2019 will mark the return of the Canadian Football League's 'Touchdown Atlantic' promotional game, last held in 2013, in a contest between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Montreal Alouettes, in which the 'Cats won. I've seen every Touchdown Atlantic game on TV, and I still say that there is a rather large appetite for professional football on the East Coast, as evidenced by the packed stadium for each and every game.
Ever since the Atlantic Schooners became a real possibility once again, it looks as if it was only natural to finally stage a game in the Maritimes after such a lengthy absence. There are a lot of football schools out that way (Acadia, St.F/X, just to name a couple), and I have maintained that the CFL would truly be a coast-to-coast league with the addition of a Halifax-based team. In a league like the CFL that has an odd number of teams, this would make sense for several reasons:
Even divisions. Five teams on either side would be more than logical. It would even out the schedule, and eliminate the current bye-week system (of three byes per team) that is currently in use.
Crossover. I would image that when the league evens out to those ten teams, the crossover rule would be revoked completely, as it would be redundant at that point. (I'm not saying I don't like the crossover, because I do. It just wouldn't work in a ten team league)
Fresh match-ups. Like when the RedBlacks brought Ottawa back into the fold, we had fresh match-ups and new rivalries formed along the way. One can only imagine what kind of rivalries and story lines an East Coast team would bring to the table.
Oh Canada! As much as the CFL is Canada's game and has that Great White North feel, it would be so much more enhanced with that tenth Maritime team. It would just be so much awesome right off the bat, and just really needs to happen!
Saturday, March 30, 2019
Thursday, March 28, 2019
Marcus Mariota/Henry Burris. (NFL/CFL)
As someone who has followed Marcus Mariota since his college days at Oregon, I was intrigued by what the owner of the Tennessee Titans had so say as of late about her star quarterback:
"Marcus, I want him to be successful," said Amy Strunk. "I want him to be our franchise quarterback. It was a tough year from an injury standpoint last year, and I know that Marcus is raring to go and prove he can be that guy." This is an interesting quote, as I personally believe that Mariota has already proven he's 'that guy' for the Titans. That being said, he has been quite injury prone in his short pro career up to this point, and the team's offence as a whole hasn't been the greatest.
Can Mariota have a bounce back season this year and put up some solid numbers? Here's hoping he does, as he's an exciting player that can make plays out of nothing. If the Titan's O-line can keep him upright, the sky is the limit.
Burris, whatcha talking about? I've never been one to really disagree with Henry Burris, as the man is a legend in the CFL, and always has some of the most interesting insight on the game and all that it entails. This time however, I stand on the opposite side of something he has said. Burris believes that the NFL changing their video replay rules to include all facets of pass interference will slow down and ruin the game.
Yes, there has been an occasional game in the CFL (where this review system has already been used successfully) where said review has taken a chunk of time for no reason, but on a whole, it works. Factor in the disaster in New Orleans this past NFL season (yeah, I know.....beating a dead horse now), and there is an instant reason to institute this, and prevent teams from getting ripped off because of incompetent officials on the field.
Sorry Henry, but the NFL needs this. Either that, or we keep seeing the Patriots win Super Bowls. *shudders*
"Marcus, I want him to be successful," said Amy Strunk. "I want him to be our franchise quarterback. It was a tough year from an injury standpoint last year, and I know that Marcus is raring to go and prove he can be that guy." This is an interesting quote, as I personally believe that Mariota has already proven he's 'that guy' for the Titans. That being said, he has been quite injury prone in his short pro career up to this point, and the team's offence as a whole hasn't been the greatest.
Can Mariota have a bounce back season this year and put up some solid numbers? Here's hoping he does, as he's an exciting player that can make plays out of nothing. If the Titan's O-line can keep him upright, the sky is the limit.
Burris, whatcha talking about? I've never been one to really disagree with Henry Burris, as the man is a legend in the CFL, and always has some of the most interesting insight on the game and all that it entails. This time however, I stand on the opposite side of something he has said. Burris believes that the NFL changing their video replay rules to include all facets of pass interference will slow down and ruin the game.
Yes, there has been an occasional game in the CFL (where this review system has already been used successfully) where said review has taken a chunk of time for no reason, but on a whole, it works. Factor in the disaster in New Orleans this past NFL season (yeah, I know.....beating a dead horse now), and there is an instant reason to institute this, and prevent teams from getting ripped off because of incompetent officials on the field.
Sorry Henry, but the NFL needs this. Either that, or we keep seeing the Patriots win Super Bowls. *shudders*
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
AAF could fold, Raiders on hold. (AAF/NFL/CFL)
Just when you thought the football world couldn't get anymore convoluted, we get two fresh headlines that have sent every football journalist and blogger going quite mad. I've been sitting here, just minding my own business, when I saw these stories break just a few short minutes ago. It's shaping up to be a busy news week in football, and that's a good thing.
