THE CANADIAN PRESS
The CFL.ca Quarterback Index is a weekly power ranking of quarterbacks across the CFL. The ranking reflects recent performance, historical value, statistical indicators, team success and overall on-field play.
TORONTO — Week 18 may have treated us to a little of what’s to come in the Canadian Football League.
Vernon Adams Jr. is on the board in the CFL.ca Quarterback Index while Jonathon Jennings has taken over the elusive No. 2 spot, as two rising stars put their talents on display in winning efforts over the weekend.
Jennings, 24, continues his ascension among the league’s brightest stars in just his sophomore season. The 23-year-old Adams Jr., meanwhile, has a lot more to prove but did enough to get his team a victory in difficult circumstances — in front of a hostile Mosaic crowd and during a water-logged evening in Regina.
RELATED:
» Watch: Adams Jr. throws first career TD pass
» Playoff Scenarios: REDBLACKS, Ticats jockey for position
» MMQB: Will the real Tiger-Cats please stand up?
» Jennings out-duels Reilly; Lions notch key win
Jonathon Jennings strong-armed the Lions to a pivotal Week 18 victory (The Canadian Press)
Mike Reilly held the second spot ever since being dropped from the top ranking early in the season by Bo Levi Mitchell but now falls the lowest he’s gone all year. Watching him and Jennings go head to head is a special treat that should be repeated often in the coming years — if not again this year.
Finally, Henry Burris moves ahead of Darian Durant while the return of Ricky Ray to the Argos’ huddle only complicates things.
Who belongs where as the post-season fast approaches? We take a looking heading into Week 19:
Bo Levi Mitchell CGY
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1
Where Bo Levi Mitchell ranks in the QB Index is no longer a question week in and week out. The only real question surrounding the Katy, Texas native, now 43-7-1 in his career as a starter, is how much he plays in Week 19 and how he’ll avoid rust during a three-week layoff before the Western Final.
Jonathon Jennings BC
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 3
After throwing five interceptions over back-to-back losses to the Bombers, Jonathon Jennings turned in a gem against the Eskimos, leading his team to a 32-25 win. Out-dueling Mike Reilly shows us that Jennings, despite his age, can not only just hang with the big boys but that he is one of the big boys.
Mike Reilly EDM
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 2
Mike Reilly played well against the Lions but couldn’t overcome his team’s slow start (just five points in the first half for the Edmonton Eskimos) in a Week 18 loss. Last year’s Grey Cup MVP will continue to chase 6,000 passing yards on the season — a remarkable accomplishment — but his team will likely take the crossover route in the playoffs.
Matt Nichols WPG
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 4
Nothing like two critical victories before a late-season bye week. The timing was perfect for Nichols and the Bombers, who are on a roll and are just two wins away from assuring a home playoff date. Both have done a nice job silencing their critics and are clearly defined among the league’s elite.
Henry Burris OTT
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 6
A heartbreaking overtime loss wasn’t enough to stop Henry Burris from moving up in this week’s index. The 41-year-old is back to producing at an MOP level after throwing for 811 yards over his last two starts — against Orlondo Steinauer’s Ticat defence nonetheless.
Darian Durant SSK
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 5
Inclement weather and a stingy Alouettes defence made life difficult in Week 18 for Darian Durant, who drops a spot in this week’s index. It’s been an up and down season for the 34-year-old but, at least for the most part, Durant has had a nice bounce-back year with 3,676 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and only seven interceptions.
Ricky Ray TOR
This Week: 7 | Last Week: IR
Don’t get it confused: the question about Ricky Ray is more about health than his ability to produce. Ray showed he can still perform at a high level, throwing for 311 yards and a touchdown (albeit with two interceptions) in his return to action against Calgary.
Trevor Harris OTT
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 7
It doesn’t appear that Henry Burris is in any danger of losing his job, but Trevor Harris will be ready to step in if needed. Harris remains the CFL’s passer rating leader and also the quarterback of the future in the nation’s capital.
Jeremiah Masoli HAM
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 8
Jeremiah Masoli will return to the bench this week if Zach Collaros is ready to go, but the backup has done a good job filling in. Masoli is 4-4 this year as a starter, his most important victory coming in a thrilling overtime win over the REDBLACKS in Week 18.
VERNON ADAMS JR. MTL
This Week: 10 | Last Week: —
So far, so good for the young Vernon Adams Jr. The 23-year-old made his first career start with plenty of obstacles in his way, including the weather, a hostile environment and major changes on offence following the release of Duron Carter and Kenny Stafford. Adams Jr. was up to the task and more to notch career victory number one.
Rakeem Cato MTL
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 9
The Alouettes handed the keys to the offence to Vernon Adams Jr., but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re done with Cato. Once seen as one of the CFL’s top up and coming quarterbacks, Cato has to reset, show a positive attitude and get ready to compete for a starting job in 2017.
» RELATED: Adams Jr. guides Als to victory over Riders
Vernon Adams Jr. showed ups and downs in his first career start vs. Saskatchewan (The Canadian Press)
Injured Reserve
Quarterbacks not currently active won’t be ranked in the QB Index but will be added when healthy.
ZACH COLLAROS HAM
THIS WEEK: IR | LAST WEEK: IR
Zach Collaros’ status is on the fence for Week 19, but his return would be a major boost for a Ticats team scratching and clawing for an East Division title.
DREW WILLY TOR
THIS WEEK: IR | LAST WEEK: 10
Drew Willy struggled in his first go-round with the Argos but now gets a chance to back off a little bit and observe as he heals from an apparent shoulder injury and watches Ricky Ray.
