Canadian Football League 2011 discussion

[Canadave]

I almost forgot that the season was starting tonight. I'm used to the first couple of games being on Canada Day.

I'm keeping an eye on the Lions and Als right now, but unfortunately (or fortunately, given the news that Jyles will miss half the season) I won't be able to catch the Argos' season opener tomorrow. Still, I'm hoping for an improvement from them, this year... I think they can win at least 11 or 12 games if they build on their success from last year. Of course, it is the Argos, so it could easily go the other way...

 

[eastman23]

The Bombers are off to a resounding start with the pre-season games - we lost both.

Hopefully we can improve on our record of 4-14 last year. Whether that means winning more games or trying to set a new record of most games lost by 4 points or less, well, we'll see what happens.

 

[Danny99]

It'll be interesting to see the second year of the Cleo Lemon experiment in Toronto.

 

[Canadave]

^ He has been putting up decent pre-season numbers. But until I see him complete something more than a 5-yard desperation pass as the pocket slowly collapses, I won't be taking anything for granted.

 

[eastman23]

Holy crap! Two in a row!

Ain't pretty, but we'll take it.

 

[Canadave]

^ It was an awful first half by both teams, but the second half was pretty exciting. It's too bad Corey Boyd was playing a little hurt, and that Chad Owens had butterfingers tonight. Otherwise I think the Argos might've taken it.

 

[eastman23]

If Owens had been able to return that first missed field goal a little further (just like exactly a year ago), I think we'd be talking about a very different game.

Plus, the Argos failed to break our glass cannon, despite trying their very hardest.

 

[Canadave]

^ Heh, yeah. That'll be the thing for both these teams, I think. They both have great defences, it's the quarterbacks that will decide it. Pierce has to stay healthy, and Lemon needs to... well, be a proper quarterback.

 

[Quo Vadimus]

I came across a CFL game this past weekend on the NFL network. Because that fact amused me, I watched a bit of it. Quite exciting, though it took a few series for me to realize why they were punting on third down.

I'm going to tune in next week, it piqued my curiosity.

 

[Canadave]

^ Glad you enjoyed it! The talent level obviously isn't as high as in the NFL, but I find the CFL makes up for it by being a very fast and open game. And it definitely has more than it's share of weird quirks, too. I don't think any other football variant has a chance to score a single point after missing a field goal.

 

[Quo Vadimus]

With all due respect, I think kickers already have an inflated sense of self-worth. And I firmly believe rewarding failure with pity points will only make this worse. This is pointy-ball football. If you want groupies, go join the round-ballers.*

In all seriousness, I do find it funny when kickers from rival schools are still shanking figgies in the CFL. *cough* Damon Duvol *cough* But, I think the thing which got me moderately interested was a clip from last year when Duvol and some other guys kicked the ball back in forth in and out of the end zone because the CFL doesn't give free touch-backs. It was quirky, it was cool. That's why i watch Arena league as well. Different is never boring!

* is joking, tongue planted firmly in-cheek.

 

[Canadave]

With all due respect, I think kickers already have an inflated sense of self-worth. And I firmly believe rewarding failure with pity points will only make this worse. This is pointy-ball football. If you want groupies, go join the round-ballers.*

* is joking, tongue planted firmly in-cheek.

FWIW, I have seen that basic argument presented seriously before. But I still like the rule, because it encourages the defending team to try to run the ball... there's nothing quite like missed field goal turning into a 110-yard touchdown run.

 

[Quo Vadimus]

True, it is exciting. Especially when the kicker, who put it all in motion with a botched kick, flails and misses the tackle!

 

[Goliath]

Good, good. Three games, three losses.

Saskatchewan's evil master plan to lull the other teams into foolish overconfidence is unfolding perfectly.

 

[Canadave]

^ Much as I'd like to believe that, Saskatchewan just looks awful this year. The defence has some massive holes, especially in the secondary, and the offence can't do a thing. Their running game, which wasn't fantastic by any means last year, is nearly invisible and Darian Durant currently has a lower QB rating than Cleo Lemon.

I like the 'Riders, but they're in need of a rebuild, I think.

 

[eastman23]

Seriously, are we doing the helmet thing again?!

 

[Harry Palmer]

Good, good. Three games, three losses.

Saskatchewan's evil master plan to lull the other teams into foolish overconfidence is unfolding perfectly.

That's the strategy that worked for the Saints for forty years.

 

[eastman23]

Hmmm... it appears that the Bombers can only have either a good defense game or a good offense game, but not both.

Okay game. Sorry to Toronto for taking out Cleo Lemon.

 

[Goliath]

^ Much as I'd like to believe that, Saskatchewan just looks awful this year. The defence has some massive holes, especially in the secondary, and the offence can't do a thing. Their running game, which wasn't fantastic by any means last year, is nearly invisible and Darian Durant currently has a lower QB rating than Cleo Lemon.

I like the 'Riders, but they're in need of a rebuild, I think.

O ye of little faith.

 

[Canadave]

^ We'll see. There's every chance they can turn their season around, sure, but they don't look like a team that can win the Grey Cup to me. I'll welcome being proven, wrong, though, as I'm firmly in the anyone-but-Montreal camp.

Well, as long as "anyone" doesn't include Hamilton.