Major Announcement from Commish Tomorrow.

[ArgoRavi]

Moving team benches to opposite sides of the field would seem to require pretty substantial realignment in at least two stadiums, BMO and Hamilton. The non-team sideline of those stadiums is very narrow at the moment. So fans on those sides will be a bit farther from the action than they are now. Speaking selfishly, I really hope Argos don't move their bench to the east side. I love sitting behind the bench, but I'm not moving my tickets to the east side, where the sun is punishing for any non-evening game.

I can't see the Argos choosing to put themselves on the sunny east side. I am sure the visitors will be over on that side.

[ArgoRavi]

Time clock change is Ok ; benches - sure if the players and coaches prefer that.

However - a 110 yard long field and a rouge single point are historic and IMO unassailable features of Canadian football - these changes are just a pathetic suck-up to American football wannabes ... but hardly surprising coming from the gang of fUc&ing clowns that been involved in the CFL for decades and are growing in strength and numbers. 4 downs and other American rules are coming down the road, along with the elimination of Canadian talent getting to play in our own country = book it.

I won't be renewing my 3 RedBlacks seasons tickets (prime seats that cost me over 3 grand), and instead will show my football dollar $upport for real Canadian football (got the GGs, Ravens & Sooners here for example plus tons of minor football).

Might still watch some CFL next season, but to me this an obvious $uck-up to all our all-american hero worshipping wannabes up here ... at this time and in this social climate ????

F-off Johnson and the BOGutless whose boots u lick.

For what it's worth, OV, Nathan Rourke says these changes are "garbage" and questions the commissioner's love of this league.

[OV Argo]

Time clock change is Ok ; benches - sure if the players and coaches prefer that.

However - a 110 yard long field and a rouge single point are historic and IMO unassailable features of Canadian football - these changes are just a pathetic suck-up to American football wannabes ... but hardly surprising coming from the gang of fUc&ing clowns that been involved in the CFL for decades and are growing in strength and numbers. 4 downs and other American rules are coming down the road, along with the elimination of Canadian talent getting to play in our own country = book it.

I won't be renewing my 3 RedBlacks seasons tickets (prime seats that cost me over 3 grand), and instead will show my football dollar $upport for real Canadian football (got the GGs, Ravens & Sooners here for example plus tons of minor football).

Might still watch some CFL next season, but to me this an obvious $uck-up to all our all-american hero worshipping wannabes up here ... at this time and in this social climate ????

F-off Johnson and the BOGutless whose boots u lick.

For what it's worth, OV, Nathan Rourke says these changes are "garbage" and questions the commissioner's love of this league.

He's just a paid puppet & stooge for the BOG clown show; and if he had any real guts, he could have said: "nope, can't abide by this, and here's my resignation"; they knew they were hiring a little toadie who would have no problem with selling out to american wannabes.

[AngeloV]

I've been calling for an immediate start to the play clock for years

You and me both Paul. The inconsistencies of the play clock are brutal.
I would have also liked to see the converts not running down game clock as they do now outside of 3 minutes in each half, an true officials time out at the 3MW with the clock not starting until the next snap.
As for the rest of the changes, I can live with all of them, but wish they would keep the 110 yard field.
All in all, we didn't switch to 4 downs, and didn't change any major rules, so I am good.

[paulwoods13]

I would have also liked to see the converts not running down game clock as they do now outside of 3 minutes in each half, an true officials time out at the 3MW with the clock not starting until the next snap.

Both of those are excellent ideas.

[argolio]

I have zero problem getting rid of singles for missed FGs and kicks that sail or bounce out of the end zone (the pre-2024 kickoff rule). More ways to score was necessary in the era of 11-9/4-3 games, more punting, no blocking on punt returns, 50% (or worse) FG kickers, weird passing rules, etc. Much easier to score now.

Americanization of some CFL rules isn't new., TDs were worth only five points before 1956, and teams who gave up safeties had the ball kicked right back to them instead of kicking off. Think that was changed somewhere around 1980.

Not sure the rationale for 100 yards.

If the game clock after the three minute warning still stops after each play, how does a 35 second play clock work? Or will the current system remain?

[shatto]

Everyone will have their own view re the changes. Personally, I can accept most but not changing to a 110 yard field or the change to the rouge. The move to a100 yard field is simply an Americanization of the game, which I detest. The rouge change, especially with a smaller end zone, will simply mean few if any punt returns out of the end zone. Players will be instructed to just let the ball roll out to the end zone.

[RB957]

I've been calling for an immediate start to the play clock for years

You and me both Paul. The inconsistencies of the play clock are brutal.
I would have also liked to see the converts not running down game clock as they do now outside of 3 minutes in each half, an true officials time out at the 3MW with the clock not starting until the next snap.
As for the rest of the changes, I can live with all of them, but wish they would keep the 110 yard field.
All in all, we didn't switch to 4 downs, and didn't change any major rules, so I am good.

At first blush, I can live with these changes as well. Moving the goal posts make sense, not just from a player safety perspective, but for opening up the endzones more without the posts serving as an obstruction. I also like the idea of shortening the endzones if it means there will be consistency across the league. The corners of the endzone which are currently cut at McGill Stadium in Montreal are ridiculous. And I guess at BMO, we won't have half the endzones as artificial turf.

I like the idea of a rouge, but not the idea that you should get a point for missing a field goal where the opposing team has no chance to run it out. A game should never be decided on that type of play.... but I know others will argue that it is part of the field position strategy that coaches have to contend with. But I can live with this change.

Changing the length of the field without changing the width does skew the appearance of the field. The length to width ratio drops from 1.7:1 to 1.5:1. I know that doesn't sound like much, but I drew it out and it is a big difference. I don't know how to attach the comparison drawing I made as an attachment, but if you do it you will see how much of a change it is.

[IssuesMcgee]

I've been calling for an immediate start to the play clock for years

You and me both Paul. The inconsistencies of the play clock are brutal.
I would have also liked to see the converts not running down game clock as they do now outside of 3 minutes in each half, an true officials time out at the 3MW with the clock not starting until the next snap.
As for the rest of the changes, I can live with all of them, but wish they would keep the 110 yard field.
All in all, we didn't switch to 4 downs, and didn't change any major rules, so I am good.

Returns on a missed field goal are a pretty significant element of the game. I don't see them happening at all with these rule changes. Protecting your endzone at all times is one of my favourite parts of the Canadian game. This takes away from that big time.

[ARGOFanIan]

I was really Worried MLSE / Rogers were pushing for a 4 down league... I am OK with a modification to the rouge.... so a team can't win a game at least on a missed Field goal.... I guess with Rogers having input ... I get Paranoid with this type of announcement.... Think the people wanting significant change don't really buy tickets... like most of us here do... I guess I am somewhat relieved ... but I really don't like change to our league.