THURSDAY COMMENTARY – CFL: WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
(Listen daily for the Rod Pedersen Commentary at 9:50 am and 5:20 pm on Cat Country 98 FM)
SOME THINK IF IT WASN’T FOR BAD NEWS AROUND THE CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE, THERE’D BE NO NEWS AT ALL.
BUT I’M NOT SURE THAT’S THE CASE.
AS THE CALENDAR FLIPS TO YEAR 2 OF THE PANDEMIC – (IT STILL FEELS REALLY WEIRD TO SAY THAT) – WE AWAIT A RETURN TO PLAY FOR OUR BELOVED CFL.
IT’S BEEN QUITE THE ROLLER COASTER, WITH MOSTLY DOWNS INSTEAD OF UPS.
YOU CAN COUNT ON ONE HAND THOSE OF US IN THIS COUNTRY WHO ARE REPORTING ON THIS LEAGUE DAILY, AND I’M SURE A LOT OF CFL SUITS WOULD PREFER WE JUST GO AWAY.
BUT IT’S A PRO LEAGUE. YOU NEED TO TAKE THE BAD COMMENTARY WITH THE GOOD.
ANYWAY, THERE’S LOTS GOING ON BEHIND THE SCENES FROM WHAT I’VE BEEN TOLD. THE LAST WE HEARD FROM THE COMMISSIONER WAS THE FIRST WEEK OF MARCH WHEN HE MENTIONED THE COLLABORATION WITH THE XFL.
WE RODE THAT TALK FOR A MONTH BUT NOW PEOPLE ARE EAGER FOR NEWS ON THE 2021 SEASON. FROM WHAT I’M TOLD, THE PROVINCE OF ONTARIO IS THE HOLD-UP BUT AT WORST THE CFL IS LOOKING AT AN AUGUST OR LABOUR DAY RETURN TO PLAY.
THE BUSINESS OF FOOTBALL IS GETTING DONE. THE DRAFT IS MAY 4TH. THE GLOBAL PROSPECTS HAVE BEEN IDENTIFIED. AND THERE’S TALK IN THE LEAGUE OFFICE OF REDUCING THE STARTING RATIO NUMBER DOWN TO 3, AND CHOPPING THE AMOUNT OF CANADIAN ROSTER SPOTS.
THIS IS WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: MLSE – WHICH OWNS THE TORONTO ARGONAUTS ALONG WITH THE LEAFS, RAPTORS, MARLIES, TORONTO FC AND THEIR FACILITIES – ARE THE ONES SPEARHEADING THE FUTURE OF THE CFL.
IF THERE’S A REDUCTION IN CANADIANS IN THIS LEAGUE WHEN IT EMERGES FROM THE APOCALYPSE, YOU CAN BLAME TORONTO. BUT AT LEAST THERE WILL STILL BE A CFL.
MLSE’S MANDATE IS NOT TO PRESERVE CANADIAN FOOTBALL, THE 3-DOWN GAME, OR CANADIAN KIDS IN PRO FOOTBALL. IT’S TO IMPROVE THEIR BOTTOM LINE AND DRIVE UP THEIR FRANCHISE VALUE.
IT’S MORE PROOF THAT WE ARE NOT ALL IN THIS TOGETHER, BUT THIS WOULD’VE HAPPENED PANDEMIC OR NOT. THE RONA JUST ACCELERATED IT.
LIKE EVERYTHING ELSE, YOU HAVE TO TAKE THE GOOD WITH THE BAD.
THAT’S TODAY’S ROD PEDERSEN COMMENTARY ON CAT COUNTRY 98.
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Great commentary, What people also must understand is that in reducing the ratio to 3 it does not mean you can’t have more Canadian starters – teams can start 12 Canadians on Offense and 12 on Defense – if you find good players start them. People and player’s included should have a little more faith in their abilities. Then add in some desire and work ethic good things happen. For example: – Tom Brady was a 6th round draft pick, 7th on the depth chart at Michigan, and had to beat out the messiah Drew Henson his senior year –… Read more »