Boney's CFL West Preview- OL

Next we look at the Hogs, the boys in the offensive trench, the unsung heroes that open lanes for the running back, give the quarterback time to throw, or run. These are certainly giants among men

BC Lions
Angus Reid (N)
Dean Valli (N)
John Hamesteir-Reiss(N)
Darren Heerspink (N)
Jason Boone (I)
Damane Duckett (I)
Sherko Haji-Rassouli (N)
Justin Sorensen (N)
Adam Baboulas (N)
Andrew Jones (N)
Jovan Oliafaye (I)
Dan McCullough (N)
BC used to have the best O-Line in the west anchored by Moore and Jimenez, now both those tackles are gone. Reid and Hadji Rassouli are solid in the middle, the tackles are talented but raw. Depth is an issue for the Leos, but they should be OK at worst on the line as long as they stay healthy. Injuries can really really hurt this team mind you.

Calgary Stampeders
Sam Allen (I)
Ben Archibald (I)
Randy Chevrier (N)
Dan Comiskey (N)
Godfrey Ellis (N)
John Gott (N)
Edwin Harrison (I)
Rob Lazeo (N)
Steve Myddleton (N)
Jesse Newman (N)
Tim O'Neill (N)
Matt Sheridan (N)
Calgary lost 3/5 of their starting OLine. They then signed John Comiskey, who promptly retired due to injuries, so they signed his older brother Dan. It's tough to say how Calgary will be. Lazeo is top half in the league, Jesse Newman is both good and young, Ben Archibald is servicable. How will old man Comiskey fare? How will last year's backups do? How will the new guys do? Either way a lot of turnover on the o-line where chemistry is so important. I think Calgary will struggle this year on the o-line, Burris's mobility and Reynold's pure skill can mask some troubles, but won't cover it all up.

Edmonton Eskimos
Aaron Fiacconi (N)
Patrick Kabongo (N)
Kyle Koch (N)
Adam Rogers (N)
Calvin Armstrong (I)
Joe McGrath (N)
Greg Wojt (N)
Gord Hinse (N)
Clifford Louis (I)
Jeremy Parquet (I)
Taylor Inglis (N)
Kabongo is an excellent lineman. McGrath is average at best, Fiacconi is iffy, Armstrong is OK.
Edmonton will struggle, the only reason they aren't known as more terrible is Ray's quick release buys them a lot of slack.

Saskatchewan Roughriders
Jeremy O'Day (N)
Kelly Bates (N)
Chris Best (N)
Gene Makowsky (N)
Marc Parenteau (N)
Belton Johnson (I)
Wayne Smith (N)
Joel Bell (I)
Dan Clark (N)
Dan Goodspeed (I)
Nick Hutchins (N)
Joel Rempel (N)
Jonathan St-Pierre (N)
Jocelyn Frenette (N)
The Riders have O'Day and Makowsky, CFL Hall of Famers when they choose to retire, Dan Goodspeed, perennial all star, Wayne Smith, one of the most dominant O-Lineman when healthy, Joel Bell the man-mountain. That's my projected starting lineup. Backing up; Belton Johnson, Kelly Bates, Marc Parenteau provide very capable depth, along with St Pierre as heir apparent for O'Day Rempel Hutchins Best all have potential to develop into something else, but honestly are a year to two away.  One or more of these guys could be traded away for help, but as it stands the Riders are hands down the best O-Line in the west, between them and Montreal it's tough to get a hands down best in the league, and valid arguments for both teams can be made.