Commissioner Randy Ambrosie of the Canadian Football League has begun to lobby the federal government for a sum of $150 million dollars to get the league through the issues caused by the current pandemic. While there are a lot of people out there (including some talk radio hosts as of late) that argue against this, TTS will provide some of the following reasons as to why the CFL should get said payment.
1) League economics. Unlike the bigger professional sports leagues (NHL, NBA, and the NFL), the CFL doesn't have billions of dollars and massive advertising revenues to draw on when the going gets tough. The larger leagues also have a ridiculous amount of revenue that comes in from overall merchandise sales, eclipsing anything the CFL can up with.
People also seem to forget that the CFL caters to a smaller, more blue collar fan base than the teams in the larger leagues, that bring in a huge percentage of corporate revenue on top of everything.
2) Dollars. The average CFL team normally breaks even, or makes a small profit in the hundreds of thousands to a million, not counting the annual Grey Cup event and festival. The exception being the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, who made over $2.1 million last year due to winning the Grey Cup. Compare with any NFL team that rakes in hundreds of millions of dollars (if not more) per year, and you can see the disparity quite easily.
3) Wages. Unlike NFL players and staff that make in the millions, CFL players make an average of $45,000 a year and have full-time jobs away from the football field. The most elite player in the CFL can make $400,000 a year, which pales in comparison to an elite player in the NFL who would make $30 million a year.
4) Canadiana. The CFL is an integral part to the Canadian identity, and should be preserved no matter what. Canadian football started it all on this continent back in the late 1800's, and the history and tradition of it all needs to be respected, and celebrated. We can ill afford to lose such an important piece of Canadian identity, now more than ever.
Considering that PM Trudeau gave $9 billion to students out of nowhere, $150 million is chump change compared to that, and there should be no question of giving it to the CFL.
-TTS
Agree or disagree with this post? Leave a comment below!
Thursday, April 30, 2020
Sunday, April 26, 2020
Interesting NFL moves as of late. (NFL)
There have been a few moves in the NFL over the last couple of days that has definitely raised some eyebrows among us pundits, mainly because they are slightly confusing, to say the least.
1) Jalen Hurts.
The Oklahoma quarterback was expected to go to a team (via the draft) that actually needed a quarterback for the upcoming season. Instead, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles. This is a very odd move to make for a team that has a franchise quarterback (or so they keep telling everyone) in Carson Wentz, and two backups.
Could this mean that the Eagles' brain trust is slowly starting to lose faith in the often-injured Wentz and see Hurts as a successor? There is no doubt that Hurts has the talent and tools necessary to become successful, but even he should wonder about this one.
2) Jameis Winston.
This is by far the biggest head-scratcher out there right now, and there are questions marks that probably won't be resolved until the start of the season. The Saints already a have the immortal Drew Brees as their top pivot, and a proven backup in Taysom Hill as well. For a team as savvy (usually) as the Saints to bring in the biggest interception machine of his generation, it's quite perplexing.
Winston has shown in his time with the Buccaneers that he is unable to play at the NFL level, his issues going all the way back to his college career. With a terrible decision making process, and prone to throwing into heavy coverage, it's no wonder he puts up the amount of interceptions that he does, and I'm surprised he hasn't thrown more of them.
Sean Payton will more than likely comment on this at some point, and I can't wait to see how this signing of Winston is explained by the long time head coach.
3) Gronk.
All I'm going to say on this matter is the following: He came out of retirement to join his buddy in Tampa, and will watch as they both hit rock bottom. Hard. 'Nuff said.
-TTS
Got something to say about this post? Leave a comment below!
Friday, April 24, 2020
Analysis of the 2020 NFL Draft. (NFL)
The first round of the 2020 NFL Draft is now in the books (all four hours and fifteen minutes of it!), and with that being said, I'm going to go over some key points from said round, and offer some critique about certain teams and how they drafted.
1) Cincinnati Bengals / Joe Burrow
Probably one of the worst kept secrets in the NFL leading up to the draft, it was a little frustrating from a fan's (and sports columnist's) perspective to have to sit through 25 minutes of shlock and time being wasted to watch Joe Burrow get drafted. This was one of the main points of contention during the first round, with Twitter blowing up over the fact that the Bengals waited until the end of their time limit to announce their pick, one which the whole freaking world already knew about.
And they wonder why everyone laughs at them, year in and year out!
2) Miami Dolphins / Tua Tagovailoa
It was no secret that the Dolphins needed to draft a young quarterback to build their team around. What was surprising was them drafting Tagovailoa, who has a long history of injuries, and seems to have ankles (and legs) made of glass. You would think that the Dolphins would go for a more durable quarterback, and possibly save themselves the future criticism that will happen when Tagovailoa gets knocked out due to injury over and over again.
3) LA Chargers / Justin Herbert
In one of the better selections, the Los Angeles Chargers grabbed QB Justin Herbert from Oregon. Probably one of the more complete quarterbacks available, this is someone who the Dolphins probably should have gone for. With the departure of QB Philip Rivers to the Colts (where the hell were they at light night?), this was a good call for the Chargers.
