CFL 2015 Off-Season Thread

[Drake]

Edmonton has no home games between September 23th and November 5th. 4 road games and a bye. Tough final third season for them. Toronto has two Wednesday and Monday games (the one Monday game is a holiday). Kind of a WTF to me now they don't have to share a home with the Blow Jays, guess it's better than last yr when they had 5 of there final 6 at *home*.

Aaron Grymes has signed with Philadelphia. Tristan Okpalaugo agent tweeted he visited Seattle, who want him, and is headed to Arizona next.

[tvp2003]

Not a fan of all the 8:00 PM games on the schedule. Makes it pretty difficult to take kids...

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Drake

Toronto has two Wednesday and Monday games (the one Monday game is a holiday). Kind of a WTF to me now they don't have to share a home with the Blow Jays, guess it's better than last yr when they had 5 of there final 6 at *home*.

They're now sharing BMO Field with the soccer team, who have first priority on dates at the stadium.

Now that they're playing on a natural grass (or grass/turf hybrid) field, it takes longer to make the change from one to the other to make sure it's suitable for a soccer game after a football game.

Their non-holiday Monday game is 5 days before a TFC home game (which is the shortest turn-around from a football to soccer game this season at BMO).

Here's a post about it from a TFC blog: http://www.wakingthered.com/2016/2/1...-field-cfl-mls

[Drake]

]A CFL player speaks out: the league is taking advantage of us


Editor’s note: Recently, a current CFL player reached out to 3DownNaton with concerns over what he believes are economic inequalities between the league and its players. Out of concern for his job security, he has requested to remain anonymous.

By A CFL Player

The Montreal Alouette’s decision to release Henoc Muamba right before he was due a significant roster bonus is just the latest example of how badly the players in this league are treated by the teams, the league and, to a lesser extent, our own union.

I should know: I’m a current CFL player who has experienced this inequality first-hand. I’m not using my name because it’s possible that speaking out could impact my playing career. But something needs to be said.

The CFL free agency period began just over a week ago and there was plenty of news regarding the “big money” deals signed by a number of players. So-and-so got this much, so-and-so got that much. The numbers sound significant, certainly. But there is no such thing as true contract value in the CFL.

Anybody who has seen a CFL contract knows what I’m talking about. Gone are the days of signing bonus and salary. Instead, there are now many conditions attached to a player earning the full value of their deal. Play time bonuses are contingent on dressing every game. Ratio casualties and injuries? Meet significant loss of earnings. A week down to the practice roster? Enter a paycheck less than one-fifth it would have been at a league minimum salary. Even some signing bonuses are now being replaced with signing advances, which the player must relinquish in the event they’re cut by a certain date. Contracts in the CFL are not concrete; they are fluid by nature and deal largely in small amounts by professional sporting standards.

And, as the Muamba situation so perfectly illustrated, the contracts aren’t guaranteed and a player can be released at virtually any time (though there are some late-season protections for veteran players.) Muamba was reportedly set to make $235,000 this season but that money, along with his roster bonus, just went poof. Sure, another team will probably sign him but until then, he gets to live with uncertainty. And if he gets hurt while working out? Tough luck for him.

While some players certainly do well in free agency, the reality is that their paycheques often come at the expense of other players. For every Muamba, there must be two or three players making at or near the league minimum ($52,000 in 2016.) It’s not just players on their first contracts either. Veteran Americans are often forced to take less because teams feel they can be replaced by rookie players desperate for a chance.

Those contracts, by the way, are paid in Canadian funds so an American player making the minimum last season (assuming he played in every game) made around $36,000 USD after the exchange rate is factored in. And that’s also before taxes (which we pay in Canada) and living expenses (often maintaining two residences) are factored in. Unsurprisingly, many players are looking for part-time work this off-season.

In the CFL, there is just one regulated expense: the salary cap. Players understand why the cap is necessary but at the same time find it frustrating to have their earning potential limited while teams spend freely in other areas. Take coaching salaries. A player sees a coach get fired in the first year of their guaranteed contract, knowing he’ll be paid the full amount. The Riders reportedly sent 20 scouts down to the Senior Bowl to run a clinic. This shows there is more to be had.

