Report Card ~ The Commish ~

Commissioner Randy Ambrosie has instituted CFL 2.0 in an attempt to promote the CFL around the world.  During different discussions on ABC Rider Fans and other social media pages it would seem that fans have a less than average rating of how Ambrosie is handling the affairs of this league we love so much.  With that in mind I revisited The Commish, a blog I published in May of 2017 and asked fans to tell me their thoughts on whether I had it right or the CFL got it right.

✅First and foremost the new Commish needs to be someone who knows and understands the league in all it's glory and issues.  They either need to be Canadian or someone who has played/coached/worked for the league.  They need to be fair in all judgements by treating all the teams equally and at the same time reserving judgement of issues covered by law up to the law makers.  None of this 'grey' rules for you while black and white rules for others.  They need to be in the public promoting the brand and attending games regularly so that fans see that he/she has our best interests at heart...which of course they must have always.

Randy Ambrosie, the 14th commissioner of the CFL, played offensive guard for Calgary, Toronto and Edmonton.  He hails from Winnipeg, Manitoba and played for the Manitoba Bison.  After retiring from the CFL mostly due to injury he became secretary for the CFLPA and gained a degree in commerce.  He was head of sales for HSBC Securities and worked for AGF Management Ltd. as head of sales and marketing.  He was promoted to AGF Funds and was reportedly praised for his ability to shake things up.  He became CEO of Accretive 360 Inc. and then went on to the investment firm MacDougall, MacDougall and  MacTier as president and CEO.  It would seem that Ambrosie not only has the knowledge of the Canadian Football League but also a better than firm grasp of business know how as well.  

✅This is the Canadian Football League.  Let's make it truly Canadian...really show What We're Made of...by having football teams located coast to coast.  The fan base is already in the Maritimes, willing and waiting.

Last season the story broke that the league was looking at expanding to a 10th team to be located in the Maritimes.  Hallelujah!  A contest was held to name the proposed team and in my opinion there was no other name that could possibly ever be used than the Atlantic Schooners.  For years I've followed a fan who's Twitter account had a Schooners emblem and was a huge CFL fan.  Even at Grey Cup fans showed up to all the parties.  The name won the contest and was registered with the CFL.  Soon after, and without a stadium to play in, season tickets were being sold and merchandise was marketed.  While I think this is a huge win there are big hurdles to overcome as the question of a home and place to play games looms.  When the 2019 CFL season schedule was released on December 20th it was also announced that two teams would be participating in a Touchdown Atlantic game.  It seems like it's all really happening.  If you want to stay up to date on the latest Schooners news then visit their website Atlantic Schooners.

✖Player safety is incredibly important and with new research coming out constantly on concussions then this has to be something the new commissioner supports.

If I had a buzzer I'd be pressing it right now.  It would have appeared early in Ambrosie's tenure that he might be the guy to set things straight.  One of the first things he did was change the coaches challenge rules not only mid season but mid week.  As time has gone on though other issues have become apparent.  Player safety should be Randy's first concern.  Without healthy players to play in the CFL we don't have a CFL.  Quarterbacks seem to take the brunt of this lack of attention while their assaulters barely get a slap on the wrist.  Only after Zach Collaros was removed from a game and there was a blatant hit to Brandon Bridge was a band aid applied.  Was it to change a rule or discipline the offending player?  No.  Instead another official was added to the field.  I'm not only complaining because this directly affected my Saskatchewan Roughriders but when we live in a time where talent is getting harder to find and lure to Canada we don't want to be losing our starting players to head injuries.  This problem is two-fold.  The referee's in the CFL need to be better educated and I don't believe for a second that they aren't intelligent because to evaluate on your feet and within seconds that something is or isn't a penalty is a job I'd not want.  Fans become irate when told "I didn't see it because I wasn't looking" or "someone was standing in front of me."  No.  CFL fans deserve better and Randy Ambrosie, the fans and players demand better.

