Expert: Michael B - 8/5/2011

Question
Great blog - very informative. You have answered many questions about open tryouts, but I have a question about the results of those tryouts.
1.) My question is how many players actually get a serious look from the CFL teams from these open tryouts. Or are they really just making a few bucks off the players who go to them. 2.) Are the CFL team's scouts at these or do they send some lower level person to just make an appearance. 3.) What 40 dash time ( for a DB / safety) would get some attention from the teams regardless of where you played at college.
Thank you for your time!

Answer
Hi Glenn,

1. Every year I read articles in the papers/online about players discovered at the tryouts.  For instance, a couple of years ago, Buck Pierce, a QB from an open tryout was invited to main camp by the BC Lions. He made the team as 3rd stringer.  Each year, he moved up until he was the starting QB. He is still playing (all be it for Winnipeg Blue Bombers) and is starring in the league.  It doesn't happen to every team nor every player, but it's also not unusual.  I'd say an average of about 3-5 players from open tryouts get invited to each team's main camp each year.  Trust me, the CFL teams aren't making money off of these tryouts. :)

2. The team scouts are there. Often, the team coaches will be there too.  The staff of a CFL team is significantly smaller than an NFL team, so coaches are much more involved in all aspects of the team.

3. I'm sorry, I don't know this answer.  Generally speaking, CFL teams look for speed, athleticism, and high strength to body weight ratios.  The CFL field is big and requires athletes that can "get there".  It's usually amusing to see what American-born DBs say about the size of the field when they first start defending.  They are almost always blown away by how much space there is to defend.  Make no mistake, the CFL receivers are great athletes too.  The QBs are extremely intelligent and athletic too - because they have to be.

As far as what college you went to - I don't think this makes as much difference to a CFL scout nor CFL team as it might in the NFL.  As they don't have automatic first choice of players, they are much more open to going to small colleges to find their players.

Hope that helps.

Michael