https://www.tsn.ca/naylor-many-questions-but-few-answers-on-a-2021-cfl-season-1.1543725

The Canadian Football League has been outrageously quiet since it pulled the plug on its season more than two months ago, leaving behind a wake of speculation about where things are headed next.

With the reality setting in that COVID-19 is likely to still be around in some form next summer, there is real concern about what the 2021 season might look like or if it will occur at all.

There are teams that believe it is vitally important to play in 2021 and that without a season the CFL is in danger of being mothballed. Whether every team believes that is another question. And there is a lot to sort out before anyone can accurately predict what a season might look like and how much pain the teams are collectively willing to stomach to make it happen.

The league and its franchises are currently running through various scenarios for next season, trying to get a handle on true costs of each and working at ways to trim budgets and save money. That’s likely to continue until the league can truly choose a course of action, which feels like next April at the earliest.

Why? Well, there’s not much point in fully committing to a scenario that’s seven months away if that scenario might be totally unrealistic by the time you get there.

There has been no 2021 business plan presented yet, only regular updates to the presidents and governors about what the league is doing to prepare for the unknown.

It should be noted that teams will need to make decisions about retaining assistant coaches with expiring contracts by December, which will be the first real economic commitments to a 2021 season. Restrictions on signing players will need to be lifted well before the opening of February free agency, where players are likely to meet a cautious market – one in which signing bonuses will probably be absent.

There’s a collective bargaining agreement to amend, if not renegotiate, with the players, which will require some kind of pressure point because it always does. But the league can’t sit down with the players until it gets a true handle on revenues and it can’t do that until it chooses a course of action.

Will CFL teams be allowed to have full stadiums next summer? It doesn't seem likely. But just what percentage of capacity will be allowed – if any at all – is impossible to guess. It seems as if the league is counting on the restrictions that currently prevent fans from being in stadiums being lifted. But to what degree?

When will we see a schedule? Good question. Or could we see multiple schedules for different scenarios? Never say never.

Could it be a 21-week, 18-game season played in home stadiums? Unlikely, given the losses teams are expected to take with reduced numbers of fans in the stands. Could we see a return to the 10-week bubble? Maybe. A nine-game schedule played in home stadiums before fans? Perhaps.

The point is no one knows, so demanding answers to questions that can’t possibly be answered right now is a waste of time.

All we know is that there’s going to be a lot less revenue for teams to operate with under any scenario, not just because of crowd restrictions but also due to older fans choosing to stay home for their safety. The CFL’s fan demographics do it no favours in this regard.

Getting consensus on a best course of action won’t be easy for the CFL’s nine teams. Back in the summer, there were teams that were willing to play without government support and teams that weren’t. And just like then, the biggest challenge commissioner Randy Ambrosie faces now is finding a scenario they can all live with.

Adopting a revenue-sharing model so that each team absorbs the same amount of red ink would certainly make consensus-building easier, which many believe should be the direction for the future, COVID-19 or not.

The other elephant in the room is federal government, which many in the CFL believe left it high and dry last summer after months of back-and-forth talks where the league believed it was making progress.

Is the CFL prepared to go down that road again, knowing it doesn’t control the timeline and larger forces can change things in an instant? Perhaps, although it’s not as though the feds don’t have a long list of people coming at them with their hands out.

There will be voices demanding the owners suck up the losses of playing a season under any circumstance, as owners have done in other sports. But the business calculation in sports such as MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA is different because of the percentage of revenues those leagues derive from television.

Losses sustained by playing in those leagues can also be viewed as investments towards protecting massive franchise values. That’s not the case in the CFL, where teams can’t just float money on the backs of their franchise values, and where one third of the teams are publicly owned.

It would be beneficial for the league to soon announce its formal commitment to play some kind of season in 2021.

But beyond that, get ready for months more of waiting with lots of questions and speculation but very few answers.

11 minutes ago, JCon said:

I believe the game film will show that the receivers are getting open downfield and Faj just can't hit them. I'm looking forward to reading the article. 

