CFL Syndicate 2025

Toronto
Toronto is off 2 spectacular seasons culminating in their GC run last year. Chad Kelly returns as starter and hopefully all his bad behavior and the distractions that came with it are behind him. He will enter this season with a chip on his shoulder after missing the cup 2 years in a row...first by getting beat by MTL in 2023 and then by breaking his leg in the east final last year which allowed Nick Arbuckle to lead the team to their championship. But Kelly is still rehabbing and will miss preseason and is only 50/50 right now to start week 1. If he does not, the aforementioned Arbuckle will be ready to go.

The lost a couple of pieces from their league-best OL but with plenty of depth there and young talent in the pipeline, they could afford to. They also lost last year's breakout receiver Makai Polk to the NFL but they still have enough receiving talent to put up some potent numbers. They also return a very solid rushing attack with Kadeem Carey leading the way and promising 2nd year back Deonte McMahon rotating in.

On the defensive side, the team got absolutely decimated in free agency. They lost basically their entire starting DL with Ralph Holley signing with Cleveland, DE Flo Orimolade going back to Calgary and Jared Brinkman, Jake Ceresna, Robbie Smith all going to Edmonton. Losing Ceresna & Orimnolade alone would be a catastrophe considering they are top-3 at their positions. They signed sone DLs Demarcus Christmas, Bryan Cox Jr., & Anthony Lanier, but all are a step down from what they are replacing. The story is only a little better in the secondary where they lost DBs DaShaun Amos, Royce Metchie, & Robert Priester. As with the DL they have signed some replacements but all are a step below those guys, especially Amos and Metchie. The LB corps is a bright spot where up and comer Isaiah Darkangelo (love that name) should take on a bigger role. They lost promising MLB Jonathan Jones but also signed ratio-breaking Cam Judge.

If Kelly and co can continue to score, this team will be a serious 'over' team for the first half of the season at least as they defence will be a work in progress at best.
 
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Hamilton
My team. The cats finished at the bottom of the east division last season, even as Bo Levi Mitchell had one of his best seasons ever and set the Ticats single-season passing yards record. I have to be honest, after multiple shoulder surgeries and 4 straight injury-plagued seasons, I though Bo was done but he proved me wrong last year. He threw a few too many interceptions but gun-slinging QBs always do (see Dunigan, Matt). The team reworked his contract in the offseason to reflect his performance and Bo has been talking about going out on top with a cup so he seems to be motivated to do some damage this season.

I was a little disappointed to see the team release Tulia Tagovailoa after working him onto the field last season with some trick plays which he executed well. But I think the cats found out what Alabama did a few years ago...he ain't his big brother. They will have semcon fav Taylor Powell backing up Bo and he shows some promise to be sure but time will tell if he can take the next step once Mitchell leaves.

Bo is playing behind a very solid OL that emerged in the latter half of the season which should help keep him healthy. They added solid Guard Liam DObson (WPG) to that already strong group as well. The receiving corps, already very good, has been bolstered by the additions of Kenny Lawler (WPG) and @B.A.R. 's fav player Drew Wolitarsky (WPG). Having Lawler and Tim White (assuming he can limit the drops and return to 2023 form) in the same receiving corps is going to be fun to watch. If Bo stays healthy, this will be a track meet type of offence.

The defence OTOH is a concern. They were league-worst last year and I don't see a lot of hope for massive improvement. The secondary was decent and has been strengthened by the addition of DBs DaShaun Amos (TOR) & Reggie Stubblefield (MTL) who is more of a tweener and may get slotted in at SAM. Stubblefield is off a major knee injury however so his return to form is a question mark. But no secondary can cover forever and the DL will have to get a LOT better if they are to stop anyone. Last year's big signings Brandon Barlow & Dewayne Hendrix didn't really work out and were allowed to walk in free agency. Problem is, they didn't do a lot to replace them. They signed Miles Fox (WPG), TyJuan Garbut (WPG) and Owen Hubert but none of those names jump off the page. They brought back Julian Howsare (OTT) who began his career with the cats but has started to look long in the tooth lately. If Howsare is your big threat off the edge, you are in trouble. Other than stellar DL Casey Sayles, there is not much star power here.

