Argofans

The members of this forum know good football, good football teams and good football people when they see it. There may be disagreement amongst the forum on some topics but in the end we all love Canadian football and it's rich history.

With that said the time has come for a discussion regarding which football braintrusts on CFL teams including GMs, Head Coaches, Assistant Coaches, Scouts, and Owners. Who among these people are the biggest GOBs. IE who is only going to play the minimum 7 Canadians while holding their nose wishing they could play only 5 or maybe none. Who is not interested in developing Canadian talent, much less start a Canadian QB.

Feel free to throw in past names for fun like the Chris Jonestown Experiment.

For example while I have nothing but respect for Don Matthews, when he was the HC for Baltimore he did not have a single Canadian on his roster. In fairness I don't know if he tried to recruit anyone and they declined to play there, but it was surprising and enjoyable when he lost the first Grey Cup to BC in 1994.

The worst for me was frormer Rider's GM Roy Shrivers. I remember that the Riders had a Canadian receiver who they didn't throw a pass to for two years.

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 6:38 pm The worst for me was frormer Rider's GM Roy Shrivers. I remember that the Riders had a Canadian receiver who they didn't throw a pass to for two years.

Last I recall a GM doesn’t call the plays, but go ahead, think what you want. Maybe said Canadian was only on the team because of his passport.

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:05 pm

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 6:38 pm The worst for me was frormer Rider's GM Roy Shrivers. I remember that the Riders had a Canadian receiver who they didn't throw a pass to for two years.

Last I recall a GM doesn’t call the plays, but go ahead, think what you want. Maybe said Canadian was only on the team because of his passport.

But he structures the team, picks the head coach, and I'm sure shares his vision with his coach. Your right, Shiver's thought Canadians were useless. Isn't that what we are debating on this thread? Some GM's on the other hand look for and give "Ratio breaking" Canadians a chance.

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:36 pm

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:05 pm

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 6:38 pm The worst for me was frormer Rider's GM Roy Shrivers. I remember that the Riders had a Canadian receiver who they didn't throw a pass to for two years.

Last I recall a GM doesn’t call the plays, but go ahead, think what you want. Maybe said Canadian was only on the team because of his passport.

But he structures the team, picks the head coach, and I'm sure shares his vision with his coach. Your right, Shiver's thought Canadians were useless. Isn't that what we are debating on this thread? Some GM's on the other hand look for and give "Ratio breaking" Canadians a chance.

My opinion? You and OV are looking for conspiracy theories all the time. I pull for Canadians. I am proud whenever they succeed. But this constant “coaches and management is anti Canadian” annoys the hell out of me. Mike O’Shea is as Canadian as it gets yet he constantly only has 7 Canadian starters and has represented the west in the Grey Cup for 5 consecutive years. Enough with this garbage.

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:20 pm

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:36 pm

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:05 pm

Last I recall a GM doesn’t call the plays, but go ahead, think what you want. Maybe said Canadian was only on the team because of his passport.

But he structures the team, picks the head coach, and I'm sure shares his vision with his coach. Your right, Shiver's thought Canadians were useless. Isn't that what we are debating on this thread? Some GM's on the other hand look for and give "Ratio breaking" Canadians a chance.

My opinion? You and OV are looking for conspiracy theories all the time. I pull for Canadians. I am proud whenever they succeed. But this constant “coaches and management is anti Canadian” annoys the hell out of me. Mike O’Shea is as Canadian as it gets yet he constantly only has 7 Canadian starters and has represented the west in the Grey Cup for 5 consecutive years. Enough with this garbage.

And here i thought you actually followed the CFL (outside of being an Argo fan); just FYI - the Bombers started 9 Canadians basically all of last year; as did the Argos in the GC. The 2 teams that weren't GOB 7 Canadians only need apply myopics met in the GC; and the 2 teams led by GOB 7 only types - Stumps & Pussycats - finished in the basement = who knew ? LOL

The "what conspiracy" card is constantly played by CFL establishment dupes who don't want to hear that the CANADIAN Football League is run basically by Americans and for Americans. More Americans on rosters and less Canadian as a percentage than ever now. "ratio busters" = LOL. And American QBs don't make CFL rosters just because of their "passports" - nah, never happen. If you're good with that stuff - to each his own opinion on the CFL. There's another CFL fan forum that would make you an honored member for constantly babbling about the 7 only who need apply for their team.

As far as "the Don" and his time running the Baltimore CFL team, as far as I know there were ZERO Canadian players who even got a try-out , let alone made a roster, with ANY of those American CFL teams at the time. Speaks volumes IMO, but perhaps that is how some would like the CFL to be.


Interstin' article on 3 Down recently on Laurier HC (and former top U Sports QB) Mike Faulds commenting on the state of "blood" running the CFL; he was kinda muted and diplomatic, but IMO it was easy to tell what he thinks about the GOB CFL.

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:20 pm

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:36 pm

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:05 pm

Last I recall a GM doesn’t call the plays, but go ahead, think what you want. Maybe said Canadian was only on the team because of his passport.

But he structures the team, picks the head coach, and I'm sure shares his vision with his coach. Your right, Shiver's thought Canadians were useless. Isn't that what we are debating on this thread? Some GM's on the other hand look for and give "Ratio breaking" Canadians a chance.

My opinion? You and OV are looking for conspiracy theories all the time. I pull for Canadians. I am proud whenever they succeed. But this constant “coaches and management is anti Canadian” annoys the hell out of me. Mike O’Shea is as Canadian as it gets yet he constantly only has 7 Canadian starters and has represented the west in the Grey Cup for 5 consecutive years. Enough with this garbage.

