12/21/24
October 29, 2004
It happens every year, in every sport.: Once playoff positions have been clinched, the starters are yanked for the end of the regular season, ripping off the fans. It happened last night, as the Toronto Argonauts backup squad was decimated, 58-20, by the Montréal Alouettes. What's new this time is the fact that the Argonauts are apologizing with the offer of free tickets.
posted by DrJohnEvans to football at 05:32 PM - 16 comments
This is stupid. Would fans want to see a star player hurt in a meaningless game right before the playoffs? This is like suing a cinema because a movie sucked. You know going into a good team's final game that it might become a glorified preseason game. In fact, you should hope that happens.
posted by rcade at 09:55 PM on October 29, 2004
In their defence, they're a team that's suffered recently from being third on the pro ladder in Toronto, behind the Jays and far, far behind the Leafs. After control of the team was assumed by the league last year, new owners were found for this year, and they've done a pretty good job in bringing back interest in the team. I have a feeling this move is aimed more towards the very casual fan whose interest was piqued, decided to try out a game, and who was pissed at the level of blatant suckage. However numerous that class of fan was last night, I've no idea.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:41 PM on October 29, 2004
In the CFL when they send the scrubs on how can you tell?
posted by molafson at 12:00 AM on October 30, 2004
It's not possible, Molafson. Like the starters, the scrubs all play the game hard and don't dance around like idiots after securing a first down or making a routine tackle (i.e. doing their jobs). That does, however, make them very identifiable from NFL players.
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:44 AM on October 30, 2004
I thought it was funny molafson ;)
posted by pivo at 12:43 PM on October 30, 2004
It's not possible, Molafson. Like the starters, the scrubs all play the game hard and don't dance around like idiots after securing a first down or making a routine tackle (i.e. doing their jobs). That does, however, make them very identifiable from NFL players. Damn right! And it's been around for way longer than your precious NFL. And if you don't like the 'rouge' ya just don't like football!!! CFL also allows end zone dances and some of them are hilarious. Usually involve multiple parties.
posted by WeedyMcSmokey at 11:12 PM on October 31, 2004
CFL also allows end zone dances and some of them are hilarious. Usually involve multiple parties. I've watched a bunch of them (on highlight shows) and I can't remember seeing one of them that would be considered "taunting" either. My favourite of the bunch is "throwing the grenade". About six guys stand in a close circle. The guy who scored the touchdown tosses the ball into the middle of the circle. When it hits the ground, everyone who was standing just falls backwards (on cue). That said, if you like your games with wide open passing and crazy high scores (and the occasional "kick-returner kicks the ball out of the end zone"), then the CFL rocks.
posted by grum@work at 08:07 AM on November 01, 2004
Grum, when are you and I going to hook up and go to an Argos game? I need someone to explain the subtle differences, especially how the hell a team gets a point for kicking the ball out of the back of the end zone. As for the quality of the CFL, molafson, I was just joshing you. It's certainly lower than the NFL, but in my short exposure as a new Canadian, I have to say I really enjoy watching the style of play. The moving wideouts, the 25-yard deep end zones, the goalposts occasionally blocking passes ... it's good stuff.
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:10 AM on November 01, 2004
I've been watching the CFL pretty regulatly for 3 years now on the CBC here in Michigan and I still don't quite understand the rule they have for kicking. That being said, I will say that I do enjoy the style of play a lot more than the NFL.
posted by gyc at 12:46 AM on November 02, 2004
The basic rule for the CFL and points is this: Get the ball into the other team's endzone. Run or pass it in? That's 6 points. Kick it through the uprights? That's 3 points. (either a regular field goal attempt, or a drop-kick (ball strikes the ground and is coming back up when your foot makes contact) Run or pass it in on the convert (play-after-touchdown)? That's 2 points. Kick it through the uprights on the convert (play-after-touchdown)? That's 1 point. Sack them in their endzone? That's 2 points. Stop them from leaving the endzone on a punt or missed field goal? That's 1 point. (it does not count on a kick-off) However, you are not rewarded if you make an offensive blunder (interception, fumble) , so no points are gained if you stop the defense from leaving the endzone at that time. The kicking game: it goes back to roots in rugby. You can kick the ball at ANY time, making it a live ball (but only you or someone behind you can recover it for your own team). Theoretically, a receiver could catch a ball at the 25yd line, realize that the free safety is going to stop him from scoring, and then decide to kick it into the endzone. It hasn't happened yet, but it is legal. So if the opposing team misses a field goal and you catch/recover the ball in your own endzone, you have one of three options: 1) attempt to run it out of the endzone 2) concede the point and start the next drive at the 20yd line 3) kick that mutha back out, knowing that the other team has a shot at it again (this is usually only an option for a team if it's the last play of regulation/half-time and it's a tie-game) There was a famous play during a playoff game (forget which one) where team A attempted a field goal. They missed, a player from team B recovered it and then kicked it out of the end zone. A player from team A recovered that and then kicked it BACK into the endzone. A player from team B recovered that and was able to run it out of the endzone to end the play (and game as there was no time on the clock). CFL Rules for Kicking CFL rules for Scoring
posted by grum@work at 07:50 AM on November 02, 2004
Grum, you were supposed to do that over a couple of frosty Molsons at the Skydome.
posted by wfrazerjr at 09:17 AM on November 02, 2004
Excellent. I'll print that sucker out and bring it with me to the TiCats game on Friday. Oh, and a team recently did get off an open-field kick, recovered the ball and scored a game-winning touchdown, but the ref blew the call.
posted by DrJohnEvans at 10:25 AM on November 02, 2004
Damn... how often is there a CFL thread here and I'm late joining it. Anyway grums scoring summary was really good, but he did miss one key point. Grum@work said: Stop them from leaving the endzone on a punt or missed field goal? That's 1 point. (it does not count on a kick-off) It should be made clear that you can stop a team from leaving the endzone on a punt or missed field goal by kicking the ball out of bounds anywhere within the endzone. For example the game is tied and Team A has 1 last play from Team B's 30 yeard line before time expires. Team A could simply bring out their punter and kick the ball right though the endzone, get the single point and the win. No need to try and get the ball though the uprights for 3 points. Team B's only hope would be to try and block the punt. Surprisingly this happens very rarely, but it could be done.
posted by camcanuck at 01:48 PM on November 02, 2004
Here is a quick explanation of the play that the Dr mentioned above. For the record, I've never been to a CFL game in my life. I haven't watched the games on TV since I was about 18 years old. I lost interest in the league when I gained interest in the NFL (and started going to Bills games with my dad). However, I'll still watch the Grey Cup (it's a cultural touchstone for us Canucks), and I'm a huge fan of "Pinball" Clemons (for his charity work and upbeat personality and those CFL highlights that I saw). That said...ARRRRRRRGOOOOOOS!
posted by grum@work at 04:13 PM on November 02, 2004
Hey CFL kids, if you're still reading this, pick the playoffs!
posted by DrJohnEvans at 04:22 PM on November 04, 2004
I was at that game, Doc, and boy, was it ever putrid! Of course, I expected Pinball to sit some of the studs out. As for the free seats, that's a nice gesture, except how many people actually hang on to their stubs after a game? 10%? Best moment of the night -- the guy who roams the stands with a mic honored a couple celebrating what I think was its 60th wedding anniversary. When he asked the woman what she thought of the game, she replied, "Well, it's a little slow." Hilarious!