Beyond that, the team has no real MLB and had rookie Ryan Baker filling in for the last few games of 2024. That is a position where someone will have to emerge as their defensive leader if this team is to compete. Brian Cole II (WPG) may factor into this mix. The team also drafted LB Devin Verasuk with the 2nd pick overall but I think he is a year or two away from being a starter.

The team's draft consisted of almost entirely defensive players but its rare to have a defensive starter emerge from the draft. They did draft DL Isaiah Bagnah out of BYU in the second round but unless the "experts" are wrong, he projects as nothing more than a rotational player eventually.

The tream hired Brent Monson as DC and he is considered to be a top defensive coach but I'm not sure what he can do with this group. Also, I'll say it now, I am not impressed with HC Scott Milanovich. There is a tendency in CFL circles to believe that when a guy has spent time in the NFL, he will automatically be good in the CFL but I am not convinced Milanovich is HC material. I will be happy to be proved wrong on that.

This might be the strongest 'over' team I have ever seen. Potentially spectacular offence with glaring questions on defence. I am looking forward to some 70+ point games all year long. The books may not be able to set the totals high enough for Hamilton games. Especially when they play Toronto or Ottawa.
 
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The Bombers cut Shea Patterson. In spot starts LY with Sask he went 2-4-1 and looked barely serviceable although there was some gradual improvement.

I'm not sure anyone picks him up so his next stop might be the UFL unless he decides to hang it up.

With Zach Collaros suspended one game to start the season, I am guessing Chris Streveler will get the start in the first game. The Bombers have a week 1 bye and will host the Lions in week 2. This might set up a good fade spot for the Bombers as I always like fading the team with a week 1 bye the next week. It will depend on what the revamped Lions look like (more on that later) and of course, the line.
 
Hulu said:
The Bombers cut Shea Patterson. In spot starts LY with Sask he went 2-4-1 and looked barely serviceable although there was some gradual improvement.

I'm not sure anyone picks him up so his next stop might be the UFL unless he decides to hang it up.

With Zach Collaros suspended one game to start the season, I am guessing Chris Streveler will get the start in the first game. The Bombers have a week 1 bye and will host the Lions in week 2. This might set up a good fade spot for the Bombers as I always like fading the team with a week 1 bye the next week. It will depend on what the revamped Lions look like (more on that later) and of course, the line.
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Love that Collaros is suspended
 
Winnipeg
The Bombers have been a model of consistency and continuity over the past several years and have easily been the league's premier franchise both on the field and off. But I think this is the year they finally start to fade. You could see the signs last season. Their once fearsome D-line was more average. Their once league-best O-Line was still good but had been surpassed by other teams. Collaros threw 17 TDs to 15 picks. Its almost a miracle they made it to a fourth straight cup.

This year they will have changes all over the field. GM Ted Goveia left to join Hamilton and brought 6 players with him in free agency including Kenny Lawler who is a top-2 receiver in the league. Beyond that there will be other changes at receiver. Ontaria Wilson signed with the NY Jets but they have an emerging star in Kevens Clarcius. They also signed Reggie White jr (MTL) and Jerreth Sterns (SSK) to round it out. Collaros will take some time to get in sync with this new group. 2024 MOP Brady Olivera returns and should be as dangerous as ever.

On defence they lost a slew of their line to Hamilton and Edmonton but still retain their middle with Jake Thomas and their outstanding DE Willie Jefferson. They signed James Vaughters to play the other DE spot. The starting group should be good but they lack depth on paper. Never underestimate the ability of O'Shea and co to find and coach new talent though.

The linebacking corps won't be the same without Adam Bighill anchoring it but they did draft a promising replacement in Conner Shay out of Wyoming. Until he is ready, I am guessing signee Jonathan Jones (TOR) will figure into that mix. nat LB Redha Kramedi is emerging as a very legit SAM. All in all a solid group but a little bit below last year.

In the defensive backfield the Bombers have big shoes to fill after losing the big free agent signing of the year with the Elks making Tyrell Ford the highest paid DB on the league. Not only is he developing into a shutdown corner, but he is a ratio-breaker as well which makes him like gold. The team also lost safety Brandon Alexander to retirement. They still have a decent stable of DBs but again its a small regression from last year.

