal receivers Friday night, with special kudos to newcomer Carlos Thomas. Not sure whether the CFL keeps stats on the length of game but is sure seems like a lot of them this season are sailing well past the three-hour mark. By the time Fridays Montreal-Hamilton game was completed, the Argos and Eskimos had already completed most of their first quarter. The most impressive thing about the Argos during their 26-25 loss to Edmonton was the way the defence managed to get pressure while rushing just four to get to Ricky Ray. Toronto is the only team in the CFL this season that looks very similar to what they were a year ago. Toronto has a strong defence, a great running game whether its Cory Boyd or Chad Kackert carrying the ball, and play well on special teams. But the Argo quarterback play remains inconsistent and the team still doesnt have a receiver who ranks among the best in the league. Which is why the Argos are right back where they were a year ago, ranked last in the league when it comes to throwing the football. Toronto managed to overcome that a year ago, finishing 9-9 despite their offensive woes. But eventually in the CFL, not being able to consistently throw the football will catch up to you and thats whats happening to Toronto so far this season. The Blue Bomber organization deserves kudos for putting on such a meaningful tribute to deceased assistant head coach Richard Harris before last Thursdays game against the Lions. Having the players from both teams mix on the field during an in-stadium tribute was the perfect way to honour a man who was beloved around the CFL. The only thing more amazing than Ricky Rays start to the season is the manner in which he manages to get up after sustaining hits that arrive just after he releases the ball. There isnt anyone in the CFL better at standing-in, taking a hit and still managing to get his throw on target. When the Tiger-Cats played Edmonton in Week 2, their staff counted 14 times Ray hit the turf. Yet he threw for 388 yards in that game without an interception. Was there a better call during Week 5 than Winnipeg quarterback Alex Brink running a draw on second-and-15 late on what proved to be the game-winning drive against the Lions? Brink also completed four passes during that drive, which is the same number he completed during the only CFL start of his career last season against the Lions. Its not out of the question to think that Edmonton running back Jerome Messam could be a candidate for Most Outstanding Canadian by seasons end. The Brampton, Ont. native has 274 yards so far this season on 55 carries, many of those yards coming in obvious run situatons. Which makes it fair to ask why the B.C. Lions only let him carry the ball 23 times all of last season. Through five weeks of the season, there has been just one return-for-touchdown, that being scored by B.C.s Tim Brown. Incidentally, Brown had a nice 74 yards on nine carries against the Bombers, working out of the backfield for the first time this season. David Braleys two teams are now a combined 1-9 on the season. Is there a receiver in the league who is harder to bring down than Winnipegs Terrence-Jeffers Harris? So many of his yards-after-catch seem to come after hes pushed at least one defender away. At the top of my list for most under-rated players in the CFL is Torontos Andre Durie, who seems to make things happen every time he touches the ball. Dopson Collins may yet develop into a decent CFL receiver. But a bad case of the drops on an 0-5 team isnt going to sit well with the coaching staff. Saskatchewans Tristan Jackson threw what may have been the hardest hit all season when he blasted Calgary receiver Romby Bryant late in the Roughriders loss to Calgary. Bryant was looking up-field when Jackson stepped into him without the receiver seeing him, making it a small miracle that Bryant held onto the ball. Weston Dressler continues to be one of the CFLs most dependable receivers as demonstrated by his touchdown catch off a tipped-ball on Saturday night. But its clear that without Andy Fantuz and Rob Bagg around, Riders quarterback Darian Durant has far more confidence in Dressler than any of his other targets. The result is there are times when he seems to be forcing the ball his way. The Riders remain a work in progress at 1-4 but at least the pass rush that was lacking early this season is rounding into form. A lot of that has to do with the play of a healthy Jerrell Freeman, whose play at linebacker has picked up where it left off last season. The Calgary Stampeders put up another fine defensive effort in Saturdays win over Saskatchewan. Lost in concerns about inconsistency on offence early this season is the fact that the Stampeders seem to have survived the loss of cornerbacks Dwight Anderson and Brandon Browner quite well. Geoff Tisdale, acquired via free agency from Hamilton during the off-season and newcomer Greg Fassitt have done a nice job filling in. The Stamps rank second only to Winnipeg in passing yards allowed and have the allowed the fewest first downs through the air. On a team that could use a few game-breakers, Saskatchewan returner Brandon West looks like he has a future in the CFL, based