With a full slate of games back on the schedule this past week, it was once again all hands on deck for the CFL on TSN.
While three of the four games left a lot to be desired on the field, there’s still plenty to talk about when it comes to the product of the league’s official broadcaster.
Here are my thoughts on the week that was for the CFL on TSN.
First down
Week 5 saw the return of one of my absolute favourite booths not only in the CFL but Canadian sports in general.
On Friday night, we were treated to the duo of Dustin Nielson and Matt Dunigan as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hosted the Calgary Stampeders.
My love for Nielson’s call isn’t news as I suggested a few weeks ago that the Edmonton broadcaster should get the nod to call the Grey Cup. I hope that’s still an option given Bell Media’s decision to shutter TSN1260 radio and terminate all affiliated jobs, including Nielson’s full-time gig.
Duane Forde has more than earned the right to call the Grey Cup alongside Nielson, though if he weren’t the get the nod — and odds are it would go to Glen Suitor, anyway — then I would be thrilled to have Dunigan riding shotgun with Nielson.
I don’t think there’s any question that the Hall of Fame quarterback is much better in the booth than he is on the panel. He has the ability to react to and break down plays in real-time and doesn’t seem to rely on pre-planned bits.
Dunigan also brings a lot of fun to the booth, which can help raise the entertainment value of a lacklustre game. On the panel, it seems Dunigan sometimes struggles to get his point across. I’m not sure if he’s better off with less time to think about it or if the atmosphere of the game takes him to another level.
Whatever it is, he should be a weekly regular in the broadcast booth.
Second down
Speaking of the panel, there may not be two more polar opposite talents at the desk right now than Davis Sanchez and Paul LaPolice.
Frankly, the difference between them sticks out like a sore thumb when placed together, and it’s not flattering for Sanchez.
The former CFL defensive back has been a panelist for a few seasons now and it doesn’t feel like he’s improved all that much during that time. Sanchez does some good work for the CFL’s website but when he’s on TSN’s panel I’m often left wondering what point he’s trying to convey to the audience.
Sanchez often leads off halftime with a series of thoughts and on Friday night he was particularly all over the place.
On the other end, LaPolice speaks with purpose. He’s easily the strongest communicator on the panel and brings a good amount of insight since he’s actually been involved in the game as a coach in recent memory.
Overall, the panel has felt stale for some time now and LaPolice would be a good starting point for a new approach.
Third down
I don’t know who was in the truck on Saturday night for the game between the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Ottawa Redblacks, but they produced something I never thought I’d see in a game.
During the fourth quarter, which seems oddly late to convey this type of information, the broadcast highlighted the turnover both rosters experienced from last year and produced graphics to go along with it.
Normally, you’d probably see an “in and out” list or something along those lines featuring TSN’s graphics package.
Instead, we got this.
Screenshot courtesy: TSN
This is the PDF of a team-issued depth chart on the screen. I get there’s been a lot of turnover, but TSN needs to put in the work here and present a professional graphic.
Team-issued depth charts are made for fans and members of the media to know how players are lining up for a game, not to be shown on television.
Watchability index
- Calgary vs. Winnipeg: Nielson and Dunigan give this one the nod.
- Montreal vs. B.C.: this was the best game of the week.
- Edmonton vs. Saskatchewan: a chaotic final 90 seconds created a strong broadcast moment.
- Ottawa vs. Hamilton: Marshall Ferguson and Duane Forde are too much of the same tone, especially during an average game.
