I have always wondered how well an all national line up would fare against an American line up. Below are my selections for all national offensive and defensive lineups. Offense
QB Nathan Rourke
RB Brady Oliveira
WR’s Justin McInnis, Tyson Philpot, Samuel Emilus, Kian Schaffer-Baker, Nic Demski
OL David Beard, Brett Boyko, Logan Ferland, Dariusz
Bladek, Peter Godber
Defense
DB’s Tyrell Ford, Jayden Dalke, Nelson Lukombo, Stavros Katsantonis, Marc-Antoine Dequoy
LB’s Adam Auclair, Adam Konar, Cameron Judge
DL Mathieu Betts, Christian Covington, Charbel Dabire, Cleyon Lang
It’s a nice thought, but my guess is that an all Canadian line up would get hammered, particularly at receiver, DB and linebacker. Obviously also most years at QB with the present hope that Rourke regains his form, otherwise Canadians would lose at the most important position 98% of all CFL seasons. There is also the success of the Baltimore Stallions to provide proof of this concept. Two years of play with no (or very few) Canadians and two trips to the Grey Cup with one win and one narrow loss.
All star Canadians vs. the best Americans in the CFL might be a game worth watching. All star Canadians vs. NFL talent would be ugly. Big ugly. Nasty big ugly.
I would not consider an all National lineup to go against an NFL line up but to play an American CFL line up. I am sure that it would be a good game and I bet the National lineup will surprise many.
Tre Ford can back up Nathan Rourke at QB. To back up Brady Oliveira there are several National running backs such as: Johnny Augustine, Sean Thomas Erlington, Daniel Adeboboye, and Thomas Bertrand-Hudon to name a few. There are several other receivers also such as: Jevon Cottoy, Jalen Philpot, Kurleigh Gittens, Mitchell Picton, and Kevens Clercius. There are several other players to back up at the remainder of the positions.
The Canadian team would have trouble scoring on an all American defense, and a Canadian defense would get lit up. An all Canadian secondary against the top 5 American receivers would be a slaughter.
It’s not the quality of player (Rourke vs any QB is close enough, Oliviera vs any Running back is a toss up) - it’s who he has to go up against. Canadian DLinemen are going against all American OLinemen, and Vice Versa. Oliviera has to break free against the best American defensive linemen and linebackers in the league.
If both teams were able to practice and execute a game plan for weeks, came into the game (or games) ready and not a one time exhibition I think it would be an absolute blowout.
You people are not giving the National players credit for their talents and abilities. Many of the National offensive linemen are more than capable of handlng American defensive linemen and linebackers. The National receivers have dominated in many games and they would not be hammered.
This is a hypothetical exercise so nobody truely knows what would happen, and the top Canadian at any position is as good as his American counterpart. But depth is where the Canadians would have challenges.
We know the best Canadian receiver can beat the best American DB, but can the 6th best Canadian receiver beat the 6th best American?
I am not sugesting playing the 6th to 8th best Canadians against 6th to 8th best Americans. I am suggesting playing the best Canadians against the best CFL Americans and I bet the Canadians will easily hold their own.
