CFL 2021 season?

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by thurmas

Great thing here by Ti-Cats owner Bob Young buying a beer for all his season ticket holders today for the labour day classic. Ti-Cats seem to do a much better job marketing and promoting their team than what MLSE doesn't do as it seems like a minor inconvenience to them owning the Argos.

While I don't disagree with your point about marketing, I honestly knew nothing about this until I just read that. My friends were not aware either. And I see another of our fellow fans was not.

We are all long-time season ticket holders who attended the game yesterday, and tend to be plugged into various forms of media used by the team and the league.

[WhipperSnapper]

MLSE's goal is to monopolize the sports service market in Toronto. Owning the Argos fulfills that desire and therein is the problem. They have more lawyers employed than football fans and the Argos is a very small part of their portfolio

Ownership is not an inconvenience to them. It's only to Argos fans.

[ScreamingViking]

Despite the loooooooong lines to enter the stadium yesterday, the Ticats did quite well putting on a good gameday. It was not that onerous getting in (I left home about a half hour later than I planned to, but was still inside almost a half hour before kickoff)

I heard lots of complaints about the concessions. But that's no different from before the pandemic. The beer lines were long, given that there were no vendors walking around, and the cashless system was problematic for a few people but everyone should have been well informed about that, as it was noted with the entry requirements for which we were repeatedly informed by email (proof of full vaccination, photo id, e-ticket)

The Snowbirds made a couple of passes low over the stadium, coming down the lakeshore from the air show in Toronto.

Still a lot of sloppy football being played, though the Cats seem to be rounding into better form. Evans can still be much sharper (many of his throws weren't well timed and lacked some zip), the running game has improved but there was way too much complexity with WRs getting handoffs instead of the RBs early in the game, and the O-line is playing way better but our tackles still need to be better (Van Zeyl very missed). I love the defence - the line was forceful, and the secondary's coverage was excellent, especially Jumal Rolle who has become a shut-down corner. The Ticats may have uncovered another offensive Swiss-Army-knife in Tim White. Clock management is still mediocre though, and the offensive play calling questionable at times.

Toronto has serious discipline issues: lots of flags after the play, and one player who was not dressed came off the sideline during the post-game melee, threw some punches, and got a scolding from Pinball. But I think the talent is there to compete. Arbuckle played well given the pressure, especially in the 3rd quarter. Bethel-Thompson gives them a solid second option, despite his passing coming late in the game (and much of his yardage on one beautiful TD pass), John White still has moves and speed and Foster is a strong runner. I'd say their D needs the most work.

Given all the anger on the field, Friday's rematch could be fun to watch.

[Coldrsx]

Oddly enough, lines were not bad at all in Calgary.

'After leading his Edmonton Elks to a 32-20 win over the Stampeders in front of 31,039 fans at McMahon Stadium on Monday'

[Hackslack]

Originally Posted by Coldrsx

Oddly enough, lines were not bad at all in Calgary.

'After leading his Edmonton Elks to a 32-20 win over the Stampeders in front of 31,039 fans at McMahon Stadium on Monday'

I was at the game yesterday too. From the picture you posted I was not far away from you also… amazing to get back out and watch football, especially with the great crowd turnout. Some really spectacular plays made yesterday too, awesome to watch.

[craner]

Originally Posted by esquire

That got me wondering so I looked... 2001 Stamps started out 1-4 but we all know how that season ended for them

In 2002 they started out 0-4 and missed the playoffs

In 2003 they started out 2-8

In 2004 under Matt Dunigan they started out 2-11 (!)

Then in 2005 they got it together again under Tom Higgins.

When I remember those years I always think back to the one year with Dunigan where they were terrible but they were a bad team for a solid 4 years... they just somehow managed to stumble their way into the Grey Cup back in 2001.

Thanks for digging up those stats.
I always considered that 2001 Stamps GC victory made up for years when I felt they were the best team in the league (incl. 1994, 2016, 2017) but didn’t win it. Unfortunately for you, the victory in 2001 came over the Khari Jones led Bombers.

[elly63]

Former Alouettes owner Robert Wetenhall has died
Bob Wetenhall Sr., the American businessman who took over the Montreal Alouettes in 1997 and transformed the club into one of the CFL's model franchises, has died.
The Canadian Press September 6 2021

Bob Wetenhall Sr., the American businessman who took over the Montreal Alouettes in 1997 and transformed the club into one of the CFL's model franchises, has died.

