Jack Bedell
CFL.ca
While it’s not unusual for CFL teams to carry extra pivots into training camp, many times these players are simply “camp arms” to keep starting QBs as fresh as possible for the long season. This off-season, however, several teams seem to be stockpiling legitimate talent at quarterback.
Status Quo has always dictated that smart teams keep at least two pivots on the roster capable of winning ball games in the event of injury to their number one guy. Heading into 2009, though, the majority of teams in the league are three-deep at pivot with both proven and young talent, and some teams like Calgary, Hamilton and Montreal sport embarrassments of riches five and six-deep on their rosters.
Here’s a quick look around the CFL at quarterbacks under contract:
B. C. Lions
If the 2008 pre-season proved anything, it proved the Lions’ QB depth chart is pretty much 1A and 1B with Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson. Both pivots have proven they can be effective and productive leaders. With Pierce signing a lucrative extension this off-season, he’s got the reins in his hands at present, but Jackson is definitely ready, willing, and able to take over if Pierce goes down to injury for any considerable amount of time. Third-stringer Zac Champion is going to be a player in the league, too, and is great insurance against injury disaster for B.C.
Calgary Stampeders
Henry Burris really hit his stride in 2008, and will no doubt pick up where he left off after earning a Grey Cup MVP in Montreal last November, especially considering the depth of the Stamps’ receiving corps. Unlike the security of the past few seasons, when the Stamps had serious experience behind Hank like Danny McManus and Dave Dickenson, however, the champs go into 2009 with a trio of relatively inexperienced CFL pivots—Barrick Nealy, Ben Sankey, and Will Proctor—and an Arena League exile, Dan D’Orazio, waiting in the wings. That’s a significant dip in talent from Burris that has to have Stamps fans hoping Hank stays on the field.
Edmonton Eskimos
The Stefan LeFors trade leaves a bit of a hole in terms of security behind Ricky Ray and Jason Maas on the Esks’ bench. Ray is a phenomenal talent, but he’s taken his share of hits in the past waiting to deliver long balls. Maas is a gamer who looks like he’s recovered from shoulder woes in Hamilton and Montreal, but who may not hold up to an extended period of relief should Ray go down. As good as those two QBs are, Edmonton needs to add some depth post-haste.
Hamilton Ticats
Don’t look now, but the deepest, most promising stable of pivots in the league just might reside in Steeltown. Quinton Porter showed sufficient promise in relief of Casey Printers last season to head into 2009 as the Ticats’ starter. And he certainly deserves the nod after displaying great poise and a nice arm every time he got on the field. Porter’s got a couple of young studs behind him in Richie Williams and Adam Tafralis who also proved they could play in 2008. Then there’s Kevin Glenn, brought in to provide some veteran insurance, and a couple of intriguing NFLers, Josh Betts and Erik Meyers, to push the pack.
Montreal Alouettes
Als fans have to be grinning silly after Anthony Calvillo’s performance in 2008. All off-season last year, Montreal was dogged with question marks about their “aging” pivot and new offence. Calvillo put all that stuff to bed with a phenomenal year last season, and heads into 2009 as close to a sure thing as you can get. Unlike in past seasons, when Als fans were forced to hold their breaths anytime AC came out of the game, Montreal’s roster sports real depth going into this season. With Marcus Brady moving into a coaching position, the back-up spot looks to be primed for Adrian McPherson, who’s the best short yardage QB I’ve seen in a long time. Brad Banks and NCAA superstar Chris Leak might have a few things to say about that, though. Ricky Santos and Brad Roach are also lurking on the roster bucking for spots beyond the practice squad.
Saskatchewan Roughriders
All off-season there’s been noise out of ‘Rider nation demanding depth at QB. The team never really entered the Kevin Glenn sweepstakes and doesn’t seem interested in pursuing Casey Printers, so that puts a lot of pressure on the incumbents to get the job done, or lose the season. Talent-wise, I’d put Darian Durant, Steven Jyles, and Dalton Bell against any trio in the league. How that talent plays out in relation to wins over an 18-game season, though, is yet to be seen. Durant’s a smart, hard-nosed player who’s won for Gang Green in the past. There’s no reason to believe he can’t do it in 2009. He just needs the ball.
Toronto Argonauts
Coming off what pundits consider an “off” year, Kerry Joseph is still the cream of Toronto’s QB crop. Regardless of his age or the wear and tear on his body, Joseph is an extraordinary talent capable of playing at a championship level. Like any QB, he just needs protection and a stable environment to perform. The Argos hope to have solved both those issues this past off-season. Behind Joseph, Toronto has a couple of promising players in Cody Pickett and Reggie McNeal. Pickett had a few chances to start in 2008 and played well enough to buy himself some time in the league. McNeal has shown himself to be a multi-talented, “slash” baller capable of making plays at receiver and from the pocket. With all the talk of the CFL adding the Wildcat formation to the mix, McNeal is tailor-made to cause damage.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Kevin Glenn posted respectable, if inconsistent, numbers for the Bombers last year, but that left fans in Winnipeg aching for a replacement. New coach Mike Kelly imported Stefan LeFors from Edmonton to solidify the position, and by all indications LeFors should provide some of the consistency the Bombers’ attack has lacked of late. It’s been made clear, however, that the starting job is open for competition heading into camp, and incumbents Ryan Dinwiddie and Bryan Randall will have their shots at the job. Dinwiddie has shown he has the moxie to play in the league, and Randall is a real physical talent, so it should be interesting in Bomberville come June.
HOW I’D RANK THEM
Basing things solely on the production (yards and points) I think the position will provide for the teams in 2009, here’s how I’d sort the QB situations around the league:
1) Calgary
2) Edmonton
3) Montreal
4) B.C.
5) Hamilton
6) Toronto
7) Saskatchewan
8) Winnipeg
UP NEXT
Check back next week to take a look at the players who’ll be catching balls from all of these pivots in 2009. Until then, take care.
Jack B. Bedell is a Professor of English at Southeastern Louisiana University in Hammond, Louisiana and has followed the CFL for nearly three decades.
