Does running the ball in the CFL really matter? Is it worth it to use one of your three precious downs on a handoff or a sweep? Do teams that run the ball effectively win more games in the Canadian Football League? This has been a hotly debated issue in the CFL for years. In this podcast, I, Jack, take on the daunting task of answering this much-debated question: "is running the ball in the CFL really worth it?" ENJOY! (please click the title of this blog post to listen to the podcast) ------ HERE ARE THE STATISTICS REFERENCED IN MY PODCAST -------- *bolded & italicized text indicates the team missed the playoffs *underlined text indicates the team participated in the Grey Cup (Record) Team = Rushing Yards (QB rushing yds = % of team yrds) Passing Yrds 2011 (6-12) Toronto = 2,298 (576 = 25%) 3,770 (11-7) Calgary = 2,244 (551 = 25%) (10-8) Montreal = 2,006 (343 = 17%) (10-8) Winnipeg = 1,988 (480 = 24%) 4,494 (11-7) Edmonton = 1,857 (350 = 19%) (11-7) BC = 1,777 (471 = 27%) 5,090 (5-13) Saskatchewan = 1,741 (448 = 26%) 4,526 (8-10) Hamilton = 1,620 (326 = 20%) 2010 (13-5) Calgary = 2,538 (680 = 27%) (7-11) Edmonton = 2,223 (511 = 23%) 4,302 (4-14) Winnipeg = 2,181 (755 = 35%) 4,476 (9-9) Toronto = 2,005 (274 = 14%) (10-8) Saskatchewan = 1,887 (618 = 33%) 5,645 (12-6) Montreal = 1,795 (433 = 24%) 5,675 (8-10) B.C. = 1,740 (471 = 27%) (9-9) Hamilton = 1,696 (289 = 17%) 2009 (10-7-1) Calgary = 2,261 (585 = 26%) (15-3) Montreal = 2,141 (549 = 26%) 5,191 (7-11) Winnipeg = 2,073 (152 = 7%) 3,600 (8-10) B.C. = 2,059 (610 = 30%) (10-7-1) Saskatchewan = 1,948 (603 = 31%) 4,672 (9-9) Edmonton = 1,885 (206 = 11%) (9-9) Hamilton = 1,872 (572 = 31%) (3-15) Toronto = 1,710 (341 = 20%) 4,128 2008 (3-15) Hamilton = 2,537 (899 = 35%) 4,474 (13-5) Calgary = 2,392 (707 = 30%) 5,253 (12-6) Saskatchewan = 2,250 (616 = 27%) (11-7) B.C. = 2,140 (539 = 25%) (11-7) Montreal = 1,965 (275 = 14%) 5,829 (8-10) Winnipeg = 1,837 (281 = 15%) (3-15) Toronto = 1,579 (493 = 31%) 4,784 (10-8) Edmonton = 1,456 (288 = 20%) 2007 (14-3-1) BC = 2,141 (473 = 22%) (7-10-1) Calgary = 2,079 (673 = 32%) (12-6) Saskatchewan = 2,044 (784 = 38%) 4,990 (3-15) Hamilton = 1,927 (268 = 14%) 3,664 (8-10) Montreal = 1,909 (530 = 28%) (10-7-1) Winnipeg = 1,821 (132 = 7%) 5,292 (5-12-1) Edmonton = 1,561 (516 = 33%) 5,059 (11-7) Toronto = 1,436 (297 = 21%) RAW RUSHING Statistics: Non-playoff teams – 4.3 points Grey Cup teams – 4.4 points LEAGUE AVERAGE - 4.5 points Playoff teams (non-Grey Cup teams) - 4.8 points QB rushing totals average out to making up for 23.95% of all rushing yards. QB rushing from non-playoff teams – 24.8% QB rushing from play-off teams (minus the Grey Cup Champion) – 22.5% QB rushing from Grey Cup champions = 29% Average passing yards per season for non-playoff teams = 4,278 Average passing yards per season for Grey Cup teams = 5,213