This team is not collapsing but its slowly regressing all across the fielsd and I think this year, off a grey cup berth, we might get some good early season numbers to fade them until the market catches up.
 
Saskatchewan
I really liked the overall direction of the Riders in 2024 even though their season got derailed by Trevor Harris' injury. Corey Mace seems to be a good young head coach and his players seem to be responding.

Harris turns 39 this year but he is a TB12 workout freak so he says he is still in top condition. If he does get hurt, the team signed Jake Maier who must be considered one of the better QB2s in the league. The OL was already solid and all-star tackle Jamarcus Hardrick with anchor it for another year. The team added Sean McEwan (CGY) and Brandon Kemp (HAM) in free agency which should make a good group better and deeper. AJ Oulette returns again after an unimpressive year but seems to have committed to the gym in the offseason and is coming to camp absolutely shredded. We'll see if it translates into production.

As far as receivers go, there really isn't a star amongst the group but there is a lot of talent. Kian Schaffer-Baker returns from a serious injury and will join the speedy Sean Bane jr, Sam Emilus and Dhonte Meyers who really stood out late in the season. They lost promising rookie Ajou Ajou to the Indianapolis Colts but if he were to return mid-season, he would provide a bag, fast target.

Defensively, the team lost a couple of pieces on the ends of the line but the middle will be anchored by Micah Johnson and signee Mike Rose (CGY) which is a pretty stout pair. If they can find a couple of quality DEs to add to the rotation they have, this will be an outstanding line.

The back 8 are very solid as well. Their big signing was DB Tevaughn Cambell who is off a 6 year NFL career. A lot of people are inking him into the starting corner position but I am always weary of guys coming back north after playing in the show. First off, its his 11th season which is a long career for a DB and there is a reason there is no more NFL interest. Has he lost a step? We'll see. Also, it must be hard to find the same level of drive and motivation after you've played in front of 60k in the nfl for several years. Otherwise though, the secondary is stacked and last year's defensive MOP Rolan Milligan returns to lock down the corner position..

Overall I think the arrow is pointing up for this team. The offence can score and the defence can get stops when they need them. They have a solid one-two punch at QB and no major weaknesses. I think they continue to progress from last year. I haven't looked at the numbers lately but this could be the best value pick on the board to win the cup.
 
Edmonton
This should be a fun one to watch. Last year this team bumbled their way to an 0-7 start but several of those games turned on a late fluke play. They finished the season on a 7-4 run so the signs were there that things were changing. Larry Thompson seems to be intent on turning the ship around and hired a whole new cast starting with GM Ed Hervey and 1st year HC Mark Kiliam who was considered a fantastic DC. He is also dropping a boat load of money on free agents to rebuild the team. Wouldn't surprise me if they violate the cap this year but hey, everybody's doing it.

A big part of this year will be about watching if Tre Ford can take the next step. We've seen him do incredible things off the bench and engineer wins as a starter too. The whole team seems to get a lift from his presence. His athletic ability is second to none but last year he showed signs of developing patience in the pocket and was less prone to taking off. He'll need to do this more if he's going to stay healthy. He somehow completes throws that break every rule in the book and somehow looks to slight and wirey to be a pro football player but his ability to throw on the run reminds me of Damon Allen who is only the 2nd leading passer all time. Over the last 2 seasons of spot play Ford's gone 237/344 69% with 22 TDs and 11 INTs. Those are legit numbers for a young QB. But much like Alexander in Montreal, he will now need to take that next step as a leader and carry the team. The Elks signed Cody Fajardo to play second fiddle and I think he is the perfect player to mentor Ford to the next level. And if he falters or gets hurt, Fajardo definitely has gas left in his tank and a chip on his shoulder for the way Montreal dumped him. The Elks are paying Ford low-end starters money which allowed them to spend money elsewhere on the roster.

The OL showed signs of improvement last year and they have added proven C/G David Beard (HAM) and promising young G Gregor McKellar (TOR). I think this unit can jell into a solid line. The team has a good RB duo with last year's breakout player Justin Rankin who has more than earned a starting spot and Javon Leake who is more of a speed guy. The receiving corps is a little like Sask's...talented across the board but without a clear #1. The closest would be Kurleigh Gittens jr if he can regain his form from his Argo days and Alexander Hollins who once looked like allstar material but faded last season and had an acrimonious split from the Lions since. Maybe that's the kick in the pants he needs to look dominant once again. Otherwise the team signed Steven Dunbar jr (HAM) for a second stint and Kaion Julian-Grant (MTL) who looks like a solid nat option.

