After a 2-week hiatus, the analysis you know and love is back! Special Teams in the CFL were highlighted once again after an incredible week filled with blocked punts, game-winning field goals, and return touchdowns. Let's discuss how the CFL Special Teams units performed in this week's review;
Kickers
Kicker of the Week - Lirim Hajrullahu (TOR)
Across the CFL, kickers completed 21 of their 26 field goal attempts, achieving a completion percentage of 81%. While this marks a 3% increase from last week, it still isn't particularly impressive and marks the third consecutive week where kickers have completed less than 87% of their field goals. There were 2 field goals above 50 yards, aligning with the weekly average for long-range kicks. There was also 1 clutch kick, a game-winning field goal attempt in overtime. Kickers were perfect on their 13 convert attempts, maintaining a 100% success rate through the last 3 weeks (45/45). Here are the CFL Week 8 Kicker Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Rene Paredes (CGY) was perfect on both of his field goal attempts, extending his active field goal streak to 21. Paredes scored all 6 of Calgary’s points in their Week 8 loss, with his longest kick of the night from 50 yards.
Lewis Ward (OTT) had an excellent night against the Stampeders, going 4/4 on field goals and making all 3 of his convert attempts. His longest field goal was from 42 yards. Ward continues to be extremely consistent over 40 yards, completing 7 of his 8 attempts, with his lone miss coming from a 47-yard field goal in Week 7 that was pushed wide-left due to a strong gust of wind.
Lirim Hajrullahu (TOR) is named the Kicker of the Week after going 3/3 on field goals and making his lone convert attempt. He matched his season-long of 48 yards, and when the game was on the line in overtime, Hajrullahu made a 34-yard, game-winning field goal.
Slip-ups;
Sergio Castillo (WPG) had a rough week. There’s no way around that. For the first time all season, Castillo missed 2 field goals under 50 yards. He went 2/4 on field goals and made his only PAT. Castillo missed a 43-yard field goal right before halftime and didn't get another chance until overtime, where he missed a 41-yard field goal that would have given Winnipeg the lead. Castillo has now had at least 1 miss in each of his last 3 games.
Brett Lauther (SSK) didn’t fare much better, going 3/5 on his field goal attempts and making his only convert. His longest field goal was from 43 yards. For the second time this season, Lauther had a 57-yard field goal come up just short and hit the crossbar. Later in the game, his 53-yard field goal doinked off the left upright, resulting in a dead ball. If he had scored points on either of these kicks, even just a rouge, it would have been a completely different game.
Punters
Punter of the Week - Jamieson Sheahan (WPG)
This week, there were 46 punts with punters averaging 49.2 yards per attempt. Punters have really showcased their leg strength this year, only averaging less than 48 yards during the first two weeks of the season. They hit a season-high with 24 punts (52%) over 50 yards and recorded a long of 74 yards. This week, they averaged 36.2 net yards per punt, a 3-yard increase from last week. They managed to keep 10 punts inside the 20-yard line (22%), with 3 downed inside the 10-yard line. There were 3 rouges scored on punt plays and 1 penalty for an illegal punt out of bounds. Here are the CFL Week 8 Punter Power Rankings;
Standouts;
John Haggerty (TOR) averaged 51.2 yards and 39.9 net yards per punt. These statistics are impressive, especially since he recorded them over a season-high 10 punts. He had 6 punts (60%) travel over 50 yards, the longest of which travelled 59 yards. Haggerty was only able to record 1 punt (10%) inside the 20-yard line, mainly because the Toronto offence struggled to gain much yardage, forcing him to punt from deep within his own territory. Overall, he had a very impressive game.
Richie Leone (OTT) punted 6 times for an average of 50.5 yards and 36.3 net yards, both above his season averages. I’ve previously criticized Leone’s inability to flip field positions, but he completely proved me wrong by hitting more than 80% of his punts (5/6) over 50 yards.
Jamieson Sheahan (WPG) had, statistically speaking, the best night of his 2024 campaign. He punted 5 times for an average of 50 yards and 50.8 net yards! Sheahan excelled in pinning Janarion Grant and the Argos deep inside their own endzone, with 2 punts (40%) remaining inside the 20-yard line, including 1 inside the 10-yard line. Sheahan has the potential to succeed as a punter in the CFL, but he needs to remain consistent if he wants to climb the power rankings.
Slip-ups;
Jake Julien (EDM) punted 6 times, averaging an incredible 57.8 yards per attempt, the highest average we've seen all season across the CFL. However, his 2 recorded rouges and an illegal punt out of bounds tanked his net average down to 36 net yards per punt. Julien’s 7 rouges now lead the CFL, with the next punter having only 3.
