CFL: The CFL Thread: Part VI

[robertmac43]

List of rule changes coming into play for the 2022 season.

Get up to speed on new CFL rule changes - CFL.ca

The CFL is unveiling a package of changes designed to leverage some of its game’s greatest strengths: a big field, exciting kick returns and high-octane offence.

www.cfl.ca

 

[Holden Caulfield]

I think teams like Hamilton are dumb not to take the global draft seriously. Taking a punter at 2, fine getting a punter for less than league minimum isn't a bad strategy. But then they take another punter at 10. Dumb.

Thiadric Hansen has proved that these global players can be very useful. Assuming he is allowed to get a raise Hansen will be back with Winnipeg for a 3rd season and has been a key rotational DL along with a beast on ST. Les Maruo is back for a 2nd season with Winnipeg after playing at University of Texas as a starter. Showed some pop on ST and is expected to take a more key role in their ST going forward. There is upside in this program that can be capitalized on.

Edit: Then the Bombers take punters on 6 and 24. Odd. They took a punter last time around in 2021 but he never showed up in Winnipeg. The International Pathway Program seems to be really starting to bite into the Global programs.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Hearing a bunch of stuff about this Global draft being alot of guys that were passed over in last year's edition. Why so many punters went. Apparently just not much of a crop. Gotta think CFL removes the restriction that means Globals maximum salary is lower than the Can/US players minimum salary. Will entice more Globals to join up.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Tre Ford the first QB in the 1st round since 1980. Should be plenty of hype on that guy. If Ford does sign in Edmonton that means they will have 8 QB's on the roster going into camp.

 

[keonsbitterness]

Tre Ford the first QB in the 1st round since 1980. Should be plenty of hype on that guy. If Ford does sign in Edmonton that means they will have 8 QB's on the roster going into camp.

Not enough camp reps for that many QBs. At least three have to not show up/get cut early/change positions.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Not enough camp reps for that many QBs. At least three have to not show up/get cut early/change positions.

I mean I agree but hilarious thing is JT Barrett retires today and they sign Cardale Jones immediately. Very odd. I dislike Chris Jones immensely but he is entertaining and odd.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

CFLPA unsatisfied with new CFL CBA offer, directs players to report for possible work stoppage - 3DownNation

If you ignore the typical 3 Down Nation terrible terrible title and read the article it actually states pretty much the opposite of what the title is in the article. CFL teams have committed to providing food and housing until end of training camp, strike or not. CFLPA is asking players to attend camp. They've committed to picking up travel costs in case of an extended strike where players want to go home. Lots of work done yesterday, they stayed at the table all day and are scheduled to pick it back up first thing this morning. I think we'll see an agreed upon deal from the negotiating teams presented to CFLPA members and CFL teams in the next day or two. If not I'd bet we are talking only a day or two of strike. Seems to be progressing nicely.

Some things I'm expecting.
1) Shorter than either side would like. 2-4 years, with maybe some mutual options years. Both sides wanted long term, but that's unlikely now.
2) Ratio adjustments. I have to think this is coming. How and what is hard to say. I've heard alot of 3-3 Canadian starter talk. As in you have to start 3 on each side of the ball. CFL teams have traditionally used much of their starting canadians on offense (typically 3-4 OL and WR at least). This would force more canadian defensive players. Canadian talent is expanding, but it might actually increase offenses by artificially introducing some weaknesses into D. I think this is in part why the CFL draft was so defense heavy early this year.
3) Global adjustments. I'm thinking they may play with this. I have a feeling PA might push to have specialists (LS, K, P) excluded from Global consideration. With current rules Canadian punters are going to end up phased out. Why not use an Aussie punter who makes less than minimum as a punter rather than a canadian? Also they may open up the salary on Globals. At least I hope so, I want Thiadric back.
4) Reduced Canadians. I think they will take away 1-3 spots from backup canadians to add more backup americans on the roster.
5) Padded practices. I think this will be coming back. Very very limited, but I gotta think 1 padded practice a week/every two weeks/per month is something the PA will comprise on.

Just can't wait to get this season started for real!

 

[Holden Caulfield]

CFL is officially on strike (well 7 of the 9 teams, Alberta teams join in 3 days). We'll see how long this last, but it sounds like many of the major issues have been hammered out. Remaining issues are padded practices (league wants 12 over the season, PA wants 0 OR increased medical coverage), and PA wants more openness and fairness with sharing new revenue streams including the ability to audit CFL's books. This won't last very long, neither side can afford a long strike.

 

[sonic92]

They've got the strike sorted out with a new CBA, so here's the pre-season schedule.