Defensively, this team is loaded! The defensive line was a major liability last year but they dumped a lot of dead weight (including 380lb J-Min Pelley) but kept promising newcomers Noah Taylor and Noah Curtis. From Toronto's league best OL they stole Jake Ceresna, Robbie Smith and Jared Brinkman which is an all-star crew on its own. They also brought in Brandon Barlow (HAM) to add to the rotation. I don't believe D-Lines have to jell and develop chemistry line O-Lines do...they will produce relatively quickly and they will be in the backfield a lot. Behind them is a solid LB group led by last season's ROY Nick Anderson and Nyles Morgan. They also have 2 highly touted young LB prospects in Joel Dublanko and Michael Broderique who they drafted over the past 2 years. The secondary is looking very good too. They brought in Royce Metchie and Leonard Johnson from Toronto and made Tyrell Ford the highest paid DB in the league. Ford was a revelation last year in Winnipeg and is the best looking shut down corner since Davis Sanchez IMO. He is legit NFL material and he apparently turned down more than 1 NFL offer this year to play with his brother Tre. This might be the best defence on paper in the league but games aren't played on paper so we'll see how long it takes them to come together and produce.

I really don't know where this team will end up but there is an excitement building around them and I think they are playoff bound. Could be a good under team too with this defence and their tendency to run a lot on offence. Not sure if that holds under their new OC though.
 
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I'll write up the last 2 tomorrow.

There are really no dominant teams this year. One or two will probably emerge to win 12 but right now it could be almost anyone not named Calgary. It may come down to the final week. Here's my early thoughts.

MTL 10-8 - could win 12+ but turning to a QB who has started only 4 meaningful games!
TOR 10-8 - Lost much of their vaunted defence...Can the O outscore enough to win?
OTT 9-9 - Could win more but secondary will hold them back I think
HAM 8-10 - Offence should be high flying but defence still looks atrocious

SSK 10-8 - could win a lot more but Harris/Maier combo could fly or falter
BC 10-8 - All will go as Rourke goes - they could win 14 games. They could also win 8.
WPG 9-9 - Maybe they patch enough holes in the dyke to win 12+ for another year but I'm not betting on it
EDM 9-9 - I'm not sure what the ceiling is for this team
CGY 6-12 - This organization needs to be blown up
 
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Anxiously waiting your BC Lions preview ..Jumped on them instantly when the prices came out here in Buffalo at +700 as



...I've been a big fan of Rourke since his Ohio Bobcat days ( seems like he was in college for a decade 🤣🤣) ...


Love the idea of Hamilton overs. Have a few Hamiltonians at work who share your exact sentiment on the offense being really good and the defense Swiss cheese .
 
RSW Lines from 365. I'm really not seeing much value here.

As usual they've structured it so there are more wins than are available so unders are the only way to look. Gun to my head I would say Ottawa under 10.5 is probably the best bet on the board but nothing from me right now.

1747409427800.png
 
DOUBLEUP4LIFE said:
Anxiously waiting your BC Lions preview ..Jumped on them instantly when the prices came out here in Buffalo at +700 as



...I've been a big fan of Rourke since his Ohio Bobcat days ( seems like he was in college for a decade 🤣🤣) ...


Love the idea of Hamilton overs. Have a few Hamiltonians at work who share your exact sentiment on the offense being really good and the defense Swiss cheese .
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Yup BC will go as Rourke goes and I have some ideas. I'll get it written up tonight because right now its nap time!
 
scarf31 said:
Need more Andre in my life @Hulu

Need…more…Andre
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Hulu said:
RSW Lines from 365. I'm really not seeing much value here.

As usual they've structured it so there are more wins than are available so unders are the only way to look. Gun to my head I would say Ottawa under 10.5 is probably the best bet on the board but nothing from me right now.