Both the Alouettes and CFL confirmed Wetenhall's passing, which was Friday. Neither provided details regarding the cause of death or Wetenhall's age (he was believed to be 85 or 86).

"Bob Wetenhall’s ownership of the Montreal Alouettes was a labour of love," CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement. "He loved the city, his team and the Canadian Football League and they all loved him back.

"Bob was as charming and generous in private as he was successful and determined in public. That combination meant he built deep and lasting friendships across our league at the same time he built a highly successful franchise.

"A member of the CFL Board of governors from 1997 to 2013, Bob always treated his fellow owners and team chairs with kindness and respect, and he treated players, coaches, staffers, fans and reporters as if they were fellow owners. Our league is grateful for his many contributions. The people in it are deeply saddened by news of his passing. Our thoughts are with his son Andrew, who followed his father as the Alouettes' lead governor, and Bob's entire family."

Wetenhall, a native of Milwaukee, became an investment banker after graduating from Princeton. He took over the Alouettes in 1997 after they were revoked from Michael Gelfand and declared bankruptcy.

Wetenhall also assumed the organization's debts despite not legally being obligated to do so.

Early in Wetenhall's tenure, the Alouettes were a CFL powerhouse. From 1999 to 2012, they finished atop the East Division 10 times and advanced to the Grey Cup on eight occasions, winning three.

Before owning the Alouettes, Wetenhall also served as part-owner of the Boston Patriots (AFL) and New England Patriots (NFL). In 2011, he received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from McGill University for his work with the Alouettes and expansion of Percival Molson Stadium.

Wetenhall was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

"Bob Wetenhall along with David Braley were true heroes of our league," tweeted Hamilton owner Bob Young. "Bob had a joie de vivre that brought optimism and happiness to everyone who knew him.

"I, and the CFL, just lost a great friend."

Much of Montreal's on-field success came with Anthony Calvillo as its starting quarterback. Signed as a free agent in 1998 after being released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Calvillo first served as Tracy Ham's backup in Montreal before taking over the reins two years later.

Calvillo went on to become the most prolific quarterback in CFL history, leading Montreal to a Grey Cup win in 2002, its first in 25 seasons. Two more championships followed (2009-10) and three times Calvillo was named the league's most outstanding player.

Calvillo suffered a career-ending concussion in a 24-21 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Aug. 17, 2013. When he retired in January 2014, Calvillo left as pro football's all-time passing leader (79,816 yards) and was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame three years later.

But while Calvillo was instrumental in Montreal's on-field success, team president Larry Smith was a pivotal figure behind the scenes. He oversaw the relocation of the Baltimore Stallions to Montreal as CFL commissioner in 1996 before becoming team president the following year.

Smith, a Montreal native, left to become the Montreal Gazette publisher in 2002 but returned to the Alouettes in 2004 and remained through 2010.

Smith, who also was an Alouettes running back (1972-81) wasn't afraid to roll up his sleeves as a team executive. He made over 200 appearances annually throughout Quebec promoting the Alouettes brand.

It certainly worked as during their heyday, the Alouettes recorded 105 sellouts at Molson Stadium, which has a seating capacity of about 23,500.

Montreal had consistency on its roster with such players as Calvillo, slotback Ben Cahoon, offensive lineman Scott Flory (both Canadians) and kicker Damon Duval. The lineup also featured francophone players like running backs Eric Lapointe and Bruno Heppell, receiver Eric Deslauriers and safety Etienne Boulay, to name a few.

And Jim Popp was also a fixture as the franchise's GM/football-operations director from 1996-2016.

The Alouettes were also a little lucky as in 1997 a U2 concert at Olympic Stadium forced them to look at McGill as a potential venue. Trouble was, Molson Stadium wasn't exactly in pristine condition and even had a tree growing in the stands.

However, the move to downtown Montreal into a cozier, fan-friendly venue definitely saved the franchise as the Alouettes were averaging less than 10,000 fans at the Big O.

But Montreal's last Grey Cup win during Wetenhall's ownership was in 2010. The Alouettes missed the CFL playoffs the last four year of his tenure, amassing a 21-51 overall record over that span.

On May 31, 2019, Wetenhall sold the Alouettes to the CFL. In January, 2020 the league announced Toronto businessmen Sid Spiegel and Gary Stern had purchased the franchise.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

I heard lots of complaints about the concessions. But that's no different from before the pandemic.

They were horrible before, but it was at a another level. I left my seat and was in line with 2:49 left in the 2nd quarter.

