Each week, Toronto Argonaut linebacker Mike O’Shea answers your
questions. To submit a question to Mike please send an e-mail to askoshea@cfl.ca.
Hi Mike,
If you could change any rule in the CFL what would it be?
Mark T. (Calgary)
A: I don’t believe I have any rule changes that will revolutionize CFL football nor do I think that this great game needs to change. If I had to change one rule, I would eliminate blocking below the waist. This would be purely for player safety and would eliminate the need for other calls like CRACKBACK BLOCKING, CHOP BLOCKING, CUT BLOCKING, LEG WHIPPING and CLIPPING. Check this clipping rule out.
CLIPPING
Clipping means blocking an opponent, other than the ball carrier, from the rear in such a manner that the player charges into the opponent’s back or falls across the back of the legs except if the block occurs in the area between the offensive tackles within two yards of either side of the line of scrimmage where it is deemed legal.
Some other rules could use some slight tweaking but there are also some I just don’t understand.
BLOCKING ON FORWARD PASS PLAYS
On a potential play action pass, shovel pass or screen pass play, if the pass is ultimately thrown across the line of scrimmage, any blocks before the completion are illegal.
TANDEM BLOCKING
It shall be illegal to assist the forward progress of a ball carrier by providing impetus from behind or in front of the ball carrier.
INTERFERENCE ON LOOSE BALL
A player shall not deliberately interfere with an opponent attempting to recover a loose ball following a blocked kick, a dribbled ball, a fumble or a wild snap from the centre.
My confusion concerns whether lack of enforcement negates a rule. Meaning that if an infraction is never called, is it really an infraction? These three rules never get enforced.
Mike,
Who has been the biggest surprise for you as a teammate on defence. There was a lot of changes in the off-season and I would like to know who has really stepped things up in your opinion from the new guys working with you?
Terry B. (Toronto)
A: I am generally never surprised by the talent of any of the new players. They are brought in to compete for a position because they can play. This kind of depth is essential to winning. The only new starters on defence this year are Middlebrooks and Heatly and both are exciting to watch. They have both picked up the CFL brand quickly and, more importantly, fit into the defensive unit, which plays a big role in their individual success and our team success.
Mike,
Often during the television broadcast I will hear the announcers say a linebacker is reading the QB’s eyes. How much does this help in determining the play? Are there other tell signs a QB gives off?
Tamas S. (Mississauga)
A: I think when the broadcaster said the LB was reading the QBs eyes, he was meaning the QB was staring at the intended receiver and thus gave the LB an early jump on the pass. There are always “tells” in every game and it just takes film study to pick them out. I remember that Tracey Ham walking to the line with one hand behind his back meant Montreal was going on 2. I played with another QB who had 2 distinct foot alignments depending on whether the play was a pass or a run. The majority of tips come from the basic alignment of the offensive players but when a “tell” holds true, it can lead to some big plays.
Mike O’Shea enters his 16th CFL season in 2008. He is a
three-time Grey Cup champion and the captain of the Toronto Argonauts’
defence. He is the CFL’s all-time leader in defensive tackles by a
Canadian and is second all-time on the overall list. In 1999 he was
named the league’s outstanding Canadian player.
