Third Down Gamble

The 2023 CFL season is here!! Which coaches and which quarterbacks need to succeed early and why.  Designated Nationalized Americans and Designated Nationals: not as difficult to understand once you see the nuances. Who will win the East and the West?  Our Week One point spread picks and more (recorded June 7, 2023).

CFL pre-season is wrapping up, the starters will be on the field. Jerrmiah Masolia, will he be ready soon? Bo vs Cody, who is handling the switch to a new team better? (recorded May 31, 2023).

CFL pre-season starts on its earliest date ever.  Elks rceiver Dillon Mitchell makes a bold goal. Do starting quarterbacks need more game-time in pre-season games? Argos, Stamps, Lions unviel new jersey looks (recorded May 24, 2023).

CFL training camps are in full swing, some veterans are surprisingly released.  Joe Kapp passes, a legend in both CFL and NFL, and was Coach of the Cal Golden Bears in "The Play' versus Stanford Cardinal in the 'Big Game'. Nathan Rourke, no more CFL coaches in Jacksonsville, how does that impact his tryout? (recorded May 16, 2023).

Steve Daniel (CFL Statistics) discusses Genius Sports and its application for CFL Statistics. Steve also talks about the new rules for 2023, offseason projects, and charting/learning from other leagues' practices (recorded May 10, 2023).

The crew look back at Tuesday's CFL 2023 Drafts, both National and Global; discuss salary cap enforcement, and argue whether the Bruins (NHL) what... hockey??)) deserved a first-round bye (recorded May 2, 2023).

Jim Mullin (President, Football Canada) discuss the growth of flag football and whether it may find its way into the Olympics. He also gives his insight into the Simon Fraser University (SFU) Red Leafs football program: from its dissolution to the court case (recorded April 29, 2023).

James Duthie (TSN, The Rubber Boots Podcast) joins to discuss his diehard CFL loyalty, the Ottawa Rough Riders, his time at TSN, and Grey Cup memories (recorded April 17, 2023). 

Special guest Rob Vanstone (Senior Journalist and Riders Historian) joins to discuss his new career with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, how the position came about, expectations and goals, and the importance of preserving history (recorded April 11, 2023).

Andrew Hoskins (The Turf District Podcast) joins the crew to discuss ruels and other proposals for the CFL.  Does 'half-the-distance' need to be shelved, a hard 34 second clock needed for 'return-to-play", and more (recorded April 1, 2023).

Andrew Hoskins (The Turf District Podcast) joins to convey his experiences at the 2023 CFL Combine in Edmonton.  From conversations with Michael Clemons to thoguhts about the drills, and putting forth ideas for future 'live' coveage (recorded April 1, 2023).

The CFL still wants to land a team in Atlantic Canada.  Is there a better way to retain players? With several deferrals to the 2024 CFL Draft, what will be the 2023 CFL Draft? (recorded March 29, 2023).

The crew discuss the XFL's struggles versus 'March Madness', three quarterback contracts that impact their team's differently, and the new Canadian football Hall of Fame class (recorded March 22, 2023).

One of the giants in football, Bud Grant, passes away, leaving an enourmous legacy. Alouettes' have a new owner, CFL still eyes Atlantic Canada.  Alouettes' legend Glen Weir passes away (recorded March 15, 2022).

Playoffs? Playoffs? Who is talking about playoffs?... (we are) The NFL reviews hip-drop tackles. Is there new ownership for the Alouettes? (recorded March 8, 2023).

Special guest Mike Hogan (Toronto Argonauts Manager - Communications, TSN 1050 radio Argos play-by-play) joins to talk about his career, the Toronto sports market, and his Argos' favourites from players to Grey Cups (recorded February 24, 2023).

JC Abbott (3DownNation.com) joins to discuss how 3DownNation kept the updates going during a hectic CFL Free Agency, the outcomes of some CFL free agent signings, the Alouettes' ownership situation, MBT and more (recorded February 21, 2023).

Special guest Andrew Hoskins (Turf District Podcast) joins to discuss the opening hours of free agency 2023 in the CFL. Who won? Who lost? Not until the games are played will we really find out (recorded February 15, 2023).

CFL Free Agency: some big names are available; where will they land? Will the Roughriders raid the Montreal free agent list? Who will the Alouettes sign as their starting quarterback? Hamilton's defence... so many left unsigned (recorded February 8, 2023).

The crew discuss impending CFL Free Agency... the RedBlacks are out in front, will the Argonauts stay quiet, do the Roughriders really have a plan for quarterback? Alouettes' Eugene Lewis and Trevor Harris may leave a huge void in Montreal. (recorded February 1,  2023)

The crew discuss NFL Rule 12 (Player Conduct) and the interpretation of a defenseless player.  Bo Levi Mitchell trades in his hooves for claws, signs deal with Hamilton. Where does Dane Evans go from here? Can the Elks make some noise in 2023? (recorded January 25, 2023).

QB Nathan Rourke leaves one cat for another. Sizeable Free Agent eligible lists on some CFL teams create huge questions. The NFL adopts CFL 'quick-booth-replay' protocols and baffles some with the NFL's playoff alterations (recorded January 18, 2023).

The crew discuss: Damar Hamlin's remarkable imporovement, Nathan Rourke continues on his NFL tour, scoring is up in the CFL but down in the NFL, and no major CFL rule changes (recorded January 11, 2023).

Special Guest Jeff Krever (Senior Director, CFL Player and Game Statistics) discusses his work with the CFL, from game-day audits to team requests, you will learn that much goes on behind the scenes (recorded December 13, 2022).

Special Guest Steve Daniel (CFL Senior Director of Team and Football Analytics) discusses the intricacies of statistics, the role analytics plays in helping coaches and league officials, and the effort to track and audit each play (recorded December 19, 2022).