CFL 2008 - the Road to Montréal

[Nerroth]

Hi.

Next month, the 2008 season of the Canadian Football League - or la Ligue canadienne de football - will begin, as the eight teams of the league vie to earn a berth in the 96th Grey Cup, to be held at Montréal's Olympic Stadium on the 23rd of November.

This will be the second-last season before Ottawa gets a franchise once more, and thus far there is no confirmation yet on whether they will be balanced by a tenth CFL team.


So, who do you believe will go all the way and lift the Grey Cup... or, perhaps, who do you want to see win the thing?

 

[The Habs Fan]

I'm picking Montréal to win the Grey Cup.

 

[Garak]

I think we should just forego the season and hand BC the Grey Cup.

 

[Canadave]

Go Argos!

 

[Scout101]

Have they gotten around to PAVING the road to Montreal yet?

 

[Nerroth]

Have they gotten around to PAVING the road to Montreal yet?

Interesting question, from one who believes that the Canadian Football League is "effectively the minors" - or should anyone who has cared about the CFL "just give in and do good ol' American football with us" perhaps?


I'm not hugely passionate about the CFL or NFL, I'll admit - but I do respect those who take interest in the league, and in a Cup which has been contested for by teams decades before the Super Bowl was even a figment of someone's imagination.



Oh, and I don't claim to have an idea of who will do well in the 2008 tournament... though I guess if the Alouettes do well, and the Argos do well enough to make an argument in their favour if/when the NFL-in-Toronto experiment bears fruit, I'll be reasonably alright with that.


I'm looking forward to seeing what the renovated BC Place will look like in a few years' time, though! (Not least since the 'Caps will be playing there in 2011, along with the Lions.)

 

[Ovation]

I picked the Als, but only because that's what I'd like to see. Realistically, there are several teams better positioned to win. Calvillo is just too old, IMO, to get the job done and unless the new coaching staff can get the defence on track, it will be tough just to make the playoffs.

 

[Ovation]

Have they gotten around to PAVING the road to Montreal yet?

Well, considering that it takes more than 15 minutes to pave the roads in Quebec (unlike that gigantic state you live in, where 6 and half minutes ought to do it) AND we don't have the mob connections to the construction industry your state is blessed with, we make do. Besides, our government recently announced that poorly paved roads keeps speeding down and saves money for the insurance system, medicare and keeps fuel consumption down. (gotta look for the bright side )

 

[Mallory]

I'm sticking with my "home" team, BC.

 

[Scout101]

Have they gotten around to PAVING the road to Montreal yet?

Interesting question, from one who believes that the Canadian Football League is "effectively the minors" - or should anyone who has cared about the CFL "just give in and do good ol' American football with us" perhaps?

The question was as it regards to Fantasy Football. IS there a CFL fantasy league somewhere? I've never heard of one (nor have I looked, to be fair), but know there are a few Canadians in my Fantasy Football league (Garak, to name one).

As for the bit about the minors, here's why I said that:

Most recently, Ricky Williams, who was out of the NFL because of drug problems, went to play in the CFL to "reestablish" himself to look viable for NFL teams. Kinda like a former MLB major leaguer taking a minor league deal to prove himself.

Another example I'm familiar with is Doug Flute. Drafted into the NFL, played a few years, but didn't really break through, and left to play in the CFL. After walking out of the NFL because he couldn't catch on, he was hired into the CFL as the highest paid player. Pretty much dominated the CFL, one of their best QBs ever.

Went back to the NFL, and bounced around for another 5-6 years, playing with Buffalo, San Diego, and New England, and was a starter for the first two teams, but didn't really catch on anywhere.

Doesn't sound like I was TERRIBLY far off...

Have they gotten around to PAVING the road to Montreal yet?

Well, considering that it takes more than 15 minutes to pave the roads in Quebec (unlike that gigantic state you live in, where 6 and half minutes ought to do it) AND we don't have the mob connections to the construction industry your state is blessed with, we make do. Besides, our government recently announced that poorly paved roads keeps speeding down and saves money for the insurance system, medicare and keeps fuel consumption down. (gotta look for the bright side )

All true. Although I live in RI, but am not FROM RI, so tend to agree with most of your points about RI being small and corrupt. You'd think they'd have better roads, though, because as you pointed out, can't take long to repair. Half the roads here suck ass, though.

Either way, it was just a Canada = wilderness/frozen tundra joke

 

[Ovation]

That's okay. I grew up in NH and we're used to picking on the "runt" of the NE litter, so to speak. That was the spirit of my "corrupt RI" joke.

 

[Nerroth]

Perhaps a fairer comparison between the CFL and NFL might be between Rugby Union and Rugby League - since the codes used in the Canadian game differs from that in the United States, to a not-wholly-different way that the Union and League codes do (and nowadays, while League is strong in certin countries, Union has a larger worldwide appeal).

 

[Nerroth]

So, the league is up and running - and I was too focussed on MLS/the NCC/etc to remember.

D'oh...

2008 Regular Season

West Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Saskatchewan 4 4 0 0 8 134 90 2 - 0 - 0 2 - 0 - 0 2 - 0 - 0
Calgary 5 3 2 0 6 153 119 2 - 0 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
Edmonton 4 2 2 0 4 125 128 2 - 0 - 0 0 - 2 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
BC 4 2 2 0 4 103 96 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 0 - 2 - 0

East Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Montreal 4 2 2 0 4 123 98 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 2 - 0 - 0
Toronto 4 2 2 0 4 99 126 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
Hamilton 4 1 3 0 2 86 122 0 - 2 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
Winnipeg 5 1 4 0 2 114 158 1 - 2 - 0 0 - 2 - 0 0 - 2 - 0

 

[eastman23]

The Bombers actually won a game?