 

I hope its an honest look and not some primping of the situation for rider fan clicks. Mcadoo was run out of town on a rail for CFs failing. Maas, despite being a world class dbag, is a great oc. Right now CF is rick mirer  2.0 He got by on a lot of support and simple plays. When teams adjusted to what he did and really studied game film the holes were gigantic. Its all on CF right now, he has to improve if his career is going to be any thing more than a flash in the pan. 

If any thing the quality of this article will be a major judgement of ferguson. The CFL needs good reporting in the worst way. My fingers are crossed for a great piece. 

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I hope its an honest look and not some primping of the situation for rider fan clicks. Mcadoo was run out of town on a rail for CFs failing. Maas, despite being a world class dbag, is a great oc. Right now CF is rick mirer  2.0 He got by on a lot of support and simple plays. When teams adjusted to what he did and really studied game film the holes were gigantic. Its all on CF right now, he has to improve if his career is going to be any thing more than a flash in the pan. 

If any thing the quality of this article will be a major judgement of ferguson. The CFL needs good reporting in the worst way. My fingers are crossed for a great piece. 

I feel like Ferguson does good analysis but pull his punches when publishing articles. He's in a tough spot with his role as play by play for TSN but also trying to be an objective journalist. 

 

About to read it: https://www.cfl.ca/2021/11/05/ferguson-getting-sasks-offence-playoff-ready/

20 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Mcadoo was run out of town on a rail for CFs failing

Mcadoo was done dirty by the rider faithful. He put in a gamelan faj could handle and hide his weaknesses, and they ran him out of town.

5 minutes ago, JCon said:

I feel like Ferguson does good analysis but pull his punches when publishing articles. He's in a tough spot with his role as play by play for TSN but also trying to be an objective journalist. 

 

About to read it: https://www.cfl.ca/2021/11/05/ferguson-getting-sasks-offence-playoff-ready/

EH it was so so imop. He says a lot with out actually saying any thing. The fact he doesnt list half the rider alignments is pretty lame. He has 9 formation alignments where he doesnt list them. And only lists 3. He doesnt list the heavy 11 set either team uses. And he clearly isnt factoring in the amount of times the bombers come out in a single back set and motion to an empty back field. The bombers use motion in the formation a LOT. From wr sweep, to pinching guys into a TE slot or flexing backs out of the back field. The riders variety comes more directly. 

The amount of times we pinch woli or adams into an 11 formation for runs is gigantic. If you factored motion in the splits would actually look very similar for 5-1 and 4-2/11 formations. We very seldom run any one from the fb positions. Its not even an Hback role, its a blocking te. 

The bombers offense has diversified in scheme usage. Yankee concept using play action and timing routes at the vacated Lbers positions to guys like bailey and demski.  Weve added dagger, a spread buck sweep, stick and more. The riders have done so by just adding packages and formations. 

The real big difference in the bomber offense is that its unpredictable. You used to be able to anticipate the run calls with tremendous accuracy under plop. Now, not only will we pass or run in any situation, we PA a lot, and we will run the same play out of any formation. That works because we have multiple effective offensive schemes. Fast screens to wrs, sweeps, runs, timing in/outs to guys like lawler, etc. The riders in 19 had 1 major hot route and a running game. With the ability to buy time and chunk yards with CF legs. Teams have covered the timing slant differently, the riders dont have the OL to focus on the run (or the rb), and teams arent bum rushing CF and letting him spin to freedom. 

29 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I hope its an honest look and not some primping of the situation for rider fan clicks. Mcadoo was run out of town on a rail for CFs failing. Maas, despite being a world class dbag, is a great oc. Right now CF is rick mirer  2.0 He got by on a lot of support and simple plays. When teams adjusted to what he did and really studied game film the holes were gigantic. Its all on CF right now, he has to improve if his career is going to be any thing more than a flash in the pan. 

If any thing the quality of this article will be a major judgement of ferguson. The CFL needs good reporting in the worst way. My fingers are crossed for a great piece. 

this line is fantastic and hilarious... but sooo true

1 minute ago, bearpants said:

this line is fantastic and hilarious... but sooo true

Lol thanks. Isnt it though? I mean him and chris jones are cut from the same cloth. Both really good X and O coaches. But man I cant stand either. Idk if I could name another coach like them even going way back. 

