All Time best CFL uniforms.

If you haven't guessed by now, I love sports uniforms. 

When I found Chris Creamer's Sportslogos.net website about 10 years ago, my interest was heightened to a new level. 

I have spent a fair amount of time speaking about the Toronto Argos uniform changes this year over on the boards at Sportslogos.net. Which has lead to me this post: My personal favorite look for each of the CFL teams. 

Originally, I was going to go through all the teams but some haven't really had more than 1 look like the American expansion teams or, in the case of the Ottawa Renegades, only 2 looks.

So, I will be posting my favorite looks for the current CFL teams. I realize that doesn't leave much to chose from for the Ottawa REDBLACKS as they are only in their 4th season.

Let's start in the West division (alphabetically).

BC Lions:

I have always been a fan of the paw print logo of the 60's. From 1963 to 1966 the Lions wore the below uniforms and I loved them. From the simple number font to the orange not being over-used or too bright (as I feel the orange has become over the years). In my mind, this uniform is the best they ever had.

 

Calgary Stampeders:

Sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go. In the 80s and 90s the Stamps did that. Red helmet, simple jersey with the logo on the sleeve, socks match jersey, opposite colour for the pants. Minimal inclusion of black made this team have a unique look. 

Edmonton Eskimos:

In the early 2000s The Eskimos were a great looking team! A lot of people have compared this uniform to the Green Bay Packers. There are key differences (like the Packers don't wear white pants) but I get it. That doesn't mean Edmonton's uniforms were bad. After this set, the Eskimos tried a few very different looks with piping and added a green helmet. None are as nice as this. 

Saskatchewan Roughriders:

I had a little harder time with getting a complete uniform history of the 'Riders but the set that the riders wore up until 2002 (I believe it was introduced in the 80s.) was hands-down the best. 

Although I could take or leave the black 3rd jersey, the home and away I still love! The helmet with the logo stripes that connected in the back and the grey pants. To me, this should always be the 'Riders look. 

Winnipeg Blue Bombers:

From the 70s right through to 1995 the Bombers wore a set unique to all of football. The gold helmets and pants were great and having a blue uniform (I mean, they are the BLUE Bombers) just makes sense. I also really liked that the sleeve stripes matched the sock stripes.

Off to the East now! 

Hamilton Tiger-Cats:

In 1967 the Ti-Cats adopted the below uniforms that were the look until 1986, when the switched to a black helmet. The yellow helmet was a unique look and the sleeves being different colours was also unique. It's these little things that make this uniform set so unique and I really wish they would just bring it back. 

Montreal Alouettes:

The Alouettes have a weird history, from the 1946 to 1981 they were the Alouettes. From 1982 to 1985 the team was re-names the Concordes just to be re-named the Alouettes in 1986 & 1987 before the team folded. Then, in 1994 & 1995 Baltimore received a CFL expansion team but after the NFL came back to Baltimore (funny enough, it was the Browns who have a similar historical "blip") The Stallions were moved to Montreal as the Alouettes to "resume" the history that ended in 1987. So basically, according to history, the Alouettes took a break from 1988 to 1996. Unlike I did with Ottawa, which has had 3 uniquely different teams, I opted to follow this weird historical allowance.

With that said, the 1970-1973 uniforms were my favorites. The logo was simple but still conveyed a bird and, the red and green colour scheme (even though it may remind you of Christmas) was different and the sleeve stripes are a classic.

Ottawa REDBLACKS:

The REDBLACKS (yes, capitalizing the whole name is correct) have only had 2 uniform sets thus far as I mentioned earlier. I don't particularly love either to be honest but I prefer the first set. The all black look is generally something I do not love but, due to the team name, it makes sense (with the red numbers). I really liked the idea of the 3rd but it never panned out. Drop the logo on the front for numbers and it looks much better. I still hope to see a uniform that has a lot of the plaid look one day.

Toronto Argos:

So many looks to choose from but from 1981 to 1988 the Argos wore what I prefer. I love that football as a boat logo (and this was the last time it was used as a primary logo) and I like the kind of "chunky" sleeve stripes. Simple but a little different. 

So I guess you could say, if I was in charge, this is what the CFL uniforms would look like in 2017. 

If you prefer a different look, let me know in the comments! I always like to hear other people's preferences and why.

Argos at BMO (yup. Again)

It was a week ago today that I decided to go check out the Argos at BMO.

Anyone who has read this blog before knows that I never thought that BMO was the solution for the Argos. That said, I went to the game with an open mind and I really hoped that I was going to be pleasantly surprised. Anyone that knows me knows that I love the CFL (hell, I live within walking distance of Tim Horton's field) and I want this league to do well, so is it really a surprise that I want the Argos to do well?

Well, I have to admit I came out with mixed feelings.

I will say this, I sat in the south end and there was a very small but very passionate group of fans who were right into it and they were very friendly and invited me to hit their drum and wave their flag. That is so cool! I think that more of this is needed for the Argos to succeed.

