Third Down Gamble

Howie Mooney guest-hosts and discusses how Hamilton proceeds with a new quarterback and how Ottawa proceeds with their new quarterback.  Is (or just a hypthetical-what-if) the CFL considering modifying the field-change plan and relent on eliminating the 55 yard line or the reduction in the depth of the endzones in 2027?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast recorded July 6...

Steve Daniel (CFL) brings his expertise and insight to help explain why scoring is way up in the 2026 CFL season and why that is defying some typical early-season trends, why veteran quarterback play is improving game quality, and how the Game Quality Index informs the CFL Board of Governors, member teams, and stakeholders about the game and where it is heading.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with...

Edmonton is 3-0, BC is 0-3, who called that?  BC fires their special team coordinator, is that all that may happen with the Lions?  When a receiver and a quarterback are not on the same page, what happens?  The replay booth steps up and overturns a call on the field of a fumble... because it was created by penalty.  Canadian receiver Ajou Ajou is reinstated by the CFL and signs immediatedly a cont...

Ottawa RedBlacks trade quarterback Dru Brown back to Winnipeg.  Ottawa signs free agent quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.  Elks President Chris Morris blames the name change for the lack of current attendance in Edmonton?  Is defensive coordinator Mike Benevides in trouble in BC?  Can the Lions get past the injury woes to their receivers?  Toronto hosts Saskatchewan in Regina on Friday, Roughrid...

The 35 second clock still struggles to be what it claims, upwards of 10 seconds elapse after the end of a play before the 35 second clock starts.  Teams are scoring touchdowns on over 24% of their offensive possessions, can they keep up this staggering pace?  Quarterbacks went-off last weekend, four of them throwing for over 400 yards, not since 1995 has that happened.  Davis Alexander had his hel...

The CFL's new 35 second clock seems to be getting closer to an actual 35 seconds between the end of the previous play and when next the football must be put back in play.  The single point (rouge) underwent changes to its application; were the modifications too many and too far?  Ottawa Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie opts to punt at the opposition 42, would not a field goal attempt been more optimal? ...

CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston comes through on a promise and lands a six-year broadcasting deal sarting in 2027.  Jake Maier is given the role of starting quarterback in Ottawa.  Can the B.C. Lions be stopped in 2026, or will injuries (specifically to starting veteran-quarterbacks) play a key role in determining who wins each division?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; pod...

Special Guest Steve Daniel discusses the importance of analytics in terms of assessing game quailty, the importance of understanding the mean and the median, the value of knowing how impactful turnovers, two-and-outs, and third down stalls are to a team's chances at winning, and he relates how working for the CFL has helped maintain his life-long love of analytics.  (CFL on CBC theme music used wi...

Special Guest Luc Mullinder (colour analyst for Saskatchewan Roughriders radio game-broadcasts) discusses the 2026 Roughriders training camp in Saskatoon, how new quarterback Brayden Schager turned heads, what is required of the defensive line given all its changes, and who is expected to step up to replace departed (to Ottawa) A.J. Allen and C.J. Reavis.  Luc also illustrates the importance of le...

Special guest Jeff Krever (CFL Senior Director, Player & Game Statistics) joins to discuss which players are the ones to watch nearing records or milestones.  Jeff also discusses the definition of tackling used by stats crews to be recorded in the game statistics; the efforts in the off-season to help prepare stats crews for the new season; his day in Saskatoon preparing for the Roughriders vs...

CFL training camps see some players get injured, others released, and other signing with another team.  Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo believes the Elks can be in the 2026 Grey Cup.  Calgary vs Saskatchewan on CFL+ May 18 (2026) gave the first taste of some of the new rules coming to the CFL, the 35 second clock was a hit!  Ironically, next season in 2027, not pre-season but regular-season play...

Andrew Hoskins (the Turf District Podcast) co-hosts to help discuss the opening of CFL training camps, what the expectations are for players at camp, the importance of pre-season games, and the new Head Coaches that are trying to mold teams in Ottawa and Toronto.  April 28, 2026 the CFL announced new playoff-participation rules and we try to make more sense of them.  (CFL on CBC theme used with ex...

Ben Grant (part of TSN 1050 radio broadcasting Toronto Argonauts football games) joins to discuss the big changes in Toronto: a new Head Coach (Mike Miller), a new Defensive Coordinator (Greg Quick), the return of quarterback Chad Kelly, the departure of middle linebacker Winton McManis, the Argonauts being on the road until August 6, 2026, the new-look CFL rules and filed dimensions, and much mor...

CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston unleashes more dramatic changes to the CFL for 2027... this time in terms of season-scheduling (starts on the Victoria Weekend and ends the first weekend of November) and a playoff format where eight-of-nine teams make the playoffs (88.8%).  How do people feel about the expanded playoff format; is this the last of these major announcements?  (CFL on CBC theme musi...

Special guest (author) Paul Woods discusses his Youtube Channel "Canadian Football Time Machine' where he uploads years of news stories about the CFL and the great value and importance of keeping the CFL's history alive.  He talks about his recent book "Year of the Rocket" chronicling the Raghib Ismail era in Toronto.  Paul discusses how the Argonauts franchise ended a 31 year Grey Cup drought in...

Special guest Sean Campell (english radio-voice of the Montreal Alouettes on TSN 690) talks about the 2025 season, the hamstring injury, the resilience of the Alouettes to get to the 2025 Grey Cup.  Sean also discuss what a healthy quarterback Davis Alexander could mean for team fortunes in 2026, the many changes in the Alouettes' defence that defensive coordinator Noel Thorpe will have to overcom...

The CFL suspends, and the Saskatchewan Roughriders release, Canadian receiver Ajou Ajou.  Ottawa's Lewis Ward may be the first kicker-victim of the goalposts moving to the back of the endzones in 2027.  The UFL awards an overtime victory to without the Orlando offence having to score.   Taylor Elgersma signs with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; pod...

Toronto Argonauts' quarterback Chad Kelly claims to have turned a corner, will he be ready for the 2026 CFL season?  Taylor Elgersma still cannot get a US visa (P1-A) to play in the UFL, is it time for him to look at the Blue Bombers training camp as his best opportunity to move forward?  UFL attendance numbers, without including the Battlehawks, are scary; how does the UFL address this problem? ...

The radio voice of the Edmonton Elks Morely Scott joins to discuss the team as they emerge from another year outside of the playoffs.  Morley also discusses the growth of the coaching staff, the player-additions made by General Manager Ed Hervey and Ed's passion for the franchise.  Morley talks about the changeover of ownership in 2025, quarterback Tre Ford now in Hamilton and Taylor Powell in Edm...

No video coverage of the 2026 CFL Combine was provided, was this a missed opportunity?  Calgary General Manager and Head Coach Dave Dickenson wants a new stadium for the Stampeders by the early 2030's.  Taylor Elgersma is held off the UFL's Birmingham Stallions opening day roster due to a work-visa issue.  The NHL considers a major expansion. (CFL on CBC theme music and game audio used with expres...

The Calgary Stampede might have an answer for a new home for the Clagary Stampeders;  more details are available for CFL player contracts; which CFL records may never be broken?  In 1991, there was a game that had the field dimensions shrunk to accomodate the infiltration of ice into Winnipeg Stadium. (CFL on CBC theme music and game audio used with express permission, Winnipeg field report courte...

Andrew Hoskins discusses the Elks' off-season moves that saw many players who wore black and gold in 2025 switch to green and gold in 2026.  Andrew also explains the woes that have beset the franchise, the role of B.O.N.E. in the team's and in its future, what his hopes are for the team in 2026, the UFL's four-point-field goal attempt, and takes time to discuss the finer points of tailgaiting befo...

Dave Thomas (Rider Radio) is our special guest as we discuss how free agency impacted the Saskatchewan Roughriders, how Canadian quarterbacks are fairing in their NFL pursuits, and the new rules in the UFL and CFL and how play may be impacted.  (CFL on CBC theme music and game audio used with express permission; podcast recorded February 26, 2026).

A fire appears, and is quickly doused, near Gate 2 of McMahon Stadium.  UFL rule changes, is adding extra value to field goals and conversions the best way to engender exciting scoring plays?  A. J. Allen and Darnell Sankey... two defenders relate their difficult choices to leave the teams with whom they were under contract since 2023 (CFl on CB theme music used with express permission; podcast re...

Elks' General Manager Ed Hervey is 'bullish' on his teams chances in 2026.  CFL player-salary cap has jumped nearly 50% since 2010, what is driving the change?  Roughriders' part ways with their most accurate kicker in franchise history.  U-Sports Canadian Quarterback Taylor Elgersma will show off his skills February 26 - March 1 at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.  (CFL on CBC opening th...