16 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Lol thanks. Isnt it though? I mean him and chris jones are cut from the same cloth. Both really good X and O coaches. But man I cant stand either. Idk if I could name another coach like them even going way back. 

Don Matthews?

25 minutes ago, bearpants said:

this line is fantastic and hilarious... but sooo true

well.....he has quit throwing his headset......seems to have controlled his temper....BUT his coaching overall is  so esks.....er I mean elks......Wasn't all that successful there or he'd still be head man.....Faj is the beneficiary of his  experience as a coach but the sideline argumentative banter they have on the sideline makes me wonder if they're a good fit

Edited November 5, 20214 yr by Stickem

1 minute ago, Sard said:

Don Matthews?

I considered him, but honestly I didnt dislike the don. I know plenty of people do, but he was a very early players coach and you knew what to expect with him. The mtl bomber rivalry was great and heated as can be back then. I hated some als players, like philion. But I kind of appreciated the dons style of coaching and strategy. Play hard hyper aggressive football for the whole game. They played a TON of cover 0 and if teams didnt like it, they could come up with ways to beat it. Imo that defense was a big reason why the 5wide spread is soo popular now. Teams tried every thing to beat that rush and what really ended up doing it was spreading the field and throwing quick patterns. 

 

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

I really dont get how people talk about maas, their wrs and all these issues involving their deep ball. CF tosses horrible deep balls, he's been missing guys by a mile. Their ol sucks. But it sucked in 19. He buys time with his feet and still misses down field. Teams have adjusted to what he does and have taken away his strength. He hasnt grown or adjusted at all. 

Yeah. Exactly. 

If Fajardo shines in a big game against a tough opponents, I will give him accolades, but until he does, he is just another journeyman quarterback. much as McLeod Bethel-Thompson

Stamps cut Josh Huff to make room for Begelton today......

1 hour ago, Noeller said:

Stamps cut Josh Huff to make room for Begelton today......

I'd love to see him here even if it's depth. 

Wonder if he is vaccinated.

 

2 hours ago, Geebrr said:

Wonder if he is vaccinated.

 

My first thought 

Huff fell out of favour with Dave Dickenson about 3 weeks ago when he was a healthy scratch. Then they brought him back last game. Stamps have a bye week & he was cut. 

Rest In Peace Big Angelo Mosca. When he played, he was bigger than life. Every football fan in Canada knew who he was. I want to remember him here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited November 6, 20214 yr by SpeedFlex27

RIP

 

I include this image not to poke fun, but rather because it encapsulates a lot of the player and the man in one clip. And like the clip and the full story, there was more to the man than meets the eye. 

I will honestly say i was never a fan of Angelo Mosca, and I don’t feel bad saying that upon his death. Angelo himself would not be offended, he probably would have chuckled and been proud that he could still garner such an opinion, because everything about him was to make an impression, to be memorable, whatever you thought of him. 

As a player, he was a beast, appearing in a record 9 Grey Cups and earning 5 rings. But he was also one the original “dirtiest player around” candidates in football. His late out of bounds hit on BC’s Willie Fleming knocked the star running back out of the 1963 Grey Cup and changed the course of the whole game. Mosca was also a mouthy guy, the kind of player you would love if he was on your team but also the guy you would hate if he was an opponent. In part because he was so good. 

As I was just a bit too young to see him as a player, I first became familiar with him as a pro wrestler. And there is likely where a lot of the hate came in, as he revelled in playing the heel. Then I went back to his playing career, already influenced by my dislike of the “King Kong Mosca” persona, and every thing I took into account about his style of play in hindsight served as confirmation bias that he was a dirty SOB. Plus, he was a Tiger Cat, the mortal enemy of the Blue Bombers. 

So when I saw the Joe Kapp beat down, it made me smile. Mosca again the heel, refusing the peace offering and swinging a cane at a guy. Then getting knocked on his ass. FAFO. Nice revenge for the dirty hit in ‘63. 

