I find it amusing how little some of those players and I guess American football people in general know of the CFL. It’s not the low level talent league many Americans think it is. You’ve got to be fully committed to it just to have a chance at succeeding up here, it doesn’t matter what your name is. There are so many young and hungry players out there. Guys who are so close to being able to play in the NFL.
So close, but yet so far.
Football players want to play. Some players in the CFL might make NFL rosters. But it's only the starters in the CFL, and most likely the all-stars who could make it as backups in the NFL. It's not all about talent, but the whole package. Let's look at some Eskimos from different generations.
Adarius Bowman had the talent, but the multiple failed pot tests in college and less stringent testing in the CFL is a reason why a multiple all-star here couldn't make it in the NFL. He likes the ganja.
Ricky Ray is a multiple Grey Cup champion and has a decent chance at the CFL Hall of Fame. After he established himself a little in the CFL he couldn't crack the Jets lineup in 2004 behind a pretty week top three quarterbacks in Chad Pennington, Brooks Bollinger and Quincy Carter. Maybe if Ray stuck around on the practice squad he might have been able to make another roster as the third quarterback the following year.
Damon Allen is a deserved CFL Hall of Famer. 72,000 yards thrown. He could well have fashioned a career as a backup or third stringer in the NFL. Never would have been a starter for any team there long-term.