CFL meetings: Alouettes’ Maciocia and Bombers boss O’Shea welcome open debate

Danny Maciocia and Mike O’Shea are heading into this week’s CFL winter meetings with a willingness to listen and adapt.

The Montreal Alouettes’ general manager and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ head coach are among league representatives gathered in Calgary, where rule interpretations and possible amendments are high on the agenda.

Last September, CFL commissioner Stewart Johnston announced a series of major rule adjustments designed to modernize the league over a two-year rollout. Among the changes taking effect this season is the removal of the single point for missed field goals, punts or kickoffs that pass through the end zone untouched, whether in the air or after bouncing.

However, a single point will still be awarded if a returner receives a missed kick in the end zone and is either downed or concedes without advancing the ball beyond the goal line.

The league is also introducing a new automatic 35-second play clock that begins immediately once a play ends, replacing the previous manual timing system.

Additionally, all CFL stadiums will now position team benches on opposite sidelines, a move intended to streamline substitutions and improve game flow.