View attachment 97084
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Agree ...
Also like BC OVER and Toronto under a little
 
Hulu said:
Every other referee on the planet: "10 yard penalty, 1st down"

Andre Proulx: "We're gonna move da ball up about 10 yards and its gonna be first down"

He's one of the characters that make this league fun.
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The league is and always has been fun. Love that it's not the No Fun League or whatever the NFL is now , I don't even consider the NFL real football anymore .
 
Calgary
Calgary has been shite for a couple of years now and it seems like the whole organization is stale. In the offseason CFLPA anonymous survey, the Stamps were rated the worst team to play for. From food to facilities, they just seem a step below the rest of the league. They used to have a good thing going with Huffnagel and Dickenson but ever since Dick took on both roles, the talent pipeline seems to have dried up. It was generally assumed after last year that the organization would be shaken up but they opted to extend Dickenson and allow the mediocrity to continue.

Offensively they have a pissed off VAj starting and when he's on, he can do some damage but his style of play lends itself to injuries and behind him they have nothing reliable. Longtime XFL/NFL journeyman PJ Walker looks to have the 2nd string but he has never taken a snap of 3 down football. They lost short yardage QB Tommy Stevens who was the most reliable short yardage QB this side of Jalen Hurts. They lost OL Sean McEwen in free agency but have enough young talent to cobble together a decent line. Dedrick Mills is a decent back, nothing more.

The receiving room is not terribly impressive. Reggie Begelton is a solid receiver but he's turning 32 this year. Beyond that they have a group of decent receivers with Malik Henry and Jalen Philpot who may one day start to produce like his brother. They signed Tevin Jones (EDM) and Dominique Rhymes who LY did not look like the speedster he once was. Its not exactly a star-studded group. They did grab a receiver with the number 1 overall pick Damien Alford. Alford was a stud receiver at Syracuse for a time before transferring to Utah and getting lost in the shuffle there. He has all the measurables and could turn out to be a very good nat receiver one day.

Defensively, this team was bottom 3 last year and they've patched a couple of holes so they might be somewhat better this year. On the line they lost Mike Rose but repatriated DE Florian Orimolade (TOR) who has been the league's best pass rusher for the past couple of seasons IMO. They will need a few more guys to emerge to round out this line. Behind them, the team lost a couple of really good LBs in Micah Awe & Cam Judge. They signed aging Derrick Moncrief and Fraser Sopik (TOR) but those are hardly comparable to Awe and Judge. They didn't suffer any major losses in the secondary but they did add stud DB Damon Webb (OTT) as well as Adrian Greene (BC). It will be for nothing if the line can't get pressure on opposing QBs.

Not a great team and even an angry VAj isn't going to save it. 6 wins will be the high water mark. But hey, they still have the most reliable kicker in the league!
 
BC Lions
So which Rourke do we get? Do we get 2023, pre-injury Rourke who looked like he might be one of the greatest CFL QBs ever, or do we get the latter half of 2024 Rourke who looked ok at times but lost at others?

I think we can safely dismiss what we saw from him in 2024 for a few reasons.

1. First off, he was thrown into the fire way too early. I understand why the team did it. At the time VAj was injured and they were losing games with the hapless Jake Dolegala at the helm. Rourke at 50% would be better than that. But consider the fact that he had started the year with Jacksonville, then went to New England for a few months, then the Giants brought him in for a cup of tea before dumping him and he signs with Atlanta and has 2 days to learn the playbook before being thrown into a preseason game. Then he's back with BC and starting vs the Bombers that very week. I stupidly did the square thing and bet on them in that game which I'm not proud of...that was an own goal. I think they expected too much, too early from a guy who had 4 different playbooks floating in his head and hadn't slept in his own bed in months.
2. Even bigger than that is that Rourke's return created a genuine QB controversy within the team. There were signs at the time but it wasn't really clear until the offseason when some news came out about how badly it had affected the team. Before VAj was injured he was on a tear and was the favourite to win MOP. Then Rourke gets parachuted in and its Vernon who? That didn't sit well with much of the team who felt like Adams was being done dirty. There was a clip before a late season game that Rourke was starting but it was VAj jumping around and hyping the players up. That's not a good look. Rick Campbell's mishandling of the situation cost him his job and the team rightly dealt VAj to Calgary. This year its clear who the leader is. Rourke is not a loud guy but I think he has his own way of motivating his troops and I think they'll be all in to play for him this year.
3. Finally, I liked what I have seen from Rourke in the offseason. He bought a house in BC and seems to be settling in and putting his NFL adventure behind him. He's been throwing in the offseason, even once making news for shoveling snow off a field so he could throw with receivers. That's the type of stuff you want to see as a leader. I think he will be just fine.