✔...they should be developing a video game and online streaming for fans as well.

My statement may have been a big short sighted.  I realize these two things are likely out of the control of the CFL commissioner.  Every once and a while someone brings up the idea of a video game.  The CFL did come out with a video game app for tablets and smart phones called CFL Football Frenzy.  No I am not the best person to play a game like this because I can't even succeed at Crossy Roads!  However for a time it seemed like fans were having fun with it and at Christmas there was a release of a holiday version.  Next up on the agenda is online streaming.  As it stands, if you currently have a cable provider subscription you can stream games on the TSN site.  They've also brought out a subscription service for people who have cut the cable cords.  What I believe fans are really looking for though is for a game to be streamed on Facebook or Twitter or even by the CFL themselves.  Many people depend on streaming services like Netflix for entertainment and why not?  It's less expensive than a cable provider.  This is the way of the future and I believe if it's made easier to watch then fans and prospective fans will tune in.

✖The fans of this league have high expectations...please don't let us down.

When I asked CFL fans for input on how Randy Ambrosie is doing as commissioner they didn't hold back.

John Strutt's (ABC Rider Fans Moderator) assessment of the Commissioner

Jeff Scoggin (loyal football fan) lists his many concerns

Kerry Etter from recent podcast fame uses a Jones coined quote

Kerry (@kerette45) has it exactly correct.  Randy Ambrosie has made strides in some areas of the league that needed direction and help while in other areas the things implemented appear rushed into action with little detail being provided to media and fans.  Will CFL 2.0 actually work out?  Many fans are skeptical.  How will the coaching cap effect coaching development and luring new coaches to the CFL?  Can Ambrosie work with the CFLPA and strike a deal in the CBA negotiations?  These are all questions among others that require answers in the coming months.  So far...the jury is out.

Friday Football 5 ~ Everything is Happening

Holy smokes what a week.  They say there's never a dull moment in Rider Nation and that has never rang more true that this 3rd week of January.  A lot of fans have been left with mouths hanging open and minds boggled.  Hopefully my thoughts will help the rest of Riderville digest all the news.

In random un-numbered order this is my Friday Football 5.

Monday the CFL's first ever draft occurred in the Mexican football league.  It would seem that this would be all the talk of the week.  Some General Managers bowed out and teams only sent representatives.  The Saskatchewan Roughriders had Jeremy O'Day and Stephen McAdoo in attendance.  We drafted an offensive lineman (Rene Brasser), a Wide Receiver (Sebastian Olverr) and Defensive Back (Francisco Gracia).  I know there are mixed feelings over this experimental CFL 2.0.  I've come to believe that if all avenues of the CFL market are exhausted in Canada then it makes sense to look elsewhere to expand viewership and participation.  The LFA draft was shown live on Facebook and at one point I saw the pure excitement on players faces as their names were called and they stood on stage wearing their new teams colours.  Imagine being able to make a dream come true and have an opportunity that wasn't there a week ago!  I'll admit that the very thought made me a bit emotional.

It's important to note that Chris Jones was not at the Mexican draft because he was holding Rider try outs.  Or that's what we were told.  Many General Managers didn't make the trip to Mexico so none of us thought anything of Jones not making the trip either.