While most teams don’t release full financial statements (more on that in a second) it’s not hard to see that the league is getting a good deal. TSN pays the league a reported $40 million a season for the TV rights which means that, if divided evenly between nine franchises, CFL teams have more than 80 per cent of the salary cap covered before they sell a single ticket or jersey.

How much do CFL teams make? That’s hard to say because the majority of franchises are privately owned and don’t have to make that information available. Courtesy of#the community-owned teams, however, we know the Bombers made $3.9 million on 2014, the Eskimos $3.5 million and the Riders $2.2 million (after making $10.4 million in 2013.) We also know that CFL owners refuse to implement the one thing that would help provide economic stability – even prosperity – for every franchise: revenue sharing.

In the NFL, all 32 teams share in the revenue that comes from national TV, gate receipts and merchandise sales. It’s what allowed the league to survive and, eventually, thrive in small markets like Green Bay. And it’s allowed the players to get their fair share: the NFL collective bargaining agreement gives the players a percentage of total league revenue, as well as some local revenue not shared by the clubs as well.

Without revenue sharing or a salary cap tied to league revenues – the CFL owners won’t disclose their financials to the CFL Player’s Association – it will be impossible for players to be fairly compensated. Instead, the CBA and the cap will always be structured so the weakest franchises have a hope of making money and players will bear the brunt of that.

We as players are partly to blame. Our union has traditionally lacked the solidarity necessary to make real change – unsurprising when you desperately need a paycheque or all you want is a chance to make it to the NFL. The ratio rules place a premium on Canadian talent which is why you have a national defensive tackle making $200,000-plus while a veteran international wide receiver makes $55,000. The union is largely controlled by Canadian players as American players have traditionally been unwilling or unable to get involved.

Yes, I get it: this is the business we signed up for and we are getting paid to play a game. But the physical risks, both short and long-term, are significant and careers are usually brief. More importantly, fairness is one of the defining principles of sport and while the CFL playing field might be wider and longer, there’s one thing it isn’t: level.

[Da_Chief]

I get what this unnamed player is saying but if Canadian restrictions weren't put into place then there won't be many Canadians in the CANADIAN football league.

Contracts aren't guaranteed in NFL either, the minimum, base, bonuses are much bigger. That's the difference. You hear about players being cut in the NFL before they were due guaranteed money. It happens.

The Canadian $ has taken a hit in the last 1.5 years, before that it was par and for awhile higher then US dollar in the 2000s. So when it gets back up or even higher then $US I hope this player says something about that.

Revenue sharing? NFL has revenue sharing cuz of it's HUGE TV contract but does Green Bay need revenue sharing? Nope.
http://espn.go.com/nfl/story/_/id/13...evenue-sharing

Packers made nearly $150 million in local revenue in 2014-2015 season. The huge TV contract which is shared by all NFL teams (like the CFL) is the biggest money maker.

NFL is a well-oiled machine. Teams can be brutal but people will show up.

http://espn.go.com/nfl/attendance/_/sort/homePct

Half the league averages 97% or higher tickets sold. 29 of the 32 teams are 90% or higher.

Why should Sask have to share their revenue with Toronto? Just cause one is making more money so it should give some to the poorly attended team?

No CFL cap numbers are released but who wants to bet against all teams spending to the cap? I wouldn't.

I think the players issue is non-guaranteed contracts and vets making minimum. The non-guaranteed contracts are not going anywhere in football. Maaaaybe the CFL budges on it down the road but no way the NFL will ever change.

Him saying nationals making 200k while a veteran makes 55K is no different then NHL 1st liner making 8 mill while 4th line veteran is making league minimum. In due time the 4th liner will get replaces by a younger/even more cheaper guy.

Thats sports reality, the issue of Americans traditionally staying away from PA is something only American players can solve.

It's sports, playing field is never level. Some teams have more money, some have better players, some have better coaches, some just have better luck.

