BigBlue

I never quite understand the CFL's board of governors. They seem overcautious and like to slough off responsibility on the Commissioner, even as they hog-tie him. And now, the new reality is that we live off TSN revenue, so they have a big silent paw in everything...
1. So who really is in charge of the decision-making in our league?
2. When we make up special rules to control Chris Jones having too many coaches, do we think about the subsequent consequences?
Yes the bean counters are trying to stay in control especially as attendance drops. But part of the reason attendance is dropping is the fan experience is not as good because high-quality coaching is no longer affordable. How many decision-makers have clarity on this?
3. What can be fixed immediately is rules application in terms of roughing the passer. The NFL has fixed their problem. We have not. The quality of the game is totally dependent on having the best possible quarterbacks on the field. Why can't our powers-that-be understand that?
Almost every quarter back injury I can think of is mostly coming from aggressive linebackers and "careless" linemen. If our zebras would just constantly throw the flag that would help, a lot. To tickle the quarterback with a feather should be 15 yards, no questions asked and no appeal. Defensive players should be in control as if they were approaching the quarterback in practice wearing that red jersey.
Does that turn us into pansies? You think TSN would be more concerned about high-quality games than occasionally having a highlight reel full of nasty hits on the most important player on the field. We have turned around the big hits on unprotected receivers in the middle of the field. It was just a matter of will.
What should we think as fans? If there is one roughing the passer, make it a 25 yard penalty. If there is a second roughing the passer, make it an automatic game ejection. Add follow-up fines. If we do this we wouldn't be using third string quarterbacks so frequently. Is this worth the cost?
4. Do we as fans use the power we have? I am not saying organize and revolt. I am saying that we don't even know we have power! Who wants to use it?
Then we might have a real Labor Day classic with both sides having a chance. I do not know anything about the Riders backups... This should be a real rivalry that would be if their starter was in. I love football and I want a lot more people feeling like I do about our fantastic  game!

too big a bath .... our league can be a lot better fairly quickly

I never quite understand the CFL's board of governors. They seem overcautious and like to slough off responsibility on the Commissioner, even as they hog-tie him. And now, the new reality is that we live off TSN revenue, so they have a big silent paw in everything...
1. So who really is in charge of the decision-making in our league?
2. When we make up special rules to control Chris Jones having too many coaches, do we think about the subsequent consequences?
Yes the bean counters are trying to stay in control especially as attendance drops. But part of the reason attendance is dropping is the fan experience is not as good because high-quality coaching is no longer affordable. How many decision-makers have clarity on this?
3. What can be fixed immediately is rules application in terms of roughing the passer. The NFL has fixed their problem. We have not. The quality of the game is totally dependent on having the best possible quarterbacks on the field. Why can't our powers-that-be understand that?
Almost every quarter back injury I can think of is mostly coming from aggressive linebackers and "careless" linemen. If our zebras would just constantly throw the flag that would help, a lot. To tickle the quarterback with a feather should be 15 yards, no questions asked and no appeal. Defensive players should be in control as if they were approaching the quarterback in practice wearing that red jersey.
Does that turn us into pansies? You think TSN would be more concerned about high-quality games than occasionally having a highlight reel full of nasty hits on the most important player on the field. We have turned around the big hits on unprotected receivers in the middle of the field. It was just a matter of will.
What should we think as fans? If there is one roughing the passer, make it a 25 yard penalty. If there is a second roughing the passer, make it an automatic game ejection. Add follow-up fines. If we do this we wouldn't be using third string quarterbacks so frequently. Is this worth the cost?
4. Do we as fans use the power we have? I am not saying organize and revolt. I am saying that we don't even know we have power! Who wants to use it?
Then we might have a real Labor Day classic with both sides having a chance. I do not know anything about the Riders backups... This should be a real rivalry that would be if their starter was in. I love football and I want a lot more people feeling like I do about our fantastic  game!

