Why does the CFL suck so bad?

[simmer2]

I think one of the things that separates College, NFL, and CFL is the atmosphere. Personally, I enjoy going to Stamps games, It's a great way to spend an evening. It seems people are there to enjoy a cold one, chat with friends, and enjoy the nice weather (until October hits). The game is almost an excuse for everyone to get together for a reasonable price and watch something fairly entertaining.

I've also been to an Indianapolis Colts game and man is it completely different. I wouldn't say the game was any more or less exciting, but just the atmosphere of the dome made the entire thing an absolute blast. You don't go to the games to casually have a beer, you go there to cheer on your team loud and hard.

This is what I've heard it's like at huge College games as well, the fans get unbelievably pumped. I was in Ohio when Ohio was playing Michigan and a week before the game they start getting pumped. If you owned a blue shirt you could go trade it in for a red Ohio shirt. The stadium they were playing at held 110,000 or something ridiculous like that. I didn't get to go, but I can imagine 55,000 cheering for each team to be quite a spectacle.

As far as talent goes, it's a different style game so you will attract different players. Obviously, the CFL can't attract the very best and won't. But, because we have a faster game, we have smaller linebackers and linemen who would never have succeeded in the NFL. They are likely just as skilled as the NFLer's, just not as physically dominating.

I have seasons tickets this year and it's also nice to be able to spend a mere $180 for 10 games. I have a great time at the games and that's all that matters to me.

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

The rouge settles way more games than it should. Instead you are penalizing the defensive team for a great defensive series.

I guess I would substitute "plays a factor in" as opposed to "settles" in that statement; which to me is a good thing. We all seem to agree that in either league, football is as much about strategy as it is athletics; right? Well, in the CFL, with the "substandard athletes"; you now add an extra element of strategy.

There are so many times in a game when the single point comes into play- receiving team is up by 4- do you give up the single for field position knowing that now a field goal will tie it? Or when the receiving team is down by 7 late in the game- if you give up the single you have a better chance at getting a TD; but now you'd need a 2 point convert to tie.

Yes, it does suck when a tie game is decided by a single point with no time left on the clock. But for that one piece of suckiness, there are 15 good things about it. It all comes down to the fact that in the CFL there is no good time to leave the game early. As an example, Saturday I was watching the Stamps game. I had other things to do, but couldn't help but watch as Toronto started to come to life a bit. In the NFL I would have shut off the game 1/2 way through the 3rd quarter.

I would classify myself as more of a fan of the NFL game than CFL; but there are still things that I like about the CFL; and being a football fan I watch it. Heck, I even watch AFL if there's a game on. But for me; to dismiss an entire league based on a play that happens maybe once per season (that is the rouge deciding a game) smacks of somebody not fully understanding the nuances of the game.

[Aeneas]

Wow, hadn't been to this thread in a long time. Seems to be so much vitriol directed at those that like the CFL from those who dislike it. Saying that if you are a CFL fan you likely don't know much about football. Are CFL fans as a group ignorant, or is that comment? From the first post it has just gone round and round, as if either side will sway the other.

Since I don't know much about football: how long has the rouge been in the CFL? Secondly, how long has the NFL been around?

Just curious.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

I used to like all three, until about 5 or 6 years ago at the labour day game the Stamps fans went out of their way to ensure that their own team would lose and didn't even know it.

Calgary was first and goal at the one, and everyone was standing making as much noise as they could, the players were waving their hands down to say be quiet and everyone thought it meant make more noise.

The Edmonton fans in the area just laughed. And predicably everyone on both sides knew that Cgy couldn't audible, So the esks clogged the middle and Calgary couldn't punch it in. That was embarassing, and I gave up on the CFL as rinky dink from that point on.

I allmost wet my pants reading this.

I'm a huge NFL fan. I don't watch the CFL at all. But I don't argue about which is better. I know what I like. If somebody likes something differant than me that is fine. But I will share what I like about he NFL.