Cody Grace (CGY) has had 3 bad weeks in a row. This week, he punted 8 times for an average of 44.9 yards and a season-low 24.6 net yards. In the last 2 weeks, he has averaged just 25.4 net yards across 17 punts, including 3 punts under 30 yards and 1 illegal punt out of bounds.
Kickoff Specialists
Kickoff Specialist of the Week - Marc Liegghio (HAM)
There were 23 kickoffs this week, with specialists averaging 61.7 yards per attempt. This is the lowest average since Week 4 when they averaged 65.4 yards per kickoff. Only 5 kickoffs (22%) travelled further than 70 yards, marking another season low. Despite the distance issues, they managed to pin their opponents deep, with 7 kickoffs (30%) remaining within the 30-yard line, slightly above the season average. Here are the CFL Week 8 Kickoff Specialist Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Marc Liegghio (HAM) had his best statistical performance of the year, kicking off 6 times for an average of 70 yards per attempt. He launched 4 kickoffs (67%) further than 70 yards, including a long of 75 yards. He also pinned opponents deep, with 4 of his kickoffs remaining inside the 30-yard line. Both of these figures are season highs for him, likely due to the hiring of special teams coordinator Dennis McKnight. More on that later.
Slip-ups;
Boris Bede (EDM) once again attempted an onside kickoff by contorting his body and wrapping his foot behind his plant leg to make contact with the ball. Unfortunately, it only travelled 4 yards before being recovered by the opposing team.
Richie Leone (OTT) kicked off 4 times for an average of 55 yards, with a long of just 57 yards. He has the lowest average of any kickoff specialist and struggles to pin opponents deep. He holds the lowest percentage of punts remaining inside the 30-yard line among kickoff specialists with more than 10 attempts. I wonder if Ward can kick off?
Long Snappers
Long Snapper of the Week - Peter Adjey (OTT)
This week, there were 41 long snaps showcased in the CFL highlights, the most we've seen all season, including 26 field goal snaps and 15 punt snaps. Snappers returned to form, with 90% of their snaps being recorded as strikes for the first time since Week 2. There were 4 snaps recorded as balls, 1 field goal snap, and 3 punt snaps. Snappers struggled with protection this week, allowing rushers to block a punt and a field goal. For the first time all season, no long snapper recorded a tackle. Here are the CFL Week 8 Long Snapper Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Aaron Crawford (CGY) had a stellar game, with both of his field goal snaps and 3 of his punt snaps being recorded as strikes.
Adam Guillemette (TOR) was also perfect, with all 3 of his field goal snaps and 1 of his punt snaps being recorded as strikes. His snap for the game-winning field goal was excellent, with perfect laces.
Peter Adjey (OTT) was the most impressive long snapper this week, with all 6 of his recorded snaps being marked as strikes, including 4 field goal snaps and 2 punt snaps.
Slip-ups;
Mike Benson (WPG) recorded a high snap on Sergio Castillo’s overtime field goal. While Jamieson Sheahan managed to wrangle it in, it may have affected the kick.
Louis Philippe-Bourassa (MTL) returned to the lineup after missing 2 games due to injury. While he was perfect on all 5 of his recorded snaps, a field goal was blocked up the middle.
Luke Burton-Krahn (EDM) had a rough night, with only 5 of his 7 long snaps being recorded as strikes. One of his field goal snaps was off to the right, and his high punt snap resulted in a blocked punt.
Kickoff Returners
Kickoff Returner of the Week - Kalil Pimpleton (OTT)
There were 24 kickoff returns this week, with returners averaging a season-low 17.7 yards per return. The longest return of the week was 47 yards, and only 3 returns (13%) went over 30 yards. Here are the CFL Week 8 Kickoff Returner Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Kalil Pimpleton (OTT) returned a single kickoff for 47 yards to start the second half, marking the longest return of the week.
Dillon Mitchell (EDM) had 2 kickoff returns totalling 66 yards, with a long of 40 yards.
Jonathan Moxey (HAM) was able to recover an onside kick attempt without any issues.
Slip-ups;
Mario Alford (SSK) struggled, returning 3 kickoffs for an average of 14 yards per attempt, with a long of just 17 yards. Shorter kickoffs allowed coverage units to contain him effectively.
Javon Leake (EDM) returned 2 kickoffs, averaging 14.5 yards per return. He has yet to replicate his impressive 2023 season and has only had 2 kickoff returns (9%) longer than 30 yards.
Punt Returners
Punt Returner of the Week - Kalil Pimpleton (OTT)
There were 37 punt returns in Week 8, with returners averaging 11.7 yards per return. Only 5 returns (14%) exceeded 15 yards, a 16% decrease from last week. Returners struggled with ball security, losing both forced fumbles to the opposing teams. For the second week in a row, there was a punt return touchdown, this time for a season-high 99 yards. Here are the CFL Week 8 Punt Returner Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Kalil Pimpleton (OTT) returned 8 punts for a total of 162 yards in his debut as a returner, averaging 20.3 yards per attempt. His longest return of the night was a 99-yard return that he took all the way to the house for a touchdown!
