2019 CFL Season

[isaidso]

Originally Posted by JHikka

[*]Canadian QBs now included in Canadian ratio of players.

Only in Canada would one need to amend a rule so that a Canadian is now considered a Canadian.

[elly63]

What we know about the new CBA
3Down Staff May 15, 2019

More details about the new collective bargaining agreement between the union and the players are leaking out and it seems smart to recap what (we think) we know based on the reporting of generally reputable sources:

Three-year deal with a $50,000 increase in the salary cap each season.
Minimum salary stays the same in 2019 ($53,000) then jumps to $65,000 in 2020 and 2021.

The three-year deal times up with the expiration of the league’s TV contract with TSN.

Some form of revenue sharing on any new TV deal and CFL 2.0.
Medical coverage for up to three years for injured players.
Canadian quarterbacks will be part of the ratio.
Some protection for veteran American players, including three of the seven international starters must have played three years with their current team or four years in the CFL.

The ratio will remain the same through the duration of the CBA.
No more unpaid bonuses in the lead up to a new CBA.
The addition of an extra roster spot for an international player.
Work permits for American players will be open, allowing them to seek other employment in Canada during the off-season.

We’ll continue to update this list with information as we get it.

[Eau Claire]

Originally Posted by isaidso

Only in Canada would one need to amend a rule so that a Canadian is now considered a Canadian.

Except if this applies to all QBs then it's actually bad for Canadians. Reports are saying the ratio has stayed the same, but this effectively changes it, if it applies to all QBs and not just starters. Now teams will start dressing a Canadian as their #3, and maybe even their #2 in a pinch, and then playing an American or two in place of Canadians somewhere else. Might as well start dressing the water boy as the #3 QB, then at least he'll be doing something productive on the sidelines.

[elly63]

2019 CFL Canadian QB internship program invitees
3Down Staff May 15, 2019

The CFL unveiled the USports quarterbacks that will participate in the Canadian Quarterback Internship Program at training camps in 2019.

The Canadian quarterback internship program started in 2010 and was made mandatory for all teams by the CFL in 2012. The program allows Canada’s best young pivots to participate in practice drills as well as team and positional meetings while continuing to develop and hone their skills at the quarterback position.

Players who have taken part in the program over the years include: Michael O’Connor (2018 TOR, 2016 BC, 2015 BC), Chris Merchant (2018 HAM, 2017 CGY), Hugo Richard (2017 MTL, 2015 OTT) Noah Picton (2015 SSK) Andrew Buckley (2014 CGY) & Marshall Ferguson (2013 CGY).

Below are the quarterbacks taking part in training camps with CFL teams this year:

[esquire]

Originally Posted by Eau Claire

Except if this applies to all QBs then it's actually bad for Canadians. Reports are saying the ratio has stayed the same, but this effectively changes it, if it applies to all QBs and not just starters. Now teams will start dressing a Canadian as their #3, and maybe even their #2 in a pinch, and then playing an American or two in place of Canadians somewhere else. Might as well start dressing the water boy as the #3 QB, then at least he'll be doing something productive on the sidelines.

I've heard this criticism before, but I'm not convinced that the new arrangement will be any worse than the old one. Not counting Canadian QBs to the ratio meant that there was little incentive to add any to rosters, particularly given that Canadian QBs would generally be less refined than their American counterparts and required a little more development.

Even if the new arrangement means that a Canadian QB effectively gets parked there, at least they're on the roster and some will get on the field.

At the very least it's worth a shot.

[Eau Claire]

Originally Posted by esquire

I've heard this criticism before, but I'm not convinced that the new arrangement will be any worse than the old one. Not counting Canadian QBs to the ratio meant that there was little incentive to add any to rosters, particularly given that Canadian QBs would generally be less refined than their American counterparts and required a little more development.

Even if the new arrangement means that a Canadian QB effectively gets parked there, at least they're on the roster and some will get on the field.

At the very least it's worth a shot.

