As a sports loving male I love lists, I love rankings. You put out a 5000-word list on the Top 10 most overrated Grey Cup Champions I’m in.
That’s why I’m always to read the TSN Top 50 CFL Players list! I know this may seem like a shameless plug for my other master, the glorious people at TSN & Bell Media but really I just like seeing who is #1, who fell and who is making their debut. (Welcome aboard J.C. Sherritt & Adam Bighill!).
Instead of going over all the picks or wondering just how angry Saskatchewan fans are considering only six Roughriders made the cut I’ve decided to focus on the six quarterbacks who made the list. It’s interesting to track their rankings over the past three seasons, almost like watching stocks rise and fall. In fact let’s try to work in that analogy with each quarterback. I apologize right now to every member of my family that works in the financial industry. I am going to mangle many different stock market categories. Let’s hope it makes sense.
Travis Lulay: Ranked #2.
Travis “fell” from first all the way down to the silver medal position. That has less to do with Lulay’s dominant 2012 season and more to do with just how good Chad Owens was. Lulay has certainly rocketed up the charts going from 49th to 1st to now 2nd. The past two seasons under Lulay the Lions are 24-12 in the regular season and a Grey Cup win. No quarterback can beat you in as many different ways, he’ll beat you short, he’ll take you deep and will convert second downs with his feet all the time. I’m guessing no one would be shocked if he reclaims his number one ranking for next year.
Stock that most resembles Lulay: Google.
He’s your modern day blue chip stock. Iconic and is a stock that you would be comfortable investing your kid’s college fund in.
Ricky Ray: Ranked 3rd
Somehow Ricky just barely beat out Steven Jyles for the number three spot. I’m sorry, I couldn’t resist. I promise that is the last snarky joke I will make about that trade. It was only two years ago that Ray, having slipped to 16th, had people wondering if his best days were behind him. I remember watching Ray in 2010, his only year where he racked up more interceptions and touchdowns and I was one of those people. As I’ve written about in the past, Ray came into his own late in last season, a four touchdown performance in a 31-26 win over Saskatchewan was really the turning point for Ray in his initial season with the Argonauts. Only an injury will keep Ray from a Top-5 spot next year.
Stock that most resembles Ray: Apple.
They used to be great years ago then they had a couple down years but now they’re back in a dominant position. Yeah I know I’m stretching on that one. I was a messenger for a brokerage house as a teenager, I never got promoted. 
Anthony Calvillo: Ranked 4th
Anthony is the only player that has been ranked in the Top-10 for the past three years. That in it of itself is a massive accomplishment. In 2011 guys like Markeith Knowlton and Cory Boyd were nipping at Calvillo’s heels, but Anthony just outlasts them all. Calvillo cranked out yet another 5000-yard season and there is no reason to think he won’t do it again considering the offensive talent surrounding him. Best thing that could have happened to Quinton Porter was being cut by the Alouettes. This way he still has a chance to start a game as a CFL quarterback. I feel bad for this year’s sacrificial lambs Josh Neiswander and Tanner Marsh. Enjoy your time on the bench gentleman. Remember to break out the suntan lotion, I recommend at least a 60 SPF.
Stock the most resembles Calvillo: The Transcontinental Railroad.
True story, this stock was introduced to the public over 230 years ago. Legend has it Calvillo was one of the early investors.
Henry Burris: Ranked 13th
A bounce back year for Burris who had plummeted from 2nd in 2011 to 32nd in 2012. I’ll be honest I hate saying anything negative against Burris considering the type of professional he is both on and off the field. I loved watching him post massive passing number this past season but how can you not wonder about his consistency considering his wild swings on this list.
Stock that most resembles Burris: RIM
So well known, has had massive swings in both directions. We all can agree there is a lot of value with this stock yet we’re also wary that it could fall again.
By the way, I refuse to give up my Blackberry. Not out of loyalty, I’m just too old to learn some new technology.
Darian Durant: Ranked 21st
Ladies and gentleman I give you Darian Durant. Let’s go back in time for a moment shall we? Heading into the 2011 season. Darian was coming off of a 5,542 yard season, 25 touchdowns and just appeared in back to back Grey Cup appearances. We could forgive the 22 interceptions at that time, he was young, we all make mistakes at that age. Oh it was a glorious time for Roughriders fans, the Canadian Air Force was in full effect (Andy Fantuz, Rob Bagg, Chris Getzlaf, and Jason Clermont!) and it seemed inevitable Durant would win the championship. But since then his rankings have slipped from 3rd in 2011 to 21st in both 2012 and this season. New offensive coordinator George Cortez has his hands full. Here’s hoping we see Durant back in the Top-10 next season, he certainly has the skill set for it.
Stock that most resembles Durant: Virgin Airlines.
This is a stock that rises and falls. I have to go with an airline. They’re always either going out of business or making headlines for their innovation. Why not select crazy billionaire Richard Bransons’ airline? Plus this is one of the airlines that is actually doing well financially. Also who doesn’t like the symmetry of me using an airline stock as an example. Actually I guess it is a bit too obvious. Moving on.
Drew Tate: Ranked 37th
He’s made a huge lead from his 2012 ranking of 38th! To be fair we have no idea just how high he could have reached considering his season was cut short due to injury in a Week 2 loss to the Argonauts. His 363-yard, two touchdown playoff performance against Saskatchewan shows he has the potential to be a star. Considering his age and the amount of time he has spent on practice rosters and as the backup it feels like now is the time for Tate to live up to his potential.
Stock that most resembles Tate: A Penny stock with tons of potential.
You can still buy this cheap, we don’t know much about you but there is plenty of buzz. I would have named a penny stock but I don’t know any.
Looking forward to next year’s Top-50 list and more importantly I’m looking forward to this season!
