Is the CFL Screwing Canadian QBs?

[OV Argo]

[QUOTE=Mocha;153039]I think both areas have much to crow about.

The west has five CFL teams; Quebec has one. Canada West has six USports teams; RSEQ has five (but Laval has clearly proven to be the #1 football school for about two decades now). Quebec has CEGEP football (something I wish colleges around the country would try to emulate). The West has 12 CJFL teams, with Saskatoon being as dominant a program as Laval. I wish Quebec would add teams to the CJFL ranks too.



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You're wanting to compare 4 Western Provinces combined to just one - Quebec ?


Not only has Quebec added strong football programs in U Sports ball - Laval, Montreal, Sherbrooke - in the fairly recent Canadian football past; but they have (always had) a Junior ball league (not currently involved with the CJFL) and something like 26 CEGEP teams - all with coaching included ;o) Again, per capita wise, they blow away any Western area, in both football participation and lower levels (not the CFL) fan support; the attendance at some very fine CanWest programs like for Calgary Dinos games, is putrid mostly; compare that to Montreal vs. Laval in the Q.

[Mocha]

Per capita, the West has far more professional teams (about 1 team per 2.5 million people) than Quebec has (1 team per 8.5 million people). The west also has solid participation from women with the WWCFL. That's not to say I think the West is THE centre for football in Canada. BOTH areas have much to be proud of.

[OV Argo]

Per capita, the West has far more professional teams (about 1 team per 2.5 million people) than Quebec has (1 team per 8.5 million people). The west also has solid participation from women with the WWCFL. That's not to say I think the West is THE centre for football in Canada. BOTH areas have much to be proud of.

Yes - agreed basically.

But football in Canada can be viewed in a broader way - the CFL is not the be all and end all of Canadian football IMO

Montreal - with the Big Owe - still holds all-time attendance marks for CFL games (reg. season + GC); and the difference between support for U Sport ball - where Montreal vs. Laval at PEPS - in the regular season - has drawn a 19K plus crowd, vs. some of the pathetic attendance #s in CanWest ball, is eye-opening and telling. Very sad to see a powerhouse Calgary Dinos team - that has produced so many CFL players - draw flies to some of their games ? = not near good enough if you consider yourself real Canadian football territory, IMO.

And the much maligned Ottawa as a football town (especially by some snotty Westerners) deserves some recognition - not for just the successful revival of the CFL team, but Panda Games (GGs vs. Ravens) have drawn 20K plus crowds recently. Nobody out West in U Sports ball ever shows that kind of support for any Canadian football other than CFL teams. Ottawa also had (late 80s /early 90s) a semi-pro American league team - the Bootleggers - who drew crowds in the 5K plus range. And Ottawa has 2 U Sports football teams and 2 Junior ball teams (plus a Senior league team too still i believe (?) ) And Ottawa minor or HS ball has produced lots of pro level talent - like 2 current NFL D-lineman (Ankou & Gallimore - both with the Cowboys); a bunch of players on NCAA Div I ball teams; also some QB by the name of O'Connor.

[Mocha]

I'd love to see more teams in Canada West get fan support like we see in Laval or for the Panda game in Ottawa. It's high time Edmonton and Calgary get second USports teams to help create cross-town rivalries. UBC could use another team within 1000 km too. Unfortunately I don't think Simon Fraser has any intention of returning.

Likewise I'd love to see pro teams in Quebec get the kind of fan support we see in Winnipeg, Regina, and Edmonton. The record numbers for football at Olympic Stadium were, sadly, set a long time ago.

Agree that Ottawa is a solid football city. I'm impressed by how many kids I see throwing around footballs in parks and/or wearing Redblacks gear.

[carlos]

You might not hear about them because the interest level in the media up here on lower levels of Canadian football is pathetic.

Plenty of ex-CFL players coach in Canada; and there are tons of veteran Canadian football coaches who are not from the CFL but are very well versed in and super experienced in Canadian football; way more so than ego-Jones - he can stay down in the States please

Maybe in the larger urban centers. Jordan Younger comes to mind.

Where I live in northern Ontario regular teachers coach the football team. They do their best but are far from specialists. It would create a lot of excitement for the whole program and town to have an ex player come in for the season. I know of not one CFL player that grew up in NW Ontario. Lots of hockey players though.