I never quite understand the CFL's board of governors. They seem overcautious and like to slough off responsibility on the Commissioner, even as they hog-tie him. And now, the new reality is that we live off TSN revenue, so they have a big silent paw in everything...
1. So who really is in charge of the decision-making in our league?
2. When we make up special rules to control Chris Jones having too many coaches, do we think about the subsequent consequences?
Yes the bean counters are trying to stay in control especially as attendance drops. But part of the reason attendance is dropping is the fan experience is not as good because high-quality coaching is no longer affordable. How many decision-makers have clarity on this?
3. What can be fixed immediately is rules application in terms of roughing the passer. The NFL has fixed their problem. We have not. The quality of the game is totally dependent on having the best possible quarterbacks on the field. Why can't our powers-that-be understand that?
Almost every quarter back injury I can think of is mostly coming from aggressive linebackers and "careless" linemen. If our zebras would just constantly throw the flag that would help, a lot. To tickle the quarterback with a feather should be 15 yards, no questions asked and no appeal. Defensive players should be in control as if they were approaching the quarterback in practice wearing that red jersey.
Does that turn us into pansies? You think TSN would be more concerned about high-quality games than occasionally having a highlight reel full of nasty hits on the most important player on the field. We have turned around the big hits on unprotected receivers in the middle of the field. It was just a matter of will.
What should we think as fans? If there is one roughing the passer, make it a 25 yard penalty. If there is a second roughing the passer, make it an automatic game ejection. Add follow-up fines. If we do this we wouldn't be using third string quarterbacks so frequently. Is this worth the cost?
4. Do we as fans use the power we have? I am not saying organize and revolt. I am saying that we don't even know we have power! Who wants to use it?
Then we might have a real Labor Day classic with both sides having a chance. I do not know anything about the Riders backups... This should be a real rivalry that would be if their starter was in. I love football and I want a lot more people feeling like I do about our fantastic  game!

Please show me that that the league is in dire financial shape. Give us some kind of proof or comparison, PLEASE!

I believe we WILL have essentially the same NFL recruits as we have always had… Just the sequence of their arrival will change some. If we need to we can adjust our rules and policies to accommodate the cuts including expanded roster sizes starting September 1.
The late cuts are not who we are really after. Most of the appealing ones end up on a taxi squad anyway. We are after the US recruits that realize they are not making any NFL team in the near term, as in the next year or two. 
We want the ones who just want to play football. If they think they can improve their status by playing in the CFL more power to them; we can accommodate that cheerfully and effectively. 
Our best recruits from the NFL camps find they love living in Canada. They want to raise their families here. This is very good for our league.
So we need to offer better tryouts and wider taxi squad accommodation. The big goal is to have them ready for  camp next spring.
The goal is NOT to bring in a ringer or two to Jack our chances in the playoffs. Just set the trade deadline for October 1 and go from there. November 1 Grey Cup here we come!
The world keeps changing and evolving so we can take advantage of that and be happy
BTW this type of a combination suits MOS's philosophy & style perfectly... Build your team at  training camp and then keep it all year.
 Help those Canadians develop. I wish we could keep more of our draft picks on the roster somehow , so they can learn on the practice field throughout the year and be more prepared to make the main roster the following spring.

Not if you are used to wearing a bikini in Winnipeg's February heat waves... but seriously the 3rd and 4th week of May in no way compares to November cold; some people start planting their gardens on the May long weekend
Remember: THINK BEER, not hot chocolate

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Please show me that that the league is in dire financial shape. Give us some kind of proof or comparison, PLEASE!

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

And then there is Andrew Harris, Nick Demski and how many other Bisons ... and how many high schoolers & junior players that have made it to the CFL?
The whole idea is to build amateur football in Canada bigger and better and not have to go to the US out of necessity, right?
 

I really want to see the CFL promoting the Canadian College game in a BIG BIG way
especially the Vanier Cup
 

I really want to see the CFL promoting the Canadian College game in a BIG BIG way
especially the Vanier Cup
 

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Proposed Annual
CFL Schedule 
About Marketing Canadian Style With Better Fan Appeal
July 29, 2023
April weekend 3 & 4:
Voluntary pre-camp indoor conditioning & playbook analysis
 
April weekend 4:
            Rookie Camp: newbies, prospects, QBs (possibly indoor)
 
May weekend 1:
            Preseason Camp opens
 
May weekend 2:
            “Promoted” Intrasquad Game 1 & Autograph Day; heavily involve amateur football organizations for all ages… Make it a fundraiser for them and very much fun… Pass out free “buddy” tickets for next week’s intrasquad game through those organizations
 
May weekend 3:
            Charity & Corporate sponsored Intrasquad Game 2, part of season-ticket package (but discounted), have “buddy” passes heavily distributed; pre-arrangements to locally televise the game and have many CFL heroes on the telecast doing season forecasts... the whole point is to develop new fans cheaply and synergestically
            Lack of preseason travel will help with team budgeting; as well some of those funds can be used for the promotion of these intrasquad games and for the coming season; activating with charities will also deepen interest and possibly bring new fans
 
May weekend 4:
Season Opener – the 2 Grey Cup teams play and otherwise traditional rivals play each other
 
June – September weekends
4 games each except July (3) including afternoons & Thursday nights as requested
 
