Hall of Famer says Pipkin ‘brings it all to the table’
Dunigan has praise for Alouettes’ QB after three games as starting pivot
One of the most-prolific quarterbacks in Canadian Football League history has been impressed with the small body of work Antonio Pipkin has displayed.
And Matt Dunigan is cautiously optimistic the Alouettes, who don’t play this week but are riding a twogame winning streak, might finally have some reason for optimism.
“It has been a short period of time and a small body of work, but there’s a lot to get excited about. This kid has brought a lot of hope to the organization,” said Dunigan, voted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2006 after playing for six teams over 14 seasons.
“Only time will tell if he’ll be that guy. He’s certainly playing inspired football and has inspired everyone around him to think he could be the guy,” added Dunigan, a two-time Grey Cup champion who passed for 43,857 yards and is a CFL analyst for TSN.
Pipkin, 23, released by the Als in late June before returning in early August, has started three games — two while Johnny Manziel was recovering from a concussion. Pipkin has a 2-1 record, including a victory at Ottawa over the first-place team.
He has completed 54 of 84 passes for 762 yards, including a 303-yard performance against Toronto, although he has passed for only one touchdown while being intercepted four times. The 6-foot-3, 225-pounder runs well for a big man and has gained 130 yards on 19 carries, scoring four times.
But Pipkin’s play has been infectious and his teammates have rallied around him. The receivers are making catches that were missing earlier this season, and Pipkin has displayed resilience. Against the Redblacks, he was intercepted early in the second half, but was allowed to continue. Two series later, he led the Als on an eightplay, 81-yard touchdown drive.
And when Pipkin was intercepted just before halftime in the same game at the Montreal 53, the defence rallied and had his back, holding Ottawa without a first down and denying the home team any additional points.
“It’s hard not to be impressed with the young man. He’s playing inspiring football,” said Dunigan, who will be in the broadcast booth at Molson Stadium on Sept. 14, when the Als host British Columbia. “He doesn’t lack anything as far as what he’s capable of doing and his skill set. He brings it all to the table. He’s elusive ... and he’s making some good linebackers and defensive backs look silly.
“He’s a big kid with a strong arm that can make every throw. I’ve been impressed with his poise in the pocket. He’s been able to direct the offence from those confines. When things break down, he has enough imagination and creativity. He’s won his teammates over. They’re playing for him, with a purpose and a sense they’re in every game.”
Dunigan believes Pipkin has ice water running through his veins and doesn’t panic. And neither has head coach Mike Sherman or offensive coordinator Khari Jones. The latter called a long bomb to Adarius Bowman on the Als’ opening play against Ottawa. Bowman was open, but misjudged the ball’s flight or he would have scored.
That intangible, Dunigan said, should solidify Pipkin as a competitor, leader and a player his teammates can believe in. Although the Als have a 3-8 record with seven games remaining, Dunigan believes they’re in the mix for a playoff berth.
But, Dunigan quickly added, it’s far too premature to anoint Pipkin as the saviour of the franchise — or to write off Manziel, who is relegated to backup status until the starter runs cold or suffers an injury.
“Nothing ’s changed for Johnny. He’s got another curve thrown his way,” Dunigan said about the former Heisman Trophy winner who has overcome numerous off-field demons. “He has to be ready for the opportunity when it comes, and seize it.”
While Dunigan wouldn’t choose one over the other, he said he was impressed with many things he saw from the former first-round NFL draft choice, including Manziel’s leadership qualities.
“He has beaten his chest, indicating (a mistake’s) on me. He has looked the other way when teammates didn’t do their job. He has screamed at frustration at his own mistakes and says the right things consistently,” Dunigan said. “He has earned his teammates’ respect. There’s much to like and enjoy about him. He owns his mistakes and doesn’t point fingers.”
The only thing Pipkin lacks, according to Dunigan, is experience and consistency. The former will come with time, although it behooves Pipkin to show he has the ability to stack a series of good performances while displaying the character to overcome the inevitable adversity he’ll face.
“Pipkin’s next step should be film study tomorrow,” Dunigan said. “Continue to paint the picture of your career while trusting the process. That’s the way it has to be done if he’s the guy.”