Als will turn to rookie QBs against Stamps
Bridge and Cato both likely to see action in Friday’s game in Montreal
We know this much: The Alouettes will start a rookie quarterback this Friday night against the defending Grey Cup champion Calgary Stampeders at Molson Stadium.
Logic and common sense would dictate that man will be Canadian Brandon Bridge, a fourth-round draft choice this year. Not only has Bridge been around longer than import Rakeem Cato, it was Bridge who played the final 20 minutes last week against Ottawa.
But the two continued to split reps on Wednesday, when the Als practised through heavy rain at Stade Hebert. And even after the team walked off the field in the early afternoon, head coach Tom Higgins insisted no decision had been made.
“Those 37 reps, if it was that many (against the Redblacks), doesn’t necessarily dictate that logic. Some other logic will go into it,” Higgins said. “The confidence level and who’s better at feeling the pressure of starting, who might be better in relief? Right now, there’s no answer to the question. We’re still trying to mull over what makes the most sense for us.
“The players are extremely confident in both. There’s no player favourite. Of course, there’s no history yet.”
Truthfully, it matters not one iota which one starts. Unless the starter’s capable of walking on water — unlikely, considering the lack of experience both possess — both Bridge and Cato are likely to play. If Andrew Manley, who returned this week as the thirdstring quarterback after being released at the end of training camp, takes any snaps, something truly has gone terribly wrong.
While the scenario is hardly ideal, circumstances have forced the Als into playing this hand. Jonathan Crompton’s on the sixgame injured list with a separated right shoulder. His backup, Dan LeFevour, lasted two plays before dislocating his left shoulder, requiring surgery. He’s out for the season. And Tanner Marsh, who now would have assumed the starting role, suffered a severely sprained knee early at camp. He remains a minimum two weeks away from playing.
And for those who suggest the Als have no hope against Calgary, veteran receiver Nik Lewis begs to differ. He was playing for the Stamps on July 24, 2008 when Winnipeg’s Ryan Dinwiddie — now Montreal’s running-backs coach — completed 24 of 39 passes for 450 yards and the winning touchdown, a 35-yard strike to Romby Bryant with 12 seconds remaining, in the Blue Bombers’ 32-28 victory. The game marked Dinwiddie’s first career regularseason start.
“I can tell you right now that it is possible. This is professional football,” Lewis stated, somewhat defiantly.
Should Bridge start, he would become the first non-import to start at the position since British Columbia’s Giulio Caravatta on Oct. 27, 1996. The Lions lost, 25-21, at Toronto. The last Canadian quarterback to play in a game was the Argonauts’ Danny Brannigan in 2010. Both Caravatta and Hamilton’s Larry Jusdanis, in September 1996, were the last Canadians to throw touchdown passes.
Bridge, 6-foot-5 and 235 pounds, said it would help his mindset and preparation if he knew whether he was starting. In 11 games last season for South Alabama, he completed 160 of 307 passes for 1,927 yards along with 15 touchdowns. He was intercepted eight times. He also rushed for 297 yards, scoring four majors.
General manager Jim Popp, after selecting Bridge, called him a “unique guy” and “tremendous talent.” Of course, at that time, he predictably said the plan was to bring Bridge along slowly. That plan now has gone out the window. Only time will tell what the potential repercussions of pressing him into duty potentially were.
“You hope for times like this. Knowing you’re not ready, but because you’re forced into the situation, you have to execute plays,” said Bridge, who completed five of 10 passes for 62 yards against Ottawa. Although he was intercepted once, he also was the team’s most-accurate quarterback.
“We’re forced into this situation and we have to execute to the best of our ability,” Bridge continued. “You can expect a guy who’s prepared. I watched a lot of film. Having the physical reps and going through the whole thing, I’ll be a little more comfortable than I was last game.”
Those playmakers, of course, must do everything possible to take the onus off the rookie pivots, veteran slotback S.J. Green explained.
“Eliminate as much thinking for them as we can. Take if off their shoulders and catch the ball ultimately,” he said.
Green, who caught Bridge’s first completion, said he was impressed with the rookie’s composure, considering he received no practice time with the starting offence. Bridge led the Als to a field goal on his first series.
“He made mistakes, but we all did in that game,” Green said. “You expect those things from a rookie quarterback. I was impressed with how he came in and handled himself, put some drives together and put us in scoring position.”
It appears likely Brandon Rutley will come off the practice roster and be activated for the game, meaning the Als would dress both he and Tyrell Sutton. That would indicate the team will stress the run to take pressure off their quarterbacks.