CFL announces changes to the game - merged topics

[blue_gold_84]

I would actually be ok with this all if he or anyone else could please draw a line from the dot where these changes are made and the dot where more money is realized.

He can't. Nobody can. The complex nature of the CFL's financial health doesn't hinge on a handful of changes like those announced today.

But he and his ilk can say they tried should this not work out as they want. And then they can skirt accountability down the road as these types so often do.

[theaardvark]

Hurts minor football programs from using CFL stadiums.

If you watched, he said it is going to be 2027 so that partners can make changes as well.

If anything, it helps minor ball, allowing them to make regulation CFL fields easier.  And I can see the FG post move helping minor ball a lot.

[theaardvark]

The whole idea is to make the game more streamlined, more consistant and more exciting.  And by doing so, make it more attractive to fans.

Making it less "weird" (rouge, 20yd EZ, 55 yd line, FG posts on the goal line) makes it more sellable south of the border as well.  Its still 3 down, its still 50% deeper EZ and wider field with 12 players, so it has its unique flavour, but without that bitter aftertaste... "they won on a missed FG?  ***?"

[Justin Case]

Never liked American football, never will.  I have been following the Blue Bombers for over 60 years.   This will end it.

The upside is more time to go golfing.

[bunker]

slow drip change to four down football.

Definitely would decrease my level of interest. A lot.

And will not convince my thirty year old "NFL is better" nephews to follow the CFL.

Why would they, or anyone watch  a second rate NFL?

The idea that all we need to do is add a fourth down, to increase fan interest is comically stupid.

Turns out hiring someone from a not very good sports network might not be a good idea.

Agree
My kids (who are in their 20's) follow the NFL avidly and will only come to a bomber game with me if I ask nicely and they feel sorry for me. They are bored at the game, and spend much of their time on their phones. This will not change that.

I can live with the current changes, but if they go to 4 downs, its stops being the game I grew up with and love. They are banking on existing fans sticking with the game regardless of the changes, but they may be in for a surprise. Would I still still follow the bombers if they became a team playing American football in Canada against other Canadian teams? I'm not sure at this point.

[theaardvark]

Never liked American football, never will.  I have been following the Blue Bombers for over 60 years.   This will end it.

The upside is more time to go golfing.

I was anticipating echoing your sentiments, but actually, other than the rouge, I kinda like the changes.

The FG interfering with exit and entrance to the EZ, especially on passing plays in and punting out always bothered me.  It seemed like an unnecessary impediment when you looked at NFL fields.  But I guess 100+ years ago, it made sense.

Making every field the same, putting teams on opposite sidelines and no funky EZs in MTL and TOR where is the negative?  Its not like baseball where the green monster is stupid and adored. 

Having a completely different substitution procedure whether you are playing in the east or west was stupid.  Guessing some seating is going to be moved in eastern venues.

35 second clock, I'm not 100% sure of, we will see next year in preseason how it works (I'm sure that's the scheduled trial run for it).

Could have been a huge amount worse, this looks like its just cleaning up the game around the edges. 

Now, lets improve marketing, expand EITS, both their resources in booth and on field, and straighten out this marketing money $SMS crap, and remove or greatly increase the Front Office $SMS.

[blue_gold_84]

The upside is more time to go golfing.

I think you misspelled fishing.

[dd]

so shortening the end zone and field and pushing the goal posts to the end zone dead line, means Vaval doesn't do the 110 yd missed FG TD run, and everyone wants to miss that?? What a complete and total shame!!

[dd]

I never thought it made sense to have the goal posts in the field of play. I don't mind the rule about not getting a single point if the ball goes through the endzone untouched.I am not so crazy about taking away the single point for a missed field goal. It will eliminate exciting plays like Vaval's returns this past weekend.

I am not crazy about pushing the goal posts back to the dead line and shortening the end zone, as this eliminates the potential for a return on a missed FG, so Vaval couldn't have done his magic this past weekend. That would be a total shame. Putting the goal posts to the back of the end zone means you don't have to cover on a FG, just kick it through.

Shortening the end zone means it will be tougher to score when you get down close ie 10 yd line, you'll have less area to work with

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The whole idea is to make the game more streamlined, more consistant and more exciting.  And by doing so, make it more attractive to fans.

Making it less "weird" (rouge, 20yd EZ, 55 yd line, FG posts on the goal line) makes it more sellable south of the border as well.  Its still 3 down, its still 50% deeper EZ and wider field with 12 players, so it has its unique flavour, but without that bitter aftertaste... "they won on a missed FG?  ***?"

Also eliminate, "they won on a missed FG return for 118 yds!"

[dd]

These proposed changes will alienate the older, loyal fans such as myself. I am totally disappointed we are even having this conversation, it s the death of the CFL as we know it.!!

[blue_or_die]

The whole idea is to make the game more streamlined, more consistant and more exciting.  And by doing so, make it more attractive to fans.

So how did they achieve that? What was not streamlined or consistent, and what about the modifications made the game more streamlined and consistent? What about these changes makes the game more exciting?

"they won on a missed FG?  ***?"

No, they won because they were awarded a single point for driving the field to the point where it was possible to get the ball past the field of play.

[dd]

Also eliminate, they won on a missed FG return for 118 yds.

And we wouldn't have beaten Ottawa this past weekend as that Vaval return was a game changer for sure

Yep, lets take the most exciting play of that game and eliminate it!! Well done Johnson!!!

[TBURGESS]

Did they change where converts are kicked from? If not, then they just became 15 yards longer. 

I like the change to the rouge, I've been suggesting it for years. 

No need or advantage to changing to a 100 yard field. 

Nice to see all end zones the same size. 

One of the most exciting plays in the CFL is the return off of the missed FG. I'm sorry to see it go. (We'd have lost the last game).

The most exciting part of most CFL games is the last 3 minutes when the clock is stopped. They should keep it.

We will finally find out if it's been the rules that are keeping the younger generation away from the stadiums. Hint: It's not.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

To those throwing shade at the commissioner: This was signed off on by every member of the executive. The commissioner works for the group. They are Stuart's boss and not the other way around.

The Bombers have had a lot of success and the CFL in its current form works for us but unless you'd like to play Saskatchewan 12 times a year it's time to understand that the change is necessary.