2011 CFL thread

[Flickered Flame]

My take on the refs. They are by far the worst refs in all of professional sports. Everyone knows but they refuse to make any necessary changes. Because of the lack of consistency or terrible calls it makes this brand of football very difficult to watch and take seriously. Yes, every ref in any sport will and has made bad calls but those are typically once a game or every couple of games, in the CFL there tends to be multiple poor calls per game and that has a direct impact on the result most of the time. In addition, it seems that there are a couple of teams that seem to get more breaks or better calls than the rest of the teams and that can frustrate fans.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Flickered Flame

My take on the refs. They are by far the worst refs in all of professional sports. Everyone knows but they refuse to make any necessary changes. Because of the lack of consistency or terrible calls it makes this brand of football very difficult to watch and take seriously. Yes, every ref in any sport will and has made bad calls but those are typically once a game or every couple of games, in the CFL there tends to be multiple poor calls per game and that has a direct impact on the result most of the time. In addition, it seems that there are a couple of teams that seem to get more breaks or better calls than the rest of the teams and that can frustrate fans.

My beef is how many close games are determined by bad calls against one team. That ruins my enjoyment when I see one team clearly jobbed. I get frustrated as heck when the Stampeders continue to rack up PI calls (some warrented but many not) and teams like the Riders can mug opposing receivers and get away with it. I always like to look at the fan qoutes under the TSN story and lots were just like me talking about the mugging in the end zone of an Als receiver that wasn't called. If that was a Stamps DB there would have been flags all over the field but we know the CFL needs the Riders to get into the big game to generate money and interest but fans are getting tired of the bias as attendance is down everywhere this year and fans of the rest of the league are tiring of the Riders show the league is turning into.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

My beef is how many close games are determined by bad calls against one team. That ruins my enjoyment when I see one team clearly jobbed. I get frustrated as heck when the Stampeders continue to rack up PI calls (some warrented but many not) and teams like the Riders can mug opposing receivers and get away with it. I always like to look at the fan qoutes under the TSN story and lots were just like me talking about the mugging in the end zone of an Als receiver that wasn't called. If that was a Stamps DB there would have been flags all over the field but we know the CFL needs the Riders to get into the big game to generate money and interest but fans are getting tired of the bias as attendance is down everywhere this year and fans of the rest of the league are tiring of the Riders show the league is turning into.

I think there are other things going on too. Watch an entire weekly slate of CFL games and you'll notice that there are a few recievers that take dives to try and get a PI call when a DB is covering them agressively.

The three worst so far this year are Geroy Simon, Jermaine Copeland and Chris Getzlaf. With Simon and Copeland I notice that the second they figure they can't catch a poorly thrown pass (That is also sufficiently away from the defender too) they flat out Daniel and Henrik Sedin dive like they were interfered with. Getzlaf at least does everything in his power to get the ball, but then flops around on the ground excessively and protests the refs after a missed catch (Last weeks Hamilton game he was an embarassment for this, the refs seemed to catch on and even when he was legitimately interfered with a couple of times later in the game they didn't call it).

As for the Stamps, it's no secret they like to play agressive man to man coverage with their DBs and as a result will have more legitimate PI calls. But I also have noticed other teams taking dives after they get a couple of legitimate PI calls making the problem worse.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by Cowboy89

I think there are other things going on too. Watch an entire weekly slate of CFL games and you'll notice that there are a few recievers that take dives to try and get a PI call when a DB is covering them agressively.

The three worst so far this year are Geroy Simon, Jermaine Copeland and Chris Getzlaf. With Simon and Copeland I notice that the second they figure they can't catch a poorly thrown pass (That is also sufficiently away from the defender too) they flat out Daniel and Henrik Sedin dive like they were interfered with. Getzlaf at least does everything in his power to get the ball, but then flops around on the ground excessively and protests the refs after a missed catch (Last weeks Hamilton game he was an embarassment for this, the refs seemed to catch on and even when he was legitimately interfered with a couple of times later in the game they didn't call it).

