CFL Rules Committee Recommending Changes

 The Canadian Football League’s rules committee is proposing changing some rules and procedures around coaches’ challenges to improve the flow of the game and improve the fan experience.

“These measures would, in some instances, speed up when a coach issues a challenge, alter what he can challenge, and ensure more video reviews occur during commercial timeouts instead of on top of them,” said Glen Johnson, senior vice-president of football for the CFL and chair of the league’s rules committee.

“Finding the right balance between using technology to help officiate the game and protecting the flow of the game is a challenge facing all sports and leagues including the CFL. We are tackling that challenge with the best possible fan experience, in stadium and on broadcast, as a top priority.”

Specifically, a coach would no longer be allowed to challenge a play following a TV commercial timeout.

If the change is approved, a coach would have to throw his challenge flag within the first 30 seconds of the TV break.

Currently, where there is a TV timeout on the field, a coach can wait the entire duration of a break before deciding to challenge, as long as he does so before the next snap. The result can be a two-minute commercial break followed by a 90 second challenge, hampering the flow of the game.

The committee is also suggesting limiting the types of actions challengeable under Roughing the Passer to the pure definition of Rule 7.2.4. on page 56 of the CFL Rulebook, which applies to when a quarterback is in the act of passing or potentially passing the ball, and when the quarterback slides feet-first across the line of scrimmage.

Other unnecessary roughness penalties that may occur against the passer behind the line of scrimmage, such as grabbing the facemask or horse collar tackles, would no longer be challengeable.

As well, actions that occur when the quarterback is across the line of scrimmage running with the ball, a quarterback sneak and dead ball fouls on the quarterback would no longer be challengeable.

The committee believes this will reduce the number of challenges while still ensuring the quarterback is protected when in the act of passing or potentially passing he ball, the original intent of making roughing the passer reviewable.

It is also recommending retaining a rule change made at midseason least year, which put a timeout at risk for every coach challenge that is incorrect. The committee is also proposing that the replay official only a change a call where there is clear and indisputable evidence that it is wrong, rather than attempt to officiate plays to ensure they are correct.

Members believe these two combined measures, in place for a full season, will discourage coaches from using their challenges, especially as they put timeouts at risk. They estimate this can reduce the number of challenges by 20% or more while still allowing coaches to challenge big plays that have a material impact on the game.

Finally, TSN will go to commercial on every challenge it can. It’s estimated that 80% of challenges will now be done during a commercial, up from 20% last season. That will significantly reduce unnecessary stoppages in the game and improve the fan experience both in stadium and on broadcast.

The committee has also recommended increasing the duties of the video official in the Command Centre so they can correct errors when:

When a flag has been thrown for a line of scrimmage penalty (offside or procedure)
When a flag has been thrown for an unnecessary roughness penalty following a play and the video official sees other unnecessary roughness infractions
When a call for illegal contact on a receiver should be changed to defensive pass interference because the ball had been thrown


To further promote player safety, the committee wants to change all 10-yard illegal low block penalties to 15-yard unnecessary roughness penalties. The committee recognized the importance of signaling that such dangerous blocks have no place in the game.

The committee wants to prevent the return team on a kicking play from putting a player on the field a split second prior to the snap and trying to hide him so he can receive a lateral pass from the kick returner.

This sort of “sleeper play” would be subject to a 10-yard penalty.

All rules committee recommendations must be reviewed by the league’s competition committee and ultimately approved by its Board of Governors before they go into effect.

The rules committee includes representatives from every club, the Canadian Football League Players’ Association, the Canadian Professional Football Officials’ Association and the CFL.

(CFL.ca)

Several Pats Taking Home WHL Eastern Conference Awards

Sam Steel, Connor Hobbs and John Paddock are just three members of the Regina Pats being recognized by the Western Hockey League for year-end hardware. The complete story can be found right here.

Long Awaited Review of Cougar Athletics Released

A final report into a comprehensive review of Cougar Athletics has been  released.

The review, conducted by four individuals,  was done to reflect upon and evaluate the direction and performance of the Athletics department over the past decade and provide recommendations that foster progress towards the vision of creating a sustainable organization consistently characterized by excellence academically, competitively, and in the community.

The 21 page document highlights several areas:

-There is a lack of a clear strategy and vision and this has caused frustration among coaches and staff. Due in part to leadership issues, there is poor alignment between the athletic department, senior leadership and important internal university partners.

-The current departmental structure is not fit for purpose or able to keep up with
the demands of supporting 16 programs in an effective or sustainable manner.  This calls for the possibility of some programs being eliminated to more effectively use resources to support competitive excellence and fund a structure that is able to support coaches, staff and student athletes for many years to come

-Members of the University community, even if they are not inherently supportive
of the varsity sport agenda, are committed to working with Cougar athletics in
order to create a more competitive program

-The student population has an apathetic attitude towards Cougar athletics.

