‘A problem that needed solving’

Continued from B5

Last season, the league also responded in-season by making teams burn a timeout every time a coach made an unsuccessful challenge.

That move did reduce the number of challenge flags over the remainder of the season, but it was clearly not enough.

There have been many challenges and video reviews this season that have raised the ire of the fan base, perhaps most notably a pass interference call against the B.C. Lions in the end zone last Friday that helped the Edmonton Eskimos to their fifth straight win. Fans on social media were irate after the command centre ruled pass interference against the Lions following a challenge by Eskimos coach Jason Maas.

“This was a problem that needed solving and ultimately we’ve found a very elegant solution, a mid-course correction that can allow us to focus on letting the talent on the field decide the outcome of the game,” Ambrosie said,

Coaches have been using challenge flags in desperation at times, looking for illegal contact away from the play or roughing the passer when none is apparent at first glance.

“I threw a flag this year that I knew was going to be a tough one to win,” O’Shea said. “It happens.”

While fans should be celebrating the excitement of the games, complaints about officiating and the life-sucking coaches challenges are all-too frequent.

That should change now and while there are still serious issues with officiating as a whole, you have to give the B.C.’s Wally Buono and fellow CFL head coaches will be limited to one challenge per game, down from two, effective for this week’s games. Coaches had been using challenge flags in desperation throughout the young season.