Backups need to step up at pivot position
Argonauts’ Logan Kilgore just latest quarterback thrust into the spotlight
In the CFL, depth at the quarterback position can be crucial to a team’s success.
The Toronto Argonauts (3-2) will be the latest team to test that theory.
They’ll have to tap Logan Kilgore to start their next game after Ricky Ray was hurt late in the Argos’ 30-17 Monday night victory over the Montreal Alouettes.
The Ottawa Redblacks, who host the Argonauts on Sunday (7:30 p.m., TSN), had to reach all the way down to their third-stringer Brock Jensen after Trevor Harris was hurt early last week.
Jensen, however, did not look like an untested rookie. The 25-year-old North Dakota State product completed 20-of-29 passes for 271 yards and two touchdowns, without an interception, in a 30-29 loss to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
“He gave us a chance to win the game in a tough place to play on the road,” coach Rick Campbell said. “I thought he was poised, although he’d tell you he could have played better. If he keeps working at it, he could be a good one in this league.”
If Harris isn’t ready to go Sunday, Campbell said he would be comfortable with Jensen.
“We’re trying to invest time in people like Brock,” the Ottawa coach said. “He was with us all last year. It’s not like we’re bringing in a different guy every year. We’re trying to choose a guy who shows a lot of potential. The same with Mitchell Gale (in Saskatchewan). It’s not like he’s a true rookie.”
The 26-year-old Gale, acquired by Saskatchewan on July 2 in a trade from Toronto, was 21-of-36 for 354 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions in his first career start.
When Darian Durant was hurt in Week 4, Gale — with just 21 career pass attempts to his credit — stepped in and completed 17-of-30 passes for 247 yards, one TD and no interceptions.
Gale is an example of a QB who bided his time and rose from the CFL scrap heap after being released by the Argos and Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the last year before the trade.
Other quarterbacks are also having achance to shine when their number is called. In Winnipeg, the Blue Bombers have grown tired of Drew Willy’s failure to succeed — he’s 12-21 as a starter — and will go with Matt Nichols this week.
Nichols, 29, relieved Willy midway through the fourth quarter of last week’s 33-18 loss to the Calgary Stampeders. Nichols was 9-of-15 for 88 yards, including a touchdown.
In Hamilton, Jeremiah Masoli, 27, gave the best performance of his CFL career with starting QB Zach Collaros about to return from injury. Masoli set a record by completing 23 passes in a row against Edmonton as the Ticats overcame a 25-point deficit to beat the Eskimos 37-31 in the biggest comeback in team history.
Quarterbacks like Jensen, Gale, Nichols and Masoli know that preparation breeds confidence. They also know that excellence is not measured over the short term.
“That’s what you’re going to find out with these guys,” Redblacks coach Campbell said. “Are they onehit wonders? Or are they able to do this week in and week out?”
WEEK 6 SCHEDULE
The Eskimos will have to regroup after blowing last week’s game to Hamilton. The desperate Bombers are injured along the offensive line and in the defensive secondary.
Saskatchewan (1-3) at Montreal (1-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
One of the most exciting receivers in the CFL is Roughriders’ Naaman Roosevelt, who caught eight passes for 182 yards and a touchdown last week in Saskatchewan’s first win. The Alouettes face the challenge of a short week and continuing concerns over kicker Boris Bede, who was 0for-3 on field-goal attempts against Toronto.
B.C. (3-1) at Calgary (2-1-1), Friday, 10 p.m.
It’s a battle for first place in the West. Jonathon Jennings finally caught fire, passing for 429 yards and three TDs last week. Meanwhile, Calgary’s Bo Levi Mitchell is coming off a 310-yard passing performance.