Raiders not playing a game in Saskatchewan. As everyone already knows, the Oakland Raiders had secured a one-year lease for this season in Oakland, but are having to shop around their exhibition and pre-season games to alternative markets. One such market that was, until today, being aggressively pursued was Mosaic Field, the home of the Roughriders. Unfortunately, it's been reported that the Roughies weren't given enough time to change the stadium back over to the regulation Canadian sized field for a CFL game the very next day.
Personally, I don't understand why it was going to be Mosaic in the first place. There are much bigger stadiums in this country (SkyDome, Commonwealth, the Big O) that can handle larger crowds, and are located in much bigger metropolitan areas with proper transit hubs and amenities. Mosaic looks like a nice stadium, but after all, it's still in Saskatchewan regardless.
Bye bye AAF? In a more stunning release, the chief financier of the AAF, Tom Dundon (owner of the NHL's Hurricanes) has said that, "If the NFL players union is not going to give us young players, we can't be a development league. We are looking at our options, which include discontinuing the league."
I find this news very perplexing. I have found the AAF to be a very exciting and action-packed game. Players are trying to prove to just about anyone watching that they are NFL (or CFL) calibre players, and by doing so have raised the bar quite high. There have been big plays, big touchdowns, and not to mention - big hits! It would be sad to see the AAF go the way of the Dodo so early in it's short life. I firmly believe this league can go places, and hope to see it do so.
The AAF's decision will come in the next few days, according to Dundon. We might just have to hold our collective breaths for this one.
Tuesday, March 26, 2019
The CFL's 'bubble wrap' solution. (CFL)
I've been watching CFL football since I was a kid (going on twenty-nine years now), and one of the many facets of the game that has always kept me glued to the TV during games is the hard-hitting action. Whether it's quarterbacks getting smoked, wide receivers getting crushed in and out of bounds, or a kick returner getting wiped out, it's always must-see TV. A large part of what makes the CFL great is the fast-paced hard-hitting action that never seems to disappoint.
This now could all be in extreme jeopardy of being taken out of the game by a Commissioner that is already taking the league in the wrong direction. Now, at his urging, it could get decidedly worse this coming season. Look, we all know football isn't the safest sport out there, and the possibility of injury exists in every game. That being said, the men that suit up every week for their teams know this, and have accepted this as how football is played. I also agree that hits to the head need to be addressed, but not at the expense of ruining the game.
When you're team is playing on defence, chances are as a fan, you're screaming for them to rush the quarterback and take his head off, or at least break up a pass and/or record a sack. No one wants to see their team give up a massive throwing play that could lead to big yardage gains or even a touchdown. That being said, you also probably don't want to see your defence pull up lame, afraid to go anywhere near the quarterback, and let him throw wherever he wants. The last thing I need to see is my team's defence ignore the quarterback out of fear and let him do his job.
This isn't the NFL. We don't need to change rules and make it tougher on defensive players because of prima donna quarterbacks (hello Tom Brady!) that don't want to get hit. People are also name-dropping Zach Collaros because of all the cranial hits he has taken as well. This is the same QB that also suffered a concussion in pre-season, and hid it from everyone due to his own ego. Collaros shouldn't be used as the yardstick in this case. The CFL shouldn't let one man's issues decide a new outcome for the whole league.
Head hits need to be curtailed, but not at the expense of the league, it's game play, and the fans' experience of the game that they hold dear. The sad thing is, Ambrosie doesn't listen to anyone but himself, and we the fans are going to suffer most.
This now could all be in extreme jeopardy of being taken out of the game by a Commissioner that is already taking the league in the wrong direction. Now, at his urging, it could get decidedly worse this coming season. Look, we all know football isn't the safest sport out there, and the possibility of injury exists in every game. That being said, the men that suit up every week for their teams know this, and have accepted this as how football is played. I also agree that hits to the head need to be addressed, but not at the expense of ruining the game.
When you're team is playing on defence, chances are as a fan, you're screaming for them to rush the quarterback and take his head off, or at least break up a pass and/or record a sack. No one wants to see their team give up a massive throwing play that could lead to big yardage gains or even a touchdown. That being said, you also probably don't want to see your defence pull up lame, afraid to go anywhere near the quarterback, and let him throw wherever he wants. The last thing I need to see is my team's defence ignore the quarterback out of fear and let him do his job.
