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Another week, one other quarterback shuffle.
While CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie praised the play of quarterbacks throughout the league in an interview with Sportsnet earlier than Labour Day weekend, these nonetheless are usually not the Doug Flutie, Damon Allen, Anthony Calvillo days.
Sure, there have been higher moments for QBs than, say, a number of years in the past when issues appeared fairly dire, but it surely’s not a very good factor when the quarterback for one among three groups at present out of a playoff spot is taken into account a powerful candidate for the league’s most excellent participant award.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats starter Bo Levi Mitchell — who misplaced his job earlier this yr earlier than getting it again due to an harm to Taylor Powell and now’s enjoying a few of his finest soccer — truly may be thought of the highest QB within the league this yr. His workforce has gained three in a row, however the Ticats stay an extended shot to make the playoffs at 5-9.
This week, we’ll have at the least two quarterback modifications. Veteran McLeod Bethel-Thompson replaces Canadian Tre Ford with the Edmonton Elks, who proceed to point out little religion within the University of Waterloo product. While Ford wasn’t good final week in a loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, it simply looks like he can’t keep on the sphere for prolonged stretches due to accidents and/or workforce choices to go in one other path.
“There has to be consistent play at that position,” Elks interim head coach Jarious Jackson told reporters, per 3DownNation, as his team prepares for a rematch with the Blue Bombers. “That’s the most important position on the field and when the play is inconsistent, then it shows in our play.”
“… This is not personal whatsoever. I love every guy in that quarterback room, so it’s not personal. It’s about winning football games and that’s my job to make the tough decisions to win football games.”
Meanwhile, Redblacks starter Dru Brown is out with a excessive ankle harm after exiting final week’s loss in opposition to the Montreal Alouettes. Veteran Jeremiah Masoli will get the beginning in Saskatchewan in opposition to the Roughriders.
Brown guided Ottawa to a 7-2-1 begin in his first yr with the workforce after coming over from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, however his play has dipped because the workforce has misplaced three of the previous 4.
“Dru’s had an ankle issue since way back in the Winnipeg game (a loss on July 5) and it’s progressively gotten worse,” coach Bob Dyce advised reporters, per Postmedia. “The throwing motion, it isn’t just your arm and upper body. With the ankle hurting, the ability to move around and feel comfortable in the pocket – it all ties in together.”
All 9 CFL groups have began at the least two totally different quarterbacks this yr.
Even the league-leading Montreal Alouettes have QB questions. This week, longtime Montreal Gazette soccer columnist Herb Zurkowsky wrote a column about how Als starter Cody Fajardo