Why video replay in CFL is a good idea gone wrong
Challenges have become part of CFL teams’ strategies, taking away from on-field play
Upon further review, the CFL’s video-replay system is a bad idea.
This opinion is sheepishly dispensed by someone who initially endorsed the introduction and expansion of video review — on the basis that the correct call should be made when possible, using whatever means available.
However, the system — which was implemented for all the right reasons — has gone horribly wrong.
It has become a blight on the great Canadian game, which is often rendered a punch line because of delays and cheesy calls.
The unintended consequences of allowing coaches to challenge calls have included obvious manipulation of the rules and a perception issue that undermines the myriad good things that are happening in the professional version of three-down football.
Early in the 2017 season, the league has treated fans to some classic games — exciting sporting spectacles that should carry the conversation pertaining to the CFL. But what often becomes topical? The eye-glazing review procedure and its flaws.
The league should be showcasing a superlative product instead of subjecting people to, uh, this ...
B. MITCHELL Completed
Pass to M. MCDANIEL, caught at S30 (31 yds, 0 YAC), Tackle: S. WILLIAMS, PLAY REVIEWED (Coach): Overturned, B. MITCHELL Incomplete Pass intended for M. MCDANIEL at S30,
PLAY REVIEWED (Coach): Overturned, Penalty: Pass Interference, Defence called on Saskatchewan (S. WILLIAMS) (26 yds.) - Enforced From C49, CHALLENGE #1: Saskatchewan challenged for an incomplete pass. CHALLENGE #2: Calgary challenged for DPI.
The previous paragraph — the definition of convolution — is excerpted from the statistical summary of Saturday’s game between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the host Calgary Stampeders.
There was a challenge, followed by another challenge, with the concomitant challenge being to somehow remain conscious.
The aforementioned scenario unfolded early in Saturday’s game, destroying any momentum that could have been created. It set the tone for a generally ghastly spectacle — the last thing the gate-driven CFL can afford or should condone.
Instead of football, there are coaches scouring video on tablets, trying to find an example of illegal contact far removed from the play. In fact, this has become a science, as Roughriders head coach and general manager Chris Jones asserted on Tuesday.
After being asked about whether the early reviews took the steam out of Saturday’s game, Jones pointed to Calgary’s strategies and opined that the Stampeders take advantage of the video-review process.
“They’ve got a lot of double moves built into their offence,” Jones said. “With the rules set up like they are, their receivers are looking for contact coming out of the double move so that they can go and get the review. I’ve been looking at what they do and you see how quickly they go to the challenge flag, so they know that there’s contact going to be created.
“If that’s the way that we’re going to officiate the games, and with the fact that if a defensive player has position and there’s contact made (a penalty could ensue), then we’re going to have to do the same thing. We’re going to build it into our offence and unfortunately our game will turn into a challenge-fest.”
Is this really productive?
“It’s not really my place to say whether I agree or whatever, because all the stuff that we have has been voted on,” Jones responded. “That’s the league’s place to decide what they want to do.
“But with us, and I can only speak for this football team, if that’s the way that it’s going to be officiated, then we’re going to have to do the same thing.
We’re going to have to put a double move on Naaman (Roosevelt). It’s a high-profile guy getting contacted and then we know when to pull our flag out, also. That’s just the way the game is headed.”
It should be noted Jones has benefited handsomely from having the option to challenge.
Late in the 2015 Grey Cup game, Jones — then the Edmonton Eskimos’ head coach — threw a challenge flag and maintained that the Ottawa Redblacks were guilty of pass interference. The challenge was successful, resulting in a 37-yard advance that set up the game-winning touchdown.
“It helped win us a Grey Cup,” Jones noted. “Had we not had the challenge, you don’t know if we win that game or not. But just looking at it moving forward, if that is their thought — have a double move built in to gain contact — that’s really pretty ingenious, so we’re going to try to incorporate that and copy it.
“I don’t have to look at five receivers. I can look at one guy where the double move is and if it’s contact after five, it’s a pretty easy call.”
This, too, should be a no-brainer: Ashcan the challenges.
I can only speak for this football team, but if that’s the way that it’s going to be officiated, then we’re going to have to do the same thing.