David wrote:All good points, West Coast Joe. This kind of begs the question,
"who is the CFLs flagship or model franchise?"
Some might say the Roughriders due to their incredible marketing machine and rabid fan base. Even the Eskimos, although they really took an on-field hit in 2013 from which they're just recovering. However, looking at it holistically top-to-bottom, you could certainly make a case for the Stampeders. Amazing player personnel development, top-notch coaching, CDN drafting, and a first-class playing environment (can you believe the following from Scott Mitchell from the Calgary Sun?
"....However, according to sources, (Bo Levi) Mitchell won’t be among the top-five paid quarterbacks in three-down football, taking a Tom Brady-esque hometown discount to help his bosses build a winner." Or Josh Bell signing his extension this week:
"....this extension is a two-way thing. I wanted to be in Calgary and Calgary wanted me to be there.” ).
For a time, I thought it was trending toward BC in the Ackles days: great crowds, superior talent, quarterbacking factory, the Waterboys, refurbished stadium on the way. But things have slipped mightily here. Very good but not great talent and depth, middling drafting results, quarterbacking question marks, the cheeseball "guaranteed win night" that reeked of desperation, the somewhat awkward "Geroy Simon Night," Wally's callous treatment of veterans (i.e. Dante Marsh)......
DH
Points well made, David.
The Riders have the fan base, and they deserve a good team. IMO Solid organization in most respects in terms of personnel work and coaching.
The Stampeders under Hufnagel are the "flagship of the league." In all respects, as noted above. #1 -- developing quarterbacks. And even getting maximum mileage out of a guy like Kevin Glenn.
Yes, we have slipped badly in the absence of Bobby Ackles. A terrible blow to our organization. God bless him, and God rest him.
Rammer wrote:BC had their run, it was fun while Ackles was in charge, an era that was unprecedented in Lion history. RIP BA. Since then the Lions are in the mix of top tiered teams, but trail in two fundamental aspects that the Riders and Stamps have flourished in, fan loyalty and of course the Stamps depth in coaching, recruiting and on-field success.
One major problem has been the Lions desire to keep the ties that Wally has established during his CFL career in the coaching ranks. As loyal as Wally is to the ex-teammates, ex-coaches, it had to run its course. At least Tedford (still tied to Wally), didn't stand under Wally to establish his career, like so many others that have been with the Lions. Wally's conservative nature for play calling had to lead to Benevides rise in the ranks, as he was as conservative without the experience to draw from, or some may suggest the horseshoes that seemed to follow Wally (just look at the succession of QB's). In Tedford the Lions have a proven QB developer, something that should elevate the Lions success.
On to the next Lion era of success, I says.
We miss Bobby Ackles so much. I am very happy to have had the chance to chat with him a bit over the years.
Wally's loyalty has two edges to it. It builds stability, and that can help success. But it can also build complacency and obsolescence. We have seen both.
As noted a few times, IMO Wally is first and foremost a survivor, with all the requisite skills and values. We have seen him adapt, when he absolutely has to. The unfortunate thing for our team under Wally is that the league has evolved, upward. It is on the football map, something that it seems to me was not always the case. Top notch coaches. Xs and Os masters. Loads and loads of talent to draft and recruit. More power to the top personnel guys. More power to the coaches.
So we have tried to adapt by bringing in Jeff Tedford. I would say we were extremely lucky in our timing, and in his career path and health, in that he was available to us. Great good fortune. And one of Wally's strengths is his ability to build his network.
So we are in the ballgame. But we are looking up. At Calgary. At Edmonton. At Regina. At Hamilton. Maybe even at Toronto, with their horrendous challenges. Montreal has rebounded nicely, under Popp and Higgins.
Things can change fast in the CFL. Witness Edmonton with Chris Jones. We will see ...
John Madden's Team Policies: Be on time. Pay attention. Play like hell on game day.
Jimmy Johnson's Game Keys: Protect the ball. Make plays.
Walter Payton's Advice to Kids: Play hard. Play fair. Have fun.
