Bert Faibish
Ticats.ca
Training Camp Primer 2010: Quarterbacks
Kevin Glenn ended last season as the Ticats starting pivot and will be given that chance once again as he prepares for his tenth CFL training camp. Glenn signed with Hamilton as a free agent in 2009 and has passed for over 23,000 yards in his CFL career, including a league-leading 5,117 yards with the Blue Bombers in 2007. The veteran posted a strong finish to the 2009 season, tossing for 1,652 yards over the final five regular season games, including a career-high 506 yard performance in Montreal on October 18. Glenn also put together a strong performance in the East Semi-Final, throwing for 437 yards and two touchdowns in the Black and Gold’s overtime loss to B.C.
However, with the calibre of returning quarterbacks that will be present in camp, nobody should expect Glenn to be handed the starter’s job without a fight.
Quinton Porter has seen extensive action in his two seasons with the club, throwing for a total of 16 touchdowns. After showing flashes of brilliance since his 429-yard/five touchdown assault on Montreal back in 2008, Porter will challenge for the starting job in camp as he has all the tools necessary successful in the CFL. Because of his outstanding mobility (592 rushing yards in 16 starts), Porter poses a dilemma for opposing offensive coordinators.
Adam Tafralis will enter his third CFL season in 2010 and has made the most of the opportunities presented to him. Fans will undoubtedly remember his 36-yard touchdown pass to Arland Bruce III on a faked short yardage play last season. The San Jose State product demonstrated his versatility frequently in 2009 as the team’s go-to short yardage ball carrier, scoring four goalline touchdowns. Tafralis will look to add to his career totals of 315 passing yards and eight touchdowns this year
At just 25 years of age, sophomore Jason Boltus is the biggest question mark in the Ticats quarterback equation. Boltus, the NCAA Division III all-time leader in total offence, spent the entire 2010 campaign on the injured list, but showed tremendous potential on the practice field. After spending last year becoming familiar with the Canadian game, Boltus will put his strong arm on display at McMaster University’s Ron Joyce Stadium in June.
For Your Information:
- If the passing totals of Kevin Glenn and Quinton Porter (4,839) were added together, they would rank second in the league behind Edmonton’s Ricky Ray (4,916).
- Porter’s 7.8 yards-per-carry average ranked second in the league last season (among players with at least 10 carries), trailing only Saskatchewan quarterback Darian Durant’s 8.4 average.
- Jason Boltus’ final collegiate game with Hartwick College was a quadruple-overtime 72-70 victory for the conference title. He finished the game with 420 yards passing and six touchdowns.
