Training camps started last Monday and the first Pre-Season games are next week. With the regular season kicking off on June 15.
The full schedule can be found here https://www.cfl.ca/schedule/
I'm not to sure what the US broadcast schedule will look like, but I do remember reading somewhere that ESPN3 carries most (if not all) of the regular and post season games.
I'll try to keep anyone who's interested here up to date but I haven't really been following the league as much as I used to.
I will be interested. Will try to find a team to follow.
THU JUN 22 @ 5:30 PM
Saskatchewan Roughriders @ Montreal Alouettes
Both teams, weather they admit it or not, are in rebuild mode. However Saskatchewan might be just a little ahead of Montreal in that regard. An interesting note on this game is that Montreal Starting QB Darian Durant spent the past 10 seasons in Saskatchewan, 8 as their starter. He was traded in the off season as the Roughriders thought he was getting to old. What doesn't make sense is that they replaced him with a QB that is 4 years older in Kevin Glenn.
FRI JUN 23 @ 5:30 PM
Calgary Stampeders @ Ottawa RedBlacks
Grey Cup Rematch. Ottawa, the heavy underdogs, won the Grey Cup last year 39-33 over Calgary.
SAT JUN 24 @ 8:00 PM
Edmonton Eskimos @ B.C. Lions
The only game this week that doesn't have a sub plot to it.
SUN JUN 25 @ 2:00 PM
Hamilton Tiger-Cats @ Toronto Argonauts
The Battle of Ontario, part 1 of 3. These two teams fricking hate each other as much as any rivals do. With playing each other 3 times this year these games could get rather intense.
Looks like espn3 is streaming the games in the US
Here is the 2017 CFL schedule for ESPN. Look like they are only broadcasting games till the end of August. But it's better then nothing.
QuoteTORONTO — ESPN kicks off its 2017 Canadian Football League (CFL) regular season schedule with a pair of games on ESPNEWS. The first pits the Saskatchewan Roughriders against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 22, at 7:30 p.m. ET, and then the Calgary Stampeders face the CFL champion Ottawa REDBLACKS in a Grey Cup rematch on Friday, June 23, at 7:30 p.m.
Week 1 games continue on ESPN2 with two regional rivalries: the BC Lions host the Edmonton Eskimos on Saturday, June 24, at 10 p.m. and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats travel to BMO Field to face off against the Toronto Argonauts on Sunday, June 25, at 4 p.m.
Based on a multi-year agreement with the CFL, ESPN television networks and ESPN3 have the exclusive rights to present all regular season and postseason CFL games in the United States, including both the Eastern and Western Semi-Finals, as well as the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw. Production and commentator teams for ESPN telecasts are from TSN, Canada's Sports Leader.
Source (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/06/20/cfl-espn-unveil-2017-u-s-broadcast-schedule/)
ESPN CFL Schedule (http://espnmediazone.com/us/cfl-games-espn3-august-2017/)
thanks, I will try to catch a game or two
Week 1 Results
Saskatchewan 16 @ Montreal 17
Calgary 31 @ Ottawa 31
Edmonton 30 @ B.C. 27
Hamilton 15 @ Toronto 32
West Standings:
Edmonton (1-0)
Calgary (0-0-1)
Winnipeg (0-0)
Saskatchewan (0-1)
BC (0-1)
East Standings:
Toronto (1-0)
Montreal (1-0)
Ottawa (0-0-1)
Hamilton (0-1)
Week 2 Match-ups
Thursday June 29 7:00 PM
Ottawa @ Calgary
This is the rematch, of the rematch, of the Gray Cup. Last week they ended in a tie, if it happens again this week I'll die of laughter.
Friday June 30 5:00 PM
B.C. @ Toronto
Toronto put on a whopping 545 yards of offence last week. 506 of that was passing. Look for them to try the same thing here. As much as I think Toronto may be able to pull off a victory I think it will be a lot closer then the spanking they gave Hamilton last week.
Friday June 30 8:00 PM
Montreal @ Edmonton
I honestly can't think of anything to say about this game other the GO ESKIMOS!!!!!!
Saturday July 1 7:00 PM
Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan
Rivalry Game. Saskatchewan is opening up their brand new $278 million dollar stadium, and what better way to do it then against your most hated rival.
Bye week for Hamilton, and after the spanking they got last week their gonna need it.
Cool I will try to put the game on tomorrow, thanks for the heads up
Week 2 Results
Ottawa 39 @ Calgary 43 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/06/30/recap-calgary-43-ottawa-39/)
B.C. 28 @ Toronto 15 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/01/recap-bc-28-toronto-15/)
Montreal 19 @ Edmonton 23
Winnipeg 43 @ Saskatchewan 40 (OT) Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/02/recap-winnipeg-43-saskatchewan-40/)
West Standings:
Edmonton (2-0)
Calgary (1-0-1)
Winnipeg (1-0)
BC (1-1)
Saskatchewan (0-2)
East Standings:
Toronto (1-1)
Montreal (1-1)
Ottawa (0-1-1)
Hamilton (0-1)
Week 3 Matchups
Thursday July 6 @ 5:30 PM
B.C. @ Montreal
B.C. is a young team (age wise) with a lot of up and coming talent, and a good mix of veteran players as well. They could be a dangerous team. If not this year, next year. Maybe.
Montreal also has some young players (age wise) with a lot of up and coming talent. However their veteran players are castoffs from other teams who decided they were to old to be of any use.
Friday July 7 @ 6:30 PM
Calgary @ Winnipeg
For the the better part of a decade Calgary has been the dominant force in the CFL. 2007 was the last time they had a losing record.
Wile Winnipeg (during that same time) have been bottom feeders. Except for 2011 & 2016 where they were able to have winning records. As far as this game is concerned I think its tough to say. Calgary doesn't look as good as they did last year, and Winnipeg looks to be about the same as they were last year.
Saturday July 8 @ 5:00 PM
Toronto @ Ottawa
My only though on this one is that I hope they both lose.
Saturday July 8 @ 8:00 PM
Hamilton @ Saskatchewan
This is what the bottom of the league looks like right now. One team will get their first win of the year, the other one will be smelling like something that should be flushed.
Bye Week: Edmonton
Cause when you start the season 2-0 you deserve it.
thanks for the write up. I caught part of the Edmonton game last week thanks for the heads up :)
No problem. I'm kinda hopping this will rekindle my interest in the CFL, as for the last few years I haven't really be paying attention to it.
Week 3 Results
B.C 23 @ Montreal 16
Calgary 29 @Winnipeg 10 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/08/recap-calgary-29-winnipeg-10-2/)
Toronto 26 @ Ottawa 25 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/09/recap-toronto-26-ottawa-25/)
Hamilton 20 @ Saskatchewan 37 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/09/recap-saskatchewan-37-hamilton-20/)
West Standings:
Calgary (2-0-1)
Edmonton (2-0)
BC (2-1)
Winnipeg (1-1)
Saskatchewan (1-2)
East Standings:
Toronto (2-1)
Montreal (1-2)
Ottawa (0-2-1)
Hamilton (0-2)
Week 4 Matchup
Thursday July 13 @6:30 PM
Toronto @ Winnipeg
Since 2013, Winnipeg is 11-25 when playing at home, and 3-6 in regular season matchups against Toronto. So this should bode well for the visiting team. However Toronto is kinda in rebuild mode this year with a new GM and coaching staff, whereas Winnipeg has had some consistency for the past couple and has shown signs of improving.
Friday July 14 @ 5:00 PM
Calgary @ Montreal
This game is going to be either really close, or Calgary is going to lay a beat down on Montreal. I'm going with the latter.