I do think that the BMO field ground crews have done an amazing job of keeping the grass in good shape and painting the lines so that you only see the lines applicable to the sport being played.

Football belongs outside. It just felt right being outside to watch the Argos.

That said, there are negatives. First off all there were only 11 thousand people there. The place looks so empty. I can't believe I'm going to say this but the Argos should tarp off sections to keep the crowd from looking so sparse. You see it on TV and you feel it in the stadium.

The Argos have also "retired" the Argonotes and replaced them with a drum core group. While the drum core is very talented, I think they have abandoned a large portions of fans who would help make that atmosphere better.

TFC have proved that the location of the stadium is not an issue. So we can't say that is a problem. I was in Liberty Village just north of the stadium (enjoying a beer) just before the game and was able to walk over in about 10 mins, that is not an issue. For those who don't know, liberty is chalk full of bars and restaurants. It's the perfect neighborhood to accompany a stadium.

So what is it? Is the CFL just not relevant in Toronto anymore? I can't think that is the case. The Argos have been here since 1873. Is it because TFC and the Jays have been competitive over the past couple of seasons? Is it because the Wolfpack are turning heads and, there just isn't enough money to be spread around all the pro teams in the city? Maybe people would prefer to stay home and watch the game on TSN?

I really don't know. I heard a theory that the Wolfpack and Argos should go in together on a 15,000 seat pop up stadium. Maybe that would be a solution?

I really don't have an answer for this one but something has got to change, a large company like Bell won't hold onto the team if it is just bleeding money, even if the team is part of a league in which their TV property (TSN) is the official broadcaster. Then what?

NHL Expansion Thoughts

So the Vegas Golden Knights are officially a thing. They have a roster, they have a uniform, all signs point to "go!".

I was listening to one of my favorite podcasts, Basically a Sports Show, and they were talking about how crazy this expansion is which inspired me to do this post.

In a nutshell, the NHL said "no" to Quebec even though they have a new arena built and a potential owner who makes his money from a telecommunication company (so it would be really easy to get the team a regional TV contract).
The NHL did admit Las Vegas. They also have a new arena and a wealthy owner.
The NHL was also expecting a bid from Seattle but, nothing came.

Seems pretty apparent that the NHL just wanted to let Las Vegas and Seattle in if you ask me which leads me to my point; I feel the NHL only wanted to expand to the west in order to balance their conferences (I know; this isn't a new or groundbreaking thought).

In 2013 the NHL move the Columbus Blue Jackets and the Detroit Red Wings to the eastern conference (for the 2013-14 season). This left the Western Conference with 14 teams and the Eastern Conference with 16. Adding 'Vegas has started to balance out the conference but let's say, for argument's sake, that the NHL let in the only other bid: Quebec City.

Quebec would need to be in the Eastern Conference. That would leave the West with 15 teams and the East with 17 teams. How would that balance out so there are 16 teams each?

There are a few options but we need to keep in mind that Detroit has asked for years and years to be in the East and the likelihood of them accepting a move back to the Western conference is very slim.

In mind mind, there are 2 solutions.
(note, I threw together a very quick visual with a map I found here. Blue = Western Conference, Red = Eastern Conference)

#1 Just move Columbus back to the Western Conference. They've been there before, it seems like a simple solution. I understand that means that they would play Pittsburgh less but, it may make that budding rivalry more special. Could you imagine if those 2 teams met in the Stanley cup Final?

The Blue Jackets move back West

I will admit, that may not be the solution that the league is looking for. So here is a solution that may make some sense geographically. In the West, it is more common to see teams that are not within driving distance of any other team. For example, the Stars and Avalance are so far away from other teams it is safe to say that someone a state over could even be fans of these teams as their "local team". Where as New York State has 3 teams plus the Devils are just across a bridge from new York state.
My thought process would be this: Move the Florida teams to the Western Conference. Yes, I know the Panthers are further East than a number of Eastern Conference teams in that case. Thing is; the Florida teams are kind of out there, all by themselves geographically, and I think that being in either conference doesn't really effect their travel costs in that case. They also would still be in the same conference so they could continue to play each other the same amount of times as they do now.
If we move those 2 teams west then, to balance things out, the Predators should move to the East.

The Florida teams move West

What this alignment does as well is set up the NHL for a future Seattle team. Let's say any of the Eastern teams (except Nashville) in this alignment move to Seattle (I won't chose any 1 team in particular because it really doesn't matter who it is).
In that scenario, the Preds can move back West with the new Seattle team and the Florida teams can move back East.

I realize that this senario has Lightening and Panthers fans staying up late when their teams are playing in California/Vancouver but Detroit fans had to endure that for a very long time. Nashville fans currently endure it to some extent as well. It's just always going to be a fact when it comes to the NHL.

I think that's how I'd do it if I was asked by the NHL to realign the teams.