4) Wasted time.
In what seemed to be the overall theme of the night, ESPN wasted a hell of a lot of time, with picks showing as being in just sitting there (some for 10 minutes at a time!) while the host rambled on, or an inpromptu commercial break happened. If the pick comes in, GO TO IT.
5) Too much attention to COVID-19.
I understand we are in the middle of a nasty pandemic that has flipped the world upside down, but almost all of us tuned into the Draft because we finally had a way (through our favourite sport) to escape all that nonsense for one night, just to have it rammed down our throats yet again.
Not cool. Aside from that, it was a decent draft given the circumstances.
-TTS
Got something to say about this analysis? Leave a comment below!
1) Cincinnati Bengals / Joe Burrow
Probably one of the worst kept secrets in the NFL leading up to the draft, it was a little frustrating from a fan's (and sports columnist's) perspective to have to sit through 25 minutes of shlock and time being wasted to watch Joe Burrow get drafted. This was one of the main points of contention during the first round, with Twitter blowing up over the fact that the Bengals waited until the end of their time limit to announce their pick, one which the whole freaking world already knew about.
And they wonder why everyone laughs at them, year in and year out!
2) Miami Dolphins / Tua Tagovailoa
It was no secret that the Dolphins needed to draft a young quarterback to build their team around. What was surprising was them drafting Tagovailoa, who has a long history of injuries, and seems to have ankles (and legs) made of glass. You would think that the Dolphins would go for a more durable quarterback, and possibly save themselves the future criticism that will happen when Tagovailoa gets knocked out due to injury over and over again.
3) LA Chargers / Justin Herbert
In one of the better selections, the Los Angeles Chargers grabbed QB Justin Herbert from Oregon. Probably one of the more complete quarterbacks available, this is someone who the Dolphins probably should have gone for. With the departure of QB Philip Rivers to the Colts (where the hell were they at light night?), this was a good call for the Chargers.
4) Wasted time.
In what seemed to be the overall theme of the night, ESPN wasted a hell of a lot of time, with picks showing as being in just sitting there (some for 10 minutes at a time!) while the host rambled on, or an inpromptu commercial break happened. If the pick comes in, GO TO IT.
5) Too much attention to COVID-19.
I understand we are in the middle of a nasty pandemic that has flipped the world upside down, but almost all of us tuned into the Draft because we finally had a way (through our favourite sport) to escape all that nonsense for one night, just to have it rammed down our throats yet again.
Not cool. Aside from that, it was a decent draft given the circumstances.
-TTS
Got something to say about this analysis? Leave a comment below!
NFL Draft 2020 - First round results! (NFL)
The following is the run down of the 2020 NFL Draft's first round, being broadcast from Bristol, Connecticut, USA.
1) Cincinnati Bengals select QB Joe Burrow - LSU
2) Washington Redskins select DE Chase Young - Ohio State
3) Detroit Lions select DB Jeff Okudah - Ohio State
4) New York Giants select OT Andrew Thomas - Georgia
5) Miami Dolphins select QB Tua Tagovailoa - Alabama
6) Los Angeles Chargers select QB Justin Herbert - Oregon
7) Carolina Panthers select DT Derrick Brown - Auburn
8) Arizona Cardinals select LB Isaiah Simmons - Clemson
9) Jacksonville Jaguars select DB C.J. Henderson - Florida
10) Cleveland Browns select OT Jedrick Wills - Alabama
11) New York Jets select OT Mekhi Becton - Louisville
12) Las Vegas Raiders select WR Henry Ruggs - Alabama
13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquire pick from the San Francisco 49ers and select OT Tristan Wirfs - Iowa
14) San Francisco 49ers acquire pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and select DT Javon Kinlaw - South Carolina
15) Denver Broncos select WR Jerry Jeudy - Alabama
16) Atlanta Falcons select CB A.J. Terrell - Clemson
17) Dallas Cowboys select WR CeeDee Lamb - Oklahoma
18) Miami Dolphins acquire pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers and select OT Austin Jackson - USC
19) Las Vegas Raiders select CB Damon Arnette - Ohio State
20) Jacksonville Jaguars select LB K'Lavon Chaisson - LSU
21) Philadelphia Eagles select WR Jalen Reagor - TCU
22) Minnesota Vikings select WR Justin Jefferson - LSU
23) Los Angeles Chargers acquire pick from the New England Patriots and select LB Kenneth Murray - Oklahoma
24) New Orleans Saints select C Cesar Ruiz - Michigan
25) San Francisco 49ers acquire pick from the Minnesota Vikings and select WR Brandon Aiyuk - Arizona State
26) Green Bay Packers acquire pick from the Miami Dolphins and select QB Jordan Love - Utah State
27) Seattle Seahawks select LB Jordyn Brooks - Texas Tech
28) Baltimore Ravens select LB Patrick Queen - LSU
29) Tennessee Titans select OT Isaiah Wilson - Georgia
30) Miami Dolphins select CB Noah Igbinoghene - Auburn
31) Minnesota Vikings select DB Jeff Gladney - TCU
32) Kansas City Chiefs select RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire - LSU
End of first round.
