Adam Gagnon
Week 19 had quarterback performances all over the spectrum. Playoff spots were clinched and other post-season aspirations came to an end. Let’s get to an action-packed QB Scorecard.
1) Mike Reilly, Eskimos
Week 19 stats: 29-35, 308 yards, 3 TD
Reilly carved up Montreal’s defence and utilized nine different pass catchers in doing so. He helped the Eskimos roll off eight straight wins to claim first place in the West Division. No. 13 goes into Edmonton’s double bye as the hottest quarterback in the league.
2) Bo Levi Mitchell, Stampeders
Week 19 stats: 21-29, 247 yards, 3 TD
With the upset-minded Riders in town, Mitchell went out and fired three first half touchdown passes to put Calgary in control. The Stamps offence was very balanced with Jerome Messam and that gave Mitchell favourable throwing situations.
3) Kevin Glenn, Alouettes
Week 19 stats: 18-27, 236 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Montreal’s veteran pivot had his team in solid position with a three-point lead heading into the fourth quarter. Then Glenn and Co. came up empty with zero points in the Alouettes’ season deciding 15 minutes.
4) Jonathon Jennings, Lions
Week 19 stats: 21-33, 259 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT; 5 carries, 35 yards
Despite a couple rather uncharacteristically poor decisions that led to interceptions, Jennings provided BC with enough points to earn a tight victory. That’s what the best quarterbacks do is win no matter how it gets done. The rookie pivot really boosted the team since getting the call to start and he’s got the Lions in the playoffs for a 19th straight season.
5) Ricky Ray, Argos
Week 19 stats: 26-38, 227 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
It was a tale of two much different halves for Ray. He threw for 182 yards and one touchdown in the opening 30 minutes, but followed that up with 45 yards and one interception in the final half. BC cranked up the pass rush in the second half which means Toronto has to provide better protection.
6) Henry Burris, REDBLACKS
Week 19 stats: 17-34, 187 yards, 1 INT
Many people around the league were surprised to see Burris take the field in Hamilton after he took a shot to his left knee from Jamaal Westerman in Week 18. But consider the fact that Hank is playing at an MOP level as a 40-year-old and it really shouldn’t come as a shock that he was out there. Burris had a decent outing on a windy day.
7) Brett Smith, Riders
Week 19 stats: 10-13, 90 yards; 3 carries, 21 yards
Smith was efficient completing 77 percent of his passes and produced 10 points in the first half, but Saskatchewan trailed 29-10 at the break. If Smith can become more comfortable and refined in the pocket and beat teams from there it will make him more dangerous when he really does need to extend plays with his legs.
8) Keith Price, Riders
Week 19 stats: 15-26, 183 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 4 carries, 22 yards
It would be interesting to see what Price could do over an entire game, in say a Week 20 start against Montreal. He’s shown the ability to stand in and deliver strikes from the pocket while also burning defences on the run with his arm or feet.
9) Jeff Mathews, Ticats
Week 19 stats: 20-35, 160 yards, 2 INT
Two red zone interceptions on throws Mathews would surely like to have back cost the Ticats crucial points in a tight, low-scoring game. Kent Austin doesn’t have much patience for poor decisions like that.
CFL Starters
Justin Dunk is picking his best lineup based on Week 19’s results. With the game on the line, who’s making his starting depth chart this week?
Offence:
QB – Mike Reilly
RB – Jerome Messam, Tyrell Sutton
WR – Eric Rogers, Derel Walker, Weston Dressler, Lavelle Hawkins
OL – Calgary Stampeders
Defence:
DL – Ottawa REDBLACKS
LB – Deon Lacey, Adam Bighill, Nicholas Shortill
DB – Abdul Kanneh, Patrick Watkins
HB – Brandon Stewart, Ryan Phillips
S – Josh Bell