on his 141 return yards in his CFL debut. Heres a reminder of the eight ex-CFLers who are trying to earn jobs in the NFL right now as camps down south get into full swing: Andrew Hawkins WR/KR – Montreal to St. LouisAndy Fantuz – R – Saskatchewan to ChicagoTom Johnson – DL – Calgary to New OrleansBrandon Browner - -DB – Calgary to SeattleEmmanuel Arceneaux – R – B.C. to MinnesotaMark Restelli – LB Edmonton to MiamiGarrett McIntyre – DL – Hamilton New York JetsPhillip Hunt – DL – Philadelphia Wholesale Jerseys paypal . Speaking on Leafs Lunch with Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan on Thursday, Bernier said it was "very hard" at times being entrenched behind Jonathan Quick and is now excited at the prospect of getting an opportunity to compete with Reimer for the top spot with the Leafs. Wholesale Jerseys free shipping . The Jets lead the Hurricanes by four points for first place in the Southeast Division standings, however Carolina does have three games in hand.TORONTO -- The Raptors had their hands full with Kyrie Irving all game long, but it was the almost lackadaisical three he drained in the blink of an eye that completely ruined Torontos night. Clevelands all-star point guard hit a three with 0.9 seconds left as part of a 32-point performance, and the Cavaliers edged the Raptors 99-98 on Saturday. "Kyrie threw up a bomb, he made a hell of a shot," Torontos Amir Johnson said. With the clock ticking down and the Raptors thinking overtime at worst, Irving -- named an Eastern Conference reserve for next months all-star game -- calmly walked up the court and chucked up a 30-foot shot over Alan Anderson. "(Anderson) was at the three-point line. I (he paused to chuckle) was a little bit further back," irving said. Johnson topped Toronto (16-28) with 18 points and 12 rebounds, while Anderson added 17 points, Ed Davis finished with 16, DeMar DeRozan scored 15 and Jose Calderon added 10. Marreese Speights finished with 17 for the Cavs (13-32), whove won three in a row. Tristan Thompson of Brampton, Ont., the highest Canadian ever taken in the NBA draft -- No. 4 in 2011 -- had 14 points and eight rebounds in 33 minutes for Cleveland. "Moms not going to spank me tonight," Thompson joked about getting a win in his hometown. The Raptors -- dressed in their camo uniforms in honour of the Canadian Forces -- led almost the entire game and took a nine-point advantage into the fourth quarter. But the Cavs raced out on a 12-0 run early in the final quarter, eliciting groans from the Air Canada Centre crowd of 18,820 fans that have seen too many late-game collapses from Toronto of late. "I think we played well enough to win this game, its a tough one," Calderon said. "(Irving) made a great three. . . but still, we shouldnt have got in that situation." Irvings jumper with 3:38 to go put the Cavs up by five -- Clevelands biggest lead of the game. Raptors rookie Terrence Ross was big down the stretch, draining a pair of threes, and a layup with 2:11 that tied the game at 94-94. A Ross rebound led to a dunk by Johnson that gavee the Raptors the lead with 1:16 to play. Wholesale Jerseys USA. Irving and Calderon traded layups, Calderons putting Toronto up by two with 13 seconds left and delighting the fans that cheered at ear-splitting levels. Irvings three instantly silenced them. "He pretty much facilitated the game," Johnson said of Irving. "He was driving, we did our best to double-team him, he just made some really tough shots. We gave him one at the end. . . I dont even know how many feet that was away from the three-point line." A loss to a team below them in the standings was a big blow to a Raptors team that began the night four games back of Boston for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, and four-and-a-half games ahead of the Cavs. The short-handed Raptors should get some help within the next couple of weeks. Raptors coach Dwane Casey said Andrea Bargnani and Jonas Valanciunas could return to the lineup within about a week and a half. Bargnani (torn elbow ligament) has missed 22 games, while Valanciunas (broken finger) has missed 16. "The thing is incorporating them back in to how we want to play, and how were playing now," Casey said. DeRozan scored 12 points in a first quarter that saw the Raptors shoot 58 per cent. Toronto was ahead by as much as 10 before taking a 25-19 lead into the second. The Raptors went up by 11 on an Anderson jumper early in the second, but the Cavs chipped at the lead to pull within two with about 30 seconds left in the half. A Davis dunk sent the Raptors into the dressing room with a 50-46 lead. The visitors made it a two-point game several times in the third but the Raptors outscored Cleveland 25-20 in the quarter to lead 75-66 with one quarter left. NOTES: Former Raptor Jorge Garbajosa was at the game, and received a warm ovation when he was shown on the Jumbotron. . . The Raptors host Golden State on Monday then travel to Atlanta on Wednesday. They host the Los Angeles Clippers on Friday to begin a tough three-game homestand that also includes visits by the Miami Heat and Boston Celtics. . . The Raptors had won six of their previous matchups with Cleveland. ' ' '