Friday July 14 @ 8:00 PM
Ottawa @ Edmonton
Ottawa was the best team in the east last season, they're also the defending Grey Cup Champions, and have yet to win a game. In their three game so far they have only lost by a combined total of 5 points. So they have had the opportunity, they have just been unable to capitalize on it. Will this week be the week?
I for one sure as hell hope not.
Saturday July 15 @ 5:30 PM
B.C. @ Hamilton
If Hamilton loses the coin toss this game could be over real fast. if they win then B.C. will beat them in the second half.
Bye Week Saskatchewan
Soundly thumping the worst team in the league gets you a time out for being a bully.
When will Ottawa get a real mascot/ name instead of that crappy red black stuff..... Was poopy doo doo head already taken?
I think they took inspiration from the NFL Browns, and Jeff Hunt (the majority owner) wanted something unique. Personally I think RedBlacks is a stupid name, but it's better the bringing back the old Rough Riders name. Which a lot of fans wanted.
Quote from: rollntider on July 12, 2017, 11:51:47 PM
Was poopy doo doo head already taken?
Yes that's the Prime Minister of Canada's name.
Lol
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-G920A using Tapatalk
Week 4 Results
Toronto 25 @ Winnipeg 33 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/14/recap-winnipeg-33-toronto-25/)
Calgary 23 @ Montreal 30 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/14/recap-calgary-23-montreal-30/)
Ottawa 21 @ Edmonton 23 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/15/recap-edmonton-23-ottawa-21/)
B.C. 41 @ Hamilton 26 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/15/recap-bc-41-hamilton-26/)
Plays of the Week (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/17/burnhams-unbelievable-catch-leads-the-way-in-week-4s-plays-of-the-week/)
West Standings:
Edmonton (3-0)
BC (3-1)
Calgary (2-1-1)
Winnipeg (2-1)
Saskatchewan (1-2)
East Standings:
Toronto (2-2)
Montreal (2-2)
Ottawa (0-3-1)
Hamilton (0-3)
Week 5 Matchup
Wednesday July 19 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Montreal @ Ottawa
This is the first of two games this week for Ottawa, and their best chance of getting a win before things start to really go bad for them. To be honest they haven't looked all that bad. A combined total of seven points is all they have lost by, making them the best looking winless team right now. Montreal on the other hand, despite beating Calgary last week, doesn't look all that great, and could be on the losing end in this contest. That is unless Ottawa finds a way to choke again.
Thursday July 20 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Edmonton @ Hamilton
3-0 vs 0-3. The best vs the worst. What more needs to be said?
I'm thinking this game could go one of two ways:
1. Hamilton decides to start playing proper football and this becomes a real close, right down to the wire game.
or
2. Hamilton forgets, again, that you need to have experienced DB's in order to be competitive, and Edmonton's pass happy offence puts up 100 points by the end of the first quarter.
Either way it should be exciting to watch.
Friday July 21 @ 8:00 PM MDT
Winnipeg @ B.C.
This game probably has the most riding on it. Standings wise that is.
So here is why:
IF Edmonton loses. Winnipeg could gain a share of first place with a win. While B.C. could become first overall with a win.
When Edmonton wins. Winnipeg could gain a share of second place with a win. While B.C could gain a share of first place with a win.
This is either going to be a real low scoring defensive game, or Winnipeg is going to get their ass handed to them, Cause after all "Bombing" is in their name.
Saturday July 22 @ 7:00 PM MDT
Saskatchewan @ Calgary
Yet another game that has some kind of meaning.
Because Calgary has a tie to their record, all they have to do is win and hope that Edmonton loses, and Calgary will be in first place.
Saskatchewan is looking for their second win of the season, and should they get it, they will be right back in the mix.
Monday July 24 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Ottawa @ Toronto
Is anybody else getting tired of watching Ottawa lose, cause I'm not. :D
Bye Week: Nobody
Cause according to league rules you must have 5 games during week 5.
They do 5 games this week in honor of my birthday. :wootup:
And Ottawa was kind enough to get their first win in honor of it. :thumbsup:
Week 5 Results:
Montreal 19 @ Ottawa 24 Hightlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/20/recap-ottawa-24-montreal-19/) :wtf2:
Edmonton 31 @ Hamilton 28 Hightlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/21/recap-edm-31-ham-28-2/) :woot:
Winnipeg 42 @ B.C. 45 Hightlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/22/recap-bc-45-winnipeg-42/) :loco:
Saskatchewan 10 @ Calgary 27 Hightlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/23/recap-calgary-27-saskatchewan-10/) :o
Ottawa 24 @ Toronto 27 Hightlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/25/recap-toronto-27-ottawa-24/) ;D
Plays of the Week (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/07/25/jake-thomas-quick-hands-leads-the-way-in-this-weeks-plays-of-the-week/)
West Standings:
Edmonton (4-0)
BC (4-1)
Calgary (3-1-1)
Winnipeg (2-2)
Saskatchewan (1-3)
East Standings:
Toronto (3-2)
Montreal (2-3)
Ottawa (1-4-1)
Hamilton (0-4)
I still have nightmares of Doug Flutie and Calvary crushing my team (Barracudas) to this day when I see that name. I still have love for the Cudas, wished it could have lasted longer.
Week 6 MatchupsThursday July 27 @ 6:30 PM MDT Montreal @ WinnipegI honestly can't think of anything to say about this game, other then I'm more then likely going to drink beer while watching it.
Friday July 28 @ 7:30 PM MDT B.C. @ EdmontonHere Kitty, Kitty, Kitty!!!!
Edmonton is going to go 5-0!!!
First place is on the line, in the second of three matchups for B.C. and Edmonton.
Saturday July 29 @ 4:30 PM MDT Toronto @ SaskatchewanBest in the East, vs Worst in the West. Not really a marque match up, but watching Saskatchewan lose is always fun.
Saturday July 29 @ 7:30 PM MDT Hamilton @ Calgary Calgary has a high power offence, mostly. Hamilton has yet to win a game, due to a lackluster defence.
This game could get ugly real fast.
Bye Week:
OttawaI think they should have had to have won both their games last week in order to get a bye. But I don't make the rules.
Quote from: rollntider on July 25, 2017, 10:04:36 PM
I still have nightmares of Doug Flutie and Calvary crushing my team (Barracudas) to this day when I see that name. I still have love for the Cudas, wished it could have lasted longer.
I kinda wish the american expansion would have been longer as well. Other then Baltimore, I don't remember the other teams being all that successful.
Birmingham had actuallly great attendance until college football started. I can remember the first few games i went too it was crowded as hell. By the time the College season started Jack Pardee heard me heckle him and he pointed at me... LOL
I only missed one home game that year. the week my daughter was born. Art Williams tried to keep the team in Bham, he petitioned the league to move all of the home games early or move the season back because he could not compete with Alabama and auburn.
Fun games....
Never understood why the league did not let Memphis and Bham play more.... that could have been a rivalry
http://www.justsportsstats.com/cflinamerica/birmres95.php
Was referring more to win/loss record then attendance.
I'm slacking off. I guess that what happens when you take a week long vacation. ;D
Week 6 Results
Montreal 40 @ Winnipeg 41
B.C. 26 @ Edmonton 37
Toronto 27 @ Saskatchewan 38
Hamilton 1 @ Calgary 60
Week 7 Results
Calgary 41 @ Toronto 24
Winnipeg 33 @ Ottawa 30
Hamilton 28 @ Edmonton 33
Saskatchewan 15 @ B.C 30
West Standings:
Edmonton (6-0)
Calgary (5-1-1)
BC (5-2)
Winnipeg (4-2)
Saskatchewan (2-4)
East Standings:
Toronto (3-4)
Montreal (2-4)
Ottawa (1-5-1)
Hamilton (0-6)
And yes to answer all questions the Eastern Division is THAT bad.
