NO INTEREST IN CHALLENGING
Jones supports video review change
Chris Jones isn’t going to challenge the CFL’s decision to amend its controversial video review policy.
The head coach/GM of the Saskatchewan Roughriders offered support for the move Wednesday after it was announced that coaches will be limited to just one video challenge per game.
Under the previous rules, each team was allowed to challenge two calls (or non-calls), plus one more if a coach was successful on the previous two.
The result was an increased number of delays, thus prolonging games and interrupting their natural rhythm.
“Certainly, it’s going to help the flow of our game,” said Jones, whose team is preparing for Saturday’s road clash with the B.C. Lions. “It’s going to make it a much better game for the fans to watch. So, yeah, I think it’s a good decision for the league.”
Riders defensive back Jovon Johnson has his own reasons for wanting to limit the number of video reviews. In his mind, the previous system led to a tougher standard of enforcement and created confusion among DBs who were being penalized even when they’re in good position.
“It’s tough as a defensive back to not have contact with a receiver, especially when the receiver is the one initiating the contact,” he said. “A lot of times DBs were fearful of whether or not they could be in the way of a receiver. We just had to move out of the way and that puts us in a tough spot trying to cover.
“I think it’s a good thing that they can’t challenge (as often).”
Johnson noted he has “always been a big fan” of challenges because they help ensure the proper call is made.
However, he believes too many challenges curb the aggressiveness of the defence and play into the hands of offensive coaches who strategize to have receivers initiate contact solely for the purpose of drawing penalties.
Johnson may not like the tactic, but he does understand it.
“If it’s there, why not take advantage of it?” he said, noting the success rate is high on challenges for pass interference and illegal contact on a receiver. “It’s so crazy that, of course, teams are going to try to exploit it. The fact that they limit it to one ... I think it’s going to change the game and it’s going to allow the defence to play faster.”
While applauding the move, Johnson also hinted the new rules could go a step further.
“I always said, ‘If it’s not called on the field, it shouldn’t be a challengeable play,” he said. “If there’s a flag on the field, whether it’s against the offence or against the defence, then that flag should be challengeable. But if it’s not called on the field, I don’t think it’s a good thing to be able to go to the sideline and look at the play and then be able to challenge it. It takes away from the game.”
Although replays won’t be as frequent under the new rules, Jones doesn’t necessarily believe the tolerance for pass interference will increase.
He’s even planning for the opposite to occur because on-field officials will be more focused on it.
“The officials maybe got a little lax on that, knowing we had the ability to challenge,” said Jones, who also conceded that fewer replays will put more pressure on coaches to spend their lone challenge wisely.
“When you have two or three … you have a little bit more control in the game. With the iPad, you’re able to see if there’s contact right away and, if there is, you can extend drives with the challenge flag. Now if there’s only going to be one challenge flag you have to wait and hold that for some type of scoring-type play because you don’t get a second one.”
EXTRAS: The Roughriders have signed national wide receiver Devon Bailey, who was cut in training camp by the Montreal Alouettes. Saskatchewan also added international DL Antonio Longino to the practice roster and released national DL Linden Gaydosh.