Third Down Gamble

Winnipeg spent a lot on free agents in 2025, none stuck with the team, by spending more in 2026 will the Blue Bombers fare better?  Should a rule be in place to clarify how teams can communicate to potential free agents prior to the negotation window?  Howie Mooney provides insight into the major 2026 free agent signing so far, including a huge spash by Ottawa, and a signifcant set of contracts si...

Doug Flutie weighed in on the CFL moves to change field dimensions and placement of goalposts, expressing his concerns over the percieved move to 'americanize' the game.  Realtionships are hard wn and sometime even harder lost as Darian Durant explains his feelings after Andy Fantuz left via free agency for Hamilton from Saskatchewan in 2012.  Some big names have landed with new teams: Wynton McMa...

Special guest Steve Daniel joins to talk about the statistically measureable comparisons between the CFL and NFL game, the role of Statistics in informing Coaches and General Managers about their teams, the 2026 Winter Meetings held in Calgary, and discusses further how the placement of the goal posts will influence third down gambles (CFL on CBC theme music used with express permission; podcast r...

CFL revenues continue to climb and as a result so does the Salary Cap, however the Expenditures Cap (coaches and foootball operations) may remain stagnant, again.  Willie Jefferson admits to thinking about leaving Winnipeg after the playoff loss in Montreal.  While some recievers re-sign with their clubs (Ottawa- Justin Hardy, Saskatchewan- Samuel Emilus) others are released (Hamilton- Tom White,...

CFL 2026 Winter Meetings in Calgary leave more questions... while the last minutes of a half remain unchanged, new overtime rules will end ties (only four since 2010) forever from the three-yard-line.  Will playoff ties end the same way?   The current playoff structure seems under fire from the Commissioner.  Were the restrictions placed on scoring a single point really a structural change?  Where...

Andrew Hoskins (The Turf District Podcast) co-hosts as we discuss what may happen at the CFL Winter Meetings in Calgary, what might happen to the final three minutes, quarterback sneaks, overtime, the Replay Centre, playoff formats, player awards, and more.  Andrew dusicsses the 2025 season and what the Elks have as priorities as they prepare for the 2026 season under General Manager Ed Hervey (CF...

Tommy Condell lands in Winnipeg while Jason Hogan is demoted, what will that room be like and can the Bombers find their way back in the Western Conference?  Jarious Jackson leaves Winnipeg to Quarterback Coach in Calgary.  Two veteran defensive players retire to become Defensive Line Coaches... Jake Thomas (Winnipeg) and Micah Johnson (Saskatchewan).  While Bo Levi Mitchell signs a contract exten...

Special guest, and author, Howie Mooney discusses growing up in Ottawa, being a fan of the Rough Riders, and a career that had him working a day job and working in media at night.  Howie then does a deep dive into Ottawa's 5-11 1981 CFL season (first-ever season of full-interlocking play) and how Ottawa made it to the Grey Cup versus Edmonton.  The discussion moves to the 1981 Grey Cup game and th...

Special Guest Steve Daniel joins to discuss the changes in the CFL game, the evolution of placekicking in the CFL, charting stats from vintage Grey Cups back to 1952 to update the CFL Statistical archives, how the propsed new field dimensions in 2027 may influence the number of plays-per-game, scoring, where the ball will be placed after a made field goal, a single, on converts, 'touchbacks', the...

Dave Thomas, radio voice of the Saskatchewan Roughriders on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Riders Radio Network, discusses the journey for the Roughriders that culminated in winning the 2025 Grey Cup.  Dave discusses Trevor Harris' mission, injuries, slaying the beast, Tommy Nield's catch, Shea Patterson's fumble, and much more (Roughriders radio game audio with Dave Thomas (620 CKRM Co-operators Rider...

Teams are already signing players to contract extensions, some are not even pending free agents.  Keon Hatcher signs a huge contract with the BC Lions.  The 2026 CFL schedule is out with the season starting on June 4th in Hamilton, keeps three bye weekends for every team.  Play 51, Referee Andre Proulx weighs in with his thoughts on what happened that night in Edmonton.  (CFL on CBC theme music us...

Andrew Hoskins (Turf District Podcast) is our guest host.  The Argonauts have named their new Head Coach.  There are hundreds of CFL free agents, who might make a big splash if still available in February?  Rules: Commissioner Stewart Johnston's suite of changes still leaves questions.  Whither to opt out...  would a new television deal open up the contract beween the CFLPA and the CFL?  (CFL on C...

