2009 CFL Evaluation Camp

2009 CFL Evaluation Camp -
Fifty of Canada's top football prospects begin showcasing their skills in front of CFL general managers, head coaches and scouts from across the Country tomorrow, Saturday, March 7 at the InterContinental Yorkville Hotel in Toronto. The two-day event moves to Varsity Centre on Sunday, March 8 for on-field testing.
Below is the full schedule for the event.
Media are invited to cover both days of the event. Communications Staff will be onsite to assist with interview requests.
Click here to download the 2009 CFL Evaluation Camp Guide.
Visit CFL.ca for the latest results results.
Schedule:
SATURDAY, MARCH 7 - INTERCONTINENTAL HOTEL (220 BLOOR STREET WEST • TORONTO, ON, M5S 1T8 • CANADA)
8:00AM - OL at Testing Centre - Medicals/Video Shot in Barclay Room. Hand & Arm Measurement/Standing Reach/Flexibility/Bench Press in Willard Room
8:30AM - DL at Testing Centre - Medicals/Video Shot in Barclay Room. Hand & Arm Measurement/Standing Reach/Flexibility/Bench Press in Willard Room
9:00AM - RBs/QBs at Testing Centre - Medicals/Video Shot in Barclay Room. Hand & Arm Measurement/Standing/Reach/Flexibility/Bench Press in Willard Room
9:30AM - LBs at Testing Centre - Medicals/Video Shot in Barclay Room. Hand & Arm Measurement/Standing Reach/ Flexibility/Bench Press in Willard Room
10:00AM - WRs at Testing Centre - Medicals/Video Shot in Barclay Room. Hand & Arm Measurement/Standing Reach/Flexibility/Bench Press in Willard Room
10:30AM - DBs at Testing Centre - Medicals/Video Shot in Barclay Room. Hand & Arm Measurement/Standing Reach/Flexibility/Bench Press in Willard Room
2:15PM - OL & DL warm-up - Barclay Room
2:30PM - OL & DL Physical Testing #2 Height/Weight Measurements/Vertical/Standing Jump - Willard Room
3:15PM - RB/QB & LB warm-up - Barclay Room
3:30PM - RB/QB & LB Physical Testing #2 Height/Weight Measurements/Vertical/Standing Jump - Willard Room
4:15PM - WR & DB warm-up - Barclay Room
4:30PM - WR & DB Physical Testing #2 Height/Weight Measurements/Vertical/Standing Jump - Willard Room
SUNDAY, MARCH 8 - Varsity Centre (299 Bloor St. West, Toronto)
8:20AM - OL & DL to Stretch/Warm at Varsity Stadium Bubble
8:40AM - OL & DL to test 40s & Short Shuttle
9:30AM - OL & DL to test Individual & Group Drills
10:00AM - Long Snappers to test
10:10AM - RBs & LBs to Stretch/Warm at Varsity Stadium Bubble
10:30AM - RBs & LBs to test 40s & Short Shuttle
11:30AM - RBs & LBs to test Individual & Group Drills
12:00PM - WRs & DBs to Stretch/Warm at Varsity Stadium Bubble
12:35PM - WRs & DBs to test 40s & Short Shuttle
1:25PM - WRs & DBs to test Individual & Group Drills
3:15PM - Players depart Toronto

