Comments on: CFLPA votes to retain Jeff Keeping as president

By: FootballFan

FootballFan — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 14:12:50 +0000

I appreciate those Americans who choose Canada to play professional football. It does not matter for me whether or not they are attempting to play for the purpose of playing two years then taking another crack at the NFL or not. I think the CFL and CFLPA should consider to naturalize an international player after 5 years if that player has been with the same team’s active roster. However, if that player is moved from the team that naturalized him then the player loses that distinction. This might allow teams to keep players and therefore allow players to stay in communities longer. I also think that those players should be able to pursue work outside of football in Canada.
I admire the players from small town USA who chooses Canada and who likely knows very little about our country. Some of those young kids stay permanently because of the opportunity that football provided to him and his family.
Obviously the naturalization of players would be a bonus for guys like Pinball Clemons or Solomon Elimimian and teams like Toronto and BC. I do not think there would be a big impact on Canadian players as I would not want the naturalization process to take away the opportunity for Canadian players.
Training camps begin in less than three months. Enjoy your weekend.

By: Garney26

Garney26 — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 23:39:32 +0000

If you really want to make the league better you need players staying ion cities longer and becoming part of there teams communities. Best way is to get rid of one year contracts, this never worked the way players wanted anyway and it didn’t increase there worth come free agency. Mostly bring back the non import rule where if an import player stays in the same city for 5 or more seasons he becomes a non import. It will help keep players with in the community and on teams longer. This will allow fans to bond and relate better to the guys on the field.

By: B

Fri, 02 Mar 2018 19:19:26 +0000

On Canadians, remember that the Canadian talent will be diluted fur5er anyway, if Halifax comes in.

On the cap (which wasn’t really the story), I suggest the league needs to head to CAD 10 million over the next five years to stay competitive with non-football jobs. The extra 5m is about a 25 – 33% increase in gross revenue for most clubs; I.e., a better US tv deal would be needed.

By: Quint

Quint — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 16:24:49 +0000

In reply to Jim.

MLS? Ummm … that’s more protectionist than the CFL.

In any event, the reality is that Canadian players are every bit as good as American players. The difference is that the coaching they receive through high school and college isn’t as good so they need, in most cases, development time in CFL rosters before being ready to play.

Because of the demand for good Canadian players, National talent gets paid propping up the salary floor. If the ratio goes away, salaries for everyone will drop. Long term, that would hurt the quality of play in the CFL as a number of players just wouldn’t find it worthwhile to come North for a low earnings ceiling. Entry level contracts in the CFL are sold to players on two bases: an opportunity to maybe get some exposure to NFL scouts; and, the potential to make good money in your second CFL contract. If you take away that potential to make decent money in the second contract, players won’t come.

The ration is a good thing in that it keeps salaries propped up for all players and it helps the quality of play.

By: Lennywasout

Lennywasout — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 16:20:05 +0000

In reply to s. Nope...add more Canadians..This the CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE,

By: Jim

Jim — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:37:44 +0000

Protectionism vs the best man wins. Quality of play vs upgrading the quality of play. The topic will NEVER GO away. The fans gotta vote with their pockets in buying tickets, merchandise etc. Some want the NHL, NFL, MLS, MLB or NBA equation in filling rosters. If protectionism is the most important factor simply REDUCE the non-canadian content and flip the starter quota to 7 non-canadians only as starters to increase revenues and interest in the league. If it works expand it to the coaches and front office personnel also. Good luck on the grand experiment.

By: Blue rules

Blue rules — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 15:13:57 +0000

In reply to Edward Leslie. You go Edward. Agreed!

By: Footballnut

Footballnut — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 14:56:16 +0000

In reply to Edward Leslie.

In bc nobody I know of recognizes the American bc lions players ! In my community the lions have dropped the ball since ackles died – no player recognition whatsoever . Kids wear seahawk jerseys to school ( and I’m not living in the lower mainland ). Canadian players w local connections is what the lions need and they need to get their asses back out into the community like ackles had them doing … I coach a high school team and those kids have no affinity for the lions ( a couple of them have worn rider green before though come to think of it ). Start from the ground up but Canadian players are easy for our kids to relate to imo

By: West Hill Wide Out

West Hill Wide Out — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 14:00:29 +0000

I think it’s difficult to argue Canadians are overpaid in the Canadian Football League. All ways round from coaches, to players to everyone else involved in the league more Canadians are needed.

By: Edward Leslie

Edward Leslie — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 12:12:56 +0000

s, if all industries did that (lowering the Canadian ratio) many of the people on 3downnation might be out of a job on Monday morning. The thing is: This IS CANADA, right? So whats wrong with a bit of nepotism for CANADIANS in a league called the CANADIAN Football League? With all three Quarterbacks Americans, except Saskatchewan & Calgary carrying a Canadian QB (what a novel concept!), there are actually more American players in the CFL than Canadians now. So why give more jobs to Anericans??