Recommendations include:

 -Hiring an athletic director which is something the University has not had since the retirement of Dick White

 - Developing a new scholarship strategy

 - articulate a mission and an objective for Cougar Athletics with a re-brand of Cougar Athletics occurring after that mission and objective is identified and created


The review states at present, there is no strategic plan for the athletic program and the majority of
people who participated in interviews commented on the lack of vision. This is an area
of significant concern that must be addressed before progress can be made.


It closes by saying the University of Regina has an unprecedented opportunity to take steps to set the
stage for success, both on the field of play and off, for years to come. This will require a
definitive mission and vision, a “fit for purpose” department structure and the
appropriate number of sponsored programs/teams, as well as a commitment to
regularly track the progress of the new plan and its alignment to strategic objectives.

The good news is that there is a desire to make changes and support this important
program. This extends from the athletes to the President’s Office and the motivation is
clear as well as ambitious.

The time is now to take action in order for Cougar Athletics to become an even
stronger point of pride for the University of Regina and the city of Regina.

Darian Durant Says Goodbye

Darian Durant is in Regina for more than CFL Week. He is packing up stuff from his Regina property seeing he no longer is a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The CFL's Chris O'Leary sat down and spoke with the former Rider who will continue his career as a member of the Montreal Alouettes.  That story can be found right here

CFL Notebook

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have announced national defensive back Graig Newman is retiring from the Canadian Football League.        

The 27-year-old Saskatoon resident spent three of his five CFL seasons with the Green and White. Newman spent the 2012 and 2013 seasons with the Riders before joining the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He returned to Saskatchewan for the 2016 season after signing with the team as a free agent.

Through his three seasons with the Riders, Newman picked up 37 special-teams tackles, 10 defensive tackles and one quarterback sack in 44 regular-season games.

He also played in three playoff games and was a member of the Riders’ 2013 Grey Cup-winning team.

“First, I would like to thank the Saskatchewan Roughriders for providing me with the opportunity of a lifetime,” Newman stated. “It has been a dream come true for a kid growing up in Saskatchewan.

“I would also like to thank the best fans in the CFL, Rider Nation, for their support over the years,” added Newman. “To all the teammates, coaches and staff that I have had the pleasure sharing this amazing experience with, thank you! It has been an honour and a privilege to play in the CFL and I am extremely proud to retire a Saskatchewan Roughrider.”

Newman continues to live in Saskatoon where he works for ClearTech Industries.  

(Ryan Pollock/Riders PR)

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CFL Week festivities get underway Tuesday in Regina. Several players arrived at the Regina International Airport on Monday including new Rider Chad Owens,  Hamilton's Simoni Lawrence and the league's most outstanding player last season--Calgary quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (getting interviewed by CTV's Lee Jones).  Many of the events will be happening at Evraz Place starting Tuesday morning with the big event being the CFL combine on the weekend as those who are draft eligible get put through the paces under the watchful eye of scouts, coaches and general managers from the 9 CFL teams in advance of the draft. 

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The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have added former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick to their exclusive negotiation list.

Kaepernick has played six seasons in the National Football League and made headlines last year for not standing for the U.S. national anthem. He has been a free agent since opting out of his contract earlier this month, after originally signing a $114-million, six-year contract with the 49ers in 2014.

The 29-year-old threw for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns and four interceptions in 11 starts in 2016. He's thrown for 72 touchdowns since joining San Francisco as a 2011 second-round draft pick.

Kaepernick rose to stardom under former Niners coach Jim Harbaugh, leading them to the 2012 NFC title, but he's struggled in recent seasons and was benched for journeyman Blaine Gabbert last year.

The Ticats currently have three quarterbacks on the roster, including starter Zach Collaros.

Kaepernick becomes the second big-name NFL quarterback added to a Canadian Football League negotiation list in recent months. Vince Young was added by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Feb. 2 and ultimately signed with the team March 11. 

The Ti-Cats have also reportedly added another former NFL quarterback looking for work to their neg list.  That quarterback would be Robert Griffin III.

(Justin Dunk/Hamilton Spectator)

NHL Three Stars Of Week

Boston Bruins left wing Brad Marchand, Pittsburgh Penguins center Sidney Crosby and Calgary Flames goaltender Brian Elliott have been named the NHL's "Three Stars" for the week ending March 19.