As for the Stamps, it's no secret they like to play agressive man to man coverage with their DBs and as a result will have more legitimate PI calls. But I also have noticed other teams taking dives after they get a couple of legitimate PI calls making the problem worse.

Terrence Edwards out of Winnipeg is probably the king of trying to get PI calls. if the balls out of reach he'll lean into the cover guy and then fall, then lay on the turf screaming and making the flag motion.

I was watching the Rider game yesterday and I almost puked on one play when an Al's receiver turned to make a play on the ball and a Rider defensive back plowed right into him with his hands in front of the Al receivers face without looking at the ball, and Suitor spent five minutes in a tearful voice explaining that the refs made a good call in not throwing the flag.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Terrence Edwards out of Winnipeg is probably the king of trying to get PI calls. if the balls out of reach he'll lean into the cover guy and then fall, then lay on the turf screaming and making the flag motion.

I was watching the Rider game yesterday and I almost puked on one play when an Al's receiver turned to make a play on the ball and a Rider defensive back plowed right into him with his hands in front of the Al receivers face without looking at the ball, and Suitor spent five minutes in a tearful voice explaining that the refs made a good call in not throwing the flag.

There were two calls I think that were in question yesterday so I'm not sure which one you are referring to.

The first one was a Rider DB who appeared to take down the Als receiver. This was a good no call because on the replay it looked like an accidental collision.

Then there was the one with Tristan Jackson who I thought was clearly guilty. It was screening or whatever they call that. He put his hand in the air to block the ball and never once turned to face the ball. He just put his hand in the air, all the while with his back to the QB.

Both were in the endzone.

[CaptainCrunch]

It was the Jackson play where he not only screened but played the receiver and not the ball before the ball arrived.

To me it was pretty blatent.

[troutman]

Players should get a penalty every time they make the throw the flag motion after a play. They are showing up the refs - unsportsmanlike.

[CaptainCrunch]

Yeah its getting pretty endemic in the CFL, that every play where a player doesn't make a catch he's screaming for a flag.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

It was the Jackson play where he not only screened but played the receiver and not the ball before the ball arrived.

To me it was pretty blatent.

If you watch the replay not only is he screening he contacted the receiver before the ball arrived. It's the type of play they use in official school as an example of pass interference. I just don't understand what the official (right there to see the play fully) thought he was seeing considering we saw a flag in the endzone last week against the Stampeders where the ball was uncatchable, overthrown by five yards and Edwards then runs into Smith causing a flag. I realize the game is fast and nobody is perfect but these guys have been doing this for a long time and I suspect they let their emotions get the best of them way too often in addition to the league mandate that the Riders make the playoffs and Grey Cup to secure television ratings.

[MoneyGuy]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Holy pass interference in the end zone. This is why I hate this league. The league wants to get the Riders on the right track by doing their best to ensure a win.

Are you saying the league is interfering in games to benefit the Riders? You can't be serious. That's absurd.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Are you saying the league is interfering in games to benefit the Riders? You can't be serious. That's absurd.

Further than that I'd say it is a common belief, maybe even the norm, amonst a large portion of Stamps fans online that the Riders receive preferential treatement from the league and the officials.

As someone who takes part in Canucks bashing whenever I can, I totally understand hating your rivals. And TBQH it is no different than the people who think there is an NHL conspiracy against Canada, for Det, for Van, for Bettman sunbelt teams etc. At the end of the day it is absurd. Hell I'm sure I've occasionally taken part in it right here on CP. At the end of the day though it is idiotic to think there is a conspiracy in the NHL.

It is somewhat forgivable because of the hate by Stamps towards the Riders might make people have some pretty hefty biases. But IMO it cheapens the discussion and reflects poorly on the fans and the forum it is posted on.

