Third Down Gamble

Special guest John Hodge (3DownNation) and host Don Charabin discuss the CFL-XFL talks, the 2021 CFL season (recorded April 13, 2021).

An alleged non-disclosure agreement keeps everyone guessing as to what is really happening between the XFL and the CFL. The NFL takes notice of these discussions. Are we braced-well for a change? (recorded April 6, 2021)

First Down: Moving the CFL schedule to spring. Second Down: 2021, a bet worth taking? Third Down: Proposed 'Smart Season' isn't that smart. (Recorded March 30, 2021).

First Down: Raynor continues investigating. Second Down: what a merged XFL-CFL game may look like. Third Down: the nuances of this 'supposed' merger. (Recorded March 23, 2021).

The XFL and CFL are discussing a myriad of topics. What is on the table? We offer our thoughts and look at some of the implications for the CFL... (recorded March 13, 2021).

What does the CFL need to have/know to launch on time, or hold off until later for Comeback 2021? (recorded March 3, 2021).

First Down: The Judge hands down his verdict. Second Down: Let's play. Third Down: EE what will you be? (recorded February 17, 2021).

The guys recap some of the highlights of the first two days of CFL Free Agency 2021 (recorded February 10, 2021).

First Down: Making sense of the negotiation window in 2021. Second Down: A new coach in Edmonton. Third Down: Who is signed, who is not, who may go where (recorded February 3, 2021).

Special Guest Andrew Hoskins of The Turf District Podcast joins Heath and Don to discuss the sudden departure of Edmonton Head Coach Scott Milanovich and its ramifications on Edmonton player signings and free agency, and candidate options for Head Coach (recorded January 26, 2021).

The hosts review the current signings in the CFL, debate who left is a priority for each team, and ponder which players may go to Free Agency (recorded: January 19, 2021).

Guest Vikram Kail shares stories of his move from England to the Canadian Prairies, his love of the CFL, and hopes for 2021 (recorded: December 28, 2020).

The crew (Heath Graham, Pat Mooney, and Don Charabin) discuss the start of the signing frenzy in the CFL.

First Down: Pre-emptive team signings. Second Down: Scheduling is not easy. Third Down: It's a family affair as we share some of our favourite football memories with guests: Nadine Charabin and Shelly Mooney (First & Second Down recorded December 9, Third Down December 17).

Guests (Turf District) Andrew Hoskins and Mike Smith-Knutsen join Don Charabin to discuss the 2021 CFL season, their thoughts on Edmonton's possible new team name, life growing up as an Edmonton football fan, and how the podcast duo met (recorded November 25, 2020).

Guest host Heath Graham joins Don Charabin and review the new look 2021 CFL schedule (recorded November 23, 2020).

First Down: changes in BC. Second Down: a trivia extravaganza. Third Down: Grey Cup Unite and hope for 2021 (recorded November 11, 2020).

Guests Alouettes FlightDeck hosts Tim Capper and Cliffy D. Pine join Don Charabin to discuss some of their experiences as Alouettes' fans since the return of the team in 1996 (recorded November 3, 2020).

First Down: The crew discuss the Edmonton 'thought' bubble for 2021. Second Down: Heath joins Pat for trivia. Third Down: The guys offer some rule-change proposals. With special guest Heath Graham (recorded October 14, 2020).

Guest Emily Mooney joins host Don Charabin to discuss from where her passion for the CFL began and grew (recorded September 28, 2020).

First Down: Opt-out splashes. Second Down: Trivia time. Third Down: From where did our Canadian Football passion start? Special guest: Heath (recorded September 20, 2020).

Heath joins Don to discuss CFL-player Opt Outs and Labour Day weekend football.

First Down: Opt outs and NFL opp's. Second Down: Trivia with Pat. Third Down: Lessons learned and schedule changes (recorded August 24, 2020).

First Down: CFL cancels 2020 season. Second Down: Trivia with Pat. Third Down: Edmonton... maybe now is good for a new helmet logo? (recorded August 16-17, 2020).

Co-host this episode is Andrew of The Turf District. First Down: Deadline anxiety, a shortened season, and gambling. Second Down: Trivia with Pat. Third Down: Rock revisited, buckets versus benches, contract ideas (recorded August 4, 2020).

First Down: The guys discuss the obstacles facing the CFL playing in 2020. Second Down: Trivia. Third Down: Rock makes a splash (recorded August 3, 2020).

First Down: A what if? ...wait 'til 2021? Second Down: Trivia. Third Down: Deadlines loom, a September 14 start, CFL and Federal Government deal is a must for 2020 play (recorded July 26, 2020).

First Down: Guest Host Heath (Snack_Bites_Pete) joins to discuss helmet decals and names. Second Down: Trivia. Third Down: Winnipeg is the hub, now the wheels are in motion (recorded July 20, 2020).