Last weekend in July
            League Wide Bye … TSN replays four most exciting games … All players can plan for a much-needed family vacation and otherwise refresh
 
Late August, September & early October:
            8 Canadian College games are played in the home stadium of the bye team … Fully priced tickets become  part of the season-ticket package; revenue pickup for both the college teams and the sponsoring CFL team... eventually have TSN televise these college games, perhaps test marketing a couple the first year
 
October:
            two regular-season games
two Sunday playoff games
 
November:
            first week of November:
5 promoted corporate/charity events and activities including Friday night “College & CFL Awards Night”
            Played in indoor stadiums, for now alternating Vancouver & Toronto; all teams participate in the revenue stream; cutting out winter seating will increase attendance remarkably
            Saturday   Vanier Cup included with the Grey Cup package, tickets are heavily discounted but fully paid for. What a fantastic extra event for the travelling fan, something more to celebrate on the trip. Canadian College football is “discovered” and new followers develop
 
            Sunday The Grey Cup Classic
Three weeks earlier than tradition
Regular-season will now have 1 May game, 2 October games, and 15 summer games over the suggested timelines; if there is an extra week over the summer, that can be filled by playing two games one week and two games the following week giving out another bye and the players a chance to recover from injuries.
 
RATIONALE: Schedule Change & Traditional Break
Fans will avoid winter games and will attend more frequently because of spring schedule; they will love to get outside again  in May as spring fully arrives and the Winter departs; attendance will be much higher in June than in early November; further there will be no NFL competition until September and by then football fan interest in the CFL will have greatly picked up; as well teams can still work around the NFL schedule during the brief overlap; furthermore, there will likely be little or no competition or conflict from NHL hockey
The CFL is heavily dependent on Canadian College and Junior football development; it’s the heart and soul of our game and what separates our CFL from the NFL. The CFL needs to do more to align with and promote amateur football in Canada and bring the CFL  fan base to a new enlightenment. Bringing CFL planning into that College realm can only help everybody…  In enjoyment, in player quality, and in revenue increases for all involved
Commissioner Ambrosie is doing fine bringing a maritime team or Québec City in as a tenth  team for our league. However, that is not nearly enough. The CFL board NEEDS TO BREAK TRADITION and make our league primarily a summer league from May to October. It works very well for baseball. Our fan base loves to get out in good weather so the CFL  Board needs to adjust our scheduling to accommodate what the fans really want. They want to get out to the games in the late spring instead of the early winter. They want to drink beer, not hot chocolate!

Game Stats
https://www.cfl.ca/games/6307/winnipeg-blue bombers-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/#/boxscore
it seems to me Brady had more than 106 yards running /// look at his last couple of series after he crossed the 100 mark ///  58 yards pass receiving on 2 catches is impressive /// is there anyone on the PR for when he goes down and he will  /// why don't we mix in the Bailey & Demsli counter plays earlier with the up the gut calls?

Game Stats
https://www.cfl.ca/games/6307/winnipeg-blue bombers-vs-hamilton-tiger-cats/#/boxscore
it seems to me Brady had more than 106 yards running /// look at his last couple of series after he crossed the 100 mark ///  58 yards pass receiving on 2 catches is impressive /// is there anyone on the PR for when he goes down and he will  /// why don't we mix in the Bailey & Demsli counter plays earlier with the up the gut calls?

What's the story on Demski, really? I can not imagine the Blue without him. He is definitely our top Canadian and one of our clutch difference makers.
So who can explain the drama? I can not accept "just relax". What is going on?

I like that idea very much... it suits his personality and skill set. He is like a mean bowling ball. It would take a few for him to adjust but the dividends would be huge.
So go for it, and his Canadian status would allow more defensive rest and rotation!
Still coaching on this team is not very innovative. They get caught in a narrow tunnel mindset - - that's the opposite of creativity.
Dobson for NT ... go, go, go 

I like that idea very much... it suits his personality and skill set. He is like a mean bowling ball. It would take a few for him to adjust but the dividends would be huge.
So go for it, and his Canadian status would allow more defensive rest and rotation!
Still coaching on this team is not very innovative. They get caught in a narrow tunnel mindset - - that's the opposite of creativity.
Dobson for NT ... go, go, go 

Booch, I rarely disagree with you, but this... there may not have not been any "moral-suasion" from the Ambroise's office, but there was a tidal wave of pressure mounting from every imaginable vector ...  perhaps not a word was formally said but those green people did not have a choice .... nothing worse than having a choice forced upon you ... and this is precedent setting for  years to come