Murray Wood: I'm not a fan of the CFL's rule changes... with one exception
Murray Wood isn't a fan of the suite of rule changes coming to the CFL over the next two years, because it makes the Can...
The Canadian Football League is looking to evolve.
Saskatchewan Roughrider President and CEO Craig Reynolds said the changes made today are setting the league up for that evolution at a “critical time.”
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CFL Commissioner Stewart Johnston announced the changes to the league Monday morning at a news conference.
Changes are coming to the size and layouts of the field, the location of the goalposts, the single-point rouge and the play clock over the next two seasons.
Reynolds said the changes aren’t about changing the game, saying all the rules that make the game uniquely Canadian are here to stay.
“It was around making a great game better, and I think that was what they (CFL) believed today’s changes would do ultimately,” he said.
The announced rule changes include moving the goal posts behind the endzone. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
The ultimate goal of the changes is to keep the game moving, to create more touchdowns and to create a better product for fans.
“(For) me as a fan, I would prefer to see five touchdowns per game versus five field goals per game,” Reynolds said.
“There’s a reason that Gainer drives around the field after touchdowns and not field goals.”
Reynolds admits reaction has been mixed, which he was expecting.
However, some passionate Rider fans have already threatened to not renew their season tickets following the changes.
“Whenever you hear fans say that it’s a concern,” Reynolds said.
“I think there’s a lot of education that the league needs to do, and we need to do with our fans as well, so they understand the rationale behind the changes, and what’s changing and what’s not.”
According to Craig Reynolds, the turf at Mosaic Stadium is nearing the end of its life. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
Changes to the turf
The 2027 changes will see adjustments made to the field.
Goalposts will be moved to the back of the end zone, and the field will also be adjusted.
End zones will be changed from 20 yards deep to 15, and the field will be changed from 110 yards to 100.
Reynolds said the Riders are in talks with the City of Regina, who own the field, about making the necessary adjustments.
“The reality is the turf was first put in when the stadium opened in 2017, so the reality is, the turf is getting close to (the) end of its useful life here,” he said.
The turf at Mosaic Stadium also has a unique feature: the white lines are stitched into it.
When asked if the new turf will also be stitched, Reynolds said it’s an ongoing conversation with the city.
“I think originally there was a lot of merit to having stitched turf, but I think as things have evolved at the stadium, there’s probably more merit to not having a stitch moving forward,” he said.
While that is the Riders’ view on the turf, Reynolds said the city would have to be on board too.
— with files from 980 CJME’s Daniel Reech
