Lefko gives his take on the week that was in the CFL.
Should the Canadian Football League adapt an overtime format that would decide a winner?
In lieu of the tie game between Calgary and Saskatchewan, the argument over whether or not overtime needs to be concluded by one team scoring more than the other rose again.
The National Football League's system declares a winner, but the system of giving one team first chance to score by winning a coin flip is grossly unfair. Following 60 minutes, it is cheesy to allow one team the opportunity to win by the flip of a coin, although, at times the coin toss is evened out by weather conditions. (See yesterday's festival of errors between the Jets and Bills as a prime example. The Jets took the toss and the Bills took the wind at their backs, and ultimately, the game.)
The CFL's system of allowing each team at least one series apiece and a maximum of two is far better. The problem, if you want to call it that, is that after a maximum of two series apiece, the game is concluded. Shouldn't the teams keep playing until a winner is decided?
The Calgary/Saskatchewan game had it all in overtime. I didn't agree that Saskatchewan rush end John Chick should have been penalized for his hit on Henry Burris, who was down without contact and still capable of moving. If the officials based the call on Chick hitting Burris violently while he lay prone on the ground instead of merely touching him, that's one thing. But Burris didn't purposely fall to the ground, similar to a hook slide. Technically, he could have still risen to his feet. That said, the officials made the right call in disallowing Calgary's blocked extra point because one of the players gained an unfair advantage by leaping on to another player.
CANADIAN CONNECTION: It is obvious now that one of the strength's of the Roughriders is their Canadian content. Either through draft, trading or free-agent signings, the Roughriders have amassed arguably the best Canadian talent. They almost started an entire Canadian receiving corps against Calgary. It goes back to the golden rule that the teams that do well in the CFL have good quarterbacking, strong kicking and depth of Canadian talent. Even without import receiver Weston Dressler, who may be through for the season with a broken leg, the Roughriders' didn't seem to miss a beat.
GOING ON THE OFFENCE: Speaking of the Roughriders, they have one of the best offensive co-ordinators in the league in Paul LaPolice. He is the only member of the ill-fated John Huard coaching staff still working at the professional level. LaPolice's use of motion and misdirection is solid. And you can add Winnipeg's Manny Matsakis to the list, too. His elevation from offensive assistant to co-ordinator has greatly influenced the Bombers' turnaround. Head coach Mike Kelly has made some crazy/controversial moves this year, but his decision to give up the play-calling and turn it over to Matsakis, a relative unknown in the coaching fraternity, has worked wonders. Similar to LaPolice, his creative use of motion and misdirection and the shotgun offence that Kelly detested have helped the Bombers' offence, which was limp earlier in the season but is firing on all cylinders now.
BREAKING THE CODE: Loved the public bickering between Winnipeg defensive tackle Doug Brown and B.C. defensive end Ricky Foley. Foley claimed that Brown broke the code writing in his weekly column in the Winnipeg Free Press that the Lions acted poorly by turning to the Bombers' bench before the start of their previous game and doing a crotch-chop. Too bad, the two couldn't have settled their score on the field, similar to the bickering between B.C.'s JuJuan Armour and Montreal's Avon Cobourne. They trash-talked in the paper and then on the field.
SAY IT AIN'T SO: Immediately following Hamilton's hard-fought loss to Montreal, some callers on the Ticats' post-game show, The Fifth Quarter, voiced the opinion that head coach Marcel Bellefeuille and general manager Bob O'Billovich should be fired. One opinion expressed is that the reason the Ticats won't make the playoffs is because of Bellefeuille. It was also suggested the team's management erred in not starting quarterback Kevin Glenn four games sooner. If nothing else, the Ticat fans are passionate. The post-game show, hosted by Ted Michaels, is one of the best, ranking up there with the Roughriders. But nothing compares to the Roughriders' overall radio coverage in terms of depth, before, during and after the game.
CFL'S STEVE AUSTIN: Stone Cold Steve Austin, who used to go by the name Steven Williams, has a namesake, B.C. defensive tackle Steven Williams. And after the alleged punch he threw to the sternum of Winnipeg offensive lineman Obby Khan, Williams truly became as much of a heel as Stone Cold. The officials tossed Williams out of the game following the incident, which was not available on film. However, the officials saw it and the likelihood is Williams is facing a fine. Give Khan credit. Asked afterward by the media about the punch, Khan said: "No personal feelings. It happens. We played with a lot of emotion on both sides. It happened. No hard feelings. If I see the guy, I'll give him a hug."
