CFL Game Changes FAQ

[Waffler]

We had an NFL preseason here. What happened? The NFL hated it. Made us change the field because it "wasn't safe" and in fact played the game on an 80 yard field. Contrary to promises both Packers and Raiders held out almost all their starters. Attendance: 21,992  Enjoyed by no one.

[blue_gold_84]

Imagine thinking some chump change from a handful of boring NFL preseason games will help the financial viability of the CFL.

The mental gymnastics got me like:

[Justin Case]

What is the real goal of these changes? 

Well, let's get the fans in Toronto to come and watch NFL style of football until they are screaming for an NFL team.  Main market gone, CFL gone, TSN wetting themselves.

Just saying.

[blue_or_die]

Here's the issue with that...

Bringing an NFL preseason game to a CFL stadium is a little paint on the field.  Nothing else.

Bringing a CFL team into an NFL/NCAA size field means adding in 15 yards to the width.  The would NOT be an easy change, likely needing a new turf, and maybe removing seats.

It could be done, but its not as easy or as cheap as you would conjecture.

10 yards of length and 5 yds of EZ may modify the game slightly, but it far from changes it from a play calling perspective.  Changing where the FG becomes a factor, again, does not change the game, but may change the strategy slightly.

Yes, ST coaches are going to have to modify their playbooks, but there is still no fair catch, and we haven't seen where the balls will be placed for KO's or after FG's.  And the new rouge will change ST plays as well.  So I can see why ST coach Miller and ex ST coach MOS might have issue.

PLay clock is still an issue, we don't know how certain aspect will be addressed, and I can see fine tuning in preseason next year.

But the field, getting to a "normal" length and moving the FG posts makes a lot of sense taking the sentimental out of it.  Its still 3 down ball, but now it will be the same game in every stadium.

And, IF we can get a little NFL preseason money, it could save the league.

This is unhinged.

You cannot possibly believe that the NFL is going to start playing numerous preseason games annually (needed to "save the league") now that the field situation is a little easier to work with.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We had an NFL preseason here. What happened? The NFL hated it. Made us change the field because it "wasn't safe" and in fact played the game on an 80 yard field. Contrary to promises both Packers and Raiders held out almost all their starters. Attendance: 21,992  Enjoyed by no one.

I didn't pay much attention to the NFL pre-season game held in Wpg. but I do recall the reaction from all sides was hugely negative.  Some complained about the high price of tickets and the fact not a single star or starter for either team appeared or played in the game. I believe the conclusion was the event was a ripoff and an NFL money grab and wouldn't be attempted again.

[gobombersgo]

I didn't pay much attention to the NFL pre-season game held in Wpg. but I do recall the reaction from all sides was hugely negative.  Some complained about the high price of tickets and the fact not a single star or starter for either team appeared or played in the game. I believe the conclusion was the event was a ripoff and an NFL money grab and wouldn't be attempted again.

I could see an NFL regular season game being played in Canada in the next few years.

Since teams are now playing a 17 games a season there has been an increased focus to play games outside the US.

This season there are 7 games outside the US.

[blue_gold_84]

I could see an NFL regular season game being played in Canada in the next few years.

The only venues that even come close to NFL size are BC Place and Commonwealth Stadium. Of the two, BC Place would make the most sense (I use the term very loosely). Although, I'm sure Rogers Centre could also handle NFL games as it once did.

The seating capacity of the international venues hosting NFL games this season eclipses both aforementioned CFL venues, with Arena Corinthians in Sao Paulo being the only exception.

I'd also have to think the NFL would want guarantees of some sort to ensure having a regular season NFL game in Canada would be profitable, and who would foot the bill.

[wpg#1]

But the field, getting to a "normal" length and moving the FG posts makes a lot of sense taking the sentimental out of it.  Its still 3 down ball, but now it will be the same game in every stadium.

And, IF we can get a little NFL preseason money, it could save the league.

Normal length ? Normal field length for the CFL is, and always has been, 110 yards.

[theaardvark]

We had an NFL preseason here. What happened? The NFL hated it. Made us change the field because it "wasn't safe" and in fact played the game on an 80 yard field. Contrary to promises both Packers and Raiders held out almost all their starters. Attendance: 21,992  Enjoyed by no one.

