GCn20

How hard would it be for them to phone me at home and keep me updated? I mean really...

Glen Young leaves big shoes to fill. No doubt about it. I am sure Richie has extensive colleagues to call on though.

Costanza is a really good addition but Young is a big loss. Wonder who comes in for Young?

I think that the emergence of Lawler and Bailey will have us mainly kicking tires at REC. I think the priority, as it was last year, will be the DL by either re-signing current guys or spending that money in FA. If we can get guys like Willy etc locked down before FA we might have a pretty quiet day in FA. Some depth to replace the guys we are not re-signing...that's about it. Unless, of course, somebody's agent phones us and says his guy will come here for a deal price...which is unlikely.

A safety that can help in coverage...who knew?

Considering they only have 4 in their history and one was in the 60's, I would think that none of the putz's at Riderfans have witnessed their team win 4 Grey Cups unless there are some real grey beards there.

Yes, I remember that.

I agree. NFL teams have huge rosters and can easily roster a guy like Streveler that might see a snap or two a week. Especially when it's highly likely he can contribute on teams.

If anyone thinks that Streveler couldn't add value to an NFL team is mistaken imo. People are too hell bent on his ability as a traditional QB, his value comes in his unique physical abilities. Teams, even NFL teams, have to game plan for him. I think a lot of people not familiar with coaching tend to understate the importance of that. Every minute spent in practice, film room, or in meetings dealing with him is a minute that they are not preparing for something else. Even if he is not used at all in a game one week because of circumstance, he has taken away from the oppositions time to game plan and prepare for other aspects of his team Until this type of player becomes commonplace in the NFL, and when they are successful every team will try to find one, it will create game planning and preparation problems for the opposition. I can see Streveler easily getting an NFL contract because the upside is just way too high for a guy with his unique upside. Will he ever be a QB1 in the NFL? Highly doubtful .Could he carve out a long and successful career as a gadget guy? I think he could and will and make some serious bank doing so. At least until every other team unearths their own Hill/Streveler and then the game planning/preparation will be week to week for all teams and their abilities to contribute will likely be vastly reduced. That will take a few years though.

I will search up the link. The NHL lobbied for an international league exemption from this statute and it was introduced into law in the early 80's. The NBA, MLS, and any other pro league that plays against US or international counterparts is also exempt. Because the CFL has no international franchises they are stuck adhering to the legislation.

You are just saying that because you are a Winnipeg Blue Bomber ass kisser. Seriously though, Gbill is the LAST guy that should be talking about kissing Blue Bomber ass. He used to wait outside the entrance of the stadium after practice and run over to the players as they were leaving and beg for selfies with them.

There most certainly are laws that force companies to hire Canadians first before they can hire Americans. You kidding me?

Canadian labor laws do not exempt the CFL from having to have a certain % of the players from being Canadian. During the 90s US expansion the CFL tried to scrap the ratio rule because American law did not allow it. However, the CFL, unlike the NHL and NBA was unsuccessful in doing so and American CFL teams had no ratio requirements and Canadian teams did.

The CFL ratio is in effect partly due to Canadian labor laws. It's here to stay.

A legit chance? What a bunch of nonsense. If this league starts a welfare program for NAT QBs the league will suffer. Every year teams bring in NAT QBs to compete. After that you have to earn your roster spot. Any deviation from that waters down the product. I want the best QBs available on my team QB is not a position you allow players to develop through undeserved playing time.

Meh...players in Vancouver and Toronto get sweetheart rent deals from "friends" of the ball club.

No we don't. You are comparing apples and oranges. As I stated earlier, the global thing is as much financial as it is about developing players. It's about extending the CFL audience, therefore, it makes sense from a business model. Developing NAT QBs would not generate one extra dollar for the CFL.

I have no issue with allowing concessions for a team who chooses to employ a NAT QB. I just scoff at the notion that any CFL team should have to do so. QBs are too valuable a commodity in our league to tell teams that they must employ one. Especially when legitimately there is maybe one or two every decade who is legitimately good enough to earn a roster spot even if they were developed and coddled. I agree that for the most part IMPs are better players than most NATs but at least at every other position some NATs have demonstrated they can compete and even stand out. At QB all we have seen is disastrous failure by NAT QBs and that won't change any time soon no matter what the CFL does. I agree with you on the whole global player thing but we have to remember its in it's infancy right now and the end goal is to supply revenues to our league. If having NAT QBs could potentially lead to revenue for CFL teams I might tolerate teams being imposed with having to develop them. However, I think just the opposite would happen. At some point teams would be in injury situations and have to embarrass themselves by playing inadequate QBs.

CFL teams don't have the money to run a NAT QB welfare system.

Most NATs when they are drafted are very close to their IMP competition in talent and development EXCEPT at the QB level where IMP QBS are vastly, vastly...did I mention vastly?....superior. For that reason your comparison is null and void. Fact of the matter is that maybe every 5 years a NAT QB in the CIS is good enough to earn a legit shot at the CFL. The others would be a complete waste of time and effort as they would NEVER develop to a point that they would offer a CFL team anything of value. I'm sorry if that's harsh but that's just the reality.

Why should the CFL waste it's limited resources on them? Seriously, I can't understand the infatuation some people have with wanting NAT QBs. If one comes along that is good enough, LEGITIMATELY good enough, teams will develop them. Until then best QB available is the only way a QB driven league survives. Screw this idea of welfare roster spots for NAT QBs. That's how teams end up with a Brandon Bridge torpedoing a season in the playoffs. The reason we haven't had NAT QBs, or at least decent ones, is not because the CFL didn't develop them it's because our minor football. and university programs didn't develop them well enough. Once you get to the pro level you either compete legitimately for a roster spot or you never will. That's the reality. There just isn't enough QB talent in our systems compared to the US.

Not releasing the CBA for months and allowing an entire CFL's fan base to speculate incorrectly and get mad at the league seems kind of stupid as well. Numerous media reports about the 2 QB thing since last May, thousands of tweets/posts/comments from concerned fans and not one thought to maybe clarify. Kind of stupid Mr. Ambrosie.

I agree. One of the worst commissioners for over reacting and changing rules on the fly.

With the exception that Michael Bishop was a much better thrower. Same 2 cent brain tho.

Yes, it has been this way for a couple years now since the NFL expanded their PR size and eligibility.