Thursday August 10 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Edmonton @ Ottawa
Friday August 11 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Toronto @ Montreal
Saturday August 12 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Winnipeg @ Hamilton
Sunday August 13 @ 6:00 PM MDT
B.C. @ Saskatchewan
Bye Week: Calgary
Early contenders for catch of the year. Duron Carter or Bryan Burnham?
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/09/done-better-duron-carter-bryan-burnham/
Honestly, while Carters is impressive I like Burnhams catch better.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/02/cfl-announces-rule-change-limit-video-review/
QuoteCoaches will be able to challenge only one play per game under changes to the video review system approved Tuesday night by the Canadian Football League, the CFL announced Wednesday.
This came into effect a week ago. I'ts very unusual for the CFL to change the rules midseason, but I guess if bandwagon fans cry and whine enough that the games are taking to long anything can happen.
Quote from: cflnut on August 09, 2017, 09:28:40 PM
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/02/cfl-announces-rule-change-limit-video-review/
QuoteCoaches will be able to challenge only one play per game under changes to the video review system approved Tuesday night by the Canadian Football League, the CFL announced Wednesday.
This came into effect a week ago. I'ts very unusual for the CFL to change the rules midseason, but I guess if bandwagon fans cry and whine enough that the games are taking to long anything can happen.
Just one ? should do one per half.
I agree one per half would be good. But then I myself had no problem with the challenge system the way it was. Sure at times it may have taken a bit longer then it needed. But as long as the right decision was made that's all that mattered. The only thing I disliked about the whole system was being able to challenge to get a penalty. Never liked all the P.I. challenges that every coach would try to get just to gain a little bit of an advantage.
Apparently the challenge system will be reevaluated during the off-season. I could almost see the league take it away and say it was a failure.
challenging PI and stuff would take forever.
Week 8 Results
Edmonton 27 @ Ottawa 20 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/11/recap-edm-27-ott-20/)
Toronto 9 @ Montreal 21 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/11/recap-montreal-21-toronto-9/)
Winnipeg 39 @ Hamilton 12 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/12/recap-winnipeg-39-hamilton-12/)
B.C. 8 @ Saskatchewan 41 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/14/recap-saskatchewan-41-bc-8/)
West Standings:
Edmonton (7-0)
Calgary (5-1-1)
Winnipeg (5-2)
BC (5-3)
Saskatchewan (3-4)
East Standings:
Montreal (3-4)
Toronto (3-5)
Ottawa (1-6-1)
Hamilton (0-7)
Week 9 Match-up
Thursday August 17 @ 6:30 PM MDT
Edmonton @ Winnipeg
Edmonton has as many wins as the entire East division combined.
Winnipeg is on a three game win streak, two of which were won on the final play of the game.
I'm thinking this game will come down to whoever has the ball last.
Game Preview (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/16/preview-edmonton-at-winnipeg-wk-9/)
Friday August 18 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Ottawa @ Hamilton
They both suck! I would not be surprised if the game ended in a 0-0 tie.
Friday August 18 @ 8:30 PM MDT
Calgary @ B.C.
B.C. better hope they win the coin toss, cause if they play the way they did last week, this game will be over shortly after it stars.
Saturday August 19 @ 2:00 PM MDT
Montreal @ Toronto
Last week Montreal manhandled Toronto. Can they do it again, or will they fall victim to overconfidence?
Bye Week:
Saskatchewan Cause it's mid August and they gotta start getting the crops in.
Link to Full Article (http://nationalpost.com/sports/football/cfl/we-dont-want-to-have-our-heads-in-the-sand-cfl-commissioner-randy-ambrosie-open-to-talking-about-changing-playoff-format/wcm/6eeb6e8b-4df9-4f0c-ae7c-3de2e3e5ac1b)
QuoteCanadian Football League commissioner Randy Ambrosie is a big fan of the East-West dynamic but says he would entertain discussions about a change to the league's playoff structure.
"I would tip my hand and say that I'm a passionate believer in East vs. West ... I think it is part of what has made the league special," Ambrosie said in a telephone interview Tuesday. "It has that uniquely Canadian identity.
"Having said that, I also know that we have to bring modern thinking to everything about our league. I'm willing to have the conversation for sure. We have to be open-minded because the world is changing around us and we don't want to have our heads in the sand."
A major imbalance in the strength of teams in the West and East this season has spurred talk of a change to the playoff format.
Currently, the top three teams in each division make the playoffs, unless the fourth-place team in one division has more points than the third-place team in the other. In that case, there is a crossover, which has occurred nine times since it was introduced in 1996, with West teams crossing to the East every time (most recently last season when the Edmonton Eskimos crossed over).
However, this year all five teams in the West have records that are as good or better than all four teams in the East. The Edmonton Eskimos alone, with seven wins, have as many victories as the four Eastern teams combined.
Going back to last season, the Ottawa Redblacks won the East and hosted the division final with an 8-9-1 record, while the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (11-7) and Eskimos (10-8) had to try to win two playoff games on the road.
In a column on Sunday, we suggested it's time for the league to look at scrapping the East-West format and going to one division, with the top-six teams making the playoffs.
"I'm happy to have that conversation with everyone and I think we should have it," Ambrosie said. "This has been, in the early days, one of the things I'm having the most fun with. I think we should have a national conversation about our game. I think the more people that engage in the conversation, the better. I think the CFL is the perfect expression of what being Canadian is all about. Where that leads us I don't know but I think those conversations make us better and I'm happy to have them."
Ambrosie, who was an offensive lineman in the CFL from 1985 to 1993, has been on the job as a commissioner for only a little more than a month, but has already shown a propensity for decisiveness and a willingness to converse, listen and change, if necessary.
It seems unlikely he'd be voting in favour of a change to the East-West structure himself, however.
"Like most who have a history with something, my history with East and West goes back to being a kid and we used to do fundraisers, selling football pool tickets," Ambrosie said.
"We went around to all our friends and neighbours and it was East vs. West and it was like that in my earliest recollection of Grey Cup games and Grey Cup parties. I was from Winnipeg and rabidly cheering for whoever was representing the West over the evil empire from the East, whoever that happened to be, and it's hard to shake the feeling that it's just a big part of being Canadian, East vs. West."
Ambrosie also likes the fact that a team like the Redblacks, despite not having a great regular season, was able to win the Grey Cup last year, beating the 15-2-1 Calgary Stampeders in an overtime thriller.
"I went 16-2 in Edmonton in 1989 and we lost to the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who were 9-9, in the Western Final, and they went on to win the Grey Cup." Ambrosie said.
"I was in Regina this weekend and I saw how proud they are of that Grey Cup. It's a reminder that regular seasons are important but playoffs matter more. Calgary last year, right? Sometimes there's just some magic in getting hot at the right time."
I've been saying that for years now. Get rid of the East/West format for the playoff's and but the best 6 teams in there.
Week 9 Results
Edmonton 26 @ Winnipeg 30
Ottawa 37 @ Hamilton 18
Calgary 21 @ B.C. 17
Montreal 6 @ Toronto 38
West Standings:
Edmonton (7-1)
Calgary (6-1-1)
Winnipeg (6-2)
BC (5-4)
Saskatchewan (3-4)
East Standings:
Toronto (4-5)
Montreal (3-5)
Ottawa (2-6-1)
Hamilton (0-8)
Thursday August 24 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Winnipeg @ Montreal
Friday August 25 @ 7:30 PM MDT
Saskatchewan @ Edmonton
Saturday August 26 @ 1:30 PM MDT
B.C. @ Ottawa
Saturday August 26 @ 7:00 PM MDT
Toronto @ Calgary
Bye Week: Hamilton
Cause when your 0-8 nobody wants to watch you play.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/24/lewis-sets-cfl-career-receptions-record/
QuoteMONTREAL — Montreal Alouettes receiver Nik Lewis became the CFL's all-time career receptions leader on Thursday night, surpassing CFL great and member of the 2017 Canadian Football Hall of Fame class Geroy Simon.
