3Down power rankings: Black Monday in Ottawa

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The Ottawa Redblacks started the off-season drama quickly.

Black Monday in the nation’s capital saw Rick Campbell part ways with general manager Marcel Desjardins. The GM took full responsibility for the CFL-worst 3-15 year. His Redblacks were in the basement of our rankings for a long time — 11-game losing streaks will do that to a club.

B.C. had a much more positive end to the campaign, but GM Ed Hervey saved himself by dishing the blame to DeVone Claybrooks and letting the head coach go after one season at the helm. It was a shocking move — constant change rarely produces results — because you can tell Claybrooks was settling in as bench boss and his players were responding.

The power rankings are done by having 3Down contributors rank each team from No. 1 to No. 9. The team with the fewest “points” gets the top ranking with each subsequent club receiving rankings two through nine. The previous week’s rankings are listed in brackets.

1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1)

Three quarterbacks registered wins for the Ticats during the regular season: Jeremiah Masoli, Dane Evans and Hayden Moore. But all that matters now is hoisting the Grey Cup no matter who plays QB.

2. Saskatchewan Roughriders (2)

Despite Cody Fajardo’s oblique/back injury, the Riders were able to secure No. 1 in the West. Crucial rest week for Fajardo — lots of Jesus sprinkles needed for healing.

3. Calgary Stampeders (3)

Hergy Mayala scored the home-playoff-clinching touchdown in B.C., but for the first time since 2015 the Stamps are on the road in the playoffs and not home on the couch enjoying a bye week.

4. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4)

Zach Collaros is prepared for the cold weather and makes his second start of the season in the post-season.

5. Montreal Alouettes (5)

Vernon Adams Jr. produced in the cold to end the regular season. Sign of what’s to come in the playoffs?

6. Edmonton Eskimos (6)

Fresh and healthy C.J. Gable is 100 percent for the CFL playoffs. Esks trying to make history with Jason Maas knowing he won’t return to the Alberta Capital.

7. B.C. Lions (7)

All the pressure is on Ed Hervey. Nowhere to hide now.

8. Toronto Argonauts (8)

Talk about lame duck. The Argos are openly waiting to see who comes available before making a decision on their head coach position.

9. Ottawa Redblacks (9)

Desjardins is working to turn a lot of frowns in Ottawa upside down.