-TTS
1) Cincinnati Bengals select QB Joe Burrow - LSU
2) Washington Redskins select DE Chase Young - Ohio State
3) Detroit Lions select DB Jeff Okudah - Ohio State
4) New York Giants select OT Andrew Thomas - Georgia
5) Miami Dolphins select QB Tua Tagovailoa - Alabama
6) Los Angeles Chargers select QB Justin Herbert - Oregon
7) Carolina Panthers select DT Derrick Brown - Auburn
8) Arizona Cardinals select LB Isaiah Simmons - Clemson
9) Jacksonville Jaguars select DB C.J. Henderson - Florida
10) Cleveland Browns select OT Jedrick Wills - Alabama
11) New York Jets select OT Mekhi Becton - Louisville
12) Las Vegas Raiders select WR Henry Ruggs - Alabama
13) Tampa Bay Buccaneers acquire pick from the San Francisco 49ers and select OT Tristan Wirfs - Iowa
14) San Francisco 49ers acquire pick from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and select DT Javon Kinlaw - South Carolina
15) Denver Broncos select WR Jerry Jeudy - Alabama
16) Atlanta Falcons select CB A.J. Terrell - Clemson
17) Dallas Cowboys select WR CeeDee Lamb - Oklahoma
18) Miami Dolphins acquire pick from the Pittsburgh Steelers and select OT Austin Jackson - USC
19) Las Vegas Raiders select CB Damon Arnette - Ohio State
20) Jacksonville Jaguars select LB K'Lavon Chaisson - LSU
21) Philadelphia Eagles select WR Jalen Reagor - TCU
22) Minnesota Vikings select WR Justin Jefferson - LSU
23) Los Angeles Chargers acquire pick from the New England Patriots and select LB Kenneth Murray - Oklahoma
24) New Orleans Saints select C Cesar Ruiz - Michigan
25) San Francisco 49ers acquire pick from the Minnesota Vikings and select WR Brandon Aiyuk - Arizona State
26) Green Bay Packers acquire pick from the Miami Dolphins and select QB Jordan Love - Utah State
27) Seattle Seahawks select LB Jordyn Brooks - Texas Tech
28) Baltimore Ravens select LB Patrick Queen - LSU
29) Tennessee Titans select OT Isaiah Wilson - Georgia
30) Miami Dolphins select CB Noah Igbinoghene - Auburn
31) Minnesota Vikings select DB Jeff Gladney - TCU
32) Kansas City Chiefs select RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire - LSU
End of first round.
-TTS
Friday, April 3, 2020
League news & status, as of April 3rd, 2020 (CFL/NFL/NCAA)
The last thing we wanted to do here at TTS was get into the whole COVID-19 situation, like most other sports blogs and news websites have, but we do want to keep our followers/readers updated on what the statuses are for the three main leagues that we cover. Below shows each league and the key points for them at this time.
1) NFL
- The 2020 NFL Draft will go ahead, but with no public events. Draft will be held with all players and their representatives accepting from home.
- Signings and trades continue
- Mini-camps are set to begin on time
- Start of regular season set to begin on time in September
- League officials are monitoring the current situation
2) CFL
- Training camps have been postponed league wide
- Individual teams are already cutting staff and looking to shrink operations
- Commissioner Ambrosie has said the season might be delayed*
- Draft has been postponed
3) NCAA
- Some programs have already announced pay cuts for coaches and trainers
- Shortened season with only conference games played is being considered
- Early signing period could be pushed back to the start of summer
- Games might be played without fans, but that is a worst case scenario
*It is interesting to note that in the case of the CFL, the commissioner has already publicly stated that he wants to go with the worst case scenario and cancel the whole 2020 season, which the team owners and players (including the CFLPA) are completely opposed to.
In any case, we as football fans will have to wait and see how this plays out in the next few weeks or so. Here at TTS, we hope all goes ahead as planned, but until that happens, we will be putting out less posts for the time being.
-TTS
Questions or comments about this post? Leave them below!
1) NFL
- The 2020 NFL Draft will go ahead, but with no public events. Draft will be held with all players and their representatives accepting from home.
- Signings and trades continue
- Mini-camps are set to begin on time
- Start of regular season set to begin on time in September
- League officials are monitoring the current situation
2) CFL
- Training camps have been postponed league wide
- Individual teams are already cutting staff and looking to shrink operations
- Commissioner Ambrosie has said the season might be delayed*
- Draft has been postponed
3) NCAA
- Some programs have already announced pay cuts for coaches and trainers
- Shortened season with only conference games played is being considered
- Early signing period could be pushed back to the start of summer
- Games might be played without fans, but that is a worst case scenario
*It is interesting to note that in the case of the CFL, the commissioner has already publicly stated that he wants to go with the worst case scenario and cancel the whole 2020 season, which the team owners and players (including the CFLPA) are completely opposed to.
In any case, we as football fans will have to wait and see how this plays out in the next few weeks or so. Here at TTS, we hope all goes ahead as planned, but until that happens, we will be putting out less posts for the time being.
-TTS
Questions or comments about this post? Leave them below!
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