REGINA, Sask. — Much has been made of CFL 2.0. Now we have CFL 2.7!
The latter label applied Friday night, when the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal Alouettes played 2.7 quarters at Percival Molson Stadium before the game was called due to inclement weather and a 17-10 victory was awarded to the Green and White.
Yes, due to the new inclement-weather protocol rule in the recently signed collective-bargaining agreement, the Roughriders-Alouettes game was ended after a delay of 60 minutes.
The game had become “official,” due to the protocol, midway through the third quarter. The one-hour wait was also part of the new rule.
I didn’t know that the third quarter of a CFL contest could mirror the fifth inning of a baseball game. Did you?
Nobody would argue that the safety of fans, players and others should be paramount in these situations. However, to halt the game is quite extreme.
If the thunder and lightning had continued into the wee hours of the morning, why not simply resume the game the following day?
The Roughriders were going into a bye week. The Alouettes’ next game isn’t until Saturday — eight days after the introduction of CFL 2.7. So why the rush?
TV commitments, travel logistics and stadium availability were all taken into account, I’m sure, but should those factors outweigh the integrity of a complete football game?
I’m not privy to the closed-door discussions, but this just wasn’t a good look for the league.
Here’s a “what if …?” moment: Imagine this occurring in Regina.
Suppose that the visiting team was winning by seven, only for the game to be stopped.
The new rule would be announced at Mosaic Stadium, where fans would be told to go home and, by the way, your team lost, too. Yikes!
The Roughriders have no reason to apologize for the storm-shortened win. The management, coaches and players all likely wanted to play the full game. The rules are the rules.
Due to the new protocol in place, the Roughriders were literally “singing in the rain.”
The CBA continues to show some new wrinkles and, obviously, some surprises.
For example: Only two quarterbacks will be on each team’s active roster next year.
Has anyone who sat at the bargaining table noticed that more than a few quarterbacks been injured this year?
With XFL 2.0 starting up next year, the quarterback pool will shrink significantly.
Reducing the number of quarterbacks under contract would seem to be a poorly timed move.
With all due respect to those who play other positions, quarterbacks are vital to any team.
All the rhetoric about Canadian quarterbacks getting an opportunity can stop, as those future possibilities will end if there aren’t three spots for signal-callers.
Four teams already have used three quarterbacks this year. Labour Day is still a few weeks away. This should be considered and, if possible, the issue of a reduction to quarterbacking depth should be revisited.
One more point to ponder: Back in 2008, didn’t Darian Durant go from No. 3 to No. 1 in a hurry?
The weekly predictions …
B.C. at WINNIPEG (Thursday)
Taman: This game should be closer than most anticipate. Blue Bombers by 20.
Rob Vanstone: This game should be closer than Brendan anticipates. Blue Bombers by 19.
EDMONTON at TORONTO (Friday)
Taman: Toronto goes two consecutive games with an upset victory. Argonauts by six.
Vanstone: Please end this game after 42 minutes! Eskimos by 22.
HAMILTON at OTTAWA (Saturday)
Taman: The Redblacks’ offence is putrid. Hamilton’s defence looked porous against B.C. Hmmm … what gives? Redblacks by one.
Vanstone: I love watching Hamilton quarterback Dane Evans throw the football. What an arm! Tiger-Cats by four.
MONTREAL at CALGARY (Saturday)
Taman: The Alouettes get to play four quarters this week. Unfortunately for them, the result will be the same. Stampeders by seven.
Vanstone: Even I can get this one right. Stampeders by 13.
Season records: Taman 23-12 (3-1 last week); Vanstone 20-15 (2-2).
• • •
Hero: Winnipeg defensive back Marcus Sayles made a huge interception in the end zone near halftime in Thursday’s 26-24 victory over the visiting Calgary Stampeders. He provided solid coverage throughout the game and even came up with a quarterback sack.
Zero: Montreal kicker Boris Bede. Costly missed kicks in a tight game are never a positive development. He needs to get better, and soon.
(Taman’s Take appears weekly.)
Copyright Postmedia Network Inc., 2019
