M.Silverback

My preference is for the CFL to survive and thrive on it's own, a unique Canadian league. But, realistically, the CFL was in trouble before COVID, and now 😲 I'm not sure these discussions lead anywhere, but can you blame Ambrosie and the league for considering it? Considering everything? How long do you think Toronto, Montreal and BC can survive as CFL franchises? My son plays USports football in Montreal and I swear there is more buzz for the three RSEQ teams located in Montreal than the Alouettes. If it's a choice between no CFL and some hybrid CFL/XFL/international football league, with the Bombers still part of it, I'll take that option. Maybe! I vote the Rock, who then has to fend off a hostile take over from Stephanie McMahon and Triple H.

Wonder who will be throwing to him.

I love this hit so much! It's the type of hit you'd see in a football movie for dramatic effect, but generally not something that would ever happen. And yes, I think Hansen is going to become a rotational pass rusher in addition to being a special teams monster.

I agree with the critics of CFL 2.0 who say that the CFL's first priority should basically be to get it's own house in order - better relationship with the CFLPA; better salary cap structure and management; some type of revenue sharing model; focus on large market fan engagement, etc. However, to me it's not either/or. The CFL should do this and I still think it's worthwhile exploring a 2.0 type plan of trying to find streaming/TV revenue from other countries. Plus, developing players for other countries is kind of exciting. Wasn't that long ago that the thought of a Swedish or Finnish superstar hockey player seemed absurd. Who knows with football? The NFL is also doing a low key version of this with global players, so Ambrosie is not way off on this one.

That was my take initially. Then I saw this article from Justin Dunk. https://3downnation.com/2020/08/17/the-cfl-wanted-to-be-treated-different-than-every-other-canadian-citizen/ If there's any accuracy to it, sounds like a bunch of CFL owners really didn't want a CFL season this year. A 7% loan is reasonable but they probably thought why take a 7% interest loan plus lose money on the season. Guaranteed the Bombers wanted a season, but bet Toronto, Montreal, BC said no.

Good article by Justin Dunk. He usually has pretty reliable sources. https://3downnation.com/2020/08/17/the-cfl-wanted-to-be-treated-different-than-every-other-canadian-citizen/ Key quote: According to sources, the league could have landed a loan, which had the potential to max out at $60 million, with a four-year payback period and increasing interest rates each time the calendar flipped over that topped out in the seven percent range. The same loan financing programs are available for eligible businesses in the mid-market program. However, the league said no thanks and continued on its quest for interest-free money. Two things - First, seems like the "high interest loan" cries might have been BS. topping out at 7% is a reasonable loan. Second - You have to wonder if maybe the private owners (Montreal, Toronto, BC) have been directing Ambrosie. Never seemed like they wanted to have a shortened season, and maybe they don't want to be on the hook for a 4 year loan. Maybe they're the ones floating the "high interest loan" story and pushing for an interest free loan. Bad times for the CFL.

Totally agree. I really miss sitting outside on a beautiful summer evening at IG Field watching football. Or going to the Banjo Bowl every year. The energy and excitement. Loved it!

That is the scary question. Like you said, the CFL may have to change it's entire business model. Pretty much every pro sports league is going to have to adjust their business model in this new world. The CFL is a lot more vulnerable as a league than most. As for how to do this - not sure where to start really. I think two things have to be considered: 1. Flattening of player salaries. Maybe raise the minimum salary, and impose a maximum salary. That might entice players to come and stay with a higher minimum salary; and it also protects against bad decision making by teams signing QB's to almost million dollar contracts, crippling the cap. Players end up earning very similar salaries (XFL and AAFL were proposing that model), which might control the cap rising too much, too fast. 2. Have to continue to find additional revenue sources. The theory behind CFL 2.0 was solid - give players from around the world a chance, and hopefully create a fan base that will stream games from other countries. Can they continue this in the COVID age? Not sure. But, if the CFL is counting on only gate revenue and TSN, they are in trouble. I love the CFL. I really hope they can figure it out.

Not to be Debbie Downer here, but, another update from Dave Naylor and Farhan Lalji. https://www.tsn.ca/video/naylor-some-within-cfl-concerned-clock-will-run-out-on-potential-2020-season~2012795 Not sure the issue of guaranteed contracts can be settled. Too much risk on both sides, as Naylor and Lalji point out. Players understandably want some guarantees if they disrupt their lives, come to the bubble, and COVID stops the season. And owners understandably don't want to pay out guaranteed salaries if the season stops in a year where they're already losing a ton of money. I really miss the CFL, but, I don't think it can happen this year.

Good update article on the CFL status by Dave Naylor. Not looking promising for a 2020 CFL season. https://www.tsn.ca/talent/where-things-stand-with-a-2020-cfl-season-1.1507703

Wow! So the federal government has become an ATM for Trudeau friends and family, but Fat Tony when it comes to the CFL. Nice.

You're both bang on about the CFL and CFLPA. I'm sure both have some responsibility in how fractured the relationship is, but, it has to stop. This is a pro league teetering on the edge. It's collaborate or die really. Ambrosie certainly deserves the criticism he's getting, but, I still think his CFL 2.0 global player idea had some potential as a revenue source pre-COVID. Untapped potential TV, streaming fan bases if a few global players actually became CFL stars.

