Third Down Gamble

Underdogs for the first time.

For the first time in his CFL career, Chris Jones is fired, Jarious Jackson becomes interim Head Coach of the Elks. Could Nathan Rourke return to the CFL this season? Do fines do enough for player safety?  Toronto upsets unbeaten Montreal, Calgary scores 37 and loses, Ottawa shocks Edmonton in an unbelievable series of plays starting with just :08 seconds on the clock; Edmonton, for the first time for any team in CFL history, loses three straight on a last play field goal. (CFL on CBC theme music used with written permission; podcast recorded July 16, 2024.)

Player safety.

Did Winnipeg linebacker Redha Kramdi's hit on Dru Brown warrant a bigger penalty?  MBT gets fined by the CFL. Stampeders scare the Alouettes in a thriller in Montreal.  Will the Elks finally win?  Will Montreal or Saskatchewan finally lose? (CFL on CBC theme music used with written permission; podcast recorded July 9, 2024)

Not been an underdog, yet.

Designated National, this rule may have been put to the test Sunday night.  Three teams entered Week 4 winless, those three teams emerged that way.  Which of Edmonton, Hamilton, or Winnipeg will win first?  Why is tackling by the hair legal? Should half the distance be stricken?  Three games were won on the final play via a field goal in Week 4, how close is close?  Roughriders' Trevor Harris and Shawn Bane out versus Toronto, Winnipeg's Dalton Schoen out for the season, Zach Collaros questionable vesus Ottawa.  (CFL on CBC theme music used with written permission; podcast recorded July 2, 2024).

Much ado about the chip.

Three teams remain undefeated, three teams sit winless with three losses, who is in the most trouble?  The chip debate: four kickers were fined, were they deserving or not.  Ottawa is pummelled, BC shocks Winnipeg, a wild/exciting game in Toronto, Hamilton's Tim White... zero catches on six targets Sunday.  This week Montreal heads to Toronto to settle first place early, Winnipeg and Edmonton are on the road trying to win their first of 2024 (CFL on CBC theme music used with written permission; podcast recorded June 25, 2024).

Make the years count.

Winnipeg is last in the West, Montreal first in the East, Ottawa and Saskatchewan are undefeated.  No lid and illegal participation, what does that mean?  What will it take for Winnipeg to bounce back?  Can Hamilton's Tim White get back into form?  The Elks are on a six-game losing skid, is Chris Jones in trouble?  (CFL on CBC theme music used with written permission, podcast recorded June 18, 2024)