For the last 2 years in the CFL, especially the playoffs and GC, there have been some outlandish, absurd and downright offensive things posted about the Riders. I'd like to think I've been able to respond similarly to our tolerable Canucks posters and just ignored the stupid and focused on real discussion. Tough part is that it is often the same posters, often within the same post, that make cohesive, intelligent remarks about the CFL then go on to spout off about a conspiracy from CFL head office.

For the most part though CP is pretty good for CFL discussion. Thanks to both the mods and the posters I prefer it to any of the team sites including Riderfans.com. It is unfortunate that, for some posters, the fact I cheer for the Riders means they have to act like total jackasses and tell me that I'm a drunken baffoon who starts fights and spills beer on old ladies, that my team is full of divers and people who (and I'm not kidding) have told me that they don't like me as a person because I cheer for the wrong team. But I know I'm in the minority on this site as a Riders fan and just filter out the stupid and don't let it bother me.


At the end of the day I think everyone is frustrated with CFL reffing. And even though it is probably the least consistent in all of the major NA sports it suffers from mob mentality to just always blame it on bush league reffing.

[Wiggum_PI]

Originally Posted by MoneyGuy

Are you saying the league is interfering in games to benefit the Riders? You can't be serious. That's absurd.

The refs definitely helped the Riders win yesterday. On the series that the Riders got a field goal to go up 27-17, there was an illegal contact on a receiver call against the Als that gave the Riders a fresh set of downs and allowed them to continue the drive and score the deciding points. To call that a penalty and not call the one where the Als receiver was mugged in the endzone is ridiculous. There's no consistency in CFL officiating and its ruining a lot of games.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by CaptainCrunch

Yeah its getting pretty endemic in the CFL, that every play where a player doesn't make a catch he's screaming for a flag.

I hate that too.

For whatever reason the wide reciever position has to have the highest diva ratio in all of sports.

A buddy of mine sems to think stems from the fact that usually they are the ones to cap off a big drive with a TD catch or one big play and also get hit far less often than other positions. Every other position probably has a role that would better appreciates the team effort (Blocking, running, playcalling) it takes to get in a position to score a TD or make a big play.

[PeteLFan]

CFL reffing has always been in the toilet, the scary part is it's not getting better. When you get video review wrong then the system is broke and needs to be fixed. IMO Tom Higgins should be canned. I thought as a coach and gm in the league he would be beneficial, instead he's even worse.

The only positive is Jake Ireland is gone, he was a disgrace.

It's a shame the refs have taken over, because the league has top end talent right now, and we are not being treated to good football.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Originally Posted by Wiggum_PI

The refs definitely helped the Riders win yesterday. On the series that the Riders got a field goal to go up 27-17, there was an illegal contact on a receiver call against the Als that gave the Riders a fresh set of downs and allowed them to continue the drive and score the deciding points. To call that a penalty and not call the one where the Als receiver was mugged in the endzone is ridiculous. There's no consistency in CFL officiating and its ruining a lot of games.

But do you believe like numerous others that it is intentional?

That is the difference between quack and legit complaint.

Every fanbase in the CFl including Riders fans hate the inconsistency in CFL reffing.

Some fans here seem to believe it isn't inconsistency but an intentional conspiracy to help the Riders.

One is normal, the other wacko BS.

[Wiggum_PI]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

But do you believe like numerous others that it is intentional?

That is the difference between quack and legit complaint.

Every fanbase in the CFl including Riders fans hate the inconsistency in CFL reffing.

Some fans here seem to believe it isn't inconsistency but an intentional conspiracy to help the Riders.

One is normal, the other wacko BS.

No, I don't believe there is a conspiracy to help the Riders, I just think the officiating is so brutal the refs are deciding games instead of players. Its not just the Riders getting all the good calls, but in last nights game there were some PI calls in the 4th quarter for the Riders and none for the Als.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

But do you believe like numerous others that it is intentional?

That is the difference between quack and legit complaint.

Every fanbase in the CFl including Riders fans hate the inconsistency in CFL reffing.

Some fans here seem to believe it isn't inconsistency but an intentional conspiracy to help the Riders.