Screenshot via Twitter of CFL News 

Tuesday brought the breaking news via a CFL News tweet that Chris Jones had resigned from the Saskatchewan Roughriders to pursue an NFL opportunity with the Cleveland Browns.  As news unfolded, it seemed the whole process was a whirlwind.  It happened over a matter of days from being phoned, interviewed and hired.  Let's all remember it was only a week ago that Chris Jones had signed a contract extension and the Roughriders coaching staff was announced.  Now what?  Official Press Release.  According to the new cap on coaching staffs, there can only be 11 coaches.  Chris Jones held 4 different titles.  This means that the Roughriders need either a Head Coach who is also a Defensive Coordinator to just step into that roll OR Stephen McAdoo is relieved of his position and the new HC is an Offensive Coordinator and then a DC would need to be hired.  Another kink is that prior to Jones leaving all coaching staff members were signed to 1 year contracts so any dismissal would mean a salary cap hit.  My personal preference and belief is that the Riders President Craig Reynolds and incoming General Manager Jeremy O'Day will promote from within and that could leave Rider fans reeling more than the news of Jones departure.  They will be looking for continuity and that's not only important for landing unsigned free agents but also bringing in a badly needed quarterback.  In my last blog post there was a poll about who the next Roughriders quarterback should be and the majority voted for Jonathon Jennings.  Will the new Head Coach make the decision that the team needs?  Keep your popcorn ready.

As I've said numerous times before, I was on the Jones bandwagon since day one.  I think our Roughriders were blessed to have someone of his calibre in the organization.  Yes, he made some very unpopular decisions but I have always believed those things were done to propel the green and white forward because keeping aging players and fan favourites wasn't getting them where they needed to be.  Some fans going on 4 season later still hold on to anger from Dressler and Durant being released and traded.  We are all entitled to our feelings and opinions.  A portion of fans wished for Chris Jones dismissal and in fact are happy that he's now gone.  Why would you wish for someone to lose their job?  For them, Jones could not do anything right.  3 minutes from the Grey Cup in 2017 and hosting a play off game in 2018 was still not anything someone in the anti-Jones camp will listen to as well as how the Roughriders record steadily improved every year Chris Jones was under contract.  Sometimes you have to be careful what you wish for because now that he's gone do you see the predicament our beloved team is in?  Is that what you wanted?  I hope you also realize that it doesn't change anything.  Dressler is still a Blue Bomber and Darian Durant is still retired.

Wednesday, when we were all trying to make sense of the Chris Jones era being over after 3 seasons the news dropped that Rod Pedersen has resigned not only as Voice of the Riders but from CKRM altogether.  I'm floored.  For me Roughriders game days and Rod Pedersen goes hand in hand.  It's been the way for the last 20 years.  Training camp meant listening to Rod on location at Griffiths Stadium laughing about the track meet and moaning how their feed cuts in and out.  Summers for me are getting to listen to Sportscage live while I listen to podcasts during my teaching season.  Whether Roddy knows or not, he has been an institution in this province just as much as football has been.  Pedersen is the reason we say Winnipegish and Whaaaampeders.  He's the reason there are Lynchisms.  He's the reason we shout THAT. JUST. HAPPENED.  He was the reason to tune in at 4pm every weekday to CKRM.  Rod Pedersen is going on to a new venture just as our free agent players are and Chris Jones is and Darian Durant did when he went off to Montreal.  We are all replaceable in our professions but some people make impressions on us far deeper than they know.  We have to take 100% of the shots we get.  No regrets.  Good luck Rod in all you do.  Thank you.

All week long I've been reminiscing on my blog and posting on ABC Football Facebook about Darian Durant.  Last Sunday was the 2 year anniversary of his trade to the Montreal Alouettes.  He believed in himself and after a moderately successful experience in 2016 decided he had to take the opportunity to prove himself elsewhere.  We know that he was released and then signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and then took his signing bonus and scampered off in early 2018.  Darian did return to Saskatchewan and had spots on CKRM's Rider Game Day broadcasts called Double's Take.  This Saturday in Saskatoon Darian Durant is an honourable member of the Saskatchewan Rush.  He's been signed to a one day deal and will be on hand for the Saskatchewan Rush lacrosse game at SaskTel Centre Saturday January 19th against the Rochester Nighthawks.  It seems he does still have deep feelings for our province.

Times change.  People move on.  It's how the world works.  As of Friday January 18th the Roughriders announced Jeremy O'Day is the new General Manager and Vice President of Operations.  His first and biggest task will be finding a Head Coach. It'll be interesting what transpires next.