THE CANADIAN PRESS
Like any quarterback Jonathon Jennings has a pretty good idea of what he needs to do to help his team win football games.
Over the last few weeks the BC Lions rookie has also learned what not to do.
Becoming more comfortable in what he does well, while gaining a better understanding of what risks not to take, will be part of the maturity Jennings takes into his first CFL playoff game Sunday. The Lions hope to upset the Calgary Stampeders in the Western Semi-Final at McMahon Stadium.
“I’m a lot smarter based on my experience,” said Jennings. “There is no teacher like experience.
“Coming and learning what not to do has been really big. Over the course of the past weeks it’s been figuring out little things that I didn’t really know before. Just learning how to play the CFL game, learning the ins and outs of that has been critical. Minimizing mistakes has been a big challenge and a big lesson for me.”
Jennings is a big reason why a sometimes mediocre Lions team made the playoffs for the 19th consecutive year. He’s been a jolt of energy for an offence that looked tired and lacked imagination early in the season.
The Lions have won three of the six games Jennings has started. During that span Jennings ranked third in the CFL in passing yards (1,689), first in touchdown passes (15) and had a league-high quarterback efficiency rating of 108.9.
The 23-year-old from Columbus, Ohio finished the season completing 142 of 215 passes for 2,004 yards, a 66 per cent completion ration and tossed 10 interceptions.
While all these numbers are impressive, the game changes comes the playoffs. Jennings will also be facing a Calgary defence that is ranked in the top three in 18 of 20 defensive categories.
“Everything is magnified,” said Stampeder quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, the most valuable player in Calgary’s Grey Cup victory last November. “Everything is glorified when you do good things.
“Nobody out there is worried about getting hurt. Everybody out there is leaving their bodies on the line, no matter what. You are going to have 12 guys running to the ball. You are going to have guys out there laying hits that maybe they hold back on during the season.”
Travis Lulay, the Lions’ quarterback out since Sept. 3 with a knee injury, knows how much the intensity of a playoff game ratchets up.
“It will be different,” said Lulay. “The whole energy and intensity is at a different level.”
In a win-or-go-home game, avoiding turnovers and costly mistakes are crucial. The team that makes the fewest errors will likely go on to play Edmonton in the Western Final.
“There are certain times when you can take chances and other times when you shouldn’t take chances,” said Jennings. “I learned that.
“Making sure when we are in field goal range, and it’s first and 10, I’m just not lobbing the ball up. Making sure you know down and distance, and know when you can afford to take a chance and when you shouldn’t.”
Jennings started the season third on the Lions’ depth chart. He moved up to second when Lulay was hurt, then was thrust into the starting role after John Beck suffered a pectoral tendon strain in the second quarter of a Sept. 18 game against Calgary.
That night was a baptism of fire for Jennings. He completed 15 of 27 passes for 252 yards, didn’t throw a touchdown and was intercepted three times as the Lions lost 35-23.
“I learned a lot in the Calgary game,” he said.
Lulay said a quarterback must learn to manage chaos.
“One of the biggest things is being good at damage control,” he said. “Every play has a design. Sometimes it happens exactly as you think. Those are fun days when it happens.
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“There are days when you get a different coverage, or you get protection leakage or you have to throw hot. Those are the things that separate the younger guys . . . being able to manage turnovers, not taking the wrong sack. Learning what puts you behind the eight ball is a big part of playing the position.”
Jennings played four years at Saginaw Valley State where he threw for 10,710 yards and 96 touchdowns on 799 career completions. Undrafted in the NFL, he had workouts with the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions and Green Bay Packers.
After spending time in the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ camp he was signed by the Lions in April.
At six-foot and 195 pounds Jennings has size and speed. He has shown his arm strength and uses his running ability to extend plays.
“He’s a mobile quarterback but he’s not really a running quarterback,” said Calgary defensive tackle Junior Turner. “What I notice on film, he tries to stay alive as a passer, even when he has escaped.
“A lot of running quarterbacks (after) a first or second look they are running out of the pocket, running for a first down. He really tries to keep alive to let his receivers be playmakers for him.”
Jennings ability to keep plays alive is one of the reasons Emmanuel Arceneaux had over 1,100 yards receiving and is a West Division all-star. It also helped Lavelle Hawkins’ emergence as a target on second downs.
His success also explains why Jennings remains the Lions starting quarterback even though Lulay is healthy again.
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“Jonathon just kind of went on a tear,” said Head Coach Jeff Tedford. “I don’t think you can turn your head to the way he has played over the last six weeks.
“The offence has been very explosive. You have to go with where you are getting the results right now. I don’t think he’s ever struggled for confidence. He’s a very poised young man. In the games he’s played he’s been on fire at times.”
Jennings also has the benefit of turning to Lulay for advice. The veteran quarterback has put aside his ego and given full support to the rookie.
“Travis is an outstanding guy,” aid Jennings. “For him to be a huge help has been awesome.”
Since taking over the starting role Jennings has showed that no situation has been too big for him. He’s stayed calm and learned from his mistakes.
Up until now there has always been next week. That changes in the playoffs. If the Lions lose, Jennings will have all winter to reflect.
Typically, Jennings doesn’t sound intimidated by the challenge.
“It will be exciting,” he said. “It will be fun for me.
“I love playing in an atmosphere like that. I love playing in environments where people are going extra hard. It brings the competition level for everyone up.”
