CFL "TWEAKS" VIDEO REVIEW, CHRIS JONES COMMENTS
“We have a super game. Our elite athletes are treating us this year to incredible plays, close contests and even miracle comebacks. Scoring is up, penalties are down, and games are shorter. The last thing we want to have in place is an artificial impediment to our fans’ enjoyment of it all,” said CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie.”Video review, unfortunately, has become just that. It was put in place to fix egregious and indisputable mistakes that could affect the outcome of a game. It’s not being used that way now. Too many challenges and reviews are interrupting the game. Coaches, understandably since they are under pressure to win, have been using it to try to gain an advantage. Fans have been very clear with me that they want a change. We are delivering that change.”
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Roughriders Head Coach & GM Chris Jones discussed the change after Wednesday’s practice:
ON THE RULE CHANGE:
CJ: Well I didn’t get a vote. It came down from the League, it was a League decision, and certainly it’ll help the flow of our game. The flow of the game is very important. It’s going to make for a much better game for the fans to watch. Personally, yeah, I think it’ll help our flow. The length of the games will be shorter so it’s good for the league.
WERE THERE TOO MANY INTERRUPTIONS?
CJ: In the Calgary game I challenged and then Dave (Dickenson) challenged so it was a long break in between. That’s not exciting for the fans. This is a fan-driven league and I think anything we can do to keep the excitement level at a premium is the right thing to do.
ARE YOU IMPRESSED BY THE COMMISSIONER’S DECISION-MAKING?
CJ: He puts himself out there to be subject to criticism from someone, I’m sure. Anyone who’s willing to do what’s best for the game is commendable.
ON CHANGING A RULE MID-SEASON
CJ: We did it last year too and it was for the betterment of the league. We’ve got 2/3 of the season left so if it helps the flow of the game and the fan perspective and basically helps us as coaches keep things going, I think it’s a good thing.
WILL IT CHANGE HOW YOU COACH?
CJ: Certainly we have to be very aware that the officials will be very cautious and looking for contact now. I think that possibly the officials maybe got a little lax on that knowing that we had the ability to challenge so now that we don’t as much, they’re certainly up on the request of the offensive coaches will be watching for contact.
RP
@rodpedersen