This is a good point to raise, and I'm not saying that nothing can be done to make the situation better, but I don't think this rule is the way to do it. I think the Naylor proposal, where the QB would only count if he became a starter, and then he would count as both a Canadian and one of the seven Canadian starters, combined with maybe requiring that there be a Canadian QB on the team but not necessarily on the game day roster, might be the way to go. Somewhat awkward, but I think it addresses the issues.

[esquire]

^ Something to consider for the next CBA depending on how this arrangement for QBs works out, for sure.

[VANRIDERFAN]

Every time a new QB shows up from the US, they can't seem to get over the size of the field, the waggle, and the extra player. Some of them get it and others can never seem to overcome that obstacle.

Thing is a Canadian QB who went to High School and university in Canada has played this all their life. They've thrown the wide side out, they know how to exploit the waggle, the 12 players, the extra defensive player. That should be a leg up on their American counterparts but our kids never ever get a chance! I watched the USports East West game last weekend and Adam Sinagra (UoC) has all the tools to give many of the NCAA plugs we get here a serious run for their money.

[esquire]

^ No question there is a familiarity with the Canadian game that comes with being a Canadian QB, but the level of athlete development in the US is just so high...if you are a QB that comes from a high school with money for a decent athletics program and then go on to Div I NCAA football, you will probably have access to more resources and face a more elite level of competition than most Canadians. That does put Canadian QBs at a bit of a disadvantage in training camps, I would imagine.

Just having Canadian QBs on the roster is a start, IMO. And hey, look at someone like Chris Streveler with the Bombers... rookie out of the NCAA, expected to be the number 3 guy. Whoops, Nichols gets injured and Durant outs himself as a weasel, and suddenly that number 3 is the starter. Canadian QBs need opportunities like that, and they weren't happening because they simply weren't on CFL rosters.

[elly63]

Montreal entrepreneur Vince Guzzo spotted with CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie
3Down Staff - May 16, 2019



Guzzo is the president and CEO of Cinemas Guzzo, the largest movie operator in Quebec with 10 locations. The 49-year-old is also the CEO for Groupe Guzzo, a construction company, Guzzo Hospitality and Guzzo Medical Services. He has been on the CBC show Dragon’s Den as an investor since September, 2018.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by esquire

^ No question there is a familiarity with the Canadian game that comes with being a Canadian QB, but the level of athlete development in the US is just so high...if you are a QB that comes from a high school with money for a decent athletics program and then go on to Div I NCAA football, you will probably have access to more resources and face a more elite level of competition than most Canadians. That does put Canadian QBs at a bit of a disadvantage in training camps, I would imagine.

Just having Canadian QBs on the roster is a start, IMO. And hey, look at someone like Chris Streveler with the Bombers... rookie out of the NCAA, expected to be the number 3 guy. Whoops, Nichols gets injured and Durant outs himself as a weasel, and suddenly that number 3 is the starter. Canadian QBs need opportunities like that, and they weren't happening because they simply weren't on CFL rosters.

The first thing is that a USports QB is generally not competing against an NCAA QB but usually a guy who has been in the NFL for a bit. And like basketball the level of coaching in Canada has gone way up. Guys who were involved in the CFL are becoming coaches in USports. Programs are becoming increasingly more "professional". Aside from what quality you get from sheer numbers I don't think the gulf with the NCAA is all that much as some may think. USports guys are getting NFL looks in ever increasing numbers, something which was unthinkable not even ten years ago.

I don't know if the CFL QB internship program was a PR move when it started but it has definitely attained some momentum. Anyone who might have seen Mason Nyhus kill the US in the Junior World Championships would know how far we have come. I posted that game somewhere on this forum, I think.

[elly63]

Originally Posted by VANRIDERFAN

I watched the USports East West game last weekend and Adam Sinagra (UoC) has all the tools to give many of the NCAA plugs we get here a serious run for their money.