So which Rourke do we get? Time will tell but I'm guessing its closer to the 2023 version. Arrow up. Considering what he did with a mediocre squad in 2023, it it even worth talking about the rest of the team?

The OL, a problem spot for several years, looked marginally better LY and should take another step forward in 2025 with the additions of Dejon Allen (TOR) and David Foucault (EDM). There is also last year's 1st round pick George Una who may be able to grab a starting role. The Lions bring back 1200 yard risher from 3 years ago, James Butler. The receiving corps OTOH is not filled with the speed they had during Rourke's first stint. Last year's league leading receiver Justin McInnes is back but I don't see him as a perennial performer. Jovon Cottoy is a big and reliable target. Keon Hatcher once looked like he might be a solid #1 guy but will need to get back to that level. Ayden Eberhardt and STanley Berryhill have shown flashes but no one is this group looks like a true #1.

Defensively, they still have Mattieu Betts who is a top-3 edge rusher and signed Dewayne Hendrix (HAM) to hopefully fill out the other side. They had a number of decent DLs but they lacked some size last year so that will need to be addressed. They may be susceptible to the run against bigger OLs. The LB crew looks very solid with Micah Awe coming over from Calgary as well as depth guy Adam Konar. Ben Hladik is developing into a star. The secondary lost a couple of pieces but also has some younger guys who can step up and they signed Deonte Williams (SSK) to add to the mix.

Overall, if my suspicions about Rourke are right this team could win 15 games. If they are wrong, they could win 8.

I will be watching for a line in week 1 when they host Edmonton. The place will be sold out thanks to snoop dog doing the pregame show and it should be a great atmosphere for well prepared Rourke to come out against an Elks team still putting the pieces together. Anything under -7 would be probably be a bet.
 
Early camp injuries...

OTT WR Nick Mardner looks to have a serious knee injury, could be gone for the year

SSK OL Sean McEwan has an ankle injury that will keep him out to start the season
 
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 Preseason starts tomorrow and we have our first play 'o' the year!!

1* BC Lions -2.5 -110
1* BC Lions ML -140

I wasn't sure we would see a number for this game but there it is. And I really can't believe 365 took this much money on it. I have nbever been able to get this much down on a preseason tilt before.

This early preseason game is always a shit show to watch but there are a few patterns that usually hold. Coached don't want to play their starters in a game that comes only a few days into camp. But with only 2 preseason games, the home team also has at least some obligation to show their starters some time.

True to form, Calgary is leaving VAj off the game day roster and will give the start to longtime NFL/XFL journeyman PJ Walker getting his first exposure to 3 down ball, 7 days into camp. They also have 3 other QBs in the game. Logan Bonner didn't look special in his 1 career start and 2 raw rookies.

BC, being home, will start Rourke backed up by veteran Jeremiah Masoli and 3rd year QB Chase Brice. This is a vast difference in QB quality and experience. Regardless of who plays for how long, BC will have the superior QB at any given time.

That differential in QB talent alone would be enough to make this a bet but consider that this game is not being played in Vancouver. Its in Victoria out on the island. The reason teams do these games is to try and build some fan support so there will be an obligation to give the paying fans a bit of the man of the hour, Rourke. I don't think this will be one drive and out. It wouldn't surprise me if he plays a full quarter or more.

Bet this one hard if you can find it gents. This one is like a 60%+ bet IMO
 
Hulu said:
@B.A.R. @Teapot9 @spottie2935 @DOUBLEUP4LIFE @scarf31

Paging everyone! Get on this bet if you can find it. We won't find a more solid side this season!
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I'm on my homer squad( adopted ) BC LIONS -3 -115 for 2.5 units..
Thanks for the heads up on finding a preseason line.

Betting on CFL with the sportsbooks/online feels gross LOL ..

Just lost my best bookie here in Buffalo( RIP) ..Took action on almost any pro/amateur game played in this hemisphere if you asked 6+ hours in advance..Often with alt lines, player and team props too ..Always had other options on CFL but usually with limitations on betting amounts.

