2025 @CFL hot stove league

One of the new rules is that the defense may not contact the receivers past five yards from the line of scrimmage. Charleston Hughes predicts that as a result, there won't be many sacks this year.

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/15/stamps-sackmaster-predicts-numbers-will-be-down-across-cfl-this-season/

Edited June 19, 2015 by GA Russell

GA Russell · June 20, 2015

Sportsnet CFL West preview

http://www.sportsnet.ca/football/cfl/cfl-west-division-preview/

GA Russell · June 21, 2015

Friday night...

Hamilton 26...Winnipeg 15

http://www.tsn.ca/medlock-stars-as-ticats-top-blue-bombers-1.313262

http://cfl.ca/article/collaros-holley-pace-ticats-over-bombers

*****

Calgary 37....Saskatchewan 29

http://www.tsn.ca/tate-s-late-td-pass-puts-stamps-past-riders-1.313313

http://cfl.ca/article/stamps-edge-past-riders-thanks-to-fourth-quarter-rally

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Edmonton 18....BC 13

http://www.tsn.ca/lulay-shines-but-lions-fall-to-eskimos-1.313330

http://cfl.ca/article/eskimos-edge-lions-in-final-pre-season-game

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Today was the final cutdown day.

http://cfl.ca/article/making-moves-tracking-team-cuts-as-rosters-get-trimmed

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl-clubs-trim-rosters-ahead-of-deadline-1.312971

Familiar names now looking for work include Khalif Mitchell, Geoff Tisdale, Brandon Whitaker, Demonte Bolden, Lin-J Shell, Eric Taylor, Hugh O'Neill, Paul Woldu, Justin Goltz and Paris Jackson.

GA Russell · June 25, 2015

The season starts tonight! We have a lot of catching up to do, so let's get started.

The Argos have signed Chad Kackert, Dave Stala, Brandon Whitaker and Scott Mitchell.

http://cfl.ca/article/kackert-returns-argos-add-whitaker-stala-to-pr

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Here's a summary of last weekend's roster moves for cutdown day.

http://cfl.ca/article/making-moves-tracking-team-cuts-as-rosters-get-trimmed

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The Argos have signed Jason Vega

http://cfl.ca/article/d-for-dominant-argos-add-jason-vega-to-d-line

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Here's an article considering which one new face might make a big difference for each team.

http://cfl.ca/article/a-new-face-to-watch-for-every-cfl-team

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Here is the list of games to be carried on ESPN2 and ESPN3.com through August. You will note that the article says that ESPN2 will carry 20 games, and that the list shows that 17 of them are before Sept. 1.

http://cfl.ca/article/espn-to-televise-20-cfl-games-in-2015

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Here are the cfl.ca season previews:

Saskatchewan

http://cfl.ca/article/season-preview-durant-aims-high-with-long-awaited-return

BC

http://cfl.ca/article/season-preview-bighill-ready-to-restore-roar-of-lions

Toronto

http://cfl.ca/article/season-preview-boatmen-riding-tidal-wave-of-confidence

Ottawa

http://cfl.ca/article/season-preview-expansion-team-no-more

Edmonton

http://cfl.ca/article/season-preview-bowman-maturing-into-leader-for-esks

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cfl.ca 6/23 power rankings

http://cfl.ca/article/nissan-titan-power-rankings-stamps-start-out-on-top

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6/23 Checking Down

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-cflkickoff-arrives

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SiriusXM will again carry every game.

http://cfl.ca/article/siriusxm-canada-to-broadcast-every-cfl-game

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Here's a look at the rule changes for this year.

http://cfl.ca/article/statsgeek-changing-the-rules

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This discusses the odds set by Bodog this week for the Grey Cup.

http://cfl.ca/article/cauzs-annual-take-on-grey-cup-odds

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Don Landry CFL East preview.

http://cfl.ca/article/landry-previewing-the-east-divison

Jamie Nye CFL West preview

http://cfl.ca/article/nye-preview-storylines-for-west-division

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cfl.ca league preview

http://cfl.ca/article/ready-for-kickoff-previewing-the-2015-cfl-season

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Week 1 game notes

http://cfl.ca/article/cflca-game-notes-a-look-at-week-1

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Jamie Nye Week 1 picks

http://cfl.ca/article/prediction-time-do-the-ticats-have-what-it-takes-this-year

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Gregg Xenakes Week 1 picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=832015

GA Russell · June 25, 2015

Chris Schultz Week 1 picks

http://www.tsn.ca/risky-business-week-1-in-the-cfl-1.314185

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The Bombers have signed Lin-J Shell.

http://www.tsn.ca/talent/newly-acquired-db-shell-ready-to-help-bombers-1.316356

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TSN has made a list of who they think are the league's Top 50 players.

