FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS
Why the Canadian Football League draft matters
VICKI HALL
In American folklore, the CFL draft is best known for the time — way back in 1991 — when cartoon character Homer Simpson stayed home from a barbecue hosted by hated neighbour Ned Flanders to watch the three-down talent lottery on television.
Let’s just say the draft — which is limited to Canadian or “national” players — is not historically considered a must-watch for football fans on either side of the border.
But don’t go telling Bo Levi Mitchell, the Calgary Stampeders’ quarterback out of Katy, Texas, that Sunday’s draft lacks drama and intrigue.
To Mitchell, the CFL draft provides the foundation for all nine teams. Draft well and reap the rewards. Select poorly and watch the losses mount.
“The best coaches and general managers in this league know that you’re only going to go as far as your Canadian depth,” said Mitchell, the CFL’s most outstanding player
“Because injuries are just what we sign up for. They’re part of the business.”
When an American player goes down — outside of a starting quarterback or all-star at another position — a capable replacement can usually be found either on the practice roster or via the negotiation list. The U.S. is full of outstanding football players with college experience who are not employed by the NFL.
In Canada, however, professional-calibre depth is an issue. And with CFL teams forced to dress at least 21 nationals in every game, the need for homegrown talent cannot be understated.
“If your second- and third-string guys are not up to par — or they’re not where they need to be — your team is going to feel that,” Mitchell said. “Our coaches really focus on the draft to try and find some studs — and maybe even diamonds in the rough that we can develop.
“I think that’s one of our biggest blessings.”
The Stampeders went 15-2-1 last season with a team stacked with quality Canadian talent.
Heading into the 2017 campaign, the roster includes a whopping 27 CFL draftees with 21 of those being Stampeders picks.
Punter Rob Maver, receiver Anthony Parker, centre Pierre Lavertu and linebacker Alex Singleton are all standout first-round picks.
But the CFL draft is nothing like the NHL draft where first-rounders historically have a great deal more success than those players picked on Day 2.
The CFL draft is muddied by the fact some prospects are already under contract or planning to try out in the NFL. And it’s not rare in the CFL for a second- or thirdrounder to outshine someone picked way before him.
Remember: the Stamps selected retired running back Jon Cornish — perhaps the best Canadian player of a generation — in the second round (16th overall) of the 2006 CFL Draft.
“I’ll probably be tweeting about it and just finding out who we get and welcoming the guys to the team and everything,” Mitchell said of the 2017 draft, which starts Sunday at 5 p.m.
“I’m definitely excited to find out what kind of talent we find.”
Barring a trade — and general manager John Hufnagel is known for wheeling and dealing on draft day — the Stamps have nine picks.
Their first selection comes near the end of the first round at eighth overall.
Given the recent injury trouble on the offensive line, odds are the Stamps will pick one of the big guys in the first round.
The need is clear and this draft — while a bit light on top-end talent — features a good crop of offensive linemen with the potential to start after a year or so of seasoning.
“I have a history and like to draft offensive linemen,” Hufnagel said.
“We’ll draft an offensive lineman or two somewhere in the draft.
“Obviously, we want to pick the best player that’s on the board, but we also have an eye on our needs and our priorities.
“I always say you need some good fortune during the draft to have a good draft.
“Hopefully, that holds true on Sunday.”