First Down: The guys discuss CBC Sports Dan Ralph's story of the CFL revised financial aid request of the Federal Government. Second Down: It's trivia time. Third Down: Name change? Now that Washington (NFL) has... will Edmonton do the same? The guys are joined by Andrew of the Edmonton Turf District (recorded July 13-14, 2020).

First Down: Back at the table, negotiations continue... Second Down: Trivia. Third Down: hub vs own stadium, intra-divisional versus inter-locking schedule, six games or eight, so much to consider (recorded July 8, 2020).

First Down: growing tomatoes and revenues. Second Down: Pat takes another step in his trivia journey. Third Down: SuperFan Mike (Eskimo Empire Podcast) joins to discuss BC owner David Braley's comments (recorded June 29, 2020)

First Down: Cliffy D. Pine joins to discuss the Alouettes FlightDeck. Second Down: Pat tries to build on his impressive trivia run. Third Down: Snack_Bites_Pete joins Don to discuss bubbles (Recorded: June 23, 2020).

First Down: What's up with the CFL and CFLPA impasse? Second Down: Trivia, one extra question. Third Down: Argos get a pass and CFL joins with other leagues regarding betting (recorded June 16, 2020).

First Down:The guys debate an eight-game CFL schedule in hub cities. Second Down: Pat tries to improve his trivia score. Third Down: A fond football adieu to Chris Cuthbert, the guys reminisce about other iconic broadcasters in the booth (audio clip: CFL on TSN July 20, 2006) recorded June 8, 2020.

This week we welcome Andrew of the EskimoEmpire Podcast. In First Down it's hub time; During Second Down Pat tries again at trivia. In Third Down ideas abound for CFL 3.0 (recorded June 1, 2020).

In First Down, the Commissioner makes more video appearances. In Second Down, more trivia to ponder, and in Third Down facilities open this week (recorded May 27, 2020).

In First Down the guys discuss the CFLPA meeting the government; in Second Down the Trivia Wizard makes an appearance. In Third Down, the first in a series looking at what came from the Town Hall meeting (1st+2nd recorded May 19, 3rd May 20, 2020).

The guys look back at the CFL's request for help from the Federal Government. In Second Down Cliffy D from the Alouettes FlightDeck joins Don to provide his insight from Montreal. In Third Down Gamble the guys look at the CFL's impact on its member cities (recorded May 11-12, 2020).

The guys review the 2020 CFL Draft, discuss the CFL l-o-a-n request, the CFLPA and CFL re-opening talks, and Don invents 'new' words (recorded May 5, 2020).

The guys review the letter from the CFLPA President and hypothesize on possible contract opt-out ideas. They are then joined by Andrew of the Eskimo Empire Podcast to discuss the CFL 2020 Draft. Finally, news of the CFL loan-request indicates how bad COVID-19 is for professional sports (recorded April 28, third segment on April 29, 2020).

The guys discuss empty stadiums and a September return. Two QB's enough?... 'twas the norm in the 1960's. Finally... some news and views on CFL player transactions (recorded April 21, 2020).

Thorne vs Esks, Moon signs, and a dynasty. Are all players FA's if there is no 2020 season? The XFL ends, again, and TSN Throwback Friday Night! ...(recorded April 14, 2020)

The CFL considers a later start to the 2020 season. CBC.ca has a discussion with the CFL Commissioner (read the full Q&A: Heroux article). Finally, Don argues all teams will survive if there is a cancelled 2020 season (recorded April 7, 2020).

Pat and Don welcome special guest Andrew of the Eskimo Empire Podcast. They discuss what the impact the delay of training camps means for the CFL's 2020 season (recorded March 31, 2020).

The guys reveal some CFL-CFLPA player-contract findings, discuss delays and XFL FA's, then return to yesteryear. (Recorded March 24, 2020).

Free Agency awaits where Derel Walker will land. Don then chats to Andrew of the Eskimo Empire Podcast about the COVID-19 impact on scheduling. Pat and Don debate whether the CFL can play without fans (recorded March 17, 2019).

It's our final look at the rouge before the CFL governors decide its fate; and, of course, we disagree on the wild-card playoff proposal. We then discuss COVID-19. Learn more at https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/diseases/coronavirus-disease-covid-19.html. Finally, the guys ask "will you be my free agent?" (Recorded March 11, 2020).

The guys welcome the new President of the CFLPA and debate negotiations concerning Toronto and TJ Jones then say a fond good-bye to Kim Murphy. Pat reveals his summer football-trip. Finally it comes down to the Rouge (the guys are seeing red but are open to a fresh idea). (Recorded: Wednesday, March 4, 2020).

Pat and Don muse about the fate of remaining CFL free agents. The guys then dive back into the proposed 'pick-em' playoff opponent. They finish with a squabble over what is a fair schedule and then Pat throws a lateral with his realignment scheme. Get your slide-rule ready. (Recorded February 26, 2020)

Pat and Don discuss some of the CFL Free Agents still left available, give a few thoughts about _ _ _-2, and then agree to disagree about the idea to change the CFL playoffs. (Recorded: February 21, 2020)