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/cfl-on-tsn-unveils-top-50-players-1.311950

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TSN 6/24 power rankings

http://www.tsn.ca/stamps-start-on-top-of-cfl-power-rankings-1.316935

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John Hodge Week 1 picks

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/25/week-one-cfl-picks/

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Dan Ralph league season preview

http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2015/06/24/no-reason-why-tiger-cats-stampeders-wont-dominate-cfl-again.html

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Nick Faris on the new rules.

http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/introducing+rules+this+season+effort+make+games+more+exciting/11163896/story.html

GA Russell · June 29, 2015

It's possible that this weekend will be remembered for years to come because of the injuries to the many quarterbacks.

Ottawa 20....Montreal 16

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=832354

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/26/alouettes-lose-two-qbs-game-to-redblacks/#comments

Crompton hurt his shoulder, and is out indefinitely. Then LeFevour hurt his shoulder, and may be out for the year. So the Canadian rookie Bridge came in, and did as well as could be expected. Bridge may have a future.

The Redblacks did not win on the road last year, so this was the team's first road victory.

*****

Calgary 24....Hamilton 23

http://cfl.ca/article/parades-boots-stamps-to-last-second-win-over-ticats

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/27/ticats-lose-another-heart-breaker-to-stamps/#comments

http://www.tsn.ca/last-second-fg-lifts-stamps-over-ticats-1.319402

Rene Paredes kicked a 50-yard field goal on the final play of the game to give the Stamps their only lead of the game!

*****

Toronto 26....Edmonton 11

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/28/argos-take-down-esks-and-their-quarterback/#comments

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=832654

http://www.tsn.ca/argonauts-down-eskimos-in-home-opener-1.320017

Ricky Ray's backup Trevor Harris had a great game. Mike Reilly hurt his left knee. No word yet on how long he will be out.

http://cfl.ca/article/esks-qb-reilly-injured-in-loss-to-argonauts

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Winnipeg 30....Saskatchewan 26

http://www.tsn.ca/bombers-edge-riders-who-lose-durant-1.320218

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=832682

http://cfl.ca/article/bombers-backs-run-wild-in-30-26-win-over-riders

Darian Durant hurt his Achilles tendon, and is out for the year. Fortunately for the riders, their backup is the one and only Kevin Glenn, so they should remain competitive.

*****

Week 1 summary and videos

http://cfl.ca/article/cfl-replay-looking-back-at-week-1

GA Russell · June 29, 2015

The Ticats have signed Hugh O'Neill.

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/29/ticats-add-kicker-hugh-oneill-and-his-magnificent-beard/#comments

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Josh Smith 6/29 power rankings

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/29/3downs-week-1-wrap-up/#comments

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John Hodge believes that TSN is very biased toward the Riders every Labor Day Weekend.

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/27/the-saskatchewan-network-revisited/#comments

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Drew Edwards 6/25 Hamilton season preview

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/25/a-position-by-position-look-at-the-2015-ticats/#comments

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Santino Filoso 6/24 Ottawa season preview

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/24/redblack-predictions/#comments

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John Hodge 6/23 Three Predictions for the season

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/23/three-bold-predictions-for-the-2015-cfl-season/#comments

*****

Cam Wake endorses playing in the CFL.

http://espn.go.com/blog/miami-dolphins/post/_/id/15645/dolphins-pro-bowler-cameron-wake-endorses-the-cfl-experience

