BCLions.com
CFL.ca Staff
With files from BCLions.com
SURREY, B.C. — As fast and furious as the Lions’ offence was during the team’s three-day mini-camp in Surrey, so too is the competition at quarterback.
Travis Lulay is the veteran starter with a Grey Cup Championship and Most Outstanding Player honour under his belt, but after that the field is open. So with Lulay now 31 and coming off two injury-shortened seasons, who is the next man up for the Lions?
Jordan Rodgers has done his best to stand out among the crowd of six quarterbacks currently on the Lions’ roster.
“Besides my good looks, I think just my ability to make plays on the run, move the pocket – I think my mobility’s a big strength,” Rodgers, asked about what he brings to the Lions’ offence, joked along with BCLions.com. Humour is also part of his game, but only in between plays.”
“I bring laughs here and there – I like to keep things light,” said the Vanderbilt alum. “When I’m on the field I’m really serious, but in between huddles and in between plays I like to keep it light and keep guys light and I like to keep guys laughing.”
“I think you play better when you’re loose and I think you play better when you’re having fun.”
Jordan Rodgers, brother of NFL star quarterback Aaron Rodgers, made it this far as a Lion because he can throw the football, command an offence and read a defence. Now in his second season with the Lions, however, his leadership ability may give him an edge heading into camp.
“I’ve been with a lot of teams and I’ve been at a lot of levels with a lot of guys,” reflected Rodgers. “I think leadership is a thing I bring to the table.”
“I’m able to lead guys and I think I have that swagger, that chip that a quarterback needs to be successful.”
Travis Partridge, 24, also has a year of experience under his belt, but is one of the younger quarterbacks on the roster. John Beck is the elder statesmen of the group and likely has the lead on the backup quarterback position, especially given his wealth of pro football experience.
Yet Rodgers could be the dark horse of the group to make a push behind Lulay, and become the guy should the Lions’ star starting QB sustain an injury. He’s only been here less than a year, but it’s long enough to give him an edge over Greg McGhee and Jonathon Jennings, the two new quarterbacks in camp.
“The waggle motion feels a lot more natural now than it did when I first got here,” said Rodgers. “It’s becoming more of a second nature, and it was good to have the off-season to get the receivers to practise those routes and really study the game a little more.”
With that experience under his belt and a brand new coach in town in Jeff Tedford, it feels like a fresh start for Rodgers – and with it comes a tremendous opportunity.
“It’s good to have a brand new offence, and me, I didn’t get too engrained with the offence last year only being here for a few weeks,” said Rodgers. “I’m starting fresh – everyone’s starting fresh and it’s a good opportunity.”
McGhee and Jennings were also signed this off-season to round out the Lions’ quarterback competition, and while the team hasn’t made its cuts ahead of training camp, all six are obviously hoping to be in camp next month.
Tedford said his quarterbacks did well in mini-camp despite so many new concepts.
“It’s a lot of learning, which is natural right now with new coaches, new players, new offence and new terminology,” said Tedford. “They’re doing a good job of trying to assimilate everything we’re asking them to do and coming out here and putting it together.”