Good discussion around this topic. It's a really complex issue because I agree that the 1 year CFL contracts for players then walking to the NFL is not working as a long term CFL strategy. Tough for teams to manage, sucks for fans. And, I agree that the NFL really doesn't have any interest in financially compensating the CFL in any way. Realistically, what incentive does the NFL have to compensate the CFL in any way? With increasing practice roster sizes and hundreds of new college players coming out every year, why do they need any type of "farm system"? And honestly, it's not as if the CFL typically provides them with elite NFL talent. The Cameron Wake's are very rare. Mostly CFL players who make the NFL end up at the bottom of a team's roster. Easily replaced by a late round NFL draft pick or a UDFA. I'm not criticizing anyone's take on this. It's a complicated issue. The CFL has to figure out a better model for building revenue and retaining players on it's own.

Agree. That's the point I was trying to make. If there's no season at all, no games on TSN, good luck trying to drum up either fan attendance or TV viewers in the biggest markets in Canada. Which definitely would impact any future TV deals with TSN or whomever. I don't hate those teams or cities. I lived in both. The CFL is a very tough sell in both. Toronto is Raptors and Leafs. Vancouver is snow boarding, hanging out, Canucks, in that order. So, for the sake of the small number of hardcore fans in those cities, and to hopefully attract more there, I think the CFL has to try some kind of season this year. Maybe even consider some type of involvement for those cities for games being played. Something!

The CFL definitely will face the same issues every other pro league has and will. I hear you on the cost of starting up. But, there's also a big cost for the CFL not trying a start up. The fan base, TV deals, advertising, sponsorship just aren't as strong as the other leagues. If the CFL goes away for a year, they may not recover. No one cares about the CFL in Toronto and Vancouver now. Do you think they will a year from now, having not had a CFL game played for almost 2 years. I think the CFL would be pretty much dead in those cities then. There's no great solution - trying to run a shortened season is going to be risky and cost teams money; punting on the season now is going to cost teams money and support. I think the optics are worse if they don't try at all.

Some realtor in the US trademarked a bunch of potential names that Washington may have been considering. https://www.bardown.com/a-virginia-realtor-filed-trademarks-for-a-bunch-of-new-washington-football-names-1.1494956 I hate when people do that with websites or trademarks. Just looking to hold a company or team hostage for a cash grab. Hope Washington chooses a name this guy did not trademark and he gets nothing.

https://www.cjme.com/2020/07/07/jamie-nye-six-games-is-better-than-nothing-or-at-least-thats-what-i-thought/#.XwSGA9ot6uM.twitter Interesting take from Jamie Nye. I keep hearing fans of all sports including the CFL calling to "just cancel the season already". My take is I'd rather see all sports try to return with some form of modified season, knowing full well that may have to be stopped or modified again at any point. And for the CFL, I really think they need to try to have some type of season in 2020. The CFL just doesn't have the fan engagement in the big cities, and to some extent in the strong CFL cities, to sit out an entire year.

Good point. Pains me to say but I think the CFL will eventually have to move towards a salary management system like the XFL or AAF. More of a “guaranteed” amount, with less variations. Pay newer players more, but stars less. Less variation between high and low. Like $100K minimum to $300K max for everyone. We’d attract more practice roster type NFL players with a higher minimum, but not handcuff teams when they have a star QB. And, if a CFL player is truly exceptional, they will still go to the NFL and earn big $. Thoughts?

Definitely. And cap management is going to be even more important in the post COVID CFL. I think the days of signing almost million dollar QB's are over. As are the days of signing close to $300K receivers. Say hello to developmental low priced QB's, and bringing in lots of US receivers to compete with higher priced veterans.

He was great! Thanks. Forgot about him. And what a story. The first African-American to start at the quarterback position in an SEC school. The first black baseball player in University of Tennessee history. Also drafted by the Expos!

I too enjoyed your photos and write ups. Kept looking for them. I don't get the opposition. Is this a football discussion page or not? You're either a football fan or not, and real fans can root for their own team and appreciate great players on all teams.

Great list! Brian Kelly was one of those receivers that wasn't particularly fast or big, but always seemed open, and caught everything. Ray Elgaard - At the risk of being accused of supporting Rider pride, I loved/hated him as a player. Any coach in the league would have taken him, but you hated him as an opponent. Type of player that you could tell opposing DB's hated playing against. Tough, dirty, faster than he seemed, caught everything.

And my Eastern conference CFL players: Anthony Calvillo - Montreal - At first I'd notice that a D-lineman was always a half second too late getting to him, thinking next time he'll get there. Well, there was rarely a next time. Just Calvillo carving up defenses with the quickest release and best passing accuracy I've ever seen in a CFL QB. Amazing player. Could have easily started in the NFL Tony Gabriel - Ottawa - You could drop him in today's game in his prime and he'd still dominate. Great hands, red zone monster. Grover Covington - Hamilton - One of those players that opposing O-lines would circle on the schedule at the beginning of the year as a possible game where they might sit out with an "injury". Absolute terror Terry Greer - Toronto - Pinball was the greatest Argo. But, Greer put up 2000 yards in 1983! Pretty much could not be covered in the CFL

I liked this thread idea as a fan of football and the CFL, and as an actual football discussion. Is it dead because there's some unwritten rule that we're not allowed to appreciate talented CFL players who are not Bombers? I'm not abiding by that rule. Here's four Western Conference players I loved watching, but hated when they were dominating our Bombers: Mervyn Fernandez - BC Lions - really dominant player. Also had a decent NFL career. Warren Moon - Edmonton - Best player I have ever seen play in the CFL. John Helton - Calgary - Also a former Bomber, but, killed us for 10 years as a Stampeder Bobby Jurasin - Saskatchewan - Always disruptive, always involved. Secretly wished he was a Bomber

Exactly. This Eric Galko guy is just trying to be a hype man for another failed football league, on the remote chance that they reboot the XFL at some point. Unlikely. I'm repeating myself, but, why do rich successful people repeatedly piss their money away thinking that they could succeed running another pro football league in the US?