CFL eyeing changes

Hamilton, Ontario (March 5, 2009) -- The Canadian Football League is eyeing a few new moves.
Its Board of Governors is considering: • Moving back the kick-off following a safety touch, to reduce the number of times a team chooses to take a knee in its own end zone;• Giving coaches the green light to use so called "wildcat" formations that would move the quarterback around, instread of requiring him to stand behind or under centre;• Gequiring a team that kicks a successful field goal to then kick off to its' opponents, increasing the number of kick returns ;• Awarding a team a third challenge of an official's ruling using instant replay if its' first two challenges are successfull.
All four ideas were approved today by the league's rules committee, and were among those suggested by CFL fans.
"We tend to look at our game like a precious stone that has been in the family for generations: we're willing to put a new shine on it, but we strive to be very careful not to damage it," said Tom Higgins, the CFL's director of officiating and a member of the rules committee. "We feel the rule changes we've discussed today can improve an already great product, and now the final say rests with our board."
This year, for the first time, CFL fans were invited by the league to submit their ideas for rules changes. More than 2,000 submissions were received, most of them detailed and all of them passionate about the game and how it's played.
Several fans wanted some sort of change made to the safety touch, citing coaches' tendency to surrender two points in their own end zone to preserve field position, instead of punting the ball away to their opponents, which could sent up a kick return or offensive drive with a high chance of scoring.
The committee is suggesting moving the kickoff following a safety back, from the 35 yard line to the 25 yard line, which could encourage more coaches to kick the ball away rather than take a knee in the end zone.
Other fans called for the introduction of the so-called "wildcat formation," which would require a change to the current CFL rule that requires the quarterback to always line up under or behind the centre of the offensive line.
The committee wants to allow the quarterback to move to other spots in a formation, including at wide receiver, before the ball is snapped.
Fans generally wanted to see more kick returns, citing a return that goes for a touchdown as one of the most exciting plays in Canadian football. The commitee is suggesting requiring a kick off after every made field goal, instead of giving the receiving the team the option of scrimmaging from their 35-yard-line. It is also proposing awarding a team with a third challenge of an official's call using replay if its' first two challenges are successful. ''Other topics brought forward by our fans, or by committee members, ranged from the rouge to the convert to allowing more types of plays to be challenged on the basis of instant replay," Higgins said.
"But at the end of the day, there wasn't a clear consensus, among our fans or committee members, on exactly what should be done to improve those rules, so they've been tabled for future discussion."
The Board of Governors has the power to accept, reject or even alter the rules committee's suggestions. It will meet later this Spring, in plenty of time to institute rule changes in time for the Canada Day kickoff of the Canadian Football League's regular schedule.
"I want to thank the fans that took the time to send us their ideas to improve our game," said CFL Commissionner, Mark Cohon.
"While there wasn't always unanimity on exactly what should be done, there was lots of spirited debate on our fan forums and in the media, and virtually everyone agreed our process was stronger for our fans' input and insight, and it's something we hope to continue," he said.
"Over the years, many significant rules changes have been discussed by the committee or our board more than once before they have moved forward. So it's likely that in addition to the changes brought forward today, others submitted by fans will be considered in the years ahead."

Cfl announces some time changes

Game 25 - Winnipeg at Toronto has changed to Saturday, August 1 at 1:00pm ET from Thursday, July 30 at 6:30pm ET. New game number: 27.

The start time for Game 26 - Montreal at Edmonton on Thursday, July 30 has changed to 9:00pm ET (7:00pm local) from 9:30pm ET (7:30pm local). New game number: 25.

Game 39 - Hamilton at Edmonton has changed to Saturday, August 29 @ 7:00 ET (5:00 local) from Thursday, August 27 @ 9:00 ET (7:00 local). New game number: 40.

Hufnagel Named 2008 CFL Coach of the Year

Hufnagel Named 2008 CFL Coach of the Year
Hamilton, ON - (March 3, 2009) - Calgary Stampeder head coach John Hufnagel was named the 2008 CFL Coach of the Year this afternoon at the CFL Congress in Hamilton, Ontario.

Hufnagel was presented the Annis Stukus trophy by CFL Commissioner Mark Cohon. The trophy is awarded annually to the league's best coach as voted by the Football Reporters of Canada (FRC).

"Our coaches are all tremendous teachers, motivators, mentors and leaders, and no coach epitomizes this more than John Hufnagel," said Cohon. "On behalf of the Board of Governors, and fans from across the country, congratulations to John Hufnagel, a well-deserving recipient of this coaching honour."

In his inaugural season as head coach, Hufnagel led the Calgary Stampeders to first place in the West Division for the first time since 2000, posting a 13-5 regular season record, tops in the CFL. Their success continued into the playoffs as the Stamps defeated the BC Lions in the West Final, before claiming the ultimate prize: a 22-14 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup.

Hufnagel's leadership was best displayed during a pre-game speech to his team before taking the field, and eventually winning the 96th Grey Cup. Click here to watch the video or visit CFL.ca.

