CFL Rule Changes 2025 Discussion

[Toppy Vann]

There will be a discussion by the Rules Committee on Kickoffs and injuries.

Despite being an American bred football expert there's the strong view by Jim Barker who bleeds and breathes the CFL that it not be changed versus I suppose the data on injuries.

This article in the Winnipeg Sun has a good deal of data in it.

‘Makes no sense for our game:’ Proposed changes to kickoff rules hotly debated at CFL Combine
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Author of the article:Ted Wyman
Published Mar 23, 2024 • Last updated Mar 23, 2024 • 5 minute read

Discussions centred on two possible plans:

— Giving teams the choice of scrimmaging at their own 40-yard line after opposition touchdowns and not receiving a kickoff at all.

— Having teams line up differently for kickoffs — the teams would line up five yards apart in the receiving zone, with only the kicker standing behind the line of scrimmage — something that was used by the now-defunct XFL and is expected to be adopted by the NFL.

“The whole thing makes no sense for our game,” Jim Barker said Saturday at the CFL Combine in Winnipeg.

“In this situation I’m just not a fan of it at all.”

“The injury thing? I don’t know the data, but I know it’s an exciting play in our game,” he said.

“Keeping the actual kicks and the actual covering and things like that, I think, are a crucial part of our game.”

https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football ... fl-combine


https://3downnation.com/2025/01/04/opin ... e-the-cfl/

[Toppy Vann]

I really like the willingness of JC Abbott to take strong stands in his articles despite last year's ill advised attack by Ryan Phillips calling him nothing but a HS coach.

Here he takes on Luke Willson for his views on punting in the CFL to which JC punts Willson for his ill-conceived views on the Canadian game.

There's a ton of great facts in this column that I encourage folks to read.

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/04/opin ... e-the-cfl/

Opinion: rule change to limit punts wouldn’t improve the CFL
By JC Abbott -January 4, 2025

It may be a new year but the same tired old narratives about the CFL are being carried into 2025.

On Wednesday, former NFL tight end and current TSN analyst Luke Willson was the latest to spark a debate amongst fans of the three-down league.

I’ll be honest, Willson isn’t really my cup of tea as a broadcaster but I have tremendous respect for what he accomplished as a player and can objectively appreciate the value he brings to his employer.

I think it’s fair to say that the ex-Seahawk feels similarly about the CFL. He has made clear in the past that he’s not much of a fan but has openly praised the quality of the athletes and, to his credit, sees their worth in the Canadian media landscape. I hope his appreciation for the league only grows but he’s viewing his proposed rule changes through NFL-coloured glasses.

NFL rose coloured glasses ignore the fact NFL kicking rules are stupid much like how they've handled OT during the years.

I'm not sure what value Willson contributes to his employer by demeaning the CFL in any way shape or form or passing comments.

[Toppy Vann]

To address the safety issue on kickoffs and punts, there is a simple answer to one involving head injuries.

Bring in rugby style tackles that don't allow above the shoulder tackles.

Bring back old time football where tacklers are taught to wrap 'em up at the legs - not all this namby pamby shoulder checking that fails as often as it injures ball carriers.