That being said I immensely miss the old days of being able to walk/drive over the Peace or Rainbow bridges to collect$ or pay after betting CFL games with Ontario locals over the phone .

Anyways sorry for rambling !!!


BEST of BLESSINGS & LUCK to EVERYONE in OUR CTG FAMILY this CFL/ all FOOTBALL season!!!
 
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Want to pull the Trigger on a 20 unit + Lions over 9.5 season win future..See the juice is rising thou in most spots .. Maybe I'll just wait too long on this one , and just bet both.ON and FADE BC throughout the season .
 
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Hulu said:
🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨🚨 Preseason starts tomorrow and we have our first play 'o' the year!!

1* BC Lions -2.5 -110
1* BC Lions ML -140

I wasn't sure we would see a number for this game but there it is. And I really can't believe 365 took this much money on it. I have nbever been able to get this much down on a preseason tilt before.

This early preseason game is always a shit show to watch but there are a few patterns that usually hold. Coached don't want to play their starters in a game that comes only a few days into camp. But with only 2 preseason games, the home team also has at least some obligation to show their starters some time.

True to form, Calgary is leaving VAj off the game day roster and will give the start to longtime NFL/XFL journeyman PJ Walker getting his first exposure to 3 down ball, 7 days into camp. They also have 3 other QBs in the game. Logan Bonner didn't look special in his 1 career start and 2 raw rookies.

BC, being home, will start Rourke backed up by veteran Jeremiah Masoli and 3rd year QB Chase Brice. This is a vast difference in QB quality and experience. Regardless of who plays for how long, BC will have the superior QB at any given time.

That differential in QB talent alone would be enough to make this a bet but consider that this game is not being played in Vancouver. Its in Victoria out on the island. The reason teams do these games is to try and build some fan support so there will be an obligation to give the paying fans a bit of the man of the hour, Rourke. I don't think this will be one drive and out. It wouldn't surprise me if he plays a full quarter or more.

Bet this one hard if you can find it gents. This one is like a 60%+ bet IMO
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Both my delis don’t have it and the girl I’m using in Jacksonville is saying it’s not on hard rock yet
 
Hulu said:
Dime was the max I could get down on each. But considering preseason CFL limits are typically more like $150, I'm happy AF about getting 2 dimes down on this.

If it had the limits, it would be a max 3* play.
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Win or lose you're lucky to get those amounts down on preseason CFL ..
Local has $500 limit ...On line I'm limited to $50 right now
 
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Opening drive goes for TD but the xp is missed. 6-0 Lions.

I missed the first 2 mins but when I joined it was Masoli in the game. Did anyone catch the start? Was Rourke in at all? If so, did he get hurt? He was supposed to be starting.
 
Ok stats finally working...looks like Rourke was in the game. He's listed as 1/1 for 7 yards. I can't understand not giving him at least the full first drive unless he got hurt.
 
This is frustrating to watch. BC has clearly been the better team on both sides of the ball but bullshit penalties are keeping Calgary in it. 2 bad PIs and a roughness penalty on a Calgary punt to extend the drive have been killers.

PJ Walker has done jack shit. 5/11 for 33 yards and 2 dropped interceptions in almost a full half. 7-6 Calgary at the 3 min warning.
 
DOUBLEUP4LIFE said:
The league is and always has been fun. Love that it's not the No Fun League or whatever the NFL is now , I don't even consider the NFL real football anymore .
Click to expand...

I used to watch CFL as a kid in the 80s. We had one of those big ass satellite dishes that turned and I would catch some CFL that way. Obviously the league has tradition, history and fans. I respect it. Made for TV UFL just doesn't do anything for me. And I can't watch football in the spring. But summer? I can wet my fall football appetite with some CFL. With that said, I probably won't watch or bet more than 4-6 CFL games this season. But it's appealing. Are all games streaming via direct subscription or are any networks carrying games, like CBS Sportsnet had some a couple years ago?
 
s--k said:
I used to watch CFL as a kid in the 80s. We had one of those big ass satellite dishes that turned and I would catch some CFL that way. Obviously the league has tradition, history and fans. I respect it. Made for TV UFL just doesn't do anything for me. And I can't watch football in the spring. But summer? I can wet my fall football appetite with some CFL. With that said, I probably won't watch or bet more than 4-6 CFL games this season. But it's appealing. Are all games streaming via direct subscription or are any networks carrying games, like CBS Sportsnet had some a couple years ago?
Click to expand...
Totally agree....from June to August and CFB, it is the perfect appetizer of football for me and has been for several years now.

