Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Week one (July 1--3)

The 2009 season kicks off with a return engagement by last years Grey Cup competitors and a long standing pair of rivals.

With a few new coaches, a few new rules and a few new players, the summer passion for Canadians begins its march to Novembers Grey Cup.

Action for week one includes:

Wed, July 1-- Toronto 30 at Hamilton 17 (23,211)
Wed, July 1-- Montreal 40 at Calgary 27 (35,600)
Thur, July 2-- Winnipeg 17 at Edmonton 19 (30,650)
Fri, July 3-- BC 24 at Saskatchewan 28 (30,066)

All games on TSN

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Ground control to Major Tom...and over to Commander Jake!


The CFL launches its new command centre with the Wednesday kick off to the 2009 season.


Tom Higgins, the league's Director of Officiating introduced Jake Ireland as the leagues lead command centre official, he will bring his 557 games of experience to the replay office, helping the new crop of CFL officials perform to the top of their profession.

Ireland will be watching the same replays that those of us at home will see from our TSN broadcasts, however he will have access some toys and tools that the most dedicated football cans could only hope to have on hand, DVSport has developed computer technology that will slow down and isolate images in order to get the right perspective on any calls in question.

The system put in place for the CFL will mirror what DV Sport provides for NCAA football in the United States.

Ireland will have a light workload during his nightly watch, under CFL rules coaches are allowed to challenge two calls made by on-field officials during each game, if they are successful on those two challenges they will be allowed a further third challenge, but only if the call in question falls into one of three categories; including catch/no catch, down-by-contact, and whether the ball crossed the plane of the goal line .

Deciding whether to request a challenge is one of the strategy points for all CFL coaches, a successful one can change the direction of a game, while an unsuccessful one or poorly chosen one can leave a team empty of chances when one may be needed most.

Don't shoot until you see the whites of their eyes (NFL plans for Canada 2009)

The NFL's toe tipping exercise into a Canadian beach head in Toronto continues on in 2009, as the Buffalo Bills continue their showcase of America football at the Rogers Centre.

We'll follow the latest developments on the Bills and any other Canadian plans for the NFL through the year and post our findings here:

June 28-- Bills owner in no hurry to add games in Toronto

Thursday, June 25, 2009

The Expansion Grapevine for 2009

It's not uncommon for trial balloons to be floated each year, with many suggestions for a ninth and, tenth CFL franchise and beyond.
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For years we've heard of a return to Ottawa, a move to Halifax or most recently the prospect of tapping into the Renaissance of football in Quebec with a Quebec City franchise.

We'll track this years crop of rumours and hopeful ambitions from our portal.

Sept 1-- OTTAWA -- Cohon sees expansion in CFL future
July 2-- OTTAWA/MONCTON-- CFL commish stays the course
June 25--OTTAWA--CFL's return to Ottawa takes an interesting turn

Monday, June 22, 2009

Mr. Braley's Bank machine


The last week has been pretty well dedicated to the examination of David Braley's philanthropic nature when it comes to the Canadian Football League.

Braley who owns the BC Lions , apparently helped facilitate the ownership of the Toronto Argonauts for David Cynamon and Howard Sokolowski, providing half of their down payment and additional cash when things got tight it seems.

In addition to that development, also relayed in the last week was the fact that he has also at times provided money for other CFL franchises, though those in need were not named, nor if the allowances have continued.

And while you have to at least admire his dedication to the game of Canadian football, is not his financial assistance somehow not a signal that all may not be well.

If one owner is having to bankroll a number of franchises at the same time to different degrees, in an eight team league that would not be considered good optics.

Going beyond that even in a larger league, to have one owner intertwined financially with a number of other teams does tend to cloud some lines of objectivity and competition one would think.

A number of years ago the idea was floated of one investor purchasing all of the member teams of the NHL and operating it in a corporate franchise plan, at the time the concept was dismissed and never even explored.

One wonders if perhaps someone didn't dust off that blue print and move it over to the CFL, all be it without sharing the details with any of the non compensated owners and league officials.

While you have to salute Braley's love for the game and his willingness to put his wallet where his heart is, perhaps seeking out some more solid financial investors might help to smooth out these occasional dips and spikes in the money flow.

CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon was busy trying to put that fire out last week suggesting that there was a need for improved transparency in such matters, vowing to work with the league owners to make sure that such events are more clearly identified in an open manner.

Better yet, perhaps the league should find a way to make sure that the member teams are on a more secure financial footing without having to tap the Bank of Dave...

Anybody have the phone number for Jim Balsillie?
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Hamilton Spectator-- The Braley conundrum

Sunday, June 21, 2009

New US league could impact on CFL this fall


Despite the past history of failed efforts and a rather worrisome economic picture, a new band of football enthusiasts has launched yet another football league in the United States.