*****

TSN Week 2 picks

http://www.tsn.ca/week-2-cfl-picks-1.321134

GA Russell · July 1, 2015

TSN 6/30 power rankings

http://www.tsn.ca/qb-injuries-lead-to-cfl-power-rankings-changes-1.321809

*****

Herb Zurkowski reported yesterday that the Als are expected to put Jonathan Crompton on the six-week injured list.

http://www.tsn.ca/als-still-hoping-crompton-s-injury-not-long-term-1.322016

*****

Swayze Waters will miss the next 4-6 weeks with a torn quad.

http://www.tsn.ca/argos-waters-out-4-6-weeks-with-torn-quad-1.322049

http://cfl.ca/article/argos-kicker-waters-to-miss-4-6-weeks

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Mike Reilly will miss the next 10-12 weeks with a torn posterior cruciate. Here's the video.

http://www.tsn.ca/eskimos-qb-reilly-out-10-12-weeks-1.321986

http://cfl.ca/article/eskimos-confirm-reilly-to-miss-10-12-weeks

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cfl.ca 6/30 power rankings

http://cfl.ca/article/nissan-titan-power-rankings-bombers-make-big-leap

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Week 1 Plays of the Week video

http://cfl.ca/video/index/id/111899

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It looks like the Hall of Fame will be moved to Tim Horton Field.

http://3downnation.com/2015/06/30/projected-ticats-roster-moves-some-cfl-news/#comments

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Mike Beamish Week 2 picks and power rankings

http://www.canada.com/sports/football/cfl/Power+Rankings/11178784/story.html

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Malcolm Kelly 6/30 power rankings

http://www.cbc.ca/m/touch/sports/sports-cfl/story/1.3133296

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Cappers Mall 6/30 power rankings

http://www.cappersmall.com/forums/f257/cfl-week-2-power-rankings-609297/

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AJM 6/28 power rankings

https://ajmbroadcasteducator.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/week-2-cfl-power-rankings/

Edited July 1, 2015 by GA Russell

GA Russell · July 1, 2015

Happy Dominion Day everyone!

I learned today that there is a book about Terry Evanshen called The Man Who Lost Himself by June Callwood. It was made into a movie.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0771018649/sr=1-1/qid=1435764922/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&qid=1435764922&sr=1-1

*****

Gregg Xenakes Week 2 picks

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=833223

*****

7/1 Checking Down

http://cfl.ca/article/checking-down-whos-who-in-week-2

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The Argos have signed a kicker named Dan Pfeffer to fill in for Swayze Waters. He was All-Canadian last year with Wilfred Laurier.

http://www.tsn.ca/argos-sign-kicker-pfeffer-to-fill-in-for-waters-1.322796

*****

Here is Allan Maki's obituary of Wayne Harris.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/football/cfl-all-star-wayne-harris-revolutionized-the-linebacker-position/article24837844/

GA Russell · July 1, 2015

The Riders have brought back Tino Sunseri to back up Kevin Glenn.

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-bring-back-qb-sunseri-1.323015

*****

The Riders have also brought back Paul McCallum (!) and de-activated Chris Milo. No link yet.

*****

Jamie Nye Week 2 picks

http://cfl.ca/article/weekly-predictor-nye-sticking-with-ottawa-in-week-2

*****

StatsGeek looks at Canadian quarterbacks.

http://cfl.ca/article/statsgeek-a-closer-look-at-canadian-content

GA Russell · July 1, 2015

Today being a holiday in Canada, I didn't expect there to be any news.

Here are the links for the McCallum story.

http://cfl.ca/article/kicker-paul-mccallum-signs-contract-with-riders

http://www.tsn.ca/roughriders-sign-k-mccallum-qb-sunseri-1.323015

GA Russell · July 2, 2015

Mark Fulton Week 2 preview (stats)

http://3downnation.com/2015/07/02/week-2-preview-by-the-numbers-p-1/#comments

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John Hodge Week 2 picks

http://3downnation.com/2015/07/02/week-two-cfl-picks/#comments

*****

Week 2 game notes

http://cfl.ca/article/cflca-game-notes-a-look-at-week-2

*****

Some CFL games will be shown on English TV this year, so the BBC has today posted an article about the league.

http://www.bbc.com/news/business-33324426?SThisFB

*****

Week 2 trick shot

http://www.tsn.ca/thursday-night-trick-shots-week-2-1.323855

GA Russell · July 3, 2015

Hamilton 52....Winnipeg 26

http://www.cfl.ca/article/all-three-phases-cats-pile-on-points-in-win-over-bombers

http://www.tsn.ca/cfl/game/hamilton-tiger-cats-winnipeg-blue-bombers-20150702/stats

Drew Willy was hurt at the end of the first quarter, perhaps with a concussion. Brian Brohm played the rest of the game for the Bombers, but the hit that Willy took seemed to take the life out of the Bombers. Zach Collaros looked terrific.