But in between that I saw the guy who did charity work, was a tireless devotee, promoter and champion of the CFL after his playing days were done, and was an outgoing gregarious character with a great sense of humour. So it made my relationship with this “enemy” more complicated. A lot of my childhood assumptions about fandom and love and hate of players got a harsh reality check. I have been told I am overprotective of players, and someone like Mosca is part of the reason why. I frequently remind myself that behind the jersey, behind the number is a human being just trying to keep a temp job where being fired or injured for life is just a play away, all the while having to deal with indignant fans who hate your guts because of the colour of your uniform or what you do in your worst moment rather than because of who you are. And who just wants to perform, to entertain.

One footnote to the Joe Kapp scrap. Mosca sold the cane from that incident at an auction for just under $8,000, and donated the money to the CFL Alumni Association to help former players in financial distress. Once again defying my expectations.

So farewell to Angelo Mosca, a giant of a player and a giant of a man. You will not be forgotten. 

Edited November 6, 20214 yr by TrueBlue4ever

1 minute ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

 

I include this image not to poke fun, but rather because it encapsulates a lot of the player and the man in one clip. And like the clip and the full story, there was more to the man than meets the eye. 

I will honestly say i was never a fan of Angelo Mosca, and I don’t feel bad saying that upon his death. Angelo himself would not be offended, he probably would have chuckled and been proud that he could still garner such an opinion, because everything about him was to make an impression, to be memorable, whatever you thought of him. 

As a player, he was a beast, appearing in a record 9 Grey Cups and earning 5 rings. But he was also one the original “dirtiest player around” candidates in football. His late out of bounds hit on BC’s Willie Fleming knocked the star running back out of the 1963 Grey Cup and changed the course of the whole game. Mosca was also a mouthy guy, the kind of player you would love if he was on your team but also the guy you would hate if he was an opponent. In part because he was so good. 

As I was just a bit too young to see him as a player, I first became familiar with him as a pro wrestler. And there is likely where a lot of the hate came in, as he revelled in playing the heel. Then I went back to his playing career, already influenced by my dislike of the “King Kong Mosca” persona, and every thing I took into account about his style of play in hindsight served as confirmation bias that he was a dirty SOB. Plus, he was a Tiger Cat, the mortal enemy of the Blue Bombers. 

So when I saw the Joe Kapp beat down, it made me smile. Mosca again the heel, refusing the peace offering and swinging a cane at a guy. Then getting knocked on his ass. FAFO. Nice revenge for the dirty hit in ‘63. 

But in between that I saw the guy who did charity work, was a tireless devotee, promoter and champion of the CFL after his playing days were done, and was an outgoing gregarious character with a great sense of humour. So it made my relationship with this “enemy” more complicated. A lot of my childhood assumptions about fandom and love and hate of players got a harsh reality check. I have been told I am overprotective of players, and someone like Mosca is part of the reason why. I frequently remind myself that behind the jersey, behind the number is a human being just trying to keep a temp job where being fired or injured for life is just a play away, all the while having to deal with indignant fans who hate your guts because of the colour of your uniform or what you do in your worst moment rather than because of who you are. And who just wants to perform, to entertain.

One footnote to the Joe Kapp scrap. Mosca sold the cane from that incident at an auction for just under $8,000, and donated the money to the CFL Alumni Association to help former players in financial distress. 

So farewell to Angelo Mosca, a giant of a player and a giant of a man. You will not be forgotten. 

 

I just think it's sad that Angie & Kapp will be remembered for that fight than for their football careers. As Mosca was a former WWE wrestler I wonder if fans thought it was a shoot. 

He was public enemy no. 1 in BC for so many years. I had an ancient uncle from Vancouver who hated Mosca more than Hitler due to the Willie Fleming hit. 

6 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

I just think it's sad that Angie & Kapp will be remembered for that fight than for their football careers. As Mosca was a former WWE wrestler I wonder if fans thought it was a shoot. 

Mosca was promoting a book at the time, so there are rumours that this was staged. And neither player has ever confirmed or denied it when it has been brought up. 

1 hour ago, TrueBlue4ever said:

Mosca was promoting a book at the time, so there are rumours that this was staged. And neither player has ever confirmed or denied it when it has been brought up. 

I definitely thought it was a work (not a shoot) because of his wrestling background... 

I swear that '"fight" made it's way south on to ESPN...PTI or something

Edited November 7, 20214 yr by Geebrr