This isn't the NFL. We don't need to change rules and make it tougher on defensive players because of prima donna quarterbacks (hello Tom Brady!) that don't want to get hit. People are also name-dropping Zach Collaros because of all the cranial hits he has taken as well. This is the same QB that also suffered a concussion in pre-season, and hid it from everyone due to his own ego. Collaros shouldn't be used as the yardstick in this case. The CFL shouldn't let one man's issues decide a new outcome for the whole league.
Head hits need to be curtailed, but not at the expense of the league, it's game play, and the fans' experience of the game that they hold dear. The sad thing is, Ambrosie doesn't listen to anyone but himself, and we the fans are going to suffer most.
Monday, March 25, 2019
On-side kick a thing of the past? (NFL)
I don't get this whole concept of getting rid of the on-side kick in the fourth quarter and replacing it with something else. Whether or not the kick is a legit on-side kick, or a squib that bounces all over the place, why replace it because one team has a silly idea?
I am of course talking about the NFL competition committee's idea to accept the proposal put forward by the Denver Broncos, in which the on-side kick in the fourth quarter of a game would be replaced by a 4th and 15 situation from the team's 35 yard line. While it may be more interesting to give star quarterbacks a shot at a potential game-winning throw deep in the final quarter of play (yes, I do find it somewhat intriguing), it can also lead to other problems down the line.
The potential for injuries increases, with the other team's defence wanting to load up for a bull rush, or be quick off the corner to block and/or sack the quarterback before he can make said throw down the field. Also, receivers will look to run full tilt to evade cover (especially if the opposing defence is playing man coverage, or the standard nickel) and end up stretching out and landing on something they don't want to land on. It can almost be assured that the quarterback is going to go for the long bomb or end zone play. No one is going to waste this 4th and 15 on a short pass that could potentially be dropped, picked off, or stymied completely.
While I agree that the NFL needs to make a couple tweaks to the rules to enhance the game a little, this is not one of the tweaks we need. The on-side kick has a mythology of it's own, and can easily end up being a game-changing moment in itself. I believe in earnest that this should be left alone for the time being. Potential pass interference and challenging of said call should be the top priority of the NFL right now, so as to avoid another problem like we saw in the NFC Championship game. Compared to that mess, the on-side kick is nowhere near as imperative.
I am of course talking about the NFL competition committee's idea to accept the proposal put forward by the Denver Broncos, in which the on-side kick in the fourth quarter of a game would be replaced by a 4th and 15 situation from the team's 35 yard line. While it may be more interesting to give star quarterbacks a shot at a potential game-winning throw deep in the final quarter of play (yes, I do find it somewhat intriguing), it can also lead to other problems down the line.
The potential for injuries increases, with the other team's defence wanting to load up for a bull rush, or be quick off the corner to block and/or sack the quarterback before he can make said throw down the field. Also, receivers will look to run full tilt to evade cover (especially if the opposing defence is playing man coverage, or the standard nickel) and end up stretching out and landing on something they don't want to land on. It can almost be assured that the quarterback is going to go for the long bomb or end zone play. No one is going to waste this 4th and 15 on a short pass that could potentially be dropped, picked off, or stymied completely.
While I agree that the NFL needs to make a couple tweaks to the rules to enhance the game a little, this is not one of the tweaks we need. The on-side kick has a mythology of it's own, and can easily end up being a game-changing moment in itself. I believe in earnest that this should be left alone for the time being. Potential pass interference and challenging of said call should be the top priority of the NFL right now, so as to avoid another problem like we saw in the NFC Championship game. Compared to that mess, the on-side kick is nowhere near as imperative.
Saturday, March 23, 2019
The NFL could learn from the CFL. (NFL/CFL)
All it took for the NFL to finally realize it had a major problem, was for the New Orleans Saints to get screwed out of the NFC Championship by referees that missed an obvious (and completely blatant) pass interference call against the LA Rams. As we all know by now, the Rams went on to win the game and advance to the Super Bowl. There is no doubt in my mind that if the Saints had won, they surely would have won the Super Bowl easily.
In the CFL, a coach is allowed to challenge for pass interference if he feels that there was a missed call. In a lot of circumstances, the call was missed, and the coach was successful in his challenge, getting the call on the field overturned. I personally saw several instances last season alone where this happened, negating what would have been a blown call by the officials. People who only have a passing familiarity with the CFL often criticize it for it's rules and regulations, but even sportscasters and sports writers in the United States have often praised it for this particular set of rules.
Unfortunately with the NFL (also known as the No Fun League), they are hesitant to change things that are huge issues, usually giving the finger to the fans. Commissioner Roger Goodell's attitude and lack of transparency on said NFC Championship game snafu (or lack of even getting around to mention anything about it) speaks volumes on what the NFL thinks about anything aside from the billions of dollars it pulls in from fans and sponsors alike. Imagine if the CFL had that kind of attitude? It would fold very quickly, as sports fans (especially in Canada) are a fickle bunch.
