View from the Cheap Seats is kind of an extension of the newsroom. Whenever our three regular reporters, Calvin Daniels, Thom Barker and Randy Brenzen are in the building together, it is frequently a site of heated debate. This week: What do you think of proposed rule changes for the 2015 CFL football season?
More offence
I have always said the best kind of football is Canadian football. Now, proposed rule changes stand to make it even better still.
Primary among these relate to converts. If accepted by the board of governors, a single point convert would move from the 12-yard line to the 32. To further entice coaches to go for two points, the team would scrimmage from the three-yard line instead of the five. Finally, if a team elects to scrimmage from the 10-yard line instead and is successful, they will be awarded with a three-point convert.
The many permutations this will allow during, and particularly at the end of games, promises a lot of excitement.
Ultimately the thing that makes Canadian football so exciting is the wide-open offence. Another proposed rule change that could have an impact on that excitement include outlawing contact between receivers and defenders beyond five yards downfield.
Also, making the five-yard no-yard penalty more punitive by adding on to any potential return rather than making the receiving team choose between the penalty and the return. This eliminates incentive for the punting team to intentionally take the no-yards penalty to limit returns and could entail more excitement with more and longer punt returns.
There are a few others, too, all of which are designed to speed up the game and allow for more offence. Could be a very exciting season indeed.
-Thom Barker
Convert to converts
After careful consideration I have to say that I鈥檓 in favour of the rule changes that the CFL has proposed, just as long as they don鈥檛 go overboard and continually suggest new rule changes each and every year.
I鈥檒l only address the ones I like here, seeing as we simply don鈥檛 have enough room if all three of us were to address each and every proposed rule change.
I particularly like the proposed change in terms of converts. Currently it鈥檚 far too easy for a kicker to hit a one point convert after a touchdown. Heck, anyone of us could almost always nail a one point convert from where they kick it now. Moving it back to the 32-yard line from the 12-yard line is a great idea!
I also like the fact that they want to bring the ball closer to the goal-line for two point converts. Moving it from the five-yard line to the three-yard line might not seem like a big deal, but combine that with the fact that a one point conversion would now be a 32 yard kick and you鈥檝e got yourself the making of a two point convert.
The other proposed rule change that I鈥檓 a fan of is the one where the kicking team hoggies... errr, linemen, can鈥檛 leave the line of scrimmage until the ball is kicked. That not only would cut back on the amount of illegal blocking calls, but it also allows for the possibility of more big plays off of punt returns.
So like I had said, after careful consideration I found myself in favour of some of the rule changes, after initially shooting down any and all changes because, to quote my friend鈥檚 grandpa, 鈥淚 don鈥檛 like change.鈥�
-Randy Brenzen
Elevates the game
There are times sport leagues seem to be little more than dinosaurs stuck in the tarpit of 鈥榯radition鈥� afraid to take steps to improve the game.
Yet change is often positive.
Anybody that doubts change is often a positive only need to consider what hockey would be if the seventh man 鈥榬over鈥� still existed, and net minders were still required to stay on their skates.
If that is too far in the past for you to consider an argument, then how about the establishment of the three-point arc in basketball. It was not until the 1970s it was adopted by the National Basketball Association and now it is a hugely entertaining aspect of the game.
Then there is the more recent Free Guard Zone in curling to an area between the hog line and the tee line outside the rings where the lead rocks cannot be removed.
The rule change has lifted curling to a much higher level.
So when the Canadian Football League released a series of rule changes recently I was immediately intrigued. Change can be good.
Well after reading over the proposed changes they are not just good, they are great.
The committee proposed placement kicks for a single point after touchdowns be moved to the 32-yard line from the 12. Great, since point afters are mundane and boring as is.
Last year, 99.4 per cent of kicked converts were successful. In comparison, 81.3 per cent of field-goal attempts between 31 and 33 yards were successful.
Under the proposal, a kicked convert that is wide would remain live and could be returned for a two-point score, which is again sweet as such run backs are hugely exciting.
Also when the ball bounces on the ground and a five-yard no-yards penalty is assessed, the penalty should be automatically added to the punt return or where the ball was touched by the return team, whichever field position is better. Currently, the receiving teams have had to choose between the five-yard penalty or the yards gained on the return.
Again this just adds to the action.
The committee also proposed a rule that could entice coaches to attempt more two-point converts. If a team opts to run or pass for a two-point convert following a touchdown, the ball would be scrimmaged at the three-yard line instead of the five. Last year, only seven of 23 two-point converts were successful.
The rules committee also proposed making a convert worth three points when a team elects to run or pass from the 10-yard line.
The CFL has always had a unique feel, with offence as an overarching strength, and this only adds to that.
Any contact between defensive backs and receivers should be limited to within five yards of the line of scrimmage. Any contact beyond five yards should be subject to a penalty. The rules committee feels that change should create more room for offences. The rule works in the U.S., so why not here.
So the rule changes are all about offence and excitement, and that is to be applauded. While only a preseason trial run at present, I am already in favour of the package being implemented for the regular season. Go for it CFL!
- Calvin Daniels