At the end of halftime, over half an hour later, I abandoned my spot in line and went back to my seat, being nowhere near the front of the line yet.
They were only using 2 out the 4 registers!
The people who were directly in front of me, returned to our section with 5:30 left in the second quarter.

Missing what is essentially a full quarter of football, PLUS halftime, is unacceptable, ESPECIALLY when there is less than full stadium capacity to serve.

Great game, great atmosphere, but the service has always sucked and yet was noticeably worse. Hopefully it's just rust, but

Given all the anger on the field, Friday's rematch could be fun to watch.

I'm heading down the QEW to catch that one live too!

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by jonny24

Great game, great atmosphere, but the service has always sucked and yet was noticeably worse. Hopefully it's just rust, but

Your experience is extremely unacceptable.

They can't seem to find competent people to run the concessions, neither whoever is managing the logistics and supply, nor the staff at the counter. When the stadium opened the team made a big deal about partnering with that American food company to handle things, how much stadium experience they had, how the offerings would be so much better than before, blah blah blah. I think I've heard that the people in the club seating got treated to decent food, but us ordinary fans just pay more for worse grub and service than we used to get at IWS. I don't know if they're still doing it.

Why not partner with a local company anyway? Denningers, for example, who used to supply the sausages and a few other things in the old stadium.

The Argos may be fan-challenged at BMO Field, but those fans have a wider selection of tastier foods. At least that's been my experience attending games there in the past.

And it looks like they've specialized the food by type now at THF -- an outlet for pizza, another for burgers and hotdogs and stuff, another for coffee, etc. I don't usually buy food at the stadium but I seem to recall it being more mixed before. Perhaps that's an attempt to streamline things and be quicker about serving.

[Hackslack]

McMahon in Calgary is brutal for concourse congestion, just like the Saddledome. I refuse to go between quarters or halftime just for the fact of fighting crowds to even get to a washroom. And you once arrived at the washroom there are massive lines. On Monday I went mid quarters and was down and back in no time. What I think the Stamps need to do is put TV screens throughout concourse and definitely in the washrooms, so fans can still watch the game.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

And it looks like they've specialized the food by type now at THF -- an outlet for pizza, another for burgers and hotdogs and stuff, another for coffee, etc. I don't usually buy food at the stadium but I seem to recall it being more mixed before. Perhaps that's an attempt to streamline things and be quicker about serving.

Just about had an aneurism at a game in 2019 when I was told I couldn't get a slice of pizza, while standing directly below a giant orange PizzaPizza sign

Originally Posted by Hackslack

What I think the Stamps need to do is put TV screens throughout concourse and definitely in the washrooms, so fans can still watch the game.

We have that on the THF concourses and it certainly helps. Not in the washrooms though. That would be cool.

[ScreamingViking]

And it's pretty sad when Pizza Pizza pizza is the best tasting food you can get.

I do love that Bench Brewing is at the stadium though. I tried their Lincoln Lager for the first time on Monday and it was really good.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by Hackslack

What I think the Stamps need to do is put TV screens throughout concourse and definitely in the washrooms, so fans can still watch the game.

Watch the game, but mind your aim.

[esquire]

I find food concessions annoyingly slow at sports events in general which is why I do my best to avoid them, although that can be difficult when I have hungry kids in tow. Beer vendors tend to move quickly so if I buy anything for myself it will usually be that.

[jonny24]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Watch the game, but mind your aim.

Bring back the pissing troughs!

Originally Posted by esquire

I find food concessions annoyingly slow at sports events in general which is why I do my best to avoid them, although that can be difficult when I have hungry kids in tow. Beer vendors tend to move quickly so if I buy anything for myself it will usually be that.

Yeah, they had standalone beer carts that looked to be going much faster (before halftime when I first got there). My problem was that I was trying to spend an ungodly amount on a burger and a chicken sandwich.

They used to have a Saltlick Smokehouse stand set up with fresh whole hog on a bun and deep fried cauliflower. Better than the rest of the food and a local restaurant to boot. I hope they come back.

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by thurmas

Great thing here by Ti-Cats owner Bob Young buying a beer for all his season ticket holders today for the labour day classic. Ti-Cats seem to do a much better job marketing and promoting their team than what MLSE doesn't do as it seems like a minor inconvenience to them owning the Argos.

