NFL Option tryouts

[theaardvark]

I strongly disagree. Every import thinks he'll end up in the NFL. Reality is that isn't true.

The instability is caused by NFL teams just signing players for TC fodder and CFL teams losing that player for half a season.

Having Wilson for game 1 would have been much better. It would have changed the choices made to add other depth during free agency. That's what I mean about instability.  We lost him for 12 games due to the NFL option.

Other teams had the same issue. Sure it's a benefit to those that get that new chance at the NFL but bad for the player released when they return. At some point there is a net reduction upon the return.  How many receivers did we bring to TC to win that spot? How many actually played a few games before Wilson returned?

The NFL option hasn't always existed. There was no shortage of talent available prior to that existence. 

How many players missed substantial action though the NFL window signings last year, or in the previous 5 years?

If you think that any young player comes north with the intent to happily play his career in the CFL, you cray cray.  Every one wants another shot at the NFL, they may not have been drafted, or done poorly in a TC, or even been behind better players.  Whatever "injustice" that was done, they are looking for redemption.

The NFL window actually promotes that dream.  It literally says "play well, play hard and WE are going to get you another NFL shot."  Every rookie signed has been made aware of that option, and it creates even more motivation to bring his best to the CFL.

A lot of guys that just missed the NFL think they are coming up here to dominate.  They find out pretty quick.  But they also find out that this can and will improve their game and chances at an NFL shot.

[Blue In BC]

How many players missed substantial action though the NFL window signings last year, or in the previous 5 years?

If you think that any young player comes north with the intent to happily play his career in the CFL, you cray cray.  Every one wants another shot at the NFL, they may not have been drafted, or done poorly in a TC, or even been behind better players.  Whatever "injustice" that was done, they are looking for redemption.

The NFL window actually promotes that dream.  It literally says "play well, play hard and WE are going to get you another NFL shot."  Every rookie signed has been made aware of that option, and it creates even more motivation to bring his best to the CFL.

A lot of guys that just missed the NFL think they are coming up here to dominate.  They find out pretty quick.  But they also find out that this can and will improve their game and chances at an NFL shot.

Every player that gets a TC offer loses at least half the season. As I pointed out, Wilson lost 12 games. So to answer your question, it would be 100% miss substantial time.

If a player doesn't originally invited to NFL TC then he's essentially out of football and has no chance to continue the NFL dream by not playing. His chances improve more by playing well for 2 years instead of one.

The CFL doesn't need to promote the NFL dream.

Of the 20 or so currently exploring the NFL option, how many will get another chance or just be lost for half a season to the CFL team?

If those imports think they are coming up to dominate, they are badly informed. They are lucky if they can win a spot on the AR.

[theaardvark]

Every player that gets a TC offer loses at least half the season. As I pointed out, Wilson lost 12 games. So to answer your question, it would be 100% miss substantial time.

If a player doesn't originally invited to NFL TC then he's essentially out of football and has no chance to continue the NFL dream by not playing. His chances improve more by playing well for 2 years instead of one.

The CFL doesn't need to promote the NFL dream.

Of the 20 or so currently exploring the NFL option, how many will get another chance or just be lost for half a season to the CFL team?

If those imports think they are coming up to dominate, they are badly informed. They are lucky if they can win a spot on the AR.

The only payers we lose to the NFL are players that actually sign a contract.  They can't wander training camps looking to catch on, they get a look, and if they don't get a deal, they are back under their current contract.

Players that are free agents are a different situation.  But that's not what we're talking about.

The NFL window is a rarely taken advantage of clause.  And like Wilson, we might lose them for part of a season, or like Alford, we may lose them forever.  But for every other player, they got some fun, and came back a little better for the experience.  And we retained their rights.

[Tecno]

Agree, CFL scouts and agents need to change their recruitment narrative and stop promoting false or highly unlikley scenarios to naive young players, the promise is more or less a lie and it causes the CFL much inconvenience for little payoff. 

But it's not.  Every year(ish), on average, a CFL ELC IMP will head down and stick.  Singleton, Zylstra, etc.  It does happen.  Players see that happen.

You're not thinking like a 23yo dude.  Every last one of them thinks they are the best, or will be the best.  Every one thinks they are NFL material, and the NFL screwed up by not drafting them, or signing them.  Every one is a gambler who will do whatever it takes to get the $100 million pay day the NFL may provide.  And I would too when I was 23!

There is no world where the sell of "you will only ever be good enough to earn $145k CAD in the CFL" works to lure them up here.  That idea only kicks in when they find out they will never make the NFL.  Then you offer them that "settle".  And that's ok.

[Tecno]

Of the 20 or so currently exploring the NFL option, how many will get another chance or just be lost for half a season to the CFL team?

Again, you're thinking like an old guy (which we both are).  Think back to when you were 23.  It's all just psychology.

Every single thing you said is true, and correct, and can be told to potential window guys.  But every single thing will be 100% ignored.  They won't hear it until they take their moonshots.  Then, only then, they may listen.

[Blue In BC]

Again, you're thinking like an old guy (which we both are).  Think back to when you were 23.  It's all just psychology.

Every single thing you said is true, and correct, and can be told to potential window guys.  But every single thing will be 100% ignored.  They won't hear it until they take their moonshots.  Then, only then, they may listen.

I'm not disagreeing with that. I'm disagreeing that there is an advantage to the CFL having that option.

Again, you're thinking like an old guy (which we both are).  Think back to when you were 23.  It's all just psychology.

Every single thing you said is true, and correct, and can be told to potential window guys.  But every single thing will be 100% ignored.  They won't hear it until they take their moonshots.  Then, only then, they may listen.

I'm not disagreeing that is true. I'm disagreeing that is something we should try and eliminate from the CFLPA when we get a chance. I don't see a REAL benefit for the CFL.

[Jesse]

I'm not disagreeing with that. I'm disagreeing that there is an advantage to the CFL having that option.
I'm not disagreeing that is true. I'm disagreeing that is something we should try and eliminate from the CFLPA when we get a chance. I don't see a REAL benefit for the CFL.

The advantage is that it's something the players want and it was probably used as a part of negotiation to get something else the league wants.

You say there's no real advantage, but there's no disadvantage either and it's important to players and their agents to have that option. Players are going to have successful CFL seasons and earn try outs to the NFL. The only way to change that is to become as huge as the NFL and offer the same salaries.

[theaardvark]

Having an opportunity to play with top level players, and have top level coaching (as opposed to USFL) while potentially making a highlight reel that can be used to get eyeballs on them for that NFL window is never a bad thing.

For every player that comes here with that dream, and doesn't make it, we have a top level recruit that may spend the rest of his career in the league.

Again, I'm not saying that every import comes here thinking he's going to get an NFL shot from his stint here, but most have it in the back of their minds.  And for those whose dream gets shattered when the NFL doesn't bite, we get a Schoen, or a Wilson, or hopefully. more Trey Vaval...