Something called the United Football League held it's first draft last week, stocking some of the spots on their four team rosters for a hopeful launch this fall.

Apparently not fearing to tread where the USFL, WFL, XFL and even the currently suspended Arena Football league went before, the United League has introduced its four member franchises, which will play in seven American cities this fall. Teams will be based in New York, Orlando, Las Vegas and San Francisco, the three neutral site locations apparently will be Hartford, Los Angeles and Sacramento.

The four debut teams selected some of the players for the inaugural season on June 19th. Former NFL head coaches Dennis Green, Jim Fassel, Jim Haslett and Ted Cottrell have all been tapped to run the four league franchises this year and assessed and selected the first batch of United Footballers.

The league will play an eight game season on either a Thursday or Friday evening starting in October leading up to the Championship game played on the American Thanksgiving Weekend.

And that is what will make things interesting for the CFL, clearly the United Football League will be waiting for the NFL cuts to filter through the system, a situation which could provide an impact on the CFL as they will perhaps have to compete for a key player that they have had their eyes on through an NFL camp.

There probably won't be a huge fallout for the CFL this year, after all, as much as it has had a troubled past at times, in the end a CFL pay cheque may be a tad more reliable than the first year UFL might be able to offer.

But if the new league should get its footing in place, next year could be a most interesting experience for the CFL especially the NFL camps begin to shed their cannon fodder, anxious to carry on a career but suddenly with a bit more leverage in negotiations

Philadelphia Daily News-- League of their own

House cleaning complete as the regular season approaches

The weekend renovations on the twelvemensite are complete, with a tweak here and a delete there, we're ready for the 2009 season. We'll call it the Redesign for 2009...

For those that visited our site last year you will find that the right hand info column is more streamlined this season, not as much clutter, more of our items condensed into archives or dedicated spots.

We weeded through many of the dead links and got rid of them, created some new headings to better reflect the information provided and moved our CFL team notes to the top of the page. This will allow readers to get the latest on their favourite CFL team quicker and in more detail.

Each team's link provides a variety of information from the team website, to local newspaper articles, links and bloggers that dedicate themselves to one team. This will provide the blog with frequently update information (for those times when my blogging slides) and will hopefully keep the blog more current than in the past.

I will still blog items of interest on the CFL as well, archiving them in the Team Notes or CFL notes as would be the case.

With a bit of luck the new re-design will make following the league a little easier, though we will probably tweak things as we go along. If you have any suggestions, links or other items just drop us a line at pressbox101@yahoo.ca.

Thanks for following the blog, hope that we can keep up with it through the season, making it a reliable archive for the season to come.

Saturday, June 20, 2009

CFL Notes for 2009


From this spot we log all items of interest about the CFL the 2009 season.
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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content, we'll list items of interest on a league wide basis here, a quick reference spot for CFL fans wherever they may be.
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Individual team reports can be found on the blog as well, which highlight details and information specific to individual franchises.
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National Media links:
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Other links:
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Bloggers:
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From the Twelvemenblog:
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The Final Snap Archives 2009

We will archive our Daily feature the Final Snap here...

August
July
June

Opening Kick off archives for 2009

We will archive our Daily feature the Opening kick off here...

August
July
June

Friday, June 19, 2009

British Columbia Lions Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the BC Lions for the 2009 season.
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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content, we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Lions fans wherever they may be.
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Lions home page
Lions schedule
Lions roster
Lions coaching staff
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Radio broadcast outlet:
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1040 The Team Vancouver
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Newspaper links:
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Vancouver Sun
Vancouver Province
Canada.com
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Other Links:
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Wikipedia page
Twitter
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Bloggers:
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On the Prowl
Lionbackers
The Fifth Quarter
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From the Twelvemenblog:
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July 23-- Buono sticks with Buck, but those whispers will continue from the fans
Jun 22-- Mr. Braley's Bank machine

Edmonton Eskimos Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the Edmonton Eskimos for the 2009 season.
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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Eskimo fans wherever they may be.
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Eskimos home page
Eskimos schedule
Eskimos roster
Eskimos coaching staff
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Radio broadcast outlet:
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630 CHED Edmonton
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Newspaper links:
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Edmonton Journal
Edmonton Sun
Canada.com
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Other Links:
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Wikipedia
Twitter
Facebook
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Bloggers:
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Sweatsox
Esksfans



Calgary Stampeder Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the Calgary Stampeders for the 2009 season.
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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Stampeder fans wherever they may be.
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Stampeder home page
Stampeder schedule
Stampeder roster
Stampeder Coaching staff
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Radio broadcast outlet:
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AM 770 CHQR Calgary
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Newspaper links:
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Calgary Herald
Calgary Sun
Canada.com
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Other Links:
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Wikipedia
Facebook
Twitter
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Bloggers:
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Stamps Insider
QR Stamps Blog
Kicking Off
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From the twelvemanblog:
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July 15-- Stamps slow out of the gate in defense of their own title