And that will hurt the next attempt, for sure.

But 100% of those concerns will be answered by the field dimension changes.

If no NFL preseason games come, I'm fine with that, I'llnever buy a ticket to one, for sure.

But, if making rational changes to the field dimensions makes it a possibility for teams that NEED the cashflow, and don't have a past issue like ours, it only helps the league.

[theaardvark]

What is the real goal of these changes? 

Well, let's get the fans in Toronto to come and watch NFL style of football until they are screaming for an NFL team.  Main market gone, CFL gone, TSN wetting themselves.

Just saying.

A: NFL even in Toronto of Van will never happen.  Just not viable.

B: Buffalo hosting some games (not just preseason) in Toronto IS a possibility.  And that could help the league.

C: Toronto fans won't be seeing "NFL style" football just because the field is 20 yards short and the goal posts are moved.  Its still 100% CFL rules and game.  Its still a more exciting game than 4 down 11 player fair kick ball.

[blue_gold_84]

B: Buffalo hosting some games (not just preseason) in Toronto IS a possibility.  And that could help the league.

How does Toronto hosting a regular season NFL game help the CFL? What tangible benefit does the CFL receive?

I probably shouldn't even ask but show your work.

[Freebird]

We had an NFL preseason here. What happened? The NFL hated it. Made us change the field because it "wasn't safe" and in fact played the game on an 80 yard field. Contrary to promises both Packers and Raiders held out almost all their starters. Attendance: 21,992  Enjoyed by no one.

The funny thing is that the Raiders were the home team, so if this game hadn't been played in Winnipeg, it would have been at the Oakland Coliseum (they moved to Vegas the next season).  So the 2'x2' patch where the goal post would have been was a safety factor, but the sewn turf on a baseball infield, the hard clay warning tracks surrounding the endzones, and the stands being 6' from the back of the endzones weren't.

https://cdn.abcotvs.com/dip/images/5171681_030619-ap-raiders-coliseum-generic-img.jpg?w=992

[VictorRomano]

A: NFL even in Toronto of Van will never happen.  Just not viable.

I had some clown telling me the NFL wants into Montreal.  Nonsense.  The NFL ownership group has no interest in kowtowing to Quebec's "distinct culture" and language laws.  The chance of an NFL team in any place other than Toronto and perhaps BC is ZERO due to demographics - there just aren't enough people anywhere in Canada to support an NFL team *except* in those 2 cities.

This entire idea of these changes is to torpedo the league so that Toronto (or more specifically, MLSE) can vie for the only pro football franchise in Canada, even if it means destroying the CFL.  Just another example of Toronto's self-absorbed view of itself as "the centre of Canada".  I'm sure MLSE and most people in Toronto would be just fine with TSN only airing Blue Jays/Raptors/Leafs/NFL games to every household in Canada, as they always see themselves as "Canada's team".

I for one cannot support this, even if it means I never watch or go to another CFL game.  It was a good time while it lasted, but this is my last season supporting the CFL if this nonsense is allowed to stand.  I'm out.

[theaardvark]

For those wanting the Commish to say "4 down ball is never coming", you got that on WST today:

Winnipeg Sports Talk@SportsTalkWPG

"There was no nefarious Americanization intention with these rules."

"Going forward, we are committed to the game that we have got. No percentage of my thought process, or anyone at the league office's thought process, is on other rule changes."

- #CFL Commissioner Stewart

Watch it here...

https://youtu.be/z_8XZSfiFJo?t=2042

[theaardvark]

On another point, *IF* somehow, Toronto gets an NFL franchise, why would that mean "death" to the CFL?

If anything, losing Toronto eliminates on of our most problematic franchises.  And leaves us with an 8 team league. 

It would probably shift from east/west division to one.  Otherwise we move east again, taking away the best rivalry in sport. 

Does TSN feel that not having a team in the largest TV market changes the deal?  I don't have the viewership numbers by region, but if gate reflects TV, I can't see losing Toronto changing the market that much.  There will still be CFL fans watching TSN in the GTA.

So, even if Toronto manages to get an NFL franchise (who has more than a billion that will be needed for the franchise purchase, and another billion to make an NFL stadium?), the CFL will continue.