[OV Argo]

Maybe in the larger urban centers. Jordan Younger comes to mind.

Where I live in northern Ontario regular teachers coach the football team. They do their best but are far from specialists. It would create a lot of excitement for the whole program and town to have an ex player come in for the season. I know of not one CFL player that grew up in NW Ontario. Lots of hockey players though.

Mike O'Shea is from North Bay; current vet Ottawa RedBlack Nigel Romick is from Thunder Bay; all-time great CFL saftey John Wydraney was from Hearst; Sudbury has had a team in a Senior league for a very long time I believe.

[carlos]

Mike O'Shea is from North Bay; current vet Ottawa RedBlack Nigel Romick is from Thunder Bay; all-time great CFL saftey John Wydraney was from Hearst; Sudbury has had a team in a Senior league for a very long time I believe.

Did not know about Romick. MOS retired in 2008. John Wydraney finished up in 1972. Qualifies in my book as few and far between.

[OV Argo]

Did not know about Romick. MOS retired in 2008. John Wydraney finished up in 1972. Qualifies in my book as few and far between.

Those were 3 off the top of my head; guarantee there are many more good football players who came out of N. Ontario regions.

[PeterMerchant]

Regarding Chris Merchant:

https://www.americanfootballinternat..._2wIolfL0ht6Ac


Top 5 or 10 Plays of the Week - AFI


Las Rozas Black Demons


AFI’s Top 5 Plays of the Week (March 27th-28th)
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=87t8WzKH7L8&noapp=


March 27, 2021
Las Rozas Black Demons @ Osos Rivas Madrid Derby Highlights : LNFA Serie A 2/20
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbLFYf153L0


March 7th, 2021
#1 Merchant Makes Magic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QBZehDjlluo


March 4, 2021
#2 Saunders Mosses Two Defenders (pass from Chris Merchant)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bw15jSs8BH8


Feb. 28, 2021
#8 Merchant Drops a Dime
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qIqPsNJckA0&t=60s


Feb. 20, 2021
Las Rozas Black Demons @ Osos Rivas Madrid Derby Highlights : LNFA Serie A
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=CbLFYf153L0

[PeterMerchant]

Chris Merchant's measured performance at the Combine:

https://www.americanfootballinternat...ls-at-combine/

[PeterMerchant]

More on topic, Chris Merchant hopes Spain will help overcome the Cdn. QB Stigma:
https://www.americanfootballinternat...ian-qb-stigma/

[PeterMerchant]

You thread came up in a search, gentlemen - I thought I'd contribute to the conversation - hope you don't mind. I am Chris' Dad.

[jerrym]

You thread came up in a search, gentlemen - I thought I'd contribute to the conversation - hope you don't mind. I am Chris' Dad.

Thanks for all the information Peter. I'm glad to see Chris doing so well in Spain. Hopefully, he will someday get a chance to do that in Canada.

[OV Argo]

Thanks for the info as well Peter; pass on congrats to Chris on his undefeated season in Spain.

How/when do the play-offs work there, and will his team have a chance to play for the European Championship ?

[jerrym]

Chris Merchant has just signed to play with the Stockholm Mean Machines of the Swedish Superserien league, the highest level of American football in Sweden, once the Spanish Las Rozas Black Demons team season ends.

The star Canadian quarterback and reigning Hec Crighton winner is currently suiting up for the Las Rozas Black Demons of Spain, but has announced his commitment to play for the Stockholm Mean Machines of the Swedish Superserien as soon as the Spanish season ends.

“I know the program has a long history of success and has high expectations to win every year as shown by their 11 national championships. That is exactly the type of program I want to be a part of because I believe I can help make this years’ expectations a reality,” Merchant said of his decision. I also know the program has been built with a great group of players and when they bring in import players, they hope that we can help develop their youth for the future success of the program as well. As someone who loves to coach and share my knowledge of the game, the Mean Machines give me the perfect balance of everything I am looking for.”

Merchant currently has another championship on his mind. After snapping the four-time reigning Spanish champion Badalona Dracs 47-game winning streak in his European debut,the Canadian has the Black Demons sitting 7-0 with one week remaining in the Spanish season.

