New CFL rules will allow players to shine: VP

By: Paul Wiecek Posted: 2:15 PM CDT Thursday, Apr. 9, 2015

Concerns that a series of rule changes for the upcoming 2015 CFL season are going to lead to a dramatic increase in scoring are overblown, says the Winnipeg man in charge of enforcing those changes.

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Concerns that a series of rule changes for the upcoming 2015 CFL season are going to lead to a dramatic increase in scoring are overblown, says the Winnipeg man in charge of enforcing those changes.

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Concerns that a series of rule changes for the upcoming 2015 CFL season are going to lead to a dramatic increase in scoring are overblown, says the Winnipeg man in charge of enforcing those changes.

“We hope it does lead to more scoring, but I don’t think you’re going to see massive shootouts,” Glen Johnson, the CFL’s vice-president of officiating, said this afternoon at Investors Group Field during a briefing with reporters on the new rules.

“I don’t think it will be dramatic. What I think you will see is the skill of the players shine through more than it has in the past. I think you will see the athleticism of the receiver and the defensive back shine through more. There will be less clutching and grabbing and less restricting of guys being able to run.”

Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files
'We hope it does lead to more scoring, but I don’t think you’re going to see massive shootouts,' says Glen Johnson, the CFL’s vice-president of officiating. — Wayne Glowacki / Free Press files 'We hope it does lead to more scoring, but I don’t think you’re going to see massive shootouts,' says Glen Johnson, the CFL’s vice-president of officiating.

The CFL’s Board of Governors on Wednesday approved a total of seven rule changes, including longer single-point converts, shorter two-point converts and some new special teams rules aimed at cutting down on the number of illegal block and no-yards penalties and giving returners more room to run.

But the biggest change is a new moratorium on any contact between a receiver and defensive back more than five yards from the line of scrimmage. Players on both sides of that equation have taken to social media in recent weeks predicting the rule change is going to lead to offensive fireworks this season as receivers — who in the CFL already have the huge advantage of a running start — roam free through CFL secondaries.

Johnson said defensive backs will learn to adapt, but he did agree the new rule will undoubtedly lead to a spike in illegal contact penalties early in the 2015 season, although he noted that category of penalty had already spiked 75 per cent last season as officials tried to crack down on all the clutching and grabbing.

“That’s a likely outcome. I wouldn’t use the word dramatic but yeah, I would say we can expect there will be an increase in penalties as they relate to illegal contact as we all adapt to the change.”

email: paul.wiecek@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @PaulWiecek