Saskatchewan Roughriders Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the 2009 season.
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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Rider fans wherever they may be.
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Roughriders home page
Roughriders schedule
Roughriders roster
Roughriders coaching staff
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Radio broadcast outlet:
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620 CKRM
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Newspaper links:
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Regina Leader Post
Canada.com
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Other Links:
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Wikipedia
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Bloggers:
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RodPederson.com
Riderpride
Rider Rumblings
Bleeding Green on the East side
Riderfans
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From the twelvemanblog:
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July 23-- From the land of Friday Night Lights, to one with Friday Night Football
July 22-- Ready to raise a roof in Regina

Winnipeg Blue Bombers Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the Winnipeg Blue Bombers for the 2009 season.
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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Bomber fans wherever they may be.
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Blue Bombers home page
Blue Bombers schedule
Blue Bombers roster
Blue Bombers coaching staff
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Radio broadcast outlet:
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CJOB 68 Winnipeg
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Newspaper links:
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Winnipeg Free Press
Winnipeg Sun
Canada.com
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Other Links:
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Wikipedia
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Bloggers:
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Our Bombers
The Bomber Insiders
Doug Brown
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From the twelveman blog
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July 25-- Printers, Bishop on the Bombers speed dial?

Hamilton Tiger Cat Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the Hamilton Tiger Cats for the 2009 season.
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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Tiger Cat fans wherever they may be.
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Radio broadcast outlet:
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Newspaper links:
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Other Links:
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Bloggers:
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Items from the Twelve Man Blog
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Toronto Argonaut Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the Toronto Argonauts for the 2009 season.

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From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Argonaut fans wherever they may be.
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Argonauts Home page
Argonauts schedule
Argonauts roster
Argonauts coaching staff
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Radio broadcast outlet:
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The Fan 590 Toronto
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Newspaper links:
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Toronto Star
Toronto Sun
Globe and Mail
National Post
Canada.com
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Other Links:
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Wikidpedia
Twitter
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Bloggers:
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Boatmen Blog
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From the Twelvemenblog:
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July 29-- Arland dons his Tigers stripes
Jun 22-- Mr. Braley's Bank machine

Montreal Alouette Notes 2009

From this spot we log all items of interest about the Montreal Alouettes for the 2009 season.

From web page information, to radio links, news service sites, Twelve men archive items and any other forms of content we'll list it here, a quick reference spot for Alouette fans wherever they may be.


Radio broadcast outlet:

CKAC Montreal (Francais)

Newspaper links:

Canada.com (English)
La Presse (Francais)
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Other Links:
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Bloggers:
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Thursday, June 18, 2009

The Final Snap -- June 2009

We look for the one quote of the day from the CFL that defines an interesting event or personality.

June 30-- "I honestly feel I'm ready for this"
June 29-- "I like it because it's a long season and a long game"
June 28-- It's smart to get guys fresh and you can catch defences off-balance
June 27-- "When we started training camp, we expected Reggie to be on the team"
June 26-- "You play the game to be the starter and it's a dream come true. I feel like I'm ready and that's the main thing"
June 25-- "It's up to him. If he has a better offer than I made him, then he has a tremendous offer. We have limitations"
June 24-- "Coach Kelly told us over and over again, 'Make the coaches' job hard"
June 23-- "I'm a long way from home and it's another outlet to keep up with people"
June 22-- "We have a great battle at linebacker going on"
June 21-- "Define old?"
June 20-- "At that time where the organization was, I thought I'd never be back"
June 19-- "I want to be a Rider by any means necessary"
June 18-- "It's always a competition, for starters or backups or No. 3s"
June 17-- “Watching him, he reminded me of (Tennessee Titans’) Vince Young with his athletic ability,”

The Opening kickoff -- June 2009

We highlight three key stories of the day with our opening kickoff feature...