Hec Crighton-winning QB Adam Sinagra attending Edmonton Eskimos camp
Justin Dunk 3downnation May 14, 2019

[esquire]

FWIW I agree that the gap is narrowing between USports QBs and their American QBs. In some respects the time is right for this move because you don't have to worry quite as much about backups languishing in that role the way you might have 20 years ago.

[blueandgoldguy]

uh-oh. I'm hearing things are headed south in a hurry. Some (or many?) players are saying the owners are trying to pull a fast one on them with regards to the interpretation of the American ratio...has to do with the 3-years with one team. Camp is supposed to start tomorrow apparently the players have been told to not report...strike still a possibility.

[TimB09]

^strike averted! Let’s start the season already!

[blueandgoldguy]

Originally Posted by TimB09

^strike averted! Let’s start the season already!

Great! I should have known better then to trust a shit disturber like Arash Madani who likes to take every bit of negative news about the CFL and blow it up.

[craner]

Originally Posted by blueandgoldguy

Great! I should have known better then to trust a shit disturber like Arash Madani who likes to take every bit of negative news about the CFL and blow it up.

Can't stand Trash Madani and his attitude toward the CFL - Sportsnet in general actually.

Lets play some football !

[elly63]

Originally Posted by craner

Can't stand Trash Madani and his attitude toward the CFL

Yes, it is strange that people act like that to a Canadian league, always trying to bring it down.

[elly63]

Alouettes add Canadian QB Chris Merchant
Justin Dunk - May 19, 2019

The Montreal Alouettes have signed Canadian quarterback Chris Merchant.

Merchant went unselected in the 2019 CFL draft.

As a Canadian university quarterback, Merchant was a tough leader who commanded the respect of his teammates. Montreal, Ottawa, Hamilton and Edmonton interviewed Merchant at the CFL combine and each team asked if he would consider playing other positions in the pros. Versatility does help in the CFL game as rosters are smaller than in the NFL, but Merchant deserves a long look as a quarterback.

Merchant transferred from the University of Buffalo and Western University was the destination in Canada as he became the Mustangs starter. He led Western to a perfect 12-0 season in 2017 and capped it off by beating Laval in the Vanier Cup. For his efforts, Merchant earned MVP of the national title game completing 13-of-20 passes for 276 yards and one touchdown while adding 89 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 13 carries. After leading Western back for the rematch with Laval in 2018, the Rouge et Or counter punched and won at home, but Merchant was solid in a hostile environment.

Merchant was coached hard by Greg Marshall, the former Hamilton Ticats head coach, at Western. The Calgary native has already been at two CFL training camps, Stampeders in 2017 and Ticats last year.

[elly63]

Western QB Chris Merchant to join Ticats for training camp as he strives for pro football opportunity
Justin Dunk - May 15, 2018

...

“He’s committed to getting better. He does as much as he can to improve his throwing mechanics and works hard in the weight room,” Marshall said.

“Chris has a high ceiling because he’s coachable, athletic and he wants it. If you want to play at a high level you gotta work and put the time in, Chris is doing that.”

...

After spending parts of three seasons as a bench boss for the Ticats, Marshall has a real up-close perspective on what it takes for a quarterback to succeed in the CFL. The 59-year-old football lifer absolutely believes Merchant can play at the professional level and he knows where the six-foot-three, 209-pound signal caller needs to improve.

“Velocity on the football. Chris has great touch on the ball, makes good decisions, athletic, elusive and not afraid at times to put his head down and get a first down. The biggest thing right now is arm strength. He’s gotten better, more velocity on the football. Chris is getting stronger, but that’s the one area he needs to continue to improve,” Marshall said.

Scouts can see Merchant has the physical traits and intriguing skills to potentially earn a real chance in the pro three-down game. Merchant is bigger than when personnel men last laid eyes on him and his confidence is on the rise.

“The goal has always been to play professional football,” Merchant said. “It’s definitely reachable and obtainable.”