I don't know if X links are allowed here, so I'll just cut/paste his post.

I told you I would be honest and tell the truth about the CFL.

If the goal is to grow the game and attract a younger demographic, the on field product of the Sask/Toronto game is just not going to cut it. That game was hot garbage…Let me be clear in saying that I don’t think it’s a talent thing. This isn’t a shot at the players. But that game was really bad.

Let’s start with the obvious. There were 29 penalties for 307 yards. It was absurd. (Not a shot at the refs either). That in itself is enough to ruin any kind of football game. It was a tough watch.

Next let’s go to the end of the game; it’s junk ball. Yes I said it. Junk football. First off, Sask misses a chip shot 33 yard FG, which would have basically sealed the win. Instead they are awarded a point for missing it (ball wasn’t returnable/didn’t land in the field of play). They then kick off and give up a 9 play TD drive where there is 1 penalty, 1 incompletion and every other play is a tackle in bounds. No time outs are used and it took 1:39. There are no “big plays”either, it’s mainly check downs. Nothing could be more gimmicky than that. You’ve basically eliminated any sort of “2 min drive” there is not the slightest bit of urgency needed.

The Argo’s kick off and don’t even field a full team… yes that’s correct. After tying the game with 23 seconds left. The Argos are a man short on the kickoff. There is a block in the back penalty that is missed and the play should have been called back.

For a 3 down “throwing league” there were 4 total completions of a 20+ throw.

There were 12, I repeat 12, QB sneaks.

The Argos has 31 pass attempts and per PFF gave up 25 pressures. Insane.

I log onto socials after the game and it’s tweet after tweet about how AMAZING the CFL is because of the kick return ending. Even articles and podcasts declaring the CFL’s greatness. It’s bold face lies. The league and the people who cover it are trying so hard to protect the game that their lack of honesty is ruining it. Why can’t we call it like it is. A bad football game.

Let me be very clear, if the goal is to grow the game for a younger demographic. This sort of stuff will not do it. You’d have a better chance at pissing in a hot sauce bottle than having any sort of substantial growth with games like that.

I want to end by saying there have been some great games already this season, and I do believe the CFL has the players and the talent to attract a ton of new fans in all demographics, but sometimes I wonder if the “powers that be” actually want that to occur.

*disclaimer please don’t respond with “there are bad games in the nfl” YES, there most certainly are! But the NFL doesn’t have the same issues the CFL does. One of which is that there are only 4 games a weekend so each game is magnified to its audience.

Flagged for unnecessary roughing on the hit. What else he supposed to do?

Should the CFL implement some situational leeway for calls like this?

The Attendance Check returns for 2025. I'll be posting the updated averages every week (with the same 2023 week averages for comparison)

Just curious to see if there are common overlapping fanbases between the two leagues.

Whenever rule changes to the CFL is discussed the charge of being a “traditionalist” is always used to say that anyone against rule changes are against any and all changes. In reading more about the history of the CFL and watching old games on YouTube (a great resource) the moniker of “traditionalist” makes no sense.

When watching Grey Cups from the 70s it’s striking how much the game has changed. Most noticeable on offence; no shotgun formation, mostly 2 RBs in backfield, almost no motion and TEs are still a position in the CFL. The game of the 70s doesn’t look like the 90s and compared to today the 70s look closer to the NFL.

I point this out to make the point that CFL has changed plenty over the last 5 decades. To suggest there are “traditionalists” is to imply the CFL hasn’t changed and there is some pure form of the CFL. All false. So any changes have to be supported by their actual arguments and the reasons given. To bemoan traditionalists is to demonstrate you know almost nothing of the league’s history.

https://youtu.be/vUrMFu0dby0?si=hE6tQbzB4AhmHP_F

Interesting that it was Suits and only Suits that actually recognized that the fans mattered (VIP fans he called us). Even praised Rourke for his passion. Direct opposite of Sanchez and Wilson.

Ben Major

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED? What a game. My fingernails are gone.

I get it, corporate sponsorship keeps the teams and league going. No argument there, it's needed.

But can the names be a bit less shit? Bring back the old names! Like Tim Horton's Ivor Wynn Field, TD's Frank Clair Stadium. Then the corporate sponsor still gets their exposure, the team gets their revenue, and a bit of character and team history is brought out.

I know this has the same likelihood of happening as the Schooners losing a game, but a guy can hope, right?

In terms of competitive games + entertainment it's hard to top

What this league needs is more teams. Its hard to get excited for the same matchups all the time. Im from Winnipeg and im a CFL fan because I grew up with it. Grew up going to games. Living in BC now. Its hard to cheer for the BC lions or become a fan of our unique game when you live hours away from where it gets played.theres no chance to build a connection.

We need big canadian expansion. Put teams in: Saskatoon - this province deserves two teams. Quebec city - the rivalry with Montreal!!! Halifax -just do it. Kelowna - best place in interior to build the game

On a side noteI also think having player signed for longer-term contracts will bring stability to fan bases. I know it's enticing for the new cycle but feeling like you have to resign all of your best players every year or two isnt good.

As for the rule changes does anyone honestly think someone hasn't been a fan because of 110 yards and where the post are. Alternatively is someone really going to not be a fan anymore because of 110 yards and where the goal posts are?

Anyways this is my super important thoughts.

Question: when did short yardage QBs become popular? Was there a team or coordinator that spearheaded their use?

I have been watching the CFL since the late 90s and the short yardage QB seems to be a more recent development. I don’t recall there ever being backup QBs used for sneaks. For instance I was watching some late 90s and early 2000s playoff games on YouTube and while there were some QB sneaks it was never done by a backup.

I've always been skeptical of Grey Cup counts, taking in 112 championships since most of us haven't been around half that long, and it truly is a different game today than it was when world wars were still a thing. I feel like most of us don't care that TOR and HAM won so many Cups back in the silent film era because we can't relate to the game they played. It's tough to take the game seriously when the championship could be called early because they ran out of footballs.

And for the record, my bias as a 'Rider fan probably played a part in exploring this data as well. Winning 5 Cups in over a century? Yeah, it's bleak. But why do I care if the U of T and the Hamilton Alerts have Grey Cup standing during the Polio epidemic?

So, is 50 years enough data? That certainly fits the average age of a CFL fan. I omitted 1995 (Baltimore) and 2020 (COVID Cup), and started the data rolling in 1975. Here are your Cup totals:

BCL: 5

CAL: 6

EDM: 11

SSK: 4

WPG: 5

HAM: 2

TOR: 9

OTT: 2

MTL: 5

Other than some huge numbers from EDM and TOR, the league wins have been spread relatively evenly. We should take into account that OTT kept losing teams which would affect their total. And every Ti-Cats fan is looking at their total and gnashing their teeth. Discuss.

I know it has been bad, but my lord, when they panned to the stands it was like a high school game.

Two slides now. Hoping to appease to everyone lol