News of the World

Is it just me or has March felt like it was 60 days long?  No matter as we will soon be in the glow of the upcoming season and all will be right in our world once again.  In the meantime, let's have a look at what the top 8 CFL stories were (in random order) over the last month.

1.  The Randy Ambrosie Tour.   The Commissioner of the CFL visited each franchise city to connect with management, fans, season ticket holders and who ever else wanted to gain insight.  He talked (hyped) a lot about CFL 2.0 and what that means for the leagues future successes.

2.  The CFL & Players Association met for talks over 3 days and pretty much nothing was accomplished.  At least, there's been no news and not even any rumours floating around.  The current CBA expires May 18th so there's still plenty of time to get things worked out.  Us fans are antsy and would like things settled sooner than later.

3.  Ratio Ga Ga.  There was a massive discussion surrounding the ratio rules of the CFL's Canadians but also about the proposed amount of Global players.    What we did see was an outpouring of CFL players posting their thoughts all over social media and often getting in arguments with each other or fans which was pretty embarrassing.

4.  The Combine was held.  I was otherwise distracted...Life, but thankfully I had some great people (John Strutt) who kept me in the know or at least updated about what was happening.  I understand that the Combine is like a coming out party for possible players because it gives perspective teams a chance to view their skills.  What I've always failed to see is how that might make someone a great player in the end, but that's just me, there must be something to it because it's done.  It's important to note that this was the first time Global players were invited to attend and because of that there was gained exposure from both their leagues and Canadian media.

5.  Mosaic Stadium was going to be home to an NFL preseason game...on second glance, nope it's not...or maybe yes?  Between this and Olive Garden my Twitter feed was full of the ying yang of polar opposites.  Some (John Gormley) wanted to say it was the Riders who put the kibosh on the event but when they later put out a statement about how the turnaround from an NFL field to CFL field less than 24 hours later, well I believe them and let's all be honest here...would you have really gone to see the Raiders and Greenbay's 3rd stringers anyway?  I know I likely wouldn't have especially when I'd have to travel again the next day for the Rider game.  The NFL was at first reported as unwilling to change the date and was looking elsewhere, like Winnipeg and Edmonton.  Fine with me.  Bob Irving also posted his thought that CFL franchises should be pulled for supporting an NFL game...Come on Bob!  We are versitile people and can enjoy many forms of football in the world!  For the record, I also welcome Olive Garden.  The more choice the better.  

6.  The Alouettes are for sale.  Firstly, the report was denied but then the truth came out as it always does.  It's seemed to me for some time that their owners had lost interest in what was happening with their team and so I'd think new ownership would inject a much needed infusion at a time when they desperately are in need of it.  What is curious is that the CFL wants to be the middle man here and take it off the Wettenhall's hands before selling it to...?  Call me crazy if you'd like, but isn't this akin to Trudeau buying the pipeline?

7.  Remember when we all felt the CFL was threatened by the AAF?  Well Wednesday there were several stories about how the league is out of money.  There was a multitude of potential here and I think had they secured a TV deal that allowed us all to watch instead of having to subscribe to yet another channel or streaming option most of us forgot about following it all together.  Without exposure, there's little desire for anyone to attend the games and there have been some dismal crowd shots of the games that even make the Argonauts chuckle.  Let's not forget that Johnny Manziel recently signed there too and many of us thought this was his last kick at the can but when it comes down to it there may not be a can left to kick.

8.  There are some proposed rule changes surrounding the health of our players and the rolls of the referees and who and when penalties can be called.  I'm all for progress.  When you think of the end of the Riders season and the "I couldn't see" fiasco it was apparent something needed to be done besides adding more eyes on the field.  It'll be interesting if all of this does indeed come to fruition.

There you have it!  Those are the 8 CFL Stories of March.  What does April have in store for us?  We will have to wait and see.  In the meantime, don't forget to check out ABC Football's Facebook page and if you'd like to have a fun discussion with some other passionate (and slightly crazy) Rider fans, search and join ABC Rider Fans.  When the 2019 season begins, we all want to know all the latest news and I don't know a of better way to get involved.

Go Riders!

Ratio Ga Ga

HEADLINE - Something something blah blah, Sources.

We know that no CFL reporter is going to divulge their source but isn't it easy to fall back and support your argument just stating "my source".  I wrote a whole blog (Sources Say) post about it some time ago.  I don't expect Justin Dunk to reveal who he's talking to and it remains that he's often correct in what he tells us.  Still I think when anyone cites a source we should take everything with a grain of salt.