The Fans two cents on Rule Changes

TORONTO - The Canadian Football League will consider three rule changes proposed by fans when the league's rules committee holds its annual winter meeting this week.The league received more than 1,000 letters and e-mails when commissioner Mark Cohon issued a call for fan input into the process. The league will consider three fan suggestions for discussion: changes to converts, safeties and the controversial single point.Fans complained convert kicks after touchdowns are automatic and statistics back them up: kickers have a 99.5 per cent success rate."We don't want our fans going to get popcorn or a hot dog because it's just an automatic play," CFL officiating director Tom Higgins said.Higgins said the committee could consider moving the ball back five yards on point after attempts.Higgins said many fans felt there's not enough of a downside to conceding a safety, and that the league might look at having the conceding team kick from its own 20-yard line instead of its 35.As for the single, many fans feel rewarding a point when the receiving team fails to run a kick or missed field goal out of the end zone isn't fair and should be scrapped.Higgins sees the point of all three proposed changes but isn't predicting any bold predictions will be made to the league's board of governors."I don't expect anything big because we're traditionalists," he said. "But anything's possible."

Courtesy of the Toronto Star

Spring Expo in Yorkton

Ridersradio.com will be at the Spring Expo in Yorkton. We will be meeting people and also signing you up for the bus tour if your intrested. The price is very reasonable for a game ticket, some food going up to Regina and beverage and ride to the game and back it is 110 dollars. You cannot go wrong with that. If you would like to buy the season pass it is only 1000 so you save 100 dollars. If you just want a ride up to regina and back we are charging 60 dollars. If you get the season pass its 540. If you have any questions you can email me riderfan_82@yahoo.com (do not forget the underscore in there) Also during every CFL game Pimentos in Yorkton will be showing the game on the big screen and have some great specials and ridersradio.com will be there for post game analasis. There will also be Door Prizes, and much more so be sure to check back for more information. Any questions feel free to email me :)

"GREY CUP 2011 COMING TO VANCOUVER"

GREY CUP 2011 COMING TO VANCOUVER"

A Celebration of What the Grey Cup Means to Canada, and What the Lions Mean to British Columbia," CFL Commissioner says

Vancouver, B.C. - (February 27, 2009) -- The 2011 Grey Cup is coming to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canadian Football League Commissioner Mark Cohon announced today."We are proud to bring Canada's national championship to the province, but people in Vancouver and right across B.C. know the Grey Cup is much more than our biggest game," Cohon said."It's a massive celebration of what our teams mean to our communities, what our league means to our country, and what it means to all of us to be proudly Canadian," he said."So Vancouver is the perfect venue for our 99th Grey Cup. There is no better example of the strength and relevance of today's CFL than the B.C. Lions, and no one better at hosting Canadians than our friends here in beautiful British Columbia."Under the leadership of owner David Braley, the Lions have undergone a renaissance that has made them a model CFL franchise: a successful team, a vibrant business, and a leader in the community.A perennial contender, the Lions exceeded the 300,000 mark for total attendance last year for the first time since 1991.The Lions champion several important community initiatives, including support for amateur football through the Orange Helmet Awards, for child literacy through the Read, Write and Roar program, and for local fundraising through Lions Share. Their Lions in the House program features player visits to schools that emphasize the importance of fitness, education, and respect for classmates. "The Lions are British Columbia's team, and any success we have enjoyed really belongs to the people of British Columbia," Braley said."They're the reason I'm confident the 2011 Grey Cup will be a huge success. I know people here will welcome their fellow Canadians with warmth, generosity and a great deal of fun." The biggest challenge facing Vancouver just might be exceeding the bar they set the last time they hosted the Grey Cup in 2005. That game: • Sold out eight weeks before game day;• Boasted a live attendance of 59,197;• Was watched by a television audience of almost 3.9 million; • Was the highlight of the Party on the Pacific Festival, which attracted 47,000 visitors, more than 20,000 of which came from outside of Vancouver• The Grey Cup game and festival generated an estimated $76 million in total economic activity;• Featured the Edmonton Eskimos 38-35 overtime victory over the Montreal Alouettes, one of the greatest games in Grey Cup history."Hosting the Grey Cup is another opportunity to showcase our province and communities, to generate new economic activity, and to create local jobs," said British Columbia Premier Gordon Campbell."This announcement is an example of British Columbia's ability to attract major events beyond the Olympics," said Bill Bennett, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts and Minister responsible for PavCo."In 2011, British Columbia will be ready to welcome CFL fans from across the Province and from across Canada." Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said the Grey Cup is a national icon that delivers tangible benefits for a host city."We're honoured to welcome the Grey Cup back to Vancouver," said Mayor Robertson."The Game is a huge boost to our local economy, and I know Vancouverites, along with our friends and neighbours from across British Columbia, will ensure the 2011 game and the entire festival are a tremendous success."