The Alouettes receiver entered the Alouettes' Week 10 matchup with Winnipeg with 1,021 catches, eight short of tying Simon for the record.
Lewis caught his record-breaking 1,030th career reception on a pass from quarterback Darian Durant during the fourth quarter of Thursday's game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at Molson Stadium.
CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie congratulated Lewis on his record-breaking achievement.
"On behalf of the CFL family, congratulations to Nik Lewis on setting the new standard when it comes to receptions in our league. Nik will go down as one of the all-time greats ever to play our game."
Over 14 seasons, Lewis has become one of the league's most prolific and unique players — both for his animated personality and his rambunctious playing style.
The 35-year-old Southern Arkansas alum — who broke into the league in 2004 with the Stampeders and spent 11 years in Calgary before moving to Montreal — has gone over 1,000 yards in a season on 10 different occasions.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/24/austin-appoints-june-jones-head-coach/
QuoteHAMILTON — Changes continue to take place in Hamilton and this one is the most significant yet.
The Tiger-Cats announced Thursday afternoon that Kent Austin has stepped down as head coach and appointed June Jones as his replacement. Austin will remain with the club as the team's Vice President of Football Operations.
"June and I have established a great relationship, and I feel comfortable and very confident with him handling the on-field product moving forward," Austin said in a statement. "This organization, its fans and partners deserve a championship calibre team and we fully expect to work together to return us to that level."
The change comes on the heels of an 0-8 start and during the team's bye week as they prepare to take on the Toronto Argonauts in the traditional Labour Day contest.
Jones joined the Tiger-Cats earlier this month as Assistant Head Coach on August 2. He has served as a head coach for over 20 years in his career, including stints in the NCAA at Southern Methodist University (2008-14) and the University of Hawaii (1999-2007), and in the National Football League with the San Diego Chargers (Interim – 1998) and Atlanta Falcons (1994-96).
In over four-and-a-half seasons as sideline boss in Hamilton, Austin finished his head coaching tenure with a record of 36-44 and led the Tabbies to two Grey Cup appearances and a trio of Eastern Final appearances.
Ferguson: Jones era brings fresh start in Hamilton
CFL.ca's Marshall Ferguson weighed in on the shakeups in Tigertown Thursday afternoon and says that the moves allow Austin to continue through with his vision over the club while allowing Jones more influence in game management, specifically in the offence.
"The departure of Kent Austin as Head Coach in favour of June Jones is a fresh start for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2017," Ferguson said. "Everything in the Tiger-Cats organization has Austin's finger prints on it and that will likely continue off the field.
"The great difference here is that on field control is solely in the possession of Jones who we still know very little about. As a result, the Ticats direction moving forward will be determined by new ideas and a fresh approach."
With Hamilton @ 0-8 this season you could see a coaching change coming. Didn't expect it this soon though.
Wow June Jones is still coaching? I thought he retired.... Dude was a big run and shoot disciple.
http://www.tsn.ca/must-see/video/cfl-must-see-bombers-als-play-a-game-of-kickball-in-final-seconds-of-regulation~1195307
Can't get the video to display here, so you'll have to follow the link. But this is Canadian Football at it's finest.
Week 10 Results
Winnipeg 34 @ Montreal 31 (OT) Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/25/recap-winnipeg-34-montreal-31-ot/)
Saskatchewan 54 @ Edmonton 31 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/26/recap-saskatchewan-54-edmonton-34/)
B.C. 24 @ Ottawa 31 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/26/recap-ottawa-31-bc-24/)
Toronto 7 @ Calgary 23 Highlights (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/27/recap-calgary-23-toronto-7/)
Plays of the Week (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/28/roosevelts-one-handed-catch-highlights-plays-of-the-week/)
West Standings:
Calgary (7-1-1)
Winnipeg (7-2)
Edmonton (7-2)
BC (5-5)
Saskatchewan (4-4)
East Standings:
Toronto (4-6)
Ottawa (3-6-1)
Montreal (3-6)
Hamilton (0-8)
Week 11 Match-ups
Labor Day Weekend. Rivalry Weekend. The start of the REAL CFL season. Doesn't matter what you call it these games can be intense, not just on the field but in the stands as well.
Thursday August 31 @ 5:30 PM MDT
Ottawa @ Montreal
Sunday September 3 @ 2:00 PM MDT
Winnipeg @ Saskatchewan
Monday September 4 @ 1:00 PM MDT
Edmonton @ Calgary
Monday September 4 @ 4:30 PM MDT
Toronto @ Hamilton
Bye Week: B.C. It's the last long weekend of the summer and every one in Vancouver is too busy suntanning and getting drunk on the beach.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/08/30/sanchez-plenty-ifs-involved-johnny-football/
QuoteHAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have said no to Johnny Manziel, for now, but that doesn't mean it's the last we've heard of the former Texas A&M superstar.
Conversely, talk of Manziel coming to Canada has only just begun as the 24-year-old will likely remain on the team's exclusive negotiation list where he's been for the last five years or so.
While Kent Austin and Eric Tillman and co. can bide their time right now, eventually they'll have to come to a decision on one of the most successful college quarterbacks ever. If you ask CFL.ca's Davis Sanchez, Manziel has the potential to become a franchise quarterback for a Canadian Football League team one day – but not without some stipulations.
"The detractors would say that we see great U.S. college quarterbacks come here all the time and not succeed, so why would this be any different?" asks Sanchez, who debated the topic with Henry Burris on The Waggle. "I argue that Johnny has a different skill set than 99 per cent of those guys... the skill set that made him the Heisman Trophy winner at six feet tall.
"Manziel is different. He has the tools to be a star in this league," he added. "He has a special skill-set with the vision, the ability to make something out of nothing, the competitor in him.
"There's a GM that's eventually going to bring him up here and if, and it's a big if, he is focused on being a football player and a good teammate, he will be a franchise QB here. I very much believe that."
That's an astronomically-sized 'if' but a very important one when it comes to Manziel's future here in Canada. While the results vary from quarterback to quarterback, one thing virtually every young American quarterback from the states has in common is that success in the CFL doesn't come instantly. Even the greatest CFL quarterbacks have had to bide their time and learn the Canadian game with a patient and humble approach.
It's unknown whether Manziel's commitment would have been part of the 'red flags' that TSN reported on Wednesday may have prevented a deal.
"The Ticats' evaluation may have come from the physical talents Johnny showed or maybe they didn't, but just as important in a workout is the time you spend talking to a guy as he stretches and warms up — his body language and the conversation you have then," said Sanchez. "A GM told me that is a huge part of it; just as important as throwing the ball and mechanics.
"A guy especially as decorated as Manziel would probably feel pretty comfortable shooting the breeze with CFL scouts and I'm certain the guys would have gotten a good sense of where his head is at, good or bad."
Perhaps Manziel's ability and conditioning, both physically and mentally, didn't measure up to what the Ticats are looking for in a franchise quarterback. Or maybe the timing just wasn't right for the team after what's been a tumultuous couple of weeks.
If it's the latter, maybe a deal happens later this season as Head Coach June Jones evaluates his options under centre in Zach Collaros and Jeremiah Masoli.