At least that's what my source says.

So "Sources" aside, it was reported that the Canadian Football League and it's Players Association who are in bargaining have discussed lowering the ratio of Canadian football players from 7 to 5.  It didn't take very long for players to respond to this idea and many of us got the popcorn ready as we watched them spout off on social media.  Even Brian Ramsey, executive director, refuted that this proposal had never been agreed to however he never stated that the idea was false.  You can read that 3 Down Nation article here --> CFLPA Responds

What do you think?

Two things are certain.  CFL 2.0 is moving ahead.  Ambrosie has discussed having 2 "global" players added to the roster from the countries with which he's stricken deals.  Whether those 2 spots are the same 2 being removed from the Canadian ratio isn't clear.  What fans and players are most disappointed with is that in instigating this plan we are removing the very essence of what makes it the Canadian Football League to begin with.  We are at odds between expanding the horizon of the CFL and protecting everything it stands for.  Then again, fans are never very open to change...are we?

Let's be clear here, the ratio only affects Canadians who are actually on the field.  It doesn't mean any less players will be on a teams roster.  Those 2 global spots also don't dictate whether they will be starters or not, only that 2 players on the roster should be from another country neither national or international.  What this does mean, I think at this point, is that only elite Canadian players will end up making the squad.  That means someone like Robb Bagg who was never drafted may never play professional football.  I can also see the other side of wanting to ensure that the best of the best do make teams.  The CFL is the only football league to demand that a certain amount of players hold a certain passport.  Does it seem to make a difference to the NFL or these other leagues that are springing up?  No.  There is already a large disconnect between USports and grooming players for pro football.  Or is there?  We are also seeing more Canadians heading south to the college ranks or NFL.  Where does this leave us?  This is because it seems they need that American exposure to be able to compete at the next level.  Not every team can draft from Laval.  

Perhaps we need to examine football in university and other levels.  I'll be the first person to admit I know next to nothing about football at this level.  Wouldn't it be great to be able to watch these teams and games on tv or streamed to our laptops or devices?  We'd be able to see what all the talk is about and learn why players are drafted first over all.  A tv deal would not only boost this level of Canadian football but it might lead more people to view CFL as well.  College football in the United States is almost on another level of fandom and there is a loyalty found not evident anywhere else.  That feeling is one reason lot's of players like the Roughrider team and game atmosphere...it reminds them of their college days.  

There could be a CFL expansion in the future.  Is there enough Canadian talent period?  Why is it players can go south and be successful while others spend up to 3 years getting acquainted with the CFL and still don't seem to play with the passion and motivation they should?  * cough St John cough *  Or do these players not realize the precious opportunity they're getting and fail to live up to expectations?  Perhaps if there were less opportunities Canadians would work harder?  Can it also work the other way around.  Someone who never expected to be a pro football player but gets the chance and doesn't waste it.  Someone like Chris Getzlaf who living not so far from Regina felt destined to be a Rider.

It seems like a catch 22.

Every one has an opinion on the ratio and as most subjects go amongst not only football fans but everyone in 2019 having an opinion is divisive.  I watched as Duron Carter and Ricky Foley had at it on Twitter Monday.  Travis Lulay posted the most level headed opinion I've seen.  It doesn't matter what your passport says as long as you are part of the locker room.  The players need to be united if they're going to get anything done and the CFL is counting on pushing through their agenda while they're busy scrapping over something that may have little meaning in July.  When was the last time you felt united?  I know it's been a long time for me.  I think we've forgotten how to be part of something bigger than ourselves in this journey of individuality.

Is this all just really cah cah.  Sometimes things are put out in the media to distract us from what is really going on.  While everyone is over here complaining about this ratio thing perhaps they'll be over there putting some other plan into motion.  It's a political move.  You don't like our negotiations well this is what we're proposing.  If that's the case, it sure has gotten everyone worked up in what was a rather slow moment in the CFL off season.  This story isn't over yet either.

If you enjoyed the title of this weeks blog post don't hesitate to read last weeks offering titled Any Way the Wind Blows which will give you a little inside look at other aspects of my life.  Good friend Tony Brice commented that it was one of my best posts yet.  Thanks for that Tony!  He follows me on Twitter @smilingsandra but you can find me elsewhere and mostly at the ABC Rider Fan Facebook page.  Search us up - Come talk to us about this Ratio Ga Ga.