General CFL News

[Blue In BC]

I'll be looking at what happens in the NFL as somewhat of a test on all levels. Ditto I suppose for any college teams that attempt a partial or complete season.

Some teams will allow fans in the stadium while most will not.

About 65 players opted out of playing in 2020. How that impacts individual teams is a TBD but there are some big names sitting out.

Not many players have contacted Covid while in TC but once the season starts that bubble disappears. How easily can contract tracing be done if some players become infected.

Can outbreaks be traced back to any city where fans are allowed.

Lots of questions and the answers will never be entirely clear. If the infection rate goes up in Dallas after fans attend games that might indicate something, or not. It's not a direct line but contact tracing potentially 40K fans? Not likely.  Dallas is currently a hot spot which is not a good starting point.

EDIT: No guarantees but I expect Trump to push a vaccine release before the election. That may change the expectations of some. Whether it works and / or is safe will take time to evaluate.

[Blue In BC]

Not sure what this has to do with the subject line, probably should be in the extra section under the NFL.

Football decisions that happen in the US, high school, college and NFL will be similar to what happens or could happen in the CFL. Reasons players deciding to sit out or play.  The decision about cross border travel for players have never been resolved. The discussion is universal IMO.

There are financial and safety reasons that are being considered at every level of football.

What happens there will continue to impact any potential 2020 season and beyond. While I think our 2020 season is now dead, it is an extension of what's going on in the US.

A mod can move that part of the discussion to the other forum if they want. No problem.

[Blue In BC]

Several teams reporting false positive testing today.  It still creates havoc needing to re-test and double check results. Practices being cancelled for some.

Hopefully everyone is actually healthy and these are just precautions.

EDIT: Sayles released, Stanback and Cioffi released. It does appear that Cioffi is getting another chance elsewhere though.

Smaller TC rosters and no pre season games doesn't help any CFL'er's chances of making an NFL roster.

About 3 weeks left before 1st regular season game on Sept 10th.  Sept 5th is when rosters are set at 53 players. 12 days and counting.

Probably going to be some rapid fire transactions as the timelines shorten.

[TecnoGenius]

Chicago Bears officially hire CFL legend Henry Burris as coach for 2020 NFL season

That's pretty neat!  Isn't that going to really hurt the TSN panel, then?  Bene gone.  Burris gone.  CC gone.  Lapo still gone.

Who else recently-retired has been itching for a panel spot?  I can't think of any.  Hey, if they like their out-of-work coaches, that might mean Claybrooks!      Kidding, ugh, that would be awful.  Too bad Maas got hired as OC, can you imagine him breaking down games by crying and throwing things around the set?  Kidding!  He'd be worse than Claybrooks.

So, serious question, what CFL alum are possibilities for the panel?

[DM83]

That's a good point Techno!

[Waffler]

Lulay? Myself, I don't think Claybooks is a terrible idea in small doses.

Rotate more new people so you get different views. Always have one or two of the regulars on the panel though.

[the paw]

Lulay? Myself, I don't think Claybooks is a terrible idea in small doses.

Rotate more new people so you get different views. Always have one or two of the regulars on the panel though.

Nik Lewis.  That's the odds on favorite....

[DM83]

Isn't Lewis coaching?

[Sec227]

Ricky Ray. Give the guy a shot. I would like to hear what he has to say.

[Stretch]

Ricky Ray. Give the guy a shot. I would like to hear what he has to say.

Interesting name to mention. He?d probably be like Tony Romo in that he?d know the exact calls on both O and D.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ricky Ray. Give the guy a shot. I would like to hear what he has to say.

He wouldn't say much, pretty milquetoast personality.

[the paw]

Isn't Lewis coaching?

He was running backs coach under Claybrooks, and I don't think Rick Campbell kept him on. 

[TecnoGenius]

Good ideas so far guys... surely there must be more.

Thick Nik Lewis: Yes!  Great suggestion.  I think he'd do well.

Lulay: bit more subdued, but seems like a competent orator, I'll give it a "meh"

Ray: TLB is right, he's too mellow, even more so than Lulay  Panel needs them fiery and bombastic.  The last subdued guy was Climie and most didn't like him too much.  It'd be like Calvillo.  Just wouldn't portray the energy needed.

Yup, you need the right mix of: TV-ish face (unfortunate reality), high energy, good verbal skills, knowledge, bit of an edge or character.

Sanchez stuggled a bit in '19 but I hope they keep him on as he was improving, bet he was taking courses or reading books on public speaking.

I think Pinball would be great, too, but he's obviously taken.  Although Pinball might be *too* energetic 

And we still need a (non-crooked-hatty) coach...

[bigbuff33]

Anybody know if head coaches are still being paid...and...what do they do for a year??
How about big ticket players like Biggy, Colarus, Willie, Harris...are they still getting paid...
Have heard the Bombers are tapping into their financial reserves to pay players...

Missing Bombers football big time!!

[Waffler]

Doug Berry then. Just to see what he thinks about missed field goals.