*collapses in shock*

 

[Nerroth]

Week 5 in review

Roughriders 28 vs. Argonauts 22

Lions 36 vs. Alouettes 34

Eskimos 19 vs. Tiger-Cats 13

Blue Bombers 32 vs. Stampeders 28

That leaves the standings as:

West Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Saskatchewan 5 5 0 0 10 162 112 3 - 0 - 0 2 - 0 - 0 2 - 0 - 0
Edmonton 5 3 2 0 6 144 141 2 - 0 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
Calgary 5 3 2 0 6 153 119 2 - 0 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
BC 5 3 2 0 6 139 130 2 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 0 - 2 - 0

East Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Montreal 5 2 3 0 4 157 134 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 2 - 0 - 0
Toronto 5 2 3 0 4 121 154 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
Hamilton 5 1 4 0 2 99 141 0 - 3 - 0 1 - 1 - 0 1 - 1 - 0
Winnipeg 5 1 4 0 2 114 158 1 - 2 - 0 0 - 2 - 0 0 - 2 - 0

Oh, and a video gallery can be found here, too.

 

[Garak]

What a comeback win by BC this weekend, unreal.

They're looking better and better every week after a slwo start, and Jackson is looking unbeatable in the 2nd half of games - now if only he'd look like that for the entire game....

Also, Geroy Simon is a legend. Franchise receiving leader for BC now.

 

[Nerroth]

Week 6 in review

Roughriders 22 vs. Stampeders 21

Argonauts 19 vs. Blue Bombers 11

Eskimos 35 vs. Lions 24

Alouettes 40 vs. Tiger-Cats 33

Which leaves the standings at:

West Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Saskatchewan 6 6 0 0 12 184 133 3 - 0 - 0 3 - 0 - 0 3 - 0 - 0
Edmonton 6 4 2 0 8 178 165 3 - 0 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 2 - 1 - 0
Calgary 6 3 3 0 6 174 141 2 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 2 - 0
BC 6 3 3 0 6 163 164 2 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 0 - 3 - 0

East Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Montréal 6 3 3 0 6 197 167 2 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 3 - 0 - 0
Toronto 6 3 3 0 6 140 165 2 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 2 - 1 - 0
Hamilton 6 1 5 0 2 132 181 0 - 3 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 2 - 0
Winnipeg 6 1 5 0 2 125 177 1 - 2 - 0 0 - 3 - 0 0 - 3 - 0

 

[FatherRob]

I'm just really sad that Comcast Local folded here in Indy. Last year, I was able to follow the entire CFL season, this year... I have to settle for crappo-Internet coverage (which means I am not watching).

I enjoy the CFL far more than the NFL... got to go to my first game last year at Rogers Centre (I'm an Argos fan)... and I'll never understand why a national carrier here in the states fails to pick up the league.



Rob+

 

[Nerroth]

Week 7 in review:

Lions 40 vs. Eskimos 34

Alouettes 39 vs. Blue Bombers 11

Stampeders 30 vs. Roughriders 25

Tiger Cats 45 vs. Argonauts 21

Which leaves the standings at:

West Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Saskatchewan 7 6 1 0 12 209 163 3 - 1 - 0 3 - 0 - 0 3 - 1 - 0
Calgary 7 4 3 0 8 204 166 2 - 1 - 0 2 - 2 - 0 2 - 2 - 0
Edmonton 7 4 3 0 8 211 205 3 - 0 - 0 1 - 3 - 0 2 - 2 - 0
BC 7 4 3 0 8 203 198 3 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 3 - 0

East Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Montreal 7 4 3 0 8 236 178 2 - 1 - 0 2 - 2 - 0 4 - 0 - 0
Toronto 7 3 4 0 6 161 210 2 - 1 - 0 1 - 3 - 0 2 - 2 - 0
Hamilton 7 2 5 0 4 177 202 1 - 3 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 2 - 2 - 0
Winnipeg 7 1 6 0 2 136 216 1 - 3 - 0 0 - 3 - 0 0 - 4 - 0

 

[Nerroth]

Week 8 in review

Alouettes 32 vs. Argonauts 14

Blue Bombers 37 vs. Tiger Cats 24

Looks like the West was quiet last week.

Standings:

West Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Saskatchewan 7 6 1 0 12 209 163 3 - 1 - 0 3 - 0 - 0 3 - 1 - 0
Calgary 7 4 3 0 8 204 166 2 - 1 - 0 2 - 2 - 0 2 - 2 - 0
Edmonton 7 4 3 0 8 211 205 3 - 0 - 0 1 - 3 - 0 2 - 2 - 0
BC 7 4 3 0 8 203 198 3 - 1 - 0 1 - 2 - 0 1 - 3 - 0

East Division GP W L T PTS F A HOME AWAY DIV
Montreal 8 5 3 0 10 268 192 2 - 1 - 0 3 - 2 - 0 5 - 0 - 0
Toronto 8 3 5 0 6 175 242 2 - 2 - 0 1 - 3 - 0 2 - 3 - 0
Winnipeg 8 2 6 0 4 173 240 2 - 3 - 0 0 - 3 - 0 1 - 4 - 0
Hamilton 8 2 6 0 4 201 239 1 - 3 - 0 1 - 3 - 0 2 - 3 - 0