As the country’s only undefeated team, they are heavily favoured to bring home the national championship, something Merchant is no stranger to.

https://3downnation.com/2021/04/10/h...mean-machines/

[jerrym]

Chris Merchant comments on joining the Stockholm Mean Machines:

“I know the program has a long history of success and has high expectations to win every year as shown by their 11 national championships. That is exactly the type of program I want to be a part of because I believe I can help make this years’ expectations a reality,” Merchant said of his decision."

https://www.facebook.com/StockholmMe...09347442428969

[jerrym]

Merchant with 5 TD passes and 64 yards rushing led the Las Rozas Black Demons to a 49-14 victory over Mallorca in the Spanish league's semi final. The Black Demons finished 7-1, with Merchant being rested in the entire final game loss before the playoffs while the backup Demons QB was only able to lead the high scoring Merchant offence to six points. The Black Demons will meet the Badalona Dracs, who had won the last four league championships as well 47 games in a row, before Merchant defeated them earlier in the season, in the finals.

With import Tanner Young injured, Mallorca chose to start the game with Diego Lliteras at quarterback. Scrambling to his right, his very first throw floated into the hands of Frederico Martinez for the interception in prime field position.

Star Canadian passer Chris Merchant took full advantage, finding an outstretched David Giron for a nine-yard touchdown on fourth down. The extra point was no good but the Black Demonsextended their lead on their next drive. Gabriel Lee Levin broke a 25-yard run to put the team in position and Merchant connected with a wide-open Mavin Saunders for a 10-yard touchdown and the ensuing two point attempt to make it 14-0. ...

Now with Carlos Vega at quarterback, Mallorca’s next drive ended in endzone pick, once again by Martinez. The Black Demons couldn’t capitalize despite a 64-yard bomb from Merchant to Jesus Perez. ....

Merchant dazzled with a 38-yard touchdown run later in the third. ...

Chris Merchant was his usual productive self for the Black Demons after sitting out the season finale two weeks ago, finishing 15 of 27 passing for 233 yards and five touchdowns to go with 64 yards and a score on the ground. ...

With the victory, the Black Demons have earned themselves a title shot against the winner of Sunday’s semi-final between the Badalona Dracs and Osos Rivas, the goal they set with an impressive spending spree this off-season.

Though not all those pieces remain in Madrid, the trajectory remains the same and whether the potent Las Rozas offense can be stopped is anybody’s guess.

https://www.americanfootballinternat...lorca-voltors/

[jerrym]

Below is an interview with Chris Merchant:

What has been the key to your team’s success this season?
Merchant: They key to our success this season has been focusing on the little details and making sure we come focused and ready to go every practice. A great coach once told me “you don’t rise to the level of the occasion, you fall to the level of your preparation. ...

What adjustments have you had to make going into the playoffs?
Merchant: We haven’t had to make many adjustments going into playoffs. We had a successful season and know that if we continue to do what we’ve done then we’ll also be successful in the playoffs. ...

How does the team feel going into the playoffs?
Merchant: We couldn’t be more excited as a team to start playoffs. This is what we’ve worked towards all season long and we are looking forwards to taking advantage of the opportunity....

How do you see your offense matching up with the opposing defense?
Merchant: I believe we have the best offense in the league and that no defense can matchup against us. We are prepared for a tough game but our offense will definitely be ready. ...

What would a title mean to your team?
Merchant: A title would mean a lot to this team. It has been a season full of adversity so winning it all would just show how strong this group is and how far we’ve come since the start of the season. ...

https://www.americanfootballinternat...-head-to-head/

[Mocha]

It looks like the final game for the Spanish league and Chris Merchant's Black Demons goes this Saturday at 1 pm Ontario time.

I'm betting there will be a live feed available. Anyone else interested in watching?

[OV Argo]

It looks like the final game for the Spanish league and Chris Merchant's Black Demons goes this Saturday at 1 pm Ontario time.

I'm betting there will be a live feed available. Anyone else interested in watching?

I tried to find some info on the Final on that AFI or whatever website, but it is next to useless.

I'd like to watch.