One is normal, the other wacko BS.

I tend to think the arguement is BS too. Maybe the officiating helped the Riders win this weekend, but I doubt it's intentional, it's just blown calls that will no doubt go against the Riders in some random fashion later too. Most Stamps fans on here seem to have a tough time realizing that the Browner/Anderson days here have left a legacy of officials looking extra carefully at Stamps DBs.

As for the conspiracies, in some ways it's spirred on by Riders fans who are all too proud to point out that their merchandise sales and out of town attendance numbers are so much higher than any other team creating an economic incentive to have the Riders win more often. If that's all you hear as a fan and you remember the days when Hugh Campbell and the Eskimos front office seemed to have a more direct line of communication and influence with the league (Recall the infamous trade with Hamilton just before the playoffs for 'Players to be named after the season' and the AJ Gass suspension that was repealled by a judge that had Eskimos season tickets) then it's easy to imagine a conspiracy to favor the Riders. Doesn't make it reality though.

[Cecil Terwilliger]

I felt compelled to thank your posts if not just for the fact that they are realistic and honest.

I thought the 10 yard illegal contact was the worst call that was made.

[Dion_Iggy_Kipper!!!]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Further than that I'd say it is a common belief, maybe even the norm, amonst a large portion of Stamps fans online that the Riders receive preferential treatement from the league and the officials.

As someone who takes part in Canucks bashing whenever I can, I totally understand hating your rivals. And TBQH it is no different than the people who think there is an NHL conspiracy against Canada, for Det, for Van, for Bettman sunbelt teams etc. At the end of the day it is absurd. Hell I'm sure I've occasionally taken part in it right here on CP. At the end of the day though it is idiotic to think there is a conspiracy in the NHL.

It is somewhat forgivable because of the hate by Stamps towards the Riders might make people have some pretty hefty biases. But IMO it cheapens the discussion and reflects poorly on the fans and the forum it is posted on.

For the last 2 years in the CFL, especially the playoffs and GC, there have been some outlandish, absurd and downright offensive things posted about the Riders. I'd like to think I've been able to respond similarly to our tolerable Canucks posters and just ignored the stupid and focused on real discussion. Tough part is that it is often the same posters, often within the same post, that make cohesive, intelligent remarks about the CFL then go on to spout off about a conspiracy from CFL head office.

For the most part though CP is pretty good for CFL discussion. Thanks to both the mods and the posters I prefer it to any of the team sites including Riderfans.com. It is unfortunate that, for some posters, the fact I cheer for the Riders means they have to act like total jackasses and tell me that I'm a drunken baffoon who starts fights and spills beer on old ladies, that my team is full of divers and people who (and I'm not kidding) have told me that they don't like me as a person because I cheer for the wrong team. But I know I'm in the minority on this site as a Riders fan and just filter out the stupid and don't let it bother me.


At the end of the day I think everyone is frustrated with CFL reffing. And even though it is probably the least consistent in all of the major NA sports it suffers from mob mentality to just always blame it on bush league reffing.

Definatly a minority, but not alone, I just prefer to stay out of this thread. Although I do come check out this thread and have a good laugh.

Every fan of every team gets frustrated with the reffing, but most of the frustration seems to be directed at the Riders and it gets annoying after a while.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Dion_Iggy_Kipper!!!

Every fan of every team gets frustrated with the reffing, but most of the frustration seems to be directed at the Riders and it gets annoying after a while.

It's actually players as well. Montreal players basically said as much during Grey Cup week. All the other teams know what's going on. It's not a secret. I don't believe the league loves the team called the Saskatchewan Roughriders but I believe that as a business they know they have to cater to their most rabid fanbase and league popularity peaked when the Riders were doing well. The NBA has been doing this for a couple of decades now trying to ensure that it's biggest markets have as good a shot to make the finals as possible. At the end of the day it's still a business and the league has to do what's best for the league not necessarily what's best for the game.