[Da_Chief]

Also we interviewed Fran Beltre and Nik Lewis (sound issues but if you can get by that issue there were some good stories) recently. Nik says Henry Burris wasn't the leader, Jermaine Copeland was

http://ostalk.podbean.com/

[Drake]

IMO guy has been awful since Trestman left.
@FarhanLaljiTSN:
SJ Green & Chip Cox are among the##Alouetteswho have restructured their contracts to help the team get under the cap.#CFL

@DidierRDS:
Bear Woods has also restructured his deal. The Alouettes are in salary cap hell.#https://twitter.com/farhanlaljitsn/s...95640162349056

‎@DidierRDS:
As of last week, the Alouettes were close ton700k over the salary cap.#CFL

@RickMoffat:
#CFL source suggests @qterback5 also under "Salary Pressure" with #Alouettes shedding cap hits. https://t.co/zEbSwq8mPK

[Drake]

‎@scratchingpost:
#CFL#&#CFLPA#announce changes to doping rules for players at the combine: a positive test means draft eligibility delayed a year.

@jamienye:
Any one with a positive doping test in CIS, CDN Junior, NCAA, NFL can't be drafted or sign in#CFL#for 1-yearhttp://www.cfl.ca/2016/02/25/cfl-makes-changes-to-draft-eligibility-rules/#…

‎@ArashMadani:
The#CFL#references its "drug policy" in a new, overdue, program for draft-eligible kids... But for vets, there's no drug testing system yet

[MissTeeks]

Stamps release Matt Walter:

http://www.stampeders.com/2016/02/26/walter-released/

Calgary Stampeders general manager John Hufnagel announces that the team has released national running back Matt Walter.

“I thank Matt for all of his contributions to the club over the past four seasons and wish him the best of luck,” said Hufnagel. “Although we did recently re-sign Jerome Messam, we have increased roster flexibility heading into the 2016 season and it’s no longer necessary for us to start a national at running back and to have a national backup.”

[troutman]

Chris Getzlaf has signed with the Edmonton Eskimo Football Club.

[OzSome]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

Stamps release Matt Walter:

http://www.stampeders.com/2016/02/26/walter-released/

I am not surprised at all. Walter was given a chance so many times and I think he was only good in one game. I am sure some of the RB that they drafted last draft are ready to play in the CFL or maybe they are planning on drafting Timmins from U of C.

[Drake]

Kyle Taman is that you?

@RickMoffat:
Hearing at least 1 other #CFL team has "restructured" many more players than #Alouettes. https://t.co/BUIF9OhVaW

[Otto-matic]

Not surprised Walter was released, interesting to look at the new Stamps soon!

[dirk diggler]

who is going to catch the ball with Fuller and especially Rogers gone?

[Da_Chief]

Marquay MacDaniel, Greg Wilson, Lamar Durant, Kamar Jorden, Bakari Grant, Simon Charbonneau-Campeau.

Seems like a lot of "who" but Fuller and Rogers were unknowns just 2 seasons ago.

MacDaniel is proven
Wilson had a great camp last year but didn't much opportunity during the season, watch out for him
Grant is proven from Hamilton, decent option
Jorden has been learning the system for last couple years, he's got a good shot
Durant highly touted Canadian, will step up
SCC is areliable receiver, if healthy I can see 500 yards, 4 TDs from him

[dash_pinched]

Just to add to Da_Chief's post above, Rogers obviously will be the biggest loss to the Stamps receiving corps, I like Jeff Fuller, but he continually battled injuries throughout his tenure with the Stamps and last season also had trouble holding onto the pigskin (few too many dropsies for my liking). Messam also is a target out of the backfield (swing passes or screen passes, something I hope DD adds to the offensive package this season).

[Drake]

‎@BCLions:

BREAKING:#@GM_Brillo#signs contract extension to 2018.#BCLions#@CFL#

Details -->#http://ow.ly/YZjVI#

[Drake]

@garylawless:
rules committee meets next week,#@cflis looking at some video review enhancements. league wants to add a video official at command central

video official would be a former or current#@cflref and goal is to fix obvious errors in the moment that are NOT challengeable by replay

if there is movement on line of scrimmage and multiple flags are thrown, one official says it's offside other says its illegal procedure (1

some @cfl additional challenges being looked at for next year: no yards, unnecessary roughness and offensive pass interference

[TheAlpineOracle]

Is Joe West still on the Stamps?

[Drake]

http://www.riderville.com/2016/03/07...nveil-article/