A big value in the Argonauts is that they can't sink much lower. One needn't look far to see the potential. The other Ontario franchises, Ottawa and Hamilton, are culturally relevant and the atmosphere at their home games top notch. There's only upside but, for now, MLSE seems content to let the Argonauts exist with next to no support from them.

On a more positive note, they scheduled 2 home games against Hamilton which boosts ticket sales significantly. I bought 2 tickets to the game on Friday and there really wasn't much left. Another positive is QB Arbuckle. He's fun to watch, very marketable, and he knows he has to win to fill seats. He said he faced the same issue during his NCAA career. Don't win and fans would go watch some other team.

We may never see the Argonauts return to their glory days when they were a very big deal in Toronto but I'm still holding out hope that the next generation of Torontonians will discover what the current generation has discarded. Maybe they'll start valuing football (as a Canadian invention) the same way they've recently taken ownership of basketball (as a sport with Canadian roots). Perhaps its wishful thinking on my part but who knows.

Football is a Canadian sport and as Canadian as maple syrup. Unfortunately most Torontonians (and Canadians) are oblivious to that. Re-introducing our own culture to Canadians has to be part of the way forward. Sounds absurd that it's come to this but here we are.

[thurmas]

Bombers just announced banjo bowl for this weekend officially sold out!

[DavefromSt.Vital]

Originally Posted by ScreamingViking

Your experience is extremely unacceptable.

They can't seem to find competent people to run the concessions, neither whoever is managing the logistics and supply, nor the staff at the counter. When the stadium opened the team made a big deal about partnering with that American food company to handle things, how much stadium experience they had, how the offerings would be so much better than before, blah blah blah. I think I've heard that the people in the club seating got treated to decent food, but us ordinary fans just pay more for worse grub and service than we used to get at IWS. I don't know if they're still doing it.

Why not partner with a local company anyway? Denningers, for example, who used to supply the sausages and a few other things in the old stadium.

The Argos may be fan-challenged at BMO Field, but those fans have a wider selection of tastier foods. At least that's been my experience attending games there in the past.

And it looks like they've specialized the food by type now at THF -- an outlet for pizza, another for burgers and hotdogs and stuff, another for coffee, etc. I don't usually buy food at the stadium but I seem to recall it being more mixed before. Perhaps that's an attempt to streamline things and be quicker about serving.

Centerplate has replaced Levy to run the concessions at THF, however, it appears that many of the same problems remain. My favourite Levy lowlight was ordering some food and "two large Canadians". The worker brought the food fairly quickly but then looked around the area apprehensively. Finally she looked at the draught tap in front of her and said, "Oh, did you mean the beer?"

One bizarre thing, the Tiger-Cats website says that single game tickets are not available, but if you go directly to Ticketmaster there are tickets. We sat on the club level at the LDC and the food is indeed more diverse than the concourse. However, service and quantities were obvious problems. My son ordered the last piece of pizza available over half an hour before the game started and they did not expect to get any more until well into the game.

[ScreamingViking]

Originally Posted by DavefromSt.Vital

Centerplate has replaced Levy to run the concessions at THF, however, it appears that many of the same problems remain. My favourite Levy lowlight was ordering some food and "two large Canadians". The worker brought the food fairly quickly but then looked around the area apprehensively. Finally she looked at the draught tap in front of her and said, "Oh, did you mean the beer?"

One bizarre thing, the Tiger-Cats website says that single game tickets are not available, but if you go directly to Ticketmaster there are tickets. We sat on the club level at the LDC and the food is indeed more diverse than the concourse. However, service and quantities were obvious problems. My son ordered the last piece of pizza available over half an hour before the game started and they did not expect to get any more until well into the game.

Ah, thanks. The new company probably needs a "breaking in" period.

I see that Centerplate is owned by a big international conglomerate. I'm sure the food will be excellently value-engineered for taste, quality and quantity.

I wonder if those seats are sales by season-ticket holders? I transferred my ticket to the Calgary game to a friend, but the option of selling is an account feature as well.


Re: pizza, I can't recall what season it was, but the concessions ran out of it and later in the game a bunch of carts with replenishments were brought in, I would guess from the chain itself. I can just imagine Bob Young asking one of his assistants to "call Pizza Pizza and order 1,000 pies for delivery", which is probably not far off from what happened.
(it may have been the first season, 2014; I seem to remember they had kitchen issues like ovens not working right)

[TimB09]

Rematch weekend! Well, two games anyways!

A good football weekend with CFL up first and then NFL gets going full bore Sunday. What a weekend.