CBS Sports Network carries select games, but all other games are able to be streamed for free on the league's streaming service called CFL+

Pretty decent actually.
 
What is the reason some of these streaming apps (like CFL+) are only available on a mobile device (tablet, phone and laptop) and not a smart device connected directly to a TV (like an apple TV box or roku?)
 
s--k said:
What is the reason some of these streaming apps (like CFL+) are only available on a mobile device (tablet, phone and laptop) and not a smart device connected directly to a TV (like an apple TV box or roku?)
Click to expand...
I think its just a case that those require a specific app and the CFL probably doesn't have the budget for that. Just guessing.

They just released the CBS Sportsnet schedule this week. 34 regular season games (out of 81 total) and all playoffs.
 
scarf31 said:
Totally agree....from June to August and CFB, it is the perfect appetizer of football for me and has been for several years now.

CBS Sports Network carries select games, but all other games are able to be streamed for free on the league's streaming service called CFL+

Pretty decent actually.
Click to expand...
I think thats the case for a lot of american CFL fans. I notice the drop off in this thread as soon as the NFL starts. The sad part is that many say the CFL season doesn't really begin until labour day. With such a large amount of roster turnover each year including a number of rookies who only found out 3 down football was a thing weeks ago, a two week training camp, only 2 preseason games, the early part of the season is sloppy and choppy. The most epic games happen in the latter half of the season and playoffs.
 
Gents, sorry for anyone who followed my preseason bet on the Leos, that was a misread on my part. The lesson here is you simply can't believe anything coaches say or infer anything in the preseason.

But I have seen some well-deserved criticism of the team in the days after. By all accounts, the team was marketing this game as "come see Nathan Rourke" to the fine people of Victoria and they paid good money to show up and watch him play 4 plays and not even throw a real pass. How many of those people will pay good money the next time around? This isn't the NFL where fans will show up and even if they don't the TV money pays for everything. The CFL survives by putting asses in seats so its pretty disrespectful to treat them like that IMO.

Anyway, nothing like putting yourself into a 2.5 unit hole to start things off. Nothing comes easy in this game.

But I am going to add a future on the Lions here to win it all. If Rourke can return to even 80% of his 2023 form, the ceiling for this team is very high and based on all I am seeing and hearing (and guessing, lets be honest) that is more likely to happen than not. There are some good teams in the west but there will be no better QB and that is everything in a 3-down league. You can't rush your way to a title here.

I think there is legitimate competition from Sask although they may have lost 2 potential starting nat offensive linemen in camp already and it will rest on the 39 year old shoulders of Trevor Harris who will need to stay healthy. Winnipeg is never out of it as long as Collaros is in form but I really think they begin to fade this year as they lose pieces and their remaining core ages. Edmonton has an outside shot with the talent they've assembled but it will depend on Tre Ford taking the next step as a QB. Toronto ain't going anywhere unless Kelly can pull off a miracle. In the east Montreal has a very solid roster top to bottom but a QB that for all his promise has started 4 games. Ottawa's defence isn't championship calibre and their offence, while good, isn't enough to carry the team on its own.

I think at this number, BC is probably the best pick to win it all.

0.5* BC Lions to win Grey Cup +750
 
New year, new jersey. Its always a challenge to guess which player will be sticking around for a few years. Simoni Lawrence was a great buy, Dane Evans not so much.

So this year I've gone with a guy who has been around for 20+ years and hopefully isn't going anywhere soon. Best of all it only cost me $45 (plus about $1200 of crafting equipment and supplies my wife has amassed).

IMG_0113.jpg
 
yes I know these teams do not play each other. I’d like them to stay hot and high scoring. The lines and totals always start low and increase. It’s up to the teams to achieve overs. We have not seen totals in the 60’s in quite sometime but this could be the season. Every league want to sell tickets and scoring does that. If they get totals in the 70’s an under can occur without the game being dull.
 
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