Terri Flatt
Whatever word you choose to describe the events involving the Winnipeg Blue Bombers the past week, “dull” would not be one of them.
Just three days after the Bombers cleaned house at the executive level with the dismissal of CEO Garth Buchko and General Manager Joe Mack, the club made more headlines.
Head coach Tim Burke told a throng of reporters that Max Hall would be the starting quarterback for Friday’s massively important game against Hamilton at Investors Group Field.
That would make it three different starting quarterbacks over a four-game span, which might not be unprecedented in CFL history, but is certainly unusual.
Justin Goltz, who had started the previous two games, and who had been anointed the starter presumably for an extended period of time, expressed disappointment over the decision, going so far as to suggest he was “betrayed” by the Bomber organization.
But it became clear that Mack had a big role in the decision to go with Goltz. And with Mack no longer calling the shots, and with Goltz throwing for just 112 yards in last weeks loss to BC, Burke and his offensive staff decided it was time to see if Hall could give them the kind of productive quarterbacking that has been lacking.
Burke explained that “the offensive coaches, coordinator Gary Crowton, receivers coach Markus Howell, offensive line coach Pat Delmonaco and running backs coach Steve Hladio all felt it was time to give Hall a shot.” 
Burke didn’t disagree with that assessment, and so 27-year old Hall will make his CFL debut tomorrow night against the Ticats, with veteran Buck Pierce slotted in as his backup and Goltz listed as the third stringer (Although he will still be used in a wildcat package).
Crowton is a particular fan of Hall, having helped convince the former Brigham Young star to come to Winnipeg this year. Since then, he has been anxious to see what Hall can do.
Hall had a spectacular college career, throwing for more than 11,000 yards and 94 touchdowns. His professional claim to fame is that he played six games with the Arizona Cardinals in 2010 after signing as an undrafted free agent.
He started three games for the Cardinals, and in his first start completed 17 of 27 passes for 168 yards, leading them to a 30-20 win over the defending super bowl champion New Orleans Saints.
Injuries derailed his career after that, and Hall had all but given up on playing when the Bombers came calling. Hall admits he had trouble adjusting to the “Canadian” game, but he says the last three or four weeks have left him feeling comfortable and confident with three-down football, and he sees Friday’s start agains the Ticats as the “opportunity” he has been waiting for.
What happens next at the quarterback position in Winnipeg is now in the hands of Max Hall. If he performs well and leads them to victory over Hamilton, the position is his, at least temporarily.
If he doesn’t perform well, the Blue Bomber quarterback carousel could well continue with Buck Pierce back in the starting role. Stay tuned.
