Should There Be An All Canadian Senior Bowl during CFL Week?

[jerrym]

Rod Pedersen argues that an All Canadian Senior Bowl during CFL Week would greatly increase interest in the event. What do you think?

If the CFL wants all the top players to attend and make it a true fan event one (very drastic) way to do it is to turn it into an All-Canadian Senior Bowl (for fun let’s call it the Russ Jackson Bowl).

Have the combine testing, four days of game prep and one-on-ones for the scouts (both CFL and NFL scouts would definitely attend) then finish the week with a televised game for the fans (I say for the fans, because at other senior-oriented events in the U.S. you see the scouts leave before the game).

Fans would get a chance to see how a player from the Prairie Football Conference would match up with a player from the Big Ten and a player from the OUA! Can those high-ranked NCAA players adjust to playing the CFL game and with some playing a different position that would fit their skills?

It would also bring a bigger pool of players into the fold. Eighty players would be invited with coaches provided from the East and West Division final losing teams.

Players would arrive Sunday with testing on Monday and Tuesday. Practices would run Wednesday through Friday with a Saturday afternoon game. Throw in CFL governors meetings and CFL Week, it would be one hell of a week of football that would put the league front and centre on the sports landscape.

The first thing would be to kill the East - West Showcase that’s usually in May. This game is for the top USports players eligible for the next year’s draft. It doesn’t include the top NCAA or Canadian Junior players.

Each CFL club pays a lot of money for East - West Showcase, so instead the money could be put towards a true senior event.

Next is probably the most difficult, moving the event to January after finals are over. It would almost make this a Vancouver exclusive event because Rogers Centre is now the only domed CFL stadium.

The other problem with January is that it’s a long way from the CFL draft in May turning the CFL off-season upside down. This could be a blessing in disguise because now there is more time to build up a player’s profile leading up to the draft.

This would be a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) for the CFL, but it would be an incredible step to making the CFL a true year-round sport!

http://www.rodpedersen.com/2018/03/o...nior-bowl.html

[ArgoRavi]

I actually like this idea very much. Make it happen!

[doubleblue]

The top players would be reluctant to play in case an injury would hurt their NFL chances. But I would like to see it, or something like the old Can-Am game. With the best Canadian Seniors prospects available picked by the pro scouts against a team of US All Stars. Late January might be a better time when the players are still in playing shape. The earlier Can-Am games had only CIS players for Canada which left off any NCAA Canadian players.

[paulwoods13]

I can't see it happening although it would be really nice to see a showcase like that. As doubleblue said, risk of injury would make many prospects reluctant to play -- some don't even want to chance injury in the combine drills. And expecting players to be game-ready months after their season ends is unrealistic. If there was a way to do this in January, it might be possible but even then, many draft-eligible players would have been inactive for weeks. And of course there's the potential black eye that would come from interviews with QBs who aren't likely to get much of a shot in the CFL (although that may change in the coming years, especially if Bridge and Buckley become legitimate players).

[OV Argo]

I've posted an idea for creating this concept/game for Canadian football - in the past, going back years now, and on several internet football forums.

I proposed it be held in December - not long after the GC & Vanier - (if it would not conflict with too many student/athlete schedules) - as a sort of end to the Canadian football season. Invite all the top CIS players going into their CFL draft years, plus invite some draftable NCAA ball Canadian players + a few Junior stars as well. Hold a week event with a Combine & practices (the Big Owe in Montreal might work as a location); and a game at the end - the game would HAVE to be on National TV (surely TSN or somebody else could step up to show it?) Promote the hell out of this game = it could benefit the CFL & CIS ball.

The US hosts many such events for draft year football players - and yes there is always the risk of injury - as a way to promote the game and young players about to go on to the pros. The CIS East-West game is a good event that has been going on for years now; but it is in May (not real football season), with little PR about it and it has not been televised. Not good enough IMO. More Canadians could learn about the good young football talent in their own country. Combine CFL & NFL ratings = football has a HUGE following in this country. But respect for young Canadian football talent is sadly lacking IMO.