Or perhaps Manziel never becomes a Ticat at all, although that doesn't mean he won't land elsewhere. Again, it all comes down to commitment.
"There are three teams in the league right now on which Johnny Manziel would be a fit," said Sanchez. "There are a lot of variables that go into that, including contract and the structure and the fact that he may not be coming in to play until possibly next season.
"He would have to sign off on the fact he is coming in as a backup and be okay with that, at least for the remainder of this year."
For Sanchez, commitment is a two-way street. Whoever does take a chance on Manziel will also have to be patient.
"The challenge will be for Manziel to humble himself and be patient enough to sit back and learn the game," said Sanchez. "This patience also must come from the team to allow him the time to sit back and learn so he can succeed the same way many of the good ones we see now were able to do."
Week 11 Results
Ottawa 32 @ Montreal 4 :o
Winnipeg 24 @ Saskatchewan 38 :-X
Edmonton 18 @ Calgary 39 :censored: >:( :banghead:
Toronto 22 @ Hamilton 24 :wtf2:
West Standings:
Calgary (8-1-1)
Winnipeg (7-3)
Edmonton (7-3)
Saskatchewan (5-4)
BC (5-5)
East Standings:
Ottawa (4-6-1)
Toronto (4-7)
Montreal (3-7)
Hamilton (1-8)
Week 12 Match-ups
The mostly rematch weekend.
Friday September 8 @ 8:00 PM MDT
Montreal @ B.C.
Saturday September 9 @ 1:00 PM MDT
Saskatchewan @ Winnipeg
Saturday September 9 @ 4:00 PM MDT
Hamilton @ Ottawa
Saturday September 9 @ 7:00 PM MDT
Calgary @ Edmonton
Bye Week: Toronto, cause when you lose to a win less team you deserve a week suspension.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/09/13/report-alouettes-dismiss-chapdelaine-thorpe/
QuoteMONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes have parted ways with Head Coach Jacques Chapdelaine and Defensive Coordinator Noel Thorpe.
General Manager Kavis Reed will serve as the interim head coach until the end of the season, while Defensive Line Coach Greg Quick will call plays on defence. Quarterback Coach Anthony Calvillo will call offensive plays until the end of the season.
Reed said there's never a right time to make a coaching change, but the decision needed to be made.
"We deliberated on this for a number of weeks," he said. "We had a meeting yesterday and we had to make sure our decision was in complete alignment with moving the franchise forward."
Reports have also surfaced that Rich Stubler could be in the mix to join the Alouettes' revamped coaching staff. In the meantime, all that has been confirmed by the club is that more coaches will join the group in the near future.
The news was first reported by TSN Radio's Tony Marinaro.
The sudden changes represent a significant shakeup in Montreal, where the Alouettes have lost four straight contests and six of their last seven. They currently sit third in the East following a 41-18 loss to BC.
The move marks the third year in a row the Alouettes have made a mid-season coaching change. Last year, Jim Popp stepped down as head coach on Sept. 19, following a 3-9 start to the season. Chapdelaine was brought on as interim head coach at that time, eventually having the tag removed by Reed in the off-season.
In 2015, the Alouettes parted ways with Tom Higgins on Aug. 21, less than 24 hours after a road win over the BC Lions. Higgins was replaced by Popp on the Als' sideline.
Just as surprising as the head coaching change was the dismissal of Noel Thorpe. Thorpe has long been considered one of the CFL's top defensive minds — although this season, after a high volume of changes to the Alouettes' defence, that unit has ranked in the bottom-third of the league in most categories.
"Everything is relative," explained Reed, asked about the decision on Thorpe. "When we take this decision and say it's a franchise decision, we look at the foundation. What is the foundation of this football team? If it is just OK, we're not going to be able to construct the kind of team that we want.
"Just OK was not enough for us," he added. "We felt our defence was one that was always pretty good but never one that was elite. If you're in a nine-team league, we can't be relative based on the offensive production. We have to be relative based on league standards."
Reed also stated on Wednesday during a media availability that the interim tag is just that — on the interim. The GM/head coach iterated that the plan is to find a different, long-term answer behind the bench after the season.
"This is not about Deja-Vu. This is not about Kavis's desire to be back on the sidelines," said Reed. "It was clearly stated that this was an interim title. There will be another coach for the Montreal Alouettes. Moving forward, this franchise will have a new head coach, and it will not be me."
The Alouettes take on the Ottawa REDBLACK at home on Sunday. That contest will mark Reed's first as a head coach since 2013, when he coached the Eskimos.
"Our players were a bit numb, but they're true professionals," said Reed. "As we started to lay out the vision and lay out where we expect the team to be this week and focusing on this week only, they shifted into getting in preparation mode."
Kavis Reed was the HC for the Eskimos for two years and they went down hill. I would expect Montreal to do the same thing.
http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-to-announce-immediate-end-to-full-contact-practices-1.855515
QuoteThe Canadian Football League and Canadian Football League Players' Association will introduce changes to their sport later today that will improve player safety and could have ripple effects well beyond the league.
Effectively immediately, the league will no longer allow full-contact padded practices during the season, significantly reducing the number of collisions players sustain over the course of a season.
Teams are currently allowed full-contact practices during training camp, plus an additional 17 days during the season. While contact practices will still be permitted at training camp, full-contact practices during the regular season will immediately become a thing of the past.
Football at all levels has reduced and restricted the amount of collision permitted during practices in recent years as research has pointed toward a direct correlation between the number of collisions players experience and long-term brain trauma.
No league is known to have eliminated padded full-contact practices as the CFL will today.
The CFL will also extend its regular season from 20 to 21 weeks, significantly reducing the number of short turnarounds between games, such as teams having to play three games in 11 days or four in 17 days. Teams will now have three bye weeks instead of two. The number of games each team plays will remain at 18.
The CFLPA met with new CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie several times over the summer, with player safety being forefront of their discussions.
Ambrosie is the first former CFL player to be commissioner since Larry Smith in the mid-1990s.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/02/playoff-scenarios-argos-eye-east-crown-bombers-cusp-clinch/
QuoteTORONTO — The Shaw Road to the Grey Cup is underway and there is a lot up for grabs as we head into Week 16.
In the East, the focus is all on the Toronto Argonauts who have an opportunity to not only to clinch their spot in the playoffs but punch their ticket right to the Eastern Final with a win and an Ottawa loss. Should they do so, it will be the first time since 2013 that they have hosted the division championship.
With Calgary locking down a playoff spot in the West, Winnipeg can join them with a number of scenarios that could play into their favour. While still mathematically in contention for first place, the Bombers can at least secure a home playoff date this weekend before they try and track down the Stampeders.
Thanksgiving Monday features a matchup between the Eskimos and Alouettes where Montreal will be playing for their playoff lives. An Als loss, combined with an Ottawa win will put Montreal in next-year mode with three games left in their season.
Here is how the scenarios shake down for Week 16:
Toronto Win = Toronto clinch a playoff berth and a home playoff date
Toronto Win + Ottawa Loss OR Tie = Toronto clinches first place in the East Division and will host the Eastern Final
Hamilton Loss = Toronto clinch a playoff berth and a home playoff date
Montreal Loss + Ottawa Win = Montreal eliminated from playoffs
Winnipeg Win + Saskatchewan Loss + Edmonton Loss = Winnipeg clinches a playoff berth
Winnipeg Win + Saskatchewan Loss + Edmonton Loss + BC Loss = Winnipeg clinches a playoff berth and a home playoff date
Hamilton Loss + Saskatchewan Win + Edmonton Win = A West Division team will crossover and take the third playoff berth in the East Division
Who has clinched a playoff berth
Calgary Stampeders
If the playoffs started today (Oct. 2) ...