While it's interesting to hear that the NFL is looking into fixing this whole mess with better rules and coaches being able to challenge non-calls, I'll believe it when I see it. No one should be holding their breath on this one, so as long as the money keeps rolling into the NFL's coffers.
In the CFL, a coach is allowed to challenge for pass interference if he feels that there was a missed call. In a lot of circumstances, the call was missed, and the coach was successful in his challenge, getting the call on the field overturned. I personally saw several instances last season alone where this happened, negating what would have been a blown call by the officials. People who only have a passing familiarity with the CFL often criticize it for it's rules and regulations, but even sportscasters and sports writers in the United States have often praised it for this particular set of rules.
Unfortunately with the NFL (also known as the No Fun League), they are hesitant to change things that are huge issues, usually giving the finger to the fans. Commissioner Roger Goodell's attitude and lack of transparency on said NFC Championship game snafu (or lack of even getting around to mention anything about it) speaks volumes on what the NFL thinks about anything aside from the billions of dollars it pulls in from fans and sponsors alike. Imagine if the CFL had that kind of attitude? It would fold very quickly, as sports fans (especially in Canada) are a fickle bunch.
While it's interesting to hear that the NFL is looking into fixing this whole mess with better rules and coaches being able to challenge non-calls, I'll believe it when I see it. No one should be holding their breath on this one, so as long as the money keeps rolling into the NFL's coffers.
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
2019 could be an epic disaster. (CFL)
The Canadian Football League is wandering into uncertain territory as of late, with both the CFL and CFLPA heading towards an impasse in their negotiations. Both sides are starting to get hung up on commissioner Randy Ambrosie's idea of lowering the Canadian player ratio down to five spots per team, down from the current seven. This is going to become a major problem for both sides to get past, and no good will come out of it.
To have a commissioner who is Canadian, has played in the CFL for nine seasons and won a Grey Cup, this move makes little sense. Ambrosie also served on the board for the CFLPA during the 1990's, so his position right now is more than quite perplexing. This is a man who has been in the Canadian football system since his university days, and yet might just be the one that brings everything crashing down this spring before the season gets started.
Part of the problem is Ambrosie's ideas on how to expand the influence of the CFL outside of Canada. Making deals with other football leagues is fine, but when it affects Canadian players and pushes them out of roster positions here at home, it becomes a significant problem. Ambrosie is stuck on political correctness and silly projects. The whole 'Diversity Is Strength' nonsense (which is a colossal failure and has has alienated some fans), not to mention his idea of playing a game in Mexico (taking away much needed home game revenue away from a CFL team), are just two examples of backwards thinking.
If anything, Ambrosie needs to enhance Canadian player development, and to bolster the partnerships with the CIS and all university associations. If we can't properly develop football players here at home, how long can the CFL stay relevant? If we can't find new ways to get young people involved (and do so without politics), how can we keep filling the stadiums? Growing the game outside of Canada is fine, but not at it's expense. Ambrosie needs to put the league ahead of his own personal agenda, or step aside. The slope he's taking the league down right now is a slippery one, and no good, if any, can come of all this.
Get ready for a lockout, sports fans.
To have a commissioner who is Canadian, has played in the CFL for nine seasons and won a Grey Cup, this move makes little sense. Ambrosie also served on the board for the CFLPA during the 1990's, so his position right now is more than quite perplexing. This is a man who has been in the Canadian football system since his university days, and yet might just be the one that brings everything crashing down this spring before the season gets started.
Part of the problem is Ambrosie's ideas on how to expand the influence of the CFL outside of Canada. Making deals with other football leagues is fine, but when it affects Canadian players and pushes them out of roster positions here at home, it becomes a significant problem. Ambrosie is stuck on political correctness and silly projects. The whole 'Diversity Is Strength' nonsense (which is a colossal failure and has has alienated some fans), not to mention his idea of playing a game in Mexico (taking away much needed home game revenue away from a CFL team), are just two examples of backwards thinking.
If anything, Ambrosie needs to enhance Canadian player development, and to bolster the partnerships with the CIS and all university associations. If we can't properly develop football players here at home, how long can the CFL stay relevant? If we can't find new ways to get young people involved (and do so without politics), how can we keep filling the stadiums? Growing the game outside of Canada is fine, but not at it's expense. Ambrosie needs to put the league ahead of his own personal agenda, or step aside. The slope he's taking the league down right now is a slippery one, and no good, if any, can come of all this.
Get ready for a lockout, sports fans.
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