CFL

[CanadianSteve]

Tonight the Toronto Argonauts beat the Hamilton Tigercats in the CFL's Eastern semi-final, 24-6 in front of 31,000+ fans. That is a big crowd compared to last year's average of about 15,000 for the Argos, a low point in their history. Last year toronto and Hamilton went through financial problems, but have bounced back under new owners.

The CFL is enjoying a renaissance in popularity this year. My son went to the game tonight at the Skydome, with his school fotball team, and said it was quite exciting.

Many Canadians prefer the NFL, but the CFL is a great game too, slightly different rules, and I'm glad to see it doing well.

http://www.cfl.ca/

I know most here are NFL fans, and probably know little about the CFL. Has anyone seen a game?

 

[camsmith]

Havnt ever seen it, like the AFL (arena) and NFL europe, we dont hear a single thing about any other leagues.. unfortunatly... ive read the modified rules and stuff, the game sounds alright (faster..) 8)

 

[CanadianSteve]

Toronto Argonauts upset the Montreal Alouettes in the Easten final, to earn a place in the Grey Cup agains the B.C. Lions.

The Lions beat Saskatchewan in the western final in overtime. For a few years the CFL has had a shootout style of overtime much like the NCAA's (US colllege football). One team gets the ball on the 35, and keeps it until they score or lose the ball. The other team then gets the ball and has a chance to tie or win. On Sunday, Saskatchewan's kicker missed a field goal, and the BC kicker made one to win the game. It's a pretty exciting format.

One thing the CFL has that the NRL doesn't is that it's truly a national game. The Grey Cup (our GF/Super Bowl) is always played between a western and an eastern team, and so there is a natural rivalry there no matter which of the teams make it.

 

[CanadianSteve]

The CFL overtime procedure:

http://www.cfl.ca/CFLRulebook/rule_1.html#8

SECTION 8: TIE GAME
In the event that the score is tied at the end of the second half of a game each team will be given the opportunity to score using the following procedure.
The first team, as determined by coin toss, shall scrimmage the ball at the opponent's 35 - yard line, and may advance by consecutive series of downs until it makes a score or loses possession.
The second team will then scrimmage at the same 35 - yard line and proceed as above.
If the score is still tied the procedure shall be repeated, not more than once, or a winner is determined after both teams have had equal opportunities to score.
If a winner is not determined after two attempts the game will be declared a tie.
If the game is a playoff or championship game and a winner must be determined the same procedure shall continue until a winner is finally declared.

 

[BuffaloRules]

Steve, I believe that the Bills have a huge following in Toronto.

Is this true??

 

[Big Tim]

With that overtime format, is it a repeated number of downs eg never-ending, or is it like a series of 4? If it is unlimited, it would be a real thrill, as a defense could win a game by causing a turnover. Sounds pretty exciting to watch.

 

[CanadianSteve]

Steve, I believe that the Bills have a huge following in Toronto.

Is this true??

Yes, every home game buses from Toronto and southern Ontario take fan groups to Rich Stadium. They are the most popular NFL team in these parts, though more so in the 90s when they went to the 4 SB's.

 

[CanadianSteve]

With that overtime format, is it a repeated number of downs eg never-ending, or is it like a series of 4? If it is unlimited, it would be a real thrill, as a defense could win a game by causing a turnover. Sounds pretty exciting to watch.

Canadian football plays 3 downs to make 10 yards, as opposed to the US 4 downs. The overtime is played with the same rules - if you make a first down you keep going. If it's 3rd down you would likely kick a field goal, unless the other team already had a touchdown.

 

[CanadianSteve]

Toronto wins Grey Cup:

OTTAWA — Twenty-year veteran Damon Allen ran in two touchdowns and passed for another as the Toronto Argonauts defeated the B.C. Lions 27-19 in the Grey Cup game tonight.
Allen, a 41-year-old grandfather who is the CFL's all-time passing leader, scored on a pair of one-yard plunges to lead the Argonauts to their first CFL championship since they won consecutive Grey Cups in 1996 and 1997.

He was named the game's outstanding player.

The capacity crowd of 51,242 at Frank Clair Stadium saw Robert Baker make a touchdown catch and Noel Prefontaine boot two field goals for Toronto, whose much-maligned attack moved the ball with authority against the favoured Lions

Damon Allen is the brother of NFL hall of famer Marcus Allen.