Western Semi-Final: Saskatchewan at Winnipeg
Western Final: TBD at Calgary
Eastern Semi-Final: Edmonton at Ottawa
Eastern Final: TBD at Toronto
Out of the playoffs: Hamilton, Montreal, BC
My own take on this is that Toronto is going to have their hands full with Saskatchewan this week and probably won't win. Hell they needed overtime to beat a 3 win team last week, what are they gonna to against a team that is actually good.
Hamilton is done for, plain and simple, their not making it to the playoffs. Even if they do manage to beat Winnipeg, the ti-Cats have Calgary next week and they won't win that game.
If Trevor Harris is back at QB for Ottawa then they will probably win, if the go with Ryan Lindley again then B.C. wins.
If Edmonton's play calling is as bad as it was last week, then they might as well hang 'em up and hope they can do something as the (yet again) cross over team.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/03/jones-adds-dan-morrison-ticats-coaching-staff/
QuoteHAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Tuesday that Dan Morrison has been appointed Offensive Assistant and Quarterbacks Coach of the football club.
For 16 years (1999-2014), Morrison coached at the NCAA Division 1-A level, including two stints under Jones as Associate Head Coach and Quarterbacks Coach at Southern Methodist University (2008-14), and Quarterbacks Coach at the University of Hawaii (1999-2007). Morrison most recently served as Receivers Coach for the U.S. Men's National Team in the 2015 International Federation of American Football (IFAF) World Championship in Canton, Ohio, where he helped lead the team to a 4-0 record and a gold medal finish.
During his seven seasons at Southern Methodist University, Morrison helped Jones implement the "Run and Shoot" offence which re-wrote the school's record book by setting 13 of the Mustang's 14 all-time offensive team records. His quarterbacks also performed at the highest level, including Garrett Gilbert setting five single-game passing records [total offense (635), plays (81), touchdowns responsible for (7), completions (45), and pass attempts (70)], and Kyle Padron holding the single-season passing touchdown record with 35.
Prior to his time at SMU, Morrison spent nine years at the University of Hawaii where he produced All-Conference quarterbacks in five of his nine seasons, and mentored NCAA all-time passing leader Timmy Chang and all-time touchdown pass leader Colt Brennan. In 2004, Chang made NCAA history by becoming the all-time passing leader with 17,072 career yards, and in 2007, Brennan, who finished third in the Heisman Trophy race, broke 29 NCAA records, including passing touchdowns in a season (58) and career (131). Overall, Warrior quarterbacks passed for over 40,000 yards and 350 touchdowns under Morrison's guidance, and their offence ranked in the top five nationally in passing each year.
Any news on Trent Richardson? I heard he signed with the Roughriders
Yes, and it looks like he'll be starting at RB for them.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/03/jones-trent-richardson-make-cfl-debut-vs-argos/
https://www.cfl.ca/tag/trent-richardson/
QuoteREGINA — Chris Jones has revealed that former NFL running back Trent Richardson will make his CFL debut this week.
Richardson, 27, signed with the Riders on Sept. 26. He'll play at Toronto's BMO Field on Saturday when the Riders and Argos clash in Week 16 action.
Not sure if this game will be broadcast in the States but it's on Saturday October 7 @ 2:00 PM MT/ 3:00 PM CT.
I'll find some highlights to post afterwards.
THE PLAYOFFS SCENARIOS
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/10/playoff-scenarios-stamps-argos-eye-division-crown/
West Division Scenarios
Calgary Win + Winnipeg Loss = Calgary Clinches first place in the West Division and will host the Western Final on November 19
Winnipeg Win OR Tie = Winnipeg clinches a playoff berth
Winnipeg Win + Saskatchewan Loss + Edmonton Loss = Winnipeg clinches at least second place in the West Division and will host a home playoff date.
Saskatchewan Win + BC Loss = Saskatchewan clinches playoff spot (crossover minimum)
Edmonton Win + BC Loss = Edmonton clinches playoff spot (crossover minimum)
BC Loss + Saskatchewan Win + Edmonton Win = BC eliminated from playoff contention
East Division Scenarios
Toronto Win + Ottawa Loss = Toronto clinches first place in the East Division and will host the Eastern Final on November 19
Hamilton Loss = Toronto clinches a playoff berth and will host a home playoff date
Ottawa Win + Hamilton Loss = Ottawa clinches a playoff berth and will host a home playoff date.
Crossover Scenarios
Hamilton Loss = A West Division team will crossover and take the third playoff berth in the East Division
Hamilton Win + Saskatchewan Tie or Win AND Edmonton Tie or Win = A West Division team will crossover and take the third playoff berth in the East Division
https://twitter.com/mzenitz/status/919205505431752704
If you would have asked me out of
Mark Ingram
Trent Richardson
Eddie Lacey
who would have had the best NFL career and who would end up in the CFL I would have went
Trent - NFL vet
Mark - NFL vet
Eddie - CFL
I missed the mark totally on that. Glad to see he is getting a shot.
He hasn't really been used that much though. 19 carries for 80 yards and 1 reception for 2 yards in the two games he's played. Those types of stats are normally what most RB's get in one game. When he's been on the field he's mostly been used as an extra blocker when their passing, then swished out when they call a running play.
Now don't get me wrong what I've seen from him has looked good and he could be a good RB up here, but I don't think that the Riders are giving him a fair shot.
yeah I agree
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/23/playoff-scenarios-2017-week-19/
Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 19:
West Division Scenarios
Winnipeg win OR Edmonton loss = Winnipeg clinches second place in the West and will host the Western Semi-Final on November 12
Edmonton win + Saskatchewan loss = Saskatchewan will crossover to the East Division and play either Toronto or Ottawa in the Eastern Semi-Final
East Division Scenarios
Ottawa loss OR tie = Toronto clinches first place in the East and will host the Eastern Final on November 19
Crossover Scenarios
Hamilton loss in Week 17 confirmed a West Division team will crossover and take the third playoff berth in the East Division
Who has clinched a playoff berth
Calgary Stampeders*, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa REDBLACKS, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/26/cfl-insights-duron-carter-can/
QuoteREGINA — Is there anything Duron Carter can't do?
The Riders' boisterous receiver started his first game at corner in Week 18 and after all the trash talk, he was the one getting the last laugh against Bo Levi Mitchell.
Carter's pick-six has been all over the highlights since it occurred in last Friday's 30-7 win over Calgary, but it also offers some historical significance.
The defensive touchdown marked the fourth different way Carter has scored over his four-year career, putting him in a very exclusive club.
In addition to his pick-six, Carter has also scored on multiple touchdown catches, a missed field goal return and a fumble.
The touchdown grabs have come in spades for the 26-year-old, who's consistently put up big numbers as a pass-catcher in the CFL. Carter has 3,914 yards and 25 touchdowns in his career, never failing to eclipse 909 yards and five touchdowns in any of his four seasons (three of which were spent in Montreal).
One of Carter's most impressive plays was the missed field goal return, which came from 123 yards for the Montreal Alouettes back in 2014.
Then there was the play that most highlighted his versatility. In September of 2016, Carter played punt teams vs. the Ticats and blocked a punt, returning the fumble all the way for six the other way.
There was a time when CFL players often saw time on both sides of the football, making feats like Carter's not entirely uncommon. Today, however, players seldom switch sides, let alone play both in the same season.
This stat from CFL statistician Steve Daniel illustrates the rarity of players who can score in so many ways: Of the 10,167 players who have ever suited up in a CFL game, only 43 have used four different methods to score a touchdown. That puts Carter in the 0.004 per cent.