AngeloV the Blue Bombers started 9 Canadians and the Argos started 10 Canadians during last years Grey Cup. There are no conspiracies, some CFL GMs and Coaches feel its best to minimize the Canadian content, and I guess you have to respect that. The only thing you can debate is whether embracing Canadian content brings your team more success than trying to minimize it. And GMs can change their thinking too. Last year the Tiger cats under Ed Hervey probably had the worst Canadian depth and this year Hervey as the Elks GM they have some of the best Canadian depth.

j-ski wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:32 am

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:20 pm

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:36 pm
But he structures the team, picks the head coach, and I'm sure shares his vision with his coach. Your right, Shiver's thought Canadians were useless. Isn't that what we are debating on this thread? Some GM's on the other hand look for and give "Ratio breaking" Canadians a chance.

My opinion? You and OV are looking for conspiracy theories all the time. I pull for Canadians. I am proud whenever they succeed. But this constant “coaches and management is anti Canadian” annoys the hell out of me. Mike O’Shea is as Canadian as it gets yet he constantly only has 7 Canadian starters and has represented the west in the Grey Cup for 5 consecutive years. Enough with this garbage.

AngeloV the Blue Bombers started 9 Canadians and the Argos started 10 Canadians during last years Grey Cup. There are no conspiracies, some CFL GMs and Coaches feel its best to minimize the Canadian content, and I guess you have to respect that. The only thing you can debate is whether embracing Canadian content brings your team more success than trying to minimize it. And GMs can change their thinking too. Last year the Tiger cats under Ed Hervey probably had the worst Canadian depth and this year Hervey as the Elks GM they have some of the best Canadian depth.

I will never disagree that the teams with the best Canadian talent are the most successful in the league. Personally, I have mentioned many times that I wish the league would go back to 10 starting Canadians as the mandate. I just get bothered by the constant rhetoric that the coaches and management are anti Canadian.
And yes, the Bombers did start 9 Canadians most of the year. You are right there, but they haven\t been that way for the majority of they 5 year run.

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:36 pm

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 7:05 pm

j-ski wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 6:38 pm The worst for me was frormer Rider's GM Roy Shrivers. I remember that the Riders had a Canadian receiver who they didn't throw a pass to for two years.

Last I recall a GM doesn’t call the plays, but go ahead, think what you want. Maybe said Canadian was only on the team because of his passport.

But he structures the team, picks the head coach, and I'm sure shares his vision with his coach. Your right, Shiver's thought Canadians were useless. Isn't that what we are debating on this thread? Some GM's on the other hand look for and give "Ratio breaking" Canadians a chance.

I just pray/hope this Argo regime does does not defer to standard GOB 7 only need apply thinking, with the losses of Robbie Smith, Metchie, Adeleke & Adeboboye; cause that is a recipe for a $hitty, last-place team.

Did add Judge & Varga (only one will be a real starter quite likely though); maybe Hergott and Ife Onyeka from last year's draft get a real shot to play DE reps; maybe Blackburn or a draft pick get a real chance to compete for the starting safety job; and maybe they draft well at other positions of need (like DT or RB) to make the roster and contribute. Also still time/chance to make a trade (draft time) to add more Canadian talent. We shall see.

And be interesting to see what Mr. Ed and the new, rookie HC in EE land do; with all their additions, they could easily IMO start 10 or 11 Canadians this season (Ford at QB; 4 O-line like they did last season; Gittens & J-Grant at receiver; Robbie Smith at DE, plus N. Curtis has played well on D-line for them and they have some other Canadian D-Line depth; Metchie at safety; Ty Ford at corner). Again, we shall see.

AngeloV wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 11:44 am

j-ski wrote: ↑Mon Feb 24, 2025 10:32 am

AngeloV wrote: ↑Sun Feb 23, 2025 11:20 pm

My opinion? You and OV are looking for conspiracy theories all the time. I pull for Canadians. I am proud whenever they succeed. But this constant “coaches and management is anti Canadian” annoys the hell out of me. Mike O’Shea is as Canadian as it gets yet he constantly only has 7 Canadian starters and has represented the west in the Grey Cup for 5 consecutive years. Enough with this garbage.

AngeloV the Blue Bombers started 9 Canadians and the Argos started 10 Canadians during last years Grey Cup. There are no conspiracies, some CFL GMs and Coaches feel its best to minimize the Canadian content, and I guess you have to respect that. The only thing you can debate is whether embracing Canadian content brings your team more success than trying to minimize it. And GMs can change their thinking too. Last year the Tiger cats under Ed Hervey probably had the worst Canadian depth and this year Hervey as the Elks GM they have some of the best Canadian depth.

I will never disagree that the teams with the best Canadian talent are the most successful in the league. Personally, I have mentioned many times that I wish the league would go back to 10 starting Canadians as the mandate. I just get bothered by the constant rhetoric that the coaches and management are anti Canadian.
And yes, the Bombers did start 9 Canadians most of the year. You are right there, but they haven\t been that way for the majority of they 5 year run.

Thanks AngeloV for the response. I too wish it was still 10 starting Canadians. I guess this is the wrong thread to start (or maybe the best if you want a lot of responses:-)) with the heightened Canadian Nationalism due to the Trump 51st state thing. I wonder how that will effect the CFL? I don't remember if we are allowed to talk politics on this forum so I won't say anything more. Peace brother, and Go Argos.