The Argonauts search for a Head Coach continues. The saga of Offensive Coordinator Jason Hogan... what is happening in Winnipeg?  BC Lions' Touchdown Kelowna 2026 game dates are announced.  U Sports' Bishop's University moves back to the RESQ, after eight years playing Atlantic Canada schools.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with written permission; podcast recorded November 25, 2025).

The Saskatchewan Roughriders win their fifth Grey Cup 25-17 in a great contest in Winnipeg versus Montréal Alouettes.  Montréal quarterback Davis Alexander reveals he has had a grade 3C tear of his hamstring but has impacted him throughout the season and the 112th Grey Cup.  Montréal quarterback Shea Patterson fumbles near the Roughriders' goal line leaving many to question a quarterback sneak on...

It is CFL Grey Cup Week: Montreal vs Saskatchewan in the big game in Winnipeg.  Ryan Dinwiddie takes over as Ottawa Head Coach and General Manager, will Mike O'Shea take over in Toronto?  BC Lions still think they did not lose the Western Final after looking at screenshots of the Tommy Nield catch.  Hamilton quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell ponders his future after a devasting loss to Montreal in the...

Alouettes end the Blue Bombers' consecutive Grey Cup run: Montreal, despite allowing 17 points in the early third quarter, find away to defeat WInnipeg in the CFL East Semi-Final.  BC's Sean Whyte kicks a last-play 43 yard field goal to help the Lions get past the Stampeders in the CFL West Semi-Final. Hamilton has won all five East Final games versus Montreal since the East Conference went to a s...

Special Guest Host Andrew Hoskins (Turf District podcast) discusses the firing of Head Coach Bob Dyce in Ottawa.  Who will be on the short list to be considered as the RedBlacks' new Head Coach?  Chris Streveler suffers another major knee injury, is his football career over?  Winnipeg is in the playoff crossover for the first time ever, can they go where no Western team has gone before?  Edmonton...

The CFL Western Conference playoff-seeding race comes down to three games, but BC can make it simple: finish second with a win in Regina.  The Blue Bombers seemed to lack urgency despite defeating Saskatchewan Friday night, a bad night or major concern?  Vernon Adams is injured late in the third quarter versus Toronto with the football game well-in-hand.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with epress w...

Three teams in the CFL's Western Conference are vying for the last available playoff spot.  Did the Elks fumble a chance to win their season-series against Winnipeg via the tiebreaker proocedures, or was it a hill too tall to climb?  The hit on Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander Thanksgiving Monday by Ottawa defensive back Deandre Lamont: did the replay booth and the spotter's booth both get it...

There will be a crossover in the 2025 CFL playoffs; it is yet to be determined which team from the West will crossover and which Western team will miss the playoffs.  Is Bob Dyce tenure as Head Coach over in Ottawa?  Can the West, seriously, end up in a four-way tie for first?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with express written permission, podcast recorded October 7, 2025).

The fallout can still be felt from Stewart Johnston's September 22, 2025 announcement, many are still voicing their support and/or concerns.  A crossover is all but assured, a magic number of one means one BC and Winnipeg win (or a loss by each of Toronto and Ottawa) confirms a western opponent in the East Semi-Final.  Calgary makes a trade with Ottawa, can that help the Stampeders enough?  Montre...

Steve Daniel was an integral member of the team looking at the CFL game and possible changes.  Steve's expertise helped inform some of the proposed major changes to the game that were presented by CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnson on September 22 in Toronto.  (CFL on CBC theme music is used with express written permission, podcast recorded September 24, 2025). 

CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston announces sweeping changes to the game: benches opposite, standard timing, smaller endzones, goalposts on the endline, a shorter field, and a modified 'rouge'.  Changes will be phased in over two years.  Where does this leave U-Sports, amateur football, and other stakeholders that operate and maintain playing fields?  Edmonton loses, again, on a last play field go...

Argos' Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie is upset with a couple members of the Elks at games' end and lets them know his feelings.  Winnipeg Head Coach Mike O'Shea defends the play of quarterback Chris Steveler.  Argonauts win a stunner over Edmonton, Montreal stuns the Roughriders,  Three teams have 6W-7L records, while two teams more are at 5W-8L in a very close crossover CFL playoff race.  (CFL on CBC...

Roughriders win in Winnipeg, Ottawa enjoys another 'Crumback' victory, and Edmonton wins their rematch.  Can Montreal win without Davis Alexander?  Zach Collaros is sidelined, what's next for him?  (CFL on TSN audio from September 5, CFL on CBC theme music used with express written permission, podcast recorded September 10, 2025).