CFL for Dummies: Part Two
By: Anthony Urciuoli
Welcome back to our ‘CFL for Dummies’ feature here at T.R.B. Part one of this feature can be found here.
The rulebook is truly what makes the Canadian game so unique. The rules impeccably lend themselves to one another, creating a game pace that has become a staple of the Canadian Football League.
Let’s do the math, shall we?
In it’s simplest terms:
Large field (65×110 yards) and end zones (20 yards deep) = need for speed
Three downs = need for passing
Need for speed + need for passing = fast pace
Fast pace = more scoring
And my extensive studies show that scoring in football is good.
Still with me?
There is clearly an emphasis on the offensive side of the ball. The sports cliché, “defense wins championships” does not hold true in the CFL. It’s more like, “offense wins championships, as long as the defense can make a few stops”.
Don’t believe me?
Montreal played Calgary in the 2008 Grey Cup. Both teams ranked 1st and 2nd respectively in the following offensive categories: most points scored, average points scored per game, most touchdowns scored, most first downs, most yards of total offense and average yards of offense per game.
Not only is offense the overwhelming key to success in the CFL – specifically the importance of passing the football is indisputable.
The importance of a quarterback has always held true in football, the Canadian game takes that importance to another level. Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Marcel Bellefeuille says there are three key attributes that a CFL quarterback needs in order to be successful.
“One thing is athleticism. Athletic quarterbacks run, they move the pocket more, move the launch points more,” continued Bellefeuille. “Second thing is arm strength. Can you make all of the throws on this [size] field? And third thing is the intangibles. Are they good leaders and students of the game? That translates throughout any league.”
Now some of the readers might think I’m simply a hater when it comes to running the football. But the proof is in the pudding…and the stats.
In 2007 the Tiger-Cats ranked 2nd in total yards rushing (2180), average rushing yards per game (121.1), and average yards per rush (6.2). The result was a 3-15 record and last place finish – in large part to their inefficiencies in the passing game.
In 2008 the Ticats ranked 1st in rushing first downs (144), most rushing TDs (tied-23), total rushing yards (2532), average rushing yards per game (140.7) and average yards per rush (6.5). The result was identical to 2007 of a 3-15 record and finished in last place.
Of course that definitely does not make the running back position useless by any means. Marcel Bellefeuille says running backs are used in different roles.
“Running backs in this league aren’t as bulky as they are in the NFL and they have to be able to catch the football,” Bellefeuille explain. “They have to be able to come out of the backfield and play in space, making people miss and being elusive. So what you find are smaller backs in [the CFL] because we’re playing on such a bigger field”.
Speed doesn’t just apply to the little guys. It applies to the big guys as well.
“The offensive linemen in this league have to have quick feet. We need bigger guys that have a little less weight on them so that they can be mobile, “ continued Bellefeuille. “They have to be really good with their hands as well because they will be pass protecting quite a bit”.
So while size doesn’t matter in the CFL – they still have bigger balls.
Check back for the third and final installment of our “CFL for Dummies” feature where we give some love to the defense.
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3 Comments
Interesting article.
I’d like to see more of the coaches and players takes on the game and the finer points between the CFL and the NFL.
Keep up the good work!
Cheers
TMIJ
Go Bombers!!
It’s definitely interesting how little even the most avid CFL fans get a chance to get a deeper look into the intricacies of the game. Glad I was given the opportunity to do something a little different
Since I’m a new fan, I noticed at the last 2 TiCats games that our players were very slim. I wondered why out loud to another fan. He said you don’t need size to be good. Now I know why! I guess I’m used to watching the NFL even though I was weaned on the CFL. I have noticed that the TiCats passing isn’t that great but they sacked the QB at least 3x in last game and grabbed 1st downs left & right. I’m surprised as a newbie fan that I was able to pick those things out – I guess I didn’t forget that much afterall. Thanks Anthony for your very thorough and well written series. I hope you do more – like a dictionary of terms or a player position map or both.