MC

and you can't in the NFL because they have much larger rosters. Just wait and I will see if I can reach out to Drew Bledsoe and Tony Romo to confirm that.

Forget the "don't lose your job to injury" line. Coaches keep their jobs when they win. They win by fielding the best team. Those last two sentences because they explain 90% of the decisions any team makes.

Doesn't matter, gotta keep swinging for the fences every time we get up to bat. There are not a lot of good NI receivers anymore. The upside is huge, so keep bringing them in - and forget about the ones who didn't make it in the past. The same with NI OL.

I don't understand the problem. Teams have been claiming players from other team's practice rosters for years. That is why teams use the 1-game IR. It is allowed and there is no gentleman's agreement about not doing it.

...and his first decision as General Manager/Head Coach/Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach was to release Kevin Glenn. Then he tossed the playbook in the garbage, because "QB's in shotgun is for flag football." A case could be made that every one of those QB's failed because of the horrifically outdated playbook they were forced to use against defenses that wondered if they were still in high school.

I don't like rule changes mid-season. That is what the offseason review processes are for - when everyone is in a lot more objective frame of mind. I am hearing that scoring plays are reviewed anyway. That is only to determine whether the player actually scored, not whether there was a mistake made prior to the player getting anywhere near the endzone. True that turnovers called as such on the field are also reviewed... not turnovers that are missed.

If I understand correctly, the problem is not that the defense allowed 45 points against it, but that the offense (with a middle of the road QB and a mediocre receiving corps) failed to score 46.

I think most clubs have decided that there are two reasons not to spend money on half time shows. First, it really doesn't do much for attendance if you don't spend the money on a band with significant draw - who is spending the coin on a ticket to hear a 10 minute concert on a makeshift stage. The second reason is that you want everyone to get up and spend money on concessions.

Should have just ended the post right there. There is no such thing as a good loss. This isn't the NHL where you get a point for participation even when you lose (OTL).

A great offensive coach used to say that you have to go deep once a quarter regardless of your success rate if you want to be able to run the ball effectively. There is a lot of truth to that statement. By stretching the defense vertically, you force the defense to honour that part of the field and it will open up holes underneath. This shows a little about the philosophy, but the numbers can be greatly impacted by the game situation factors.

There is no rationale for spending the millions required to mandate full time officials, and in the process lose some of the best officials we have already. The overall officiating is good in the CFL. The understanding of the rules by the media (especially) and the fans is terrible. Whenever I hear a commentator analyze a DPI on whether the defender turned his head or whether there was contact at 5 yards, or whether a defender's hand contacted the QB's helmet, it makes me want to scream. If you are paid to speak about the game, the least you should do is understand the actual rules. If you have to slow down a play to the point of going frame to frame to determine a challenge, then the onfield decision should never be overturned. And if the rule calls for an official to make a judgement call (ex: uncatchable ball) then that cannot be reviewed - otherwise, it is not a judgement. If you do not like a rule, then that is discussion for the offseason (ex: contacting a receiver away from the play). Officials have to officiate the games according to the rules. And the rules shouldn't change during the season. The officials are human and will make mistakes and errors in judgement, but so does everyone else playing and coaching the game. If you think the CFL officials are so bad, try watching every other major professional sport.

You are oversimplifying it. There are lots of reasons to rush 3 and several schemes that run it a great deal. The same teams who rush 3 usually also bring 5 or more often as well. Also, the Riders have an outstanding defensive mind at the controls. Pre-snap: show 6 rushers. The QB is going to look for a hot receiver. Post-snap: bring 3 rushers drop 3 into the flat and shallow middle. QB now has to either throw into coverage or wait it out. Bringing 3 doesn't indicate that the defense is going to be soft on the running game. The Steelers have done that for years and had the best run defense.

My biggest concern going into the season is the defensive backfield. Last year's group just wasn't good enough. There are reasons why teams play zone and you want to mix it up, but I saw a lot of zone that left a lot of holes last year. Zone will get you picks, but you can't rely on interceptions to bail you out every time. And despite bringing in lots of talent, we still have the same names here for the most part. I hope I am wrong.

I don't have a problem with the call. Unless there is clear irrefutable proof that the call is blatantly wrong, the ruling on the field should always stand. They said they would use that judgement this year and I am glad to see them follow through. I think the ball was moving when it broke the plane, but we are talking about a matter of a few inches. If it is that close then I am okay with then ruling it stands as called. They just need to be consistent.

I think you are on the wrong forum. You were either looking for the one for the Assiniboine Downs or a European food channel.

Great coach. Great CFL character. Would rank him near the top of the list of coaches. Sad to hear he is gone.

I have a doctorate in leadership and passed the bar on my third try (it was still open the first two times) and I know why Apodaca was cut. There was a hue and cry from elderly parents of 80's stoners (still living in their parents' basements) complaining that their sons kept trying to play what they assumed were the opening chords to Genesis's new song.

But it does give you an indication of the spelling capability of the average Winnipegger.

I am reserving judgement on Lefevour. He has always had a ton of potential, but he still has not shown that he can consistently play well in the pocket. He should have shown well in the preseason game. He is an experienced professional QB who was able to play against the third string defense. He should be able to pick that apart. He did and that is encouraging...but it is not an indicator of whether he has taken the next step.

What's with slamming Willy as some kind of a wuss? I don't ever recall him being anything of the sort.

The outcome of a preseason game is game tape for the coaches. As soon as the regular season starts, nobody will care about the scores in any of these games. Preseason games in the NFL are a cure for insomnia as well.

Whatever works for you.

Great to hear that someone would bring their knitting to practice. Great CFL story. That was my first thought. My second thought was how could she possibly get knitting needles into a public event. Sad that we even have to think that way.

Bob is the best - pure and simple. Too bad only Winnipeg gets to hear him.

I think TBurg's predictions are pretty solid, based on what we know now. My guess, based on nothing more than what I saw last year, aging everyone a year and accounting for offseason moves is: Disclaimer: I always consider coach + QB first and foremost, then Canadian content second. East: Hamilton - If QB stays healthy for any extended period during season, they should be the class of a weak division. Ottawa - Solid team with a promising young QB. NI's under-rated. Toronto - finish out of playoffs with some promising moments. Montreal - DD is not enough. Something is still wrong with this organization. West: Calgary - likely slip a bit in total wins, but they come through in the 4th quarter and will pile up enough wins to take top spot in a tough, tough division BC - Love their young QB, along with an exceptional receiver group. Oh and they have Wally. Winnipeg - Solid team. Not enough starter level Canadians. Need to improve secondary, so they don't have to play that style of defense and can dictate to offenses. Edmonton - Love their QB. The rest of their team is so-so. But MR will pull enough games out to keep this interesting. Saskatchewan - I really try hard not to ever actively root against anyone and remain as objective as possible, but Jones is making that increasingly difficult. Still, he will have them ready and they will surprise people throughout the season. Don't get me wrong, I think the race in the west is going to be tighter than we have seen it many years. It might be like the year that all three teams in the western playoffs finished 10-6 and the Bombers had to travel to BC - Grady Caveness tipped the Brock pass just out of reach of Mike Holmes to seal the win. Maybe this time it will be TJ Heath getting a pick 6 off Jennings in the final moments in IGF. I know this looks too much like last year's final standings, which means that it definitely won't happen. There will be surprises on both ends of the spectrum. But that is my best guess right now.