Another bored off-season concept...

Here's a thought.

What we know about the CFL:

1) athletes who can play in the NFL* usually do so. Raw talent level is higher.

2) that said, CFL is a different game and rewards different styles of play.

3) with (1) and (2) said, wouldn't it be interesting for a couple of teams to play exhibitions at some point? Say, the Seahawks vs. the BC Lions, the Argos vs. the Bills... CFL rules? Or a Home-and-away exhibition batch for the "rival" teams, one CFL rules, one NFL* rules?

4) with (3) said, I know I know, the CBA. The NFL* wouldn't want to elevate the CFL with such games. The NFL* teams would kill 'em.

I dunno. Especially with CFL rules, I would love to see this.

Hell, here's another concept: Do we really think Torontans would be against the Argos joining the NFCE, for example, or the AFCE, b/c of the built-in Bills rivalry? I don't really know but my guess would be they'd be psyched to get an NFL* team.

So why not another merger? Why beat your head against the wall trying to get Europeans and Mexicans interested, when you have the ground already prepared (sort of) just across the border from teams like GB, Detroit, & Buffalo?

Discuss.

I cannot see any interaction with the NFL and CFL other than as a non-affiliated minor league so to speak. The NFL has a hard enough time fielding 32 competitive teams, to water talent down with a CFL merger would be suicide for the league. Not to mention the loss of earning it would cause by merging 9 more teams into the current scheme.
The CFL is a good place to develop raw talent, that may with proper coaching develop into NFL talent. That being said, with a 3 year career expectancy in the NFL, you really would need to be a fast developer to even get a shot at the NFL.
But after saying all that, if the NFL could squeeze more profit out of a merger by destroying the game and turning it into a big sham, I am sure they would do it immediately! Just like they are going to force a franchise in Europe!

I can't say I would want a 42-team league. Plus the talent disparity is too great. It would essentially be bringing 10 expansion teams into the league all at once.

That'd be great when Russell Wilson blows out an acl playing an exhibition game against the Toronto marijuana leaves

I don't like the merger idea but a minor league shadow roster CFL might work under the right circumstances.

I think the NFL should try to see if Argos would want to straight up join the league. Toronto fans are some of the most passionate (and obnoxious...) fans in sports. I'd go for that wayyyyyyy before I'd try friggin London.

An exhibition game or two with CFL teams seems a lot less ridiculous to me than introducing a team in London.

Froob said:

I think the NFL should try to see if Argos would want to straight up join the league. Toronto fans are some of the most passionate (and obnoxious...) fans in sports. I'd go for that wayyyyyyy before I'd try friggin London.

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Pretty sure NFL would never allow this
Can't have jets be the only 5th team in a division

Froob said:

I think the NFL should try to see if Argos would want to straight up join the league. Toronto fans are some of the most passionate (and obnoxious...) fans in sports. I'd go for that wayyyyyyy before I'd try friggin London.

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"...some of the most passionate (and obnoxious) fans in sports..." Hmmm, where have I...

NO!

Froob said:

I think the NFL should try to see if Argos would want to straight up join the league. Toronto fans are some of the most passionate (and obnoxious...) fans in sports. I'd go for that wayyyyyyy before I'd try friggin London.

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NO!

I don't know why the league hasn't tried a Canadian team already. I would think an NFL team in Toronto would have a way bigger potential fan base than, say, Jacksonville, where there's two other Florida teams already.

Just seems like a big Canadian city or even a Mexican team would make more sense than having a team all the way across the pond.

Ross12 said:

I don't know why the league hasn't tried a Canadian team already. I would think an NFL team in Toronto would have a way bigger potential fan base than, say, Jacksonville, where there's two other Florida teams already.

Just seems like a big Canadian city or even a Mexican team would make more sense than having a team all the way across the pond.

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I don't think the league wants to place another team into a region which is so close to Buffalo. It would hurt the Bills. I actually think the Bills relocating to Toronto would make the most sense, but you can't force a franchise to move.

Keep the NFL out of Canada!

The NFL already has a minor league - it's called the NCAA. I've had several conversations with CFL fans and they clearly don't want the NFL in Canada.

I'm sure the CFL would love it but the NFL owners not so much. That's concerning a merger / expansion of any kind.

But I as fan would be very intrigued with replacing a tired early pre-season contest opponent with a fresh CFL team. I would think interest across both leagues and throughout the media would be pretty high. And as we know, that's mostly what the NFL uses to decide these things. So it might even be plausible. Sign me up.

Another possibility is some inter-squad practices for the northern team. This is more of a good idea from a coach/team preparation stand point. Less exciting than a game, but still somewhat interesting. Maybe throw the fans a short scrimmage or extended 11 on 11's. And nothing would stop this from happening under current rules and structure if a team/coach/gm/owner wanted to make it a reality. Under the hood and in the details, maybe not so much so likely. But, sign me up here too.

Ross12 said:

I don't know why the league hasn't tried a Canadian team already. I would think an NFL team in Toronto would have a way bigger potential fan base than, say, Jacksonville, where there's two other Florida teams already.

Just seems like a big Canadian city or even a Mexican team would make more sense than having a team all the way across the pond.

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Wouldn't touch Mexico with a 100ft pole.

As a Canadian I have watched my fair share of CFL games. It's a fun game to watch. The biggest difference is the number of downs. NFL has 4 and the CFL has 3. CFL has 12 players on the field. The CFL field is wider with bigger end zones. Receivers can be set in motion before the snap. With the extra man on the field you can get some whacky formations. The center, guards and tackles and QB line up the same but the CFL has not tight ends. In a passing situation you have 6 receivers on the field all in motion going in different directions. Needless to say, there is lots of passing in the CFL. Some of the best QB's in the CFL have gone on to do well in the NFL. QBs such as Warren Moon, Joe Theisman, Jeff Garcia and Doug Flutie are the most notable.

As for talent, there is a difference. The CFL has an import ratio. Not sure of the exact figures but roughly half are Canadians and the rest imports and the game day roster is roughly 50/50 too. The imports tend to be from US Universities that were undrafted or cut from NFL teams.

I think if someone like the Patriots played a CFL team by CFL Rules, there might actually be a 100 point game. Brady probably would have 10 passing TD's.

Guys, this is the dumbest thread of the off season. Just stop.

RunAmok said:

The NFL already has a minor league - it's called the NCAA.

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Interesting idea. I guess their are some minor tweaking to some rules at the college level to allow that to happen.... I am sure nobody would have any problems with....

- do away with academics
- allow teams to hold rights of players before they are drafted
- ability to send NFL players to college in the shadow roster scenario and still have contract with NFL team
- ability to recall a college player at any time to bring up to parent professional team

These are the sorts of things that would need to take place for college to be similar to a true minor league system....all wonderful changes I think......NOT!

CFL is a better idea.