Atmosphere. Like a few people have stated. The atmosphere at an NFL stadium is unreal. I have been to Arrowhead 5 times. After the game I am completely drained, physically and mentally exhausted.

Even when you watch on tv. When the home team is on defense at a pivotal point in the game. The home crowd is extremely loud. How can you not feel that energy?

Scheduling. The NFL is relatively easy to follow. Games start at 11am (mountian) and 2pm. With the Sunday night game at 6:15pm. Then on Monday the game is at 6:30pm. After college football is over the NFL will have a couple Thursday night games and Saturday games. But you allways know when the games start.

Fan friendly. If your an NFL fan. You can get all the info you could ever ask for from the NFL. NFL films does an amazing job of covering the league. They have a tv channel that is on 24/7. A radio channel that is on 24/7. If you want to eat, sleep, and drink, the NFL. You can.

Defense. I know some people find defense boring. But sin't it exciting to see a QB get sacked (unless its the QB of your favorite team)? Or to see a huge hit that absolutely destroys an offensive player? Forced fumbles, interceptions, 3 and outs. That is what makes football exciting to me. Scoring is exciting too. But to me the most exciting play in football is a forced fumble and recovery.

I could go on and on. But that is just my 2 cents.

[RedHot25]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

I allmost wet my pants reading this.

I'm a huge NFL fan. I don't watch the CFL at all. But I don't argue about which is better. I know what I like. If somebody likes something differant than me that is fine.

Well said, and I agree - although I like watching the CFL. You are on your own, though, in wetting your pants .

[Scrambler]

For me, the CFL and NFL are two completely different games. Different strategies entirely. CFL game is more air, NFL is more ground and clock management, etc. I enjoy both and just appreciate the fact that with the two leagues I get to watch football from June to February.

[troutman]

Originally Posted by burn_baby_burn

Atmosphere. Like a few people have stated. The atmosphere at an NFL stadium is unreal. I have been to Arrowhead 5 times. After the game I am completely drained, physically and mentally exhausted.

I think we can seperate the atmosphere from the game itself. Just because the atmosphere is electric does not mean the game on the field is more or less interesting.

[burn_baby_burn]

Originally Posted by troutman

I think we can seperate the atmosphere from the game itself. Just because the atmosphere is electric does not mean the game on the field is more or less interesting.

I disagree. If the game is a snore fest. The crowd will not be into it and they will sit on their hands. If the game is exciting. The crowd will be really loud and really add to the atmosphere of the stadium.

[Flames in 07]

Wow, that in a nutshell is why the CFL is bad.

Damon throws a clean pick and the ref blows it down because it goes over the WR's head.

Rinky Dink.

Edit: and then they make up a P.I. call to justify the whistle. yikes. ... and then on the next play they call another phantom P.I. ... on a ball that was over thrown by 15 yards?!?!?. Wow. How can they expect anyone to take this garbage seriously.

[flamingpoo]

To compare the CFL with the NFL would be stupid

Of course they'll have the better atheltes...top player in the CFL is making what? 300,000cdn? while the NFL is what like 7 mil +

You defintely have to give some credit for these CFL players...there not making much more then the average Joe, and they all have full time jobs to go to after a long hard season

These guys are average if BEST compared to NFL'ers, but these guys are just happy to be playing pro football. Its not often you hear these players holding out for money or geting in trouble with the law.

[keratosis]

I happen to love the CFL most times. To me the game is more fluid
and fast paced.

[HOOT]

Just watching the highlights on TSN and noticed they stopped the game so Stegal could thank god, his wife and the CFL fans?

Does or Has any other sport stopped a game so a player can talk about their record breaking event?

To me that just seem very weird...its about the game not just one guys accomplishment isn't it?

[ken0042]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Does or Has any other sport stopped a game so a player can talk about their record breaking event?

This isn't the first time I've seen it; both in the NFL and the CFL. It is pretty rare, but so is breaking this type of record.