FIRST STAR - BRAD MARCHAND, LW, BOSTON BRUINS

Marchand led the NHL with 5-4-9 in three games - all multi-point performances - to power the Bruins (38-27-6, 82 points) to a pair of victories. He registered 3-1-4, including his second career hat trick (also Dec. 23, 2011 vs. FLA) and third four-point effort of the season, in a 6-3 triumph over the Vancouver Canucks March 13. Marchand added 1-1-2 in a 5-2 victory over the Calgary Flames March 15, halting the Flames' winning streak at 10 contests. He closed the week with 1-2-3 in a 7-4 loss to the Edmonton Oilers March 16, giving him multiple points in three straight outings for the third time this season (also Jan. 24 - Feb. 1: 6-3-9 in 4 GP and Feb. 23-28: 3-4-7 in 3 GP). The 28-year-old Halifax, N.S., native ranks second in the League with 37 goals and third with 79 points through 71 games this season, including an NHL-best 27 tallies and 48 points in 2017 (32 GP).



SECOND STAR - SIDNEY CROSBY, C, PITTSBURGH PENGUINS

Crosby paced the League with six goals and ranked second with eight points in four starts to guide the Penguins (45-17-9, 99 points) to a 2-1-1 week. He recorded 1-1-2 in a 4-3 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames March 13. Crosby was held off the scoresheet in a 4-0 loss against the Philadelphia Flyers March 15, but bounced back with 2-1-3 in a 6-4 victory over the New Jersey Devils March 17. He capped the week with his 10th career three-goal game (and third career natural hat trick) in a 4-0 win against the Florida Panthers March 19. The 29-year-old Cole Harbour, N.S., native leads the NHL with 40 goals and 80 points in 65 games this season. Crosby's 40 goals are his second-best single-season total, behind the 51 he scored in 2009-10 en route to sharing the Maurice "Rocket" Richard Trophy.



THIRD STAR - BRIAN ELLIOTT, G, CALGARY FLAMES

Elliott went 3-0-0 with a 1.95 goals-against average and .926 save percentage to help the Flames (41-27-4, 86 points) maintain third place in the Pacific Division. He made 32 saves - and turned aside all three attempts in the shootout - in a 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins March 13. Elliott then made 24 stops in a 3-1 win against the Dallas Stars March 17 and 19 saves in a 5-2 triumph over the Los Angeles Kings March 19. In doing so, he earned his 11th consecutive victory (1.70 GAA, .942 SV%, 2 SO) to tie Mike Vernon (Jan. 17 - Feb. 27, 1989) for the longest such run by a goaltender in franchise history. The 31-year-old Newmarket, Ont., native owns a 23-13-3 record with a 2.46 goals-against average, .911 save percentage and two shutouts in 41 appearances this season, his first with the Flames.

Something To "Mitch" About

ITS REAL NOW -  The Regina Pats have concluded the best regular season they have ever had.  I think many people knew when this team left the ice after a tough Game 7 loss at the hands of the Red Deer Rebels in last year's playoffs that they would be back and be a powerhouse, but did we think a 52 win season?

The energy at the Brandt Centre is off the chart as was evidenced at Friday's home finale against the Brandon Wheat Kings.  Regina hockey fans are feeling a level of excitement they haven't been at in years. Dare I say it, it hasn't been like this since I graduated in 1984 when Regina played Kamloops in what was a heartbreaking final.

If the energy is off the chart now, what is it going to be like next Friday night when the doors open at 6 and people start filing in for Game 1 against the Calgary Hitmen.  I am sure there will be a nervous sense of anticipation as it is any playoff year, but the Pats are heavily favoured and for good reason.  I don't think the target on their back gets any bigger, but they will have pressure on their shoulders.

While the fortunes of this team have increased tenfold since Anthony Marquart and his Queen City Sports and Entertainment Group took over, the reason for this renaissance in Regina junior hockey can be traced back to one person.

Would this team be where they are at right now if it wasn't for John Paddock?  I say the answer is no! I will be the first to admit I didn't know what was going on when the Pats were about to begin training camp in August of 2014 and they had just hired the former coach of the Winnipeg Jets and Ottawa Senators who had just been released by the Philadelphia Flyers organization. I don't think he knew the names of the players when he came in much less the staff he would be working with. Yes, I think it took him a while to get acclamated, but he came in with a plan and so far it has worked.  Rob Vanstone's article in the Leader-Post Saturday accurately depicts what Paddock has done and is doing to turn the fortunes of this team around. 

Does it relate to Adam Brooks being presented with the Ed Chynoweth Cup in a couple of months time? A lot of hockey has to be played between now and then, but if all works out, don't be surprised.  That being said Moose Jaw, Medicine Hat, Swift Current and whoever comes out of the West will be no pushover so Regina will have to be at the top of their game. If Friday was any indication, they are!

ITS REAL NOW (PART 2)  - 

 On Sunday afternoon, I got a tour of Mosaic Stadium.  I had been on one after the keys were handed over to the city and I was there when the Rams played the Huskies in the first ever event at the new digs.  On both of those occasions, work was being done on the place. That work has been done!  Amazing doesn't even start to describe it.   The picture above is of the reception area to the team offices. More can be found if you keep going down.