GA Russell · July 3, 2015

Here's more on the Ticats' win last night.

http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=833602

http://3downnation.com/2015/07/02/ticats-dismantle-bombers-52-26/

http://www.tsn.ca/bombers-lose-home-opener-and-qb-willy-against-ticats-1.324341

*****

Paul LaPolice discusses the new punt coverage rules.

http://www.tsn.ca/video/coach-s-playbook-new-punt-cover-rules-1.324322

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Lowell Ullrich BC season preview

http://www.theprovince.com/sports/football/bc-lions/Ullrich+Lions+youngest+team/11183899/story.html

GA Russell · July 4, 2015

Montreal 29....Calgary 11
http://cfl.ca/article/dream-debut-cato-magic-as-als-upset-stamps
http://www.tsn.ca/rookie-cato-shines-as-alouettes-defeat-stampeders-1.325230
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=833818

Surprise! The Als started rookie Rakeem Cato, who wasn't even on the roster last week, and he looked terrific. He looked like an All-Star. The Als' o-line protected him very well the entire game. Nik Lewis also had a good game against his former team.

Bo Levi Mitchell spent the game overthrowing his receivers. The Als' new kicker is Boris Bede. Tom Higgins likes him because of the hang time he gets on his punts (which the new rules favor). But I've got real doubts about his future as a placekicker.

Because the line of scrimmage for the two-point convert has been moved up to the three, we've been seeing teams try that fairly often so far, and I expect to see a lot more of it. Last night Matt Dunigan said while announcing the game that he thought that teams should go for two every time, with a short pass to the front of the end zone.

GA Russell · July 5, 2015

Ottawa 27....BC 16
http://www.thestar.com/sports/football/2015/07/04/burris-leads-redblacks-to-victory-over-bc-lions.html
http://cfl.ca/article/burris-redblacks-win-home-opener-over-lions
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=834008

Another surprise! Unlike last year, Hank's receivers are holding on to the ball. The Redblacks have now matched their win total of last year - 2.

You will recall that Travis Lulay missed many games last year because of injury. He seems to have recovered, but it is too early to say if he is back to his old self.

*****

Sunday's game between the Argos and the Riders will start at 3:30 pm eastern.

The word is that when Paul McCallum first entered the locker room this week, some of the rookies thought that he was somebody's dad. I saw on twitter one wag saying that he had demanded a "no manure" clause in his contract!

GA Russell · July 6, 2015

Toronto 42....Sask 40
http://www.sportsnetwork.com/merge/tsnform.aspx?c=sportsnetwork&page=cfl/news/news.aspx?id=834123
http://www.tsn.ca/argos-outlast-roughriders-in-ot-thriller-1.326127
http://cfl.ca/article/harris-heady-at-the-helm-in-ot-thriller

Quite a game! The Riders had a ten-point lead after three, but the Argos came back to tie it as time expired (with the convert). At that point I would have gone for two to win the game, but Milanovich settled for one to send it into overtime. On the last play of the game, the Riders failed on the two-point convert when Glenn's throw to Getzlaff was too low.

The Rider fans gave Paul McCallum a very warm welcome upon his return. Trevor Harris had another great game. If he keeps this up, I would have to say that the Argos won't need Ricky Ray. Kevin Glenn enjoyed a good day as well.

This was the first time since the '60s that the Argos wore white jerseys with white pants.

*****

Here is an article which compares Rakeem Cato's game against the Stamps to the first games of CFL greats. You will note that one comment mentions Joe Zuger, who is not included in the article.
http://cfl.ca/article/catos-electrifying-performance-one-for-the-ages