[moon]

Originally Posted by HOOT

Just watching the highlights on TSN and noticed they stopped the game so Stegal could thank god, his wife and the CFL fans?

Does or Has any other sport stopped a game so a player can talk about their record breaking event?

To me that just seem very weird...its about the game not just one guys accomplishment isn't it?

They stopped the game and had a similar type event when Emmitt Smith broke the rushing record in the NFL.

[worth]

They did it for Damon Allen last year. It would look pretty silly if they didn't stop the game and recgonize this great achievement from this great athlete.

[Sainters7]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

you probably did, its a regular occurance ... see my post in page 2.

That's the other thing that people don't raise, CFL fans as a group really don't know much about football. It's like they are hockey fans looking for something to do in the summer. Football is my #1 sport by a mile and have been around it, in some way for 15 years, and I absolutely can't stand being in the stands. Probably like going to a hockey game in Carolina, so long as the fans in Carolina think they know what the heck they are watching.

Hahaha yeah I just went back to page 2 to read it, my God how embarassing! If I was at that game I wouldve started yelling at my section after the drive ended. I can totally picture it too. I completely agree with what you said here in the bolded part, they cheer like they're at a hockey game, they dont know when to be loud and when to be quiet. Regina seems to have it down pat, its the only stadium in the CFL that seems to understand this. The funniest(also see: worst) is when you watch a game on TV, you can hear a few hundred fans start to get real loud when the opposing team has the ball, desperately urging the rest to do the same. But the vast majority of the crowd doesnt seem to understand at all, and do not join in.

I've follwed the league since I was a kid, so I still enjoy it. But its nowhere near my love for the NFL now(frankly I dont even think the NHL is either), and poor atmosphere is a big part of the reason why. I attended my first regular season NFL game in 2005 and it was electric in the stadium, I loved it.

[worth]

don't lump us all in the same group please. there are plenty of cfl fans that "understand" the game and when to be loud and when not to be, even in calgary.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Sainters7

Hahaha yeah I just went back to page 2 to read it, my God how embarassing! If I was at that game I wouldve started yelling at my section after the drive ended. I can totally picture it too. I completely agree with what you said here in the bolded part, they cheer like they're at a hockey game, they dont know when to be loud and when to be quiet. Regina seems to have it down pat, its the only stadium in the CFL that seems to understand this. The funniest(also see: worst) is when you watch a game on TV, you can hear a few hundred fans start to get real loud when the opposing team has the ball, desperately urging the rest to do the same. But the vast majority of the crowd doesnt seem to understand at all, and do not join in.

I've follwed the league since I was a kid, so I still enjoy it. But its nowhere near my love for the NFL now(frankly I dont even think the NHL is either), and poor atmosphere is a big part of the reason why. I attended my first regular season NFL game in 2005 and it was electric in the stadium, I loved it.

Even my wife was telling people shut up!!!! It was really amazing the fans lost it for their own team.

yea Regina is a little better but the crowds aren't really big enough to make much of a difference. Some of the most fun at a NFL game is when the away team is backed up then the QB gets it from three sides, and the oline jumps or they have to call timeout. Fans can't really be a factor in other sports like they can in NFL ball.

And I have to say Edmonton ok, not great though.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by worth

don't lump us all in the same group please. there are plenty of cfl fans that "understand" the game and when to be loud and when not to be, even in calgary.

Not enought to quiet the crowd who insisted upon losing the game for their own team.

[lifer]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Even my wife was telling people shut up!!!! It was really amazing the fans lost it for their own team.

yea Regina is a little better but the crowds aren't really big enough to make much of a difference. Some of the most fun at a NFL game is when the away team is backed up then the QB gets it from three sides, and the oline jumps or they have to call timeout. Fans can't really be a factor in other sports like they can in NFL ball.

And I have to say Edmonton ok, not great though.

Isn't that an indictment of the American game more than anything else? I mean, shouldn't it be considerably more fun to watch great plays and big hits?