On the night the Riders played their last game at Mosaic Stadium 1.0, I was with the Rams in Winnipeg in what was my first visit to Investors Group Field.  This place has that place beat and then some and IGF is a tremendous stadium as well.   On the night Canada officially turns 150 years old, a new chapter in Saskatchewan Roughrider football will begin when play starts at the Riders new home.  What the 33-thousand in attendance will experience on that night and what those who have had to deal with less than ideal conditions over the past number of years will have at their disposal now is jaw-dropping.

Player meeting rooms 

The offensive linemen's room where legends are remembered. It's like this in every room!

This guy isn't forgotten----nor should he be

Same with this guy!

 The staircase which leads from the players entrance to the dressing/meeting room facilities

The entrance to the Riders dressing room

The Riders dressing room----just a bit better from what they had!

There are so many things about this place I just love and can't get over. I think the biggest is the fact the team is honouring its greatest players. Imagine some wet behind the ears rookie coming into Saskatchewan and seeing the names on the wall and what they have accomplished while representing the /=S=/.  Hopefully, they will aspire to the point that they too want their name up on that wall one day whether it be as one of the all-time greats or a Grey Cup champion. 

 What Craig Reynolds and his group have done over the past number of years to give you and themselves a shiny new toy is a credit to himself, the organization and Rider Nation. Without all 3, Saskatchewan football fans wouldn't have what they are about to get.

  I don't know if the team is giving to give public tours of the facility before the season starts so you can see this stuff with your own two eyes, but impressive doesn't even begin to describe it.  This team went to several pro and college stadiums and got many ideas to mix in with the ones they had to give you what you are seeing.  They have turned over every stone they could to give what might be one of the best facilities in football including the NCAA and NFL. It isn't like what Jerry Jones has for the Cowboys in Dallas, but that complex could basically house a college and a high school team and football in Texas is life.

  Make no doubt about it, a state of the art facility doesn't guarantee wins and a lot of work needs to be done by the players and the coaches in year 2 of the Chris Jones era.  If what we saw Sundaycould translate into on-field performance, just book the parade now!

ITS TIME FOR CFL WEEK -  The tour comes just hours before the CFL sets up shop in the Queen City in the first (and hopefully not the last CFL week).  The access to CFL'ers will never be greater from players to coaches to GM's.  It should be a fun few days as we see the established stars and the up and coming ones doing their thing at the combine. Enjoy!

ISN'T IT IRONIC!!! - The US national womens hockey team continues its protest against USA Hockey. They say they want many things like what the Canadian team has which includes TV coverage. USA Hockey says Hockey Canada's contract includes TV coverage for many games.  This is true. It comes despite the fact not many show up at games.  UBC complained this week that Sportsnet which is showing the mens hockey semi-finals and finals while doing a great job with basketball last weekend decided to forgo bringing the women's national final to the network citing many things including lack of marketing and crowds.  

I can't argue that, but SNET should be doing all or as many University championships as they can. For what its worth, I didn't see arguments coming from volleyball over the fact SNET didn't do their championships this weekend.  It also brings up the argument as to why CBC simply isn't doing these and that is a valid point. CBC could do a lot better with weekend sports programming and University sports, no matter the one, could fill that void.

THE NEW HAWKS? - I had to laugh on Saturday when the Hockey Night in Canada guys were talking about Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner being the new Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane saying the Leafs are built like the Hawks when they started their championship run---one that could continue this year.  The reason I laughed is because a Leafs fan told me the same thing about 48 hours previous.  No doubt Matthews and Marner are going to lead Toronto to the playoffs if not this year then next, but the difference is still vast.

The Leafs only have one marquee defenceman--Morgan Rielly.  Chicago has Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook.  Chicago had grit guys like Versteeg, Byfuglien, Brouwer and Ladd.  Toronto doesn't have that. Not yet!

VOTE ITUNA -  Saskatchewan has never had a winner in the Kraft Hockeyville contest.  To my knowledge, they haven't even had a town be a finalist.  That has changed with Ituna being named as the Western rep for the final ballot.  You have until 10 o'clock Monday night to vote.  Do so right here.  Cmon Saskatchewan!

MARCH MADNESS -  Madness indeed.  My bracket was looking great after the round of 64. I went 29-3. That being said, I only have 11 of the 16 remaining teams and Duke was one of my final four with them getting all the way to the final before being ousted by North Carolina. At least the Tarheels are still there, and so is Michigan!! By the way, ESPN had 18 million brackets filled out and only 18 have all 16 remaining teams left.

?????? -   Who thought this was a good idea?  Who? WHO???

I don't want to know where this slide starts!

That's all I got.  Enjoy CFL Week everyone!  Between it and Pats playoff action, Evraz Place will be the place to be. See ya there!