Peyton Logan (CGY) returned 6 punts, averaging 11.7 yards per return. He had 2 returns over 15 yards (33%) and now has 5 of his 10 punt returns recorded as big plays.
Kody Case (WPG) returned 9 punts for 98 yards, averaging 10.8 yards per return. He recorded his third return over 15 yards but hasn’t broken off anything longer than 17 yards. Considering it's already Week 9 and the Winnipeg returners have underperformed, it might be time for Mike Miller to call free agent Chandler Worthy, my #1 ranked kickoff returner in 2023, to revitalize the position.
Slip-ups;
Mario Alford (SSK) was held in check by the Winnipeg coverage team all night and punt returns were no exception. He returned 3 punts for an average of just 3 yards per return, with a long of 6 yards.
Davon Harris (HAM) didn’t fare much better, returning 3 punts for a total of 16 yards, averaging 5.3 yards per return.
Missed Field Goal Returners
Missed Field Goal Returner of the Week - Janarion Grant (TOR)
There was only 1 missed field goal that was returnable this week. Here are the CFL Week 8 Missed Field Goal Returner Power Rankings
Standouts;
Janarion Grant (TOR) fielded a missed field goal 19 yards into the endzone as time expired in the first half. He worked his magic and managed to return it 31 yards, all the way to the 12-yard line, denying the Bombers a rouge that could have ultimately won them the game
Coverage Teams
Coverage Team of the Week - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats
Coverage teams played exceptionally well in Week 8, allowing an average of just 14 yards across all returns, about 2 yards lower than the season average. They allowed an average of 11.7 yards across 37 punts, consistent with the season average, but excelled in kickoff coverage, allowing only 17.7 yards over 24 kickoffs, the lowest recorded all season. There were 15 penalties handed out for a total of 150 yards, slightly below the weekly average. Coverage teams also forced 3 turnovers, including a blocked field goal and a blocked punt, for the first time this season. Here are the CFL Week 8 Coverage Team Power Rankings;
Standouts;
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have been performing lights out in 2024 and this week was no different. They allowed an average of 8 yards on 2 punt returns and 18 yards on 2 kickoff returns, receiving no penalties this week. Over the last 5 games, they have received only 2 penalties on special teams.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have improved significantly since the hiring of special teams coordinator Dennis McKnight. He’s been able to instill a fire in this unit that was missing for the majority of the season. In McKnight's second game, the coverage unit allowed just 5 yards on a single punt return and an average of 21 yards on 6 kickoffs. For the second consecutive week, Hamilton blocked a punt and recovered the ball. This might go down as the best special teams hire in 2024.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders contained James Letcher Jr., allowing an average of 8.7 yards on 3 punt returns and 24.5 yards on 2 kickoff returns. They also recorded their first blocked field goal with intense middle pressure. However, penalties continue to hurt their ranking.
Slip-ups;
The Calgary Stampeders allowed an average of 20.3 yards on 8 punt returns and 47 yards on a single kickoff, marking their worst performance of 2024. This is the second consecutive week of struggle for Calgary's coverage teams.
The Toronto Argonauts had their most undisciplined game of the season, receiving 3 penalties for a total of 35 yards, the highest in a single week.
Individual Special Teams Tackles
Special Teams Player of the Week - Anthony Lanier III (SSK)
There were 58 special teams tackles made in Week 8, slightly below the weekly average of 60 tackles. A season-low 8 penalties were handed out for a total of 100 yards. Here are the CFL Week 8 Special Teams Tackles Power Rankings;
Standouts;
Anthony Lanier III (SSK) blocked a field goal by rushing up the middle, and Marcus Sayles recovered it, marking the Roughriders' first special teams turnover since Week 3.
Tyrice Beverette (MTL) forced a fumble from Mario Alford on a return, and long snapper Louis Philippe-Bourassa recovered it, securing the Alouettes' second turnover of the year.
Kobe Jones (HAM) confused Edmonton blockers with a pull move and blocked a punt, which DQ Thomas recovered. This was the Ticats' second punt block in 2 weeks. Not to beat a dead horse, but, Dennis McKnight has completely turned this unit around and they are performing at an extremely high level.
Daniel Adeboboye (TOR) recorded 3 special teams tackles for the second consecutive week. His productivity on coverage teams may earn him more playing time at running back.
Slip-ups;
Miles Brown (SSK) received a 15-yard penalty for unnecessary roughness
Deshaun Amos (TOR) received a 15-yard No-Yards penalty for entering the 5-yard halo on a return.
Tyron Vrede (OTT) received a 15-yard penalty for piling on a ball carrier after the play was blown dead.
Thank you for taking the time to read my work.
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