CFL Thread

[Barrister]

The National Anthem wasn't even bilingual.

You're really outing yourself for not watching the game.  "Oh Canada" was definitely bilingual.  The field had big "LCF" markings on it.

I did say multiple times I could not watch the game.  I know I missed a good game, I really wanted to, but it was impossible for me.

I mixed up a few things, but read the text I posted for clarifications.

OK understood.  You did miss a good game (other than the winner).

I can understand the enthusiasm of the player upon having just won the Grey Cup , it's just logically the whole "they disrespected the French language" just doesn't hold up.

But I mean "us against the world" is a common motivation in sports - it's just I don't think the world was against the Montreal Alouettes.

[Grey Fox]

For the Als, it doesn't matter if it was true or justified. Like you said BB, it's a common motivation and Maas really lean into it this year & MAD bought it.

[Barrister]

I don't know if anyone else will care, but Edmonton Elks announce a "review" of their ownership structure.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/struggling-edmonton-elks-to-review-ownership-structure-amid-mounting-losses-1.7037987

Elks have been community owned since their founding in 1949.  There are only two other community-owned teams in the league: Saskatchewan and Winnipeg.  (incidentally, those three seem to have the biggest crowd of supporters).

Elks though have been hit by a double-whammy over the last 4 years of Covid-19 (2020 season was cancelled) plus they've been historically bad over this stretch.  They had a a 3+ year home losing streak from 2019 until this past summer where they couldn't win a game at home (note of course no games in 2020).

So now they're saying that although they can finance themselves for 2024, they're afraid they can't play past that without additional funds.

[viper37]

So now they're saying that although they can finance themselves for 2024, they're afraid they can't play past that without additional funds.

Oh, that's sad news.

I hope they find a solution to their financing problem.  They seem to have a prospective owner, so it might be good.

[Barrister]

Personally I hope they hold a telethon, ala the Sask Roughriders.

But seriously - there must be ways to re-capitalize the team and keep it in community hands.  Maybe do a share sale (like the Packers, or again like the 'Riders)?

[Barrister]

What's this - exciting CFL off-season news?

Yes it's exciting CFL off-season news.

Chris Streveler has signed a contract with the Blue Bombers.

https://www.cfl.ca/2024/01/31/bombers-bring-back-chris-streveler-on-one-year-contract/

Streveler was a big part of the team's 2019 Grey Cup win, but then went down to the NFL were he started a handful of games but never really secured a starting job.

Mostly though he'll always be famous for how he celebrated that 2019 Grey Cup win.

[Barrister]

Yup - I'm bumping the CFL thread.

Edmonton Elks fire GM/head coach Chris Jones.

Jones was head coach for the Elks 2013-2015, culminating in winning the Grey Cup for the Elks in 2015.  After that though he took the job of GM/head coach for Saskatchewan (rival to Edmonton, and a move that was not well accepted back then coming right after a Grey Cup win, even though it was a promotion).

Jones Stayed with Saskatchewan 3 years, then moved to the NFL briefly (Cleveland), went to be head coach for his high school in Tennessee for one game before coming back to the CFL (Toronto), before being hired back as GM/head coach for Edmonton in 2021.

Jones went 8-33 during his second tenure with the Elks, including going 0-5 to start this season.

The only surprising thing is that the Elks are apparently being sold, going from community ownership to private ownership.  An announcement could come any day, although nothing is said to be imminent.  It was widely thought that it would be up to new ownership to decide what to do with Jones.  There's also a coaching/GM "salary cap" of some sort, so firing Jones will impact the Elks going forward.

https://www.sportsnet.ca/cfl/article/redblacks-use-late-rally-to-slip-past-winless-elks/

(let's see if I can get a Neil response to this)

[Barrister]

Last night was the Grey Cup game.  Toronto Argonauts vs Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

I was excited it it was Winnipeg's fifth straight Grey Cup appearance.  Unfortunately after winning the first two, they lost the next two - and now three losses in a row, as the Argos romp to a 41-24 win (and even that was aided by a last minute Bombers TD that changed nothing).

It's not quite a 90s-Buffalo-Bills level of futility (the BB did win two games) but it still hurts to lose in the big game 3 times in a row.

[crazy canuck]

On the bright side, there were a lot of excited Toronto fans flooding the downtown area before and after the game.  Something I did not think I would see.  Getting excited fans from the prairie provinces is expected.  So maybe the game is gaining popularity in the Big Smoke?

[Josephus]

On the bright side, there were a lot of excited Toronto fans flooding the downtown area before and after the game.  Something I did not think I would see.  Getting excited fans from the prairie provinces is expected.  So maybe the game is gaining popularity in the Big Smoke?

nah, just lots of people hanging around for Taylor Swift

[crazy canuck]