Finally, scoring on offence and defence in the same season is impressive in its own right. That's only happened four times over the lat 20 years, with Bryon Parker, Joe Hagins and Dexter Dawson also accomplishing the feat.
I honestly think Duron Carter is an idiot, and is only playing because of his dad's fame, not because he has any real skill.
Saw where Trent scored 2 TDs and 127 yards rushing... Nice... Go ROughriders :)
https://twitter.com/i/web/status/924103499943694342
He had a really good game. It will be interesting to see what he's can do over the course of a full season.
Here's a articles about him.
https://www.riderville.com/2017/10/28/trent-richardson-makes-mark-roughriders/
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/28/richardson-emerging-key-weapon-riders/
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/10/29/playoff-scenarios-week-20/
QuoteTORONTO – The Edmonton Eskimos made sure that if the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are going to host a playoff game they will need to win out to do so.
Edmonton's Saturday night win over Calgary means that the final week of the regular season will decide how the post-season will begin.
Winnipeg can still clinch second in the West with a win next week in Calgary.
Edmonton and Saskatchewan play each other in Week 20 and although Edmonton is two points up, Saskatchewan owns the tie breaker and will finish ahead with a win and a Winnipeg win.
In the East, the Ottawa REDBLACKS have done their part by beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Friday night. Now, they need to sit back and wait to see what next week has in store for their rivals the Toronto Argonauts.
Sitting just a point up and with a bye in the final week of the season, the REDBLACKS fate is simple: An Argos win in BC next week and Ottawa finishes second; an Argos loss to BC and the REDBLACKS will host their third consecutive Eastern Final on November 19 at TD Place.
Here are the playoff scenarios for Week 20:
West Division Scenarios
Winnipeg Win OR Edmonton Loss = Winnipeg clinches second place in the division and will host the Western Semi-Final on November 12 versus Edmonton or Saskatchewan
Edmonton Win + Winnipeg Loss OR Tie = Edmonton clinches second place in the division and will host the Western Semi-Final against Winnipeg and Saskatchewan will crossover and play in the Eastern Semi-Final November 12 against Toronto or Ottawa
Saskatchewan Win = Saskatchewan clinches third place in the West Division and will play in the Western Semi-Final against Winnipeg on November 12 and Edmonton will crossover and play in the Eastern Semi-Final November 12 against Toronto or Ottawa
East Division Scenarios
Toronto win OR tie = Toronto clinches first place in the East and will host the Eastern Final on November 19; Ottawa finishes in second place and will host the Eastern Semi-Final on November 12.
Toronto loss = Ottawa clinches first place in the East and will host the Eastern Final on November 19; Toronto finishes in second place and will host the Eastern Semi-Final on November 12.
Crossover Scenarios
Hamilton loss in Week 17 confirmed a West Division team will crossover and take the third playoff berth in the East Division
Who has clinched a playoff berth
Calgary Stampeders*, Toronto Argonauts, Ottawa REDBLACKS, Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Edmonton Eskimos, Saskatchewan Roughriders
* – Denotes clinched division
If the playoffs started today (Oct. 28) ...
Western Semi-Final: Edmonton at Winnipeg
Western Final: TBD at Calgary
Eastern Semi-Final: Saskatchewan at Toronto
Eastern Final: TBD at Ottawa
Out of the playoffs: Hamilton, Montreal, BC
Everything comes down to the final week.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/05/matchups-set-105th-grey-cup-playoffs-set-begin/
QuoteTORONTO — It took until the 82nd game of the season but we now know how the Shaw Road to the Grey Cup will begin as the stage is set for pair of semi-final games now locked in.
A Winnipeg win Friday night sets up the Bombers' first home playoff date since 2011. Their opponents, the Edmonton Eskimos, earned their way into the contest after a road win in Saskatchewan Saturday night. The Riders will cross over to the East to take on the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
The Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders, meanwhile, will wait to determine their opponent in the Eastern and Western Finals on Nov. 19.
All games can be seen on TSN and RDS, as the post-season culminates with the 105th Grey Cup Championship presented by Shaw at Ottawa's TD Place on Nov. 26.
The action starts on Sunday, Nov. 12 at 1:00 p.m. ET when Ottawa hosts Saskatchewan in the Eastern Semi-Final. These two teams split their two games this season, both winning on the road in contests that were decided by one score.
A rare cross-division duel offers intrigue in the nation's capital, with Ottawa and Saskatchewan entering the post-season as two of the CFL's three hottest teams. The REDBLACKS, well-rested after their Week 20 bye, go into Sunday on a three-game winning streak, while the Riders have won eight of 12 games to double their 2016 win total at 10-8.
While Trevor Harris put his autumn struggles behind him to get the REDBLACKS in the playoffs, the second-year Ottawa pivot enters uncharted waters, making his first career post-season start. Meanwhile, Kevin Glenn and Canadian Brandon Bridge continue to share quarterback duties in Regina, making a must-watch storyline this week.
Heading west, the Eskimos travel to Winnipeg, which will see its first home playoff game at the newly-built Investors Group Field.
The Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde Eskimos have bounced between long winning and losing streaks in 2017, but the good news for Jason Maas' club is the team has won five straight games entering post-season play. The addition of C.J. Gable has injected new life into the Eskimos' offence, which is averaging more than 30 points per game over the current winning streak.
The Bombers, on the other hand, have backed into the playoffs, needing a win in their season finale to lock up a home playoff game — but they won't be intimidated. Winnipeg swept the two-game season series with Edmonton, while Matt Nichols has enjoyed a career year and Andrew Harris has set an all-time record for his involvement in the passing game.
There's a lot to like about both of these matchups, with it all kicking off on Nov. 12 in Ottawa — the same spot the eventual Grey Cup Champion will be crowned.
For wall to wall coverage on the road to the Grey Cup, CFL.ca has you covered with all the latest insight, analysis and breaking news throughout the playoffs.
Playoff time. :woot:
My opinion is that there are only three litigate contenders for the Grey Cup. Edmonton, Winnipeg & Toronto.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/19/stage-set-105th-grey-cup-presented-shaw/
QuoteTORONTO — The scene is set for the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw which will see the Toronto Argonauts take on the Calgary Stampeders at TD Place next Sunday.
The Argonauts punched their ticket Sunday afternoon with a last-minute victory at home against the Saskatchewan Roughriders, while the Stampeders are making their third appearance in four years after handling the surging Edmonton Eskimos.
This will be the fourth time the two clubs have met in the big game with the Argos holding a 2-1 advantage. The Boatmen took the 100th Grey Cup on home turf back in 2012 and also earned the memorable 1991 victory on the strength of the now infamous Rocket Ismail return touchdown. The Stamps got the first win in 1972 when they upset the favoured Joe Theissman-led Argonauts.
105GC NEED TO KNOW
The Toronto Argonauts will be making their 23rd Grey Cup appearance going 16-6 in those games. The last time they made it to the game was the 100th Grey Cup in 2012 when they beat the Calgary Stampeders 35-22.
The Calgary Stampeders are making their 16th Grey Cup appearance, going 7-8 in those games. This will be their second consecutive Grey Cup appearance. The last time they won the Grey Cup was in the 101st Grey Cup when they defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16.
Toronto and Calgary have met three times in the Grey Cup; 2012 (Toronto won 35-22), 1991 (Toronto won 36-21) and 1971 (Calgary won 14-11).
Calgary swept the season series versus Toronto winning in Week 7 41-24 and in Week 10 23-7.
This will be Dave Dickenson's second Grey Cup game (0-1) as a head coach. This will be Bo Levi Mitchell's third appearance as a starter (1-1).
This will be Marc Trestman's fourth Grey Cup game (2-1) as a head coach. This will be Ricky Ray's fifth Grey Cup game as a starter (3-1).
This will be the sixth Grey Cup Ottawa has hosted; 2004, 1988, 1967, 1940, 1939 and 1925.
Kickoff is at 6:30pm ET next Sunday, November 26th at sold out TD Place. For broadcast and streaming details, click here. (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/09/watch-2017-grey-cup-playoffs/)
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https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/24/commissioner-ambrosie-highlights-major-steps-forward-2017/
QuoteOTTAWA — The Canadian Football League is strong and looking towards an even brighter future, says Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.
"Our mission is to take our league to even greater heights," Ambrosie told those at the annual State of the League news conference Friday in Ottawa.
Five months into his tenure as the league's 14th Commissioner, Ambrosie highlighted some key metrics:
• It is expected that one in three Canadians will watch at least part of the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw on TSN and RDS this Sunday at 6 pm ET.
• Two million fans attended a CFL game this year.
• 2.4 million watch the CFL on TSN and RDS each regular season weekend.
• Playoff ratings for the divisional semifinals were up seven per cent and ratings for the divisional finals were up 15 per cent from a year ago.
• Offensive scoring is up 19 per cent and penalties are down 14 per cent since 2014.
• The league has seen $2 billion invested in recent years in new and improved venues, including the opening of the new Mosaic Stadium this year in Saskatchewan.
• fans are engaging with the league online like never before, with 20.7 million video views this year on CFL social media channels; 25 million page views on CFL.ca; 175,000 fans playing some form of CFL fantasy and 60,000 downloads of the league's CFL Football Frenzy mobile game.
Ambrosie cited several new steps forward for the league in 2017:
• The launch of its Diversity is Strength campaign, which brought a message of inclusion to the CFL's own sidelines and events with youth, including a #BringItIn Rally with hundreds of local school children here this week.
• The introduction of Mark's CFL Week, a fan- and media-friendly offseason showcase for the league's leading players and top prospects;
• The mid-season decision to improve game flow by reducing coaches' video challenges to one per team per game;
• The CFL NFL Flag Football tournament for youth that included competitions in every CFL city and culminated in a championship played here this week.
• An unprecedented agreement with the Canadian Football League Players' Association to ban full contact practices during the regular season plus an extension of the season to reduce the number of short turnarounds between games.
"The health and safety of our players is of paramount importance to us," said Ambrosie, who played in the CFL for nine seasons and was a member of the Edmonton Eskimos team that won the Grey Cup in 1993.
Addressing the issue of concussions in sport, Ambrosie described as "state of the art" the league's approach to promoting awareness among players and working to prevent, diagnose, assess and treat concussions.
He vowed to continue to work with experts in the medical and scientific communities as research evolves.
He praised the work CFL teams and players do in the community, including the Be More Than a Bystander program that combats violence against women, Purolator Tackle Hunger which supports local food banks, CP Has Heart and its efforts to promote heart health, and many more.
On the prospect of the CFL adding a tenth team, Ambrosie confirmed an "enthusiastic and credible" group has come forward with hopes of securing a franchise for Halifax. But he stressed that discussions are in the early stages and a lot of work has to be done before any decisions are made.
"I know this can feel like unfinished business for many Canadians and especially our fans," he said.
"But we must do our due diligence to ensure any expansion would make our entire league stronger over the long term."
The Calgary Stampeders will face the Toronto Argonauts Sunday in the 105th Grey Cup presented by Shaw, which will also feature a half-time performance by Shania Twain.
To be played here at TD Place Stadium at Lansdowne Park, the home of the Ottawa REDBLACKS, the Grey Cup is the biggest single day sporting event in Canada and one of the country's most watched events of any kind.
105th Grey Cup Champions are the Toronto Argonauts.
Calgary 24 @ Toronto 27 Game Recap
(https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/27/105gc-toronto-27-calgary-24/)
DeVier Posey named the Grey Cup MVP (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/26/devier-posey-named-grey-cup-mvp/)
Jerome Messam named the Most Valuable Canadian (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/26/messam-named-valuable-canadian-grey-cup/)
Toronto Argonauts receive the Grey Cup (https://www.cfl.ca/2017/11/26/gc105-toronto-argonauts-receive-the-grey-cup/)
This was definitely one of the more enjoyable Grey Cups I've watched over the past few years.
I watched a few games on ESPN this year. It was cool seeing Dunnigan on the show panel. Brought back sweet memories of that brief CFL experiment in Bham.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/12/20/als-hire-sherman-next-head-coach/
QuoteMONTREAL – A new era is set to begin in Montreal as the Alouettes announced that they have named long time NFL and NCAA coach Mike Sherman as the club's new head coach, the 23rd in franchise history.
The hire comes after the Als finished 3-15 and parted ways with former coach Jacques Chapdelaine in September and was replaced on an interim basis by general manager Kavis Reed.
"We went through a thorough selection process, but from the beginning, we knew that Mike was the man for the job. We liked his vision of the team and his expectations", said Alouettes' General Manager Kavis Reed. "He has experience as a head coach at the professional level and he will know how to motivate his players and push them to perform to their full potential."
Although a new name in CFL circles, Sherman arrives with a long resume after spending time as both a head coach and offensive coordinator in the NFL and NCAA, primarily with the Green Bay Packers and Texas A&M Aggies.
https://www.cfl.ca/2017/12/19/much-fun-man-trent-richardson-first-cfl-season/
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2749275
QuoteSigned in September by the Saskatchewan Roughriders, RB Trent Richardson is grateful to the CFL and the Saskatchewan Roughriders for his first season up North.
"I appreciate the CFL. I appreciate Saskatchewan. The whole team, man, for what they did for me, I can't never repay them back." Richardson said in a recent article by Gerald Narciso on Bleacher Report.
The article goes on to explain how in Canada the pressures associated with Richardson's draft status were gone and allowed Richardson to have a "fresh start".
"A big thing for me going to Canada was to get back on the field with a fresh start," Richardson said via Bleacher Report. "Not a lot of people around me ... just being not distracted and playing football like I usually play football."
In his first CFL season Richardson appeared in four games, totaling 259-yards on the ground to go with two touchdowns. He was especially impressive in a week 19 game where he had 20 carries for 127 yards and the two scores.
"It was almost like it was a rebirth," Richardson said.
Richardson also spoke to the passion of Rider Nation and truly recognized their passion. "That's one of the biggest things with people here—they love their team, they love their green," he said.
https://www.cfl.ca/2018/01/31/ticats-say-no-deal-imminent-johnny-manziel/
QuoteHAMILTON — It remains one of the most talked-about stories of the CFL off-season, and so far the Johnny Manziel saga has no sign of an end.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats put out a statement on Wednesday night, revealing that no deal is imminent between the team and the former Texas A&M star:
"While the discussions with Johnny Manziel and his representative have been very cordial and informative, there is nothing imminent and nothing to report. We will continue to do our due diligence and will have no further public comment on the matter as we move forward."
That's a bit of a turn from earlier this week, when Ticats head coach June Jones took to Twitter and hinted that a decision could come this week.
Wednesday's statement comes on the same day as the Jan. 31 deadline set by Manziel and his agent earlier this month.
Earlier in the day, TSN's Farhan Lalji reported that the two sides are far apart. But Manziel appeared to deny the report in a cryptic tweet.
An important date on the Ticats' off-season calendar arrives in two weeks, when free agency opens on Feb. 13 — with or without Manziel on the team.
Jeremiah Masoli is the team's projected starter going into 2018, but Manziel could challenge the incumbent should be sign.