June 30-- Ticats continue to prove the exception to the rule
June 30-- Stories to follow as CFL season kicks off
June 30-- A steely resolve to beat the drought
June 29-- 10 Questions on eve of Alouettes' Grey Cup march
June 29-- Eskimos’ Lumsden returns after food poisoning
June 29-- Plenty of storylines as the CFL enters another season
June 28-- Argos' newcomer enjoying wide-open CFL fields
June 28-- We hope looks ARE deceiving
June 28-- On the defensive
June 27-- Tabbies coach dreaming big
June 27-- Eskimos coach seeks return to glory days
June 27-- Argos pin hopes on Andrus
June 26-- Four quarterbacks survive cut
June 26-- Ex-Al Payton `showed he can still outrun people:' Andrus
June 26-- Thunder struck
June 25-- Burris signs four-year contract extension in Calgary
June 25-- Bellefeuille breaks it to them gently
June 25-- Reckoning day for Als' hopefuls
June 24-- Quarterbacks hunt for stable ground in Argos' win
June 24-- Tristan Jackson lights the fuse for Edmonton
June 24-- Riders finish CFL pre-season winless
June 23-- Alouettes finish pre-season undefeated
June 23-- Lumsden hopes to be Edmonton's running man
June 23-- Lions secondary takes criticism in stride
June 22-- Argos defence looks to channel past
June 22-- Stampeders release veteran linebacker Armour
June 22-- Kelly going with young RBs in Montreal
June 21-- Riders' Shologan gets into 'CFL shape'
June 21-- Coach's grin says it all about Walls
June 21-- Andrus learning intricacies of CFL
June 20-- Draft picks bound to pay off eventually for Ticats
June 20-- It's one for all on B.C. defence
June 20-- Blue swing axe; 'good group' remains
June 19-- Argo legend Krol dead at 89
June 19-- Cats brass upbeat in wake of defeat
June 19-- Stampeders lose Smith, Cornish to injuries
June 18-- Cats can't overcome early errors
June 18-- Lions' Lulay shows his stuff against Stamps
June 18-- Buono in sight of milestone
June 17-- Lions owner helped rescue ailing Argos
June 17-- New look Bombers down Ticats 32-22
June 17-- Argo coach preaching preparation

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Pre season 2009

The training camps have been busy these last few weeks, but the real hitting and evaluations begin tonight, the CFL offers up all eight teams in action tonight for their first taste of real time action.

There are only two weeks of pre-season games to follow, taking us up to the regular season kick off of Canada Day, July 1st.

How the pre season worked out will be tracked below.

Wed June 17-- Montreal 37 at Toronto 24 Game Notes (18,241)
Wed June 17-- Hamilton 22 at Winnipeg 32 Game Notes (27,742)
Wed June 17-- Saskatchewan 12 at Edmonton 45 Game Notes (34,793)
Wed June 17-- British Columbia 30 at Calgary 37 Game Notes (25,463)

Tues June 23-- Winnipeg 27 at Montreal 31 Game Notes (20,202)
Tues June 23-- Toronto 27 at Hamilton 17 Game Notes (16,225)
Tues June 23-- Calgary 27 at Saskatchewan 19 Game Notes (29,107)
Tues June 23-- Edmonton 31 at British Columbia 19 Game Notes (23,217)

A new year beckons

Well we've taken a sabbatical from our efforts for a number of months now, the end of last year not quite completed as events overtook the format of the blog.

So with a few new ideas and hopeful spirit, we'll give the 2009 season a shot.

We'll try to contribute more regularly and perhaps streamline things a bit to reduce the workload so as to provide for a more reliable review of the events in Canadian Football.

We'll be busy the next few weeks cleaning up the various features, updating the schedules and such, removing and adding different things, all to try and have things up and running fine by the opening kick off coming up on opening day.

At any rate, that's the hope, we'll see how it all shakes out by November eh!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

CFL Multimedia

A list of the books, DVD's and other items that chronicle the CFL.

Books:

Legends of Autumn
Bigger Balls
A Passing Game
All My Heart: The Pinball Clemons Story
The Grey Cup a Complete History
Thrown to the Lions: The BC Lions in Empire Stadium
Canadian Football: The View from the Helmet
Flutie
Robokicker: An odyssey through the CFL
Crimes and Punishment: Life as a CFL Official
The Waterboy
Goin Deep: The Life and Times of a CFL Quarterback

DVDS:

CFL Traditions

Don't shoot til you see the whites of their eyes, NFL invasion plans 2009


The Buffalo Bills began their toe dipping exercise into Southern Ontario in 2008, we'll follow the progress of that plan into this season as well.

Whether it's the early precursor of a full fledged NFL invasion of Toronto, or just the uneasy arrangement that continues on as it has with a select number of games in the Toronto market remains to be seen.


It's a controversial topic which splits football fans down the middle it seems, we'll relay what we find below.





The Expansion Grapevine 2009


As the season moves forward we'll examine and record any thoughts of expansion in the CFL, an always popular topic, but one which seems to run into no shortage of problems when it gets down to actually moving forward with the project.

We will list our items below.


NFL Invasion plans 2008 Archive

We follow some of the hype and thoughts of the tentative moves into the Canadian marketplace of the NFL. Our efforts in 2008 were a little scattered, but we hope to be more dedicated to the project this season.

Archive of NFL items on Canadian interest

Expansion Grapevine

We track the items from 2008 about hopeful plans for expansion of the CFL in the future.

Archive on items from 2008

Opening kickoff archives for 2008

We hold our past entries from the Opening kick off for 2008 here.

November
October
September
August
July
June