May 27 - Toronto at Ottawa
May 27 - Edmonton at Winnipeg
May 28 - BC at Calgary
May 28 - Montreal at Hamilton
May 31 - Winnipeg at Saskatchewan
June 3 - Ottawa at Montreal
June 3 - Hamilton at Toronto
June 3 - Calgary at Edmonton
June 3 - Saskatchewan at BC

 

[Blitzkrug]

f*** the CFLPA. The league surprisingly gave them pretty much everything they wanted but then they got all pissy over changes to the ratio rules.

How about your Canadian teammates actually earn a roster spot instead of being protected by a rule that's only being slightly altered rather than removed.

 

[OG6ix]

f*** the CFLPA. The league surprisingly gave them pretty much everything they wanted but then they got all pissy over changes to the ratio rules.

How about your Canadian teammates actually earn a roster spot instead of being protected by a rule that's only being slightly altered rather than removed.

They should just merge with the XFL - The Rock would probably be a better commissioner than anyone the CFL has ever had lol

 

[Blitzkrug]

They should just merge with the XFL - The Rock would probably be a better commissioner than anyone the CFL has ever had lol

That's a bit of a lie. Mark Cohon was great for the league. Not only brought it back from the dead but got it to a point where they enjoyed record TV ratings, attendance and actually being somewhat relevant on the Canadian sports landscape.

The Stooges that have since replaced him have basically undone all of his work though..

 

[OG6ix]

That's a bit of a lie. Mark Cohon was great for the league. Not only brought it back from the dead but got it to a point where they enjoyed record TV ratings, attendance and actually being somewhat relevant on the Canadian sports landscape.

The Stooges that have since replaced him have basically undone all of his work though..

I was being tongue in cheek with my comment. To be honest I have no idea who the commissioners/leadership of the CFL are now nor the history.

I think the last full CFL game I watched was in like 1996 when Doug Flutie was still playing.

 

[Marc the Habs Fan]

 

[Big Z Man 1990]

I'd like the CFL to add three teams in the future. I would want them in Quebec City, Halifax, and Victoria.

 

[Tobias Kahun]

I'd like the CFL to add three teams in the future. I would want them in Quebec City, Halifax, and Victoria.

Theres not enough QB talent in the league for 9 teams.

How is adding 3 going to help.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Season starts on Thursday. Cant wait.

My predictions
West
Wpg 13-5
Cgy 11-7
Sask 9-9
Edm 7-11
Bc 5-13

East
Mtl 11-7
Tor 10-8
Ham 8-10
Ott 7-11

Playoffs
Sask beats Cgy
Tor beats Ham

Wpg beats Sask
Tor beats Mtl

Grey Cup
Wpg beats Tor

Yeah i think Wpg can go for the 3 peat!

 

[wildthing202]

ESPN+ and ESPN Networks to Bring Every 2022 Matchup of the Canadian Football League to Fans in the United States

ESPN+ and ESPN Networks to Bring Every 2022 Matchup of the Canadian Football League to Fans in the United States

espnpressroom.com

All the regular season games on ESPN+ and 20 of them will also be on either ESPN2/ESPNEWS. No ESPN+ in the playoffs though(no clue why though).

 

[Holden Caulfield]

New local owners doing well out in BC. Victor Cui seems to be doing great things in Edmonton. Yeah rumours of the demise of the CFL were greatly exaggerated.

 

[tank44]

New local owners doing well out in BC. Victor Cui seems to be doing great things in Edmonton. Yeah rumours of the demise of the CFL were greatly exaggerated.

Pregame concerts from big acts like One Republic and Barenaked Ladies for the 1st 2 weeks seem to be helping this. If it's working, keep it going. Would love to see the Lions succeed, there's opportunity with the Whitecaps and Canucks sucking.

 

[robertmac43]

New Hamilton jerseys!

 

[Blitzkrug]

Ugly start to the season for the Als.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Ugly start to the season for the Als.

Up 24-14 at half now. Well CFL wanted for offense, that's a huge start haha.

This is objectively just an entertaining football game. Great premiere game for CFL.

 

[JimmyApples]

That officiating was dreadful. Two PI’s against Ottawa that weren’t anything, at least three procedures against Ottawa that was behind the line and no movement, a blown call on Ottawa sneak on third down and giving Winnipeg a TD when they didn’t cross the goal line.

 

[Holden Caulfield]

Rourke looking pretty solid here early. I know i predicted above only 5 wins for BC, but if Rpurke is for real that BC team has quite a bit of talent at the "skill" positions and could be dangerous.