LIONS SEEK QB CERTAINTY
Can Jennings regain form?
Jarious Jackson has been playing and studying the quarterback position for more than 20 years and, like anyone who watches Jonathon Jennings for more than five minutes, he’s excited about the things he can see.
There’s the NFL-calibre arm, which throws the prettiest deep ball in the Canadian game. There’s the elite athleticism, which buys Jennings time and space in the passing game and makes him a threat in the run game. And there’s the calm demeanour and studious approach to the gridiron’s most demanding position.
Yes, there is much to like about the B.C. Lions quarterback.
But what interests Jackson more about Jennings is the things he can’t see; the things that will ultimately determine his success or failure this season and, by extension, the success or failure of the Lions.
Last year, Jennings had those same physical skills. He also led the CFL in interceptions and recorded the worst efficiency rating among the league’s nine starting pivots. Jackson, the quarterback whisperer, knows where to begin in fixing his star pupil.
As for the end, let’s talk again in October.
“I’m trying to assess what’s going on with him mentally,” Jackson said as the Lions completed Day 3 of their training camp. “It’s what’s going on between the ears right now.
“You never know what a guy’s mentality is coming into a season. He had some success early. Sometimes that is a good thing. Sometimes it’s a bad thing. But that’s what we’re using this time for, to see who Jonathon is, to see what makes him tick.”
Which are kind of important questions for the Lions.
Jennings is now in his fourth camp with the Leos and this season sets up as a watershed moment for the kid from Columbus. Four years ago, he was little more than a training camp arm before he was thrust into the starter’s role and quickly established himself as one of the league’s most exciting young talents. That was followed by a 2016 season in which he looked like a franchise quarterback in the making, throwing 27 touchdown passes while leading the Lions to a 12-6 record and the Western Conference final.
Then came 2017.
As Jackson says, it’s hard to know exactly what went wrong with Jennings, but the overall effect was jarring. He started off well enough, then sustained a shoulder injury in Week 4, rushed back to the lineup against Saskatchewan in Week 8 and promptly served up four interceptions in a 41-8 loss to the Riders.
And things unravelled like a cheap sweater from that point.
After a couple more uninspired outings Jennings lost the starting job to Lulay, who was promptly lost for the season in Week 11 with a knee injury of his own. At that point the Lions were still 6-5 and in the playoff mix but, with Jennings at the controls, they lost six of their last seven and missed the playoffs for the first time in the Wally Buono era.
Which brings us to 2018. New GM Ed Hervey undertook an ambitious renovation of the Lions’ lineup this off-season to address many of the team’s needs. But, at its core, it was intended to bring Jennings back to his 2016 form.
Part of the quarterback’s problems last year involved a leaky offensive line that had Jennings playing under duress far too often. This year, it’s been improved substantially with the addition of giant tackles Joel Figueroa and Jovan Olafioye.
Jackson, who established himself as one of the CFL’s best offensive minds after leaving the Lions in 2013, was brought back to help rehabilitate Jennings. There were multiple off-season meetings with Hervey, Buono and sports psychologist Dr. Frank Lodato.
“I expect him to look forward,” Hervey said of Jennings. “He’s going to hear a lot of noise about last season and rightfully so. But he has to be mentally tough enough to focus on this team and this year. I’m not judging him on last season and he shouldn’t judge himself on last season.”
And that’s how Jennings sees things. During a brief on-field interview following a Lions workout, the 25-year-old confidently laid out his expectations for himself and the team and didn’t mince words while doing it.
“You’re going to find out who I am,” he said. “That’s a quality football player who makes plays and who’s exciting to watch. I don’t think that’s changed. Obviously last year was a down year and there were a lot of negative things. But I know who I am and everyone else will see who that is.”
OK. Hard to misinterpret that. In talking about Jennings, both Hervey and Buono said they wanted to see a leader emerge this season.
Jennings was asked about his leadership skills.
“I thought I was doing that, but it’s being a little more vocal and making sure guys understand this is my team,” he said. “People will know we’re going to win together and it starts with me at quarterback.
“We’re building a team that’s legitimate in all facets. This year it’s not going to be the line wasn’t protecting or receivers couldn’t make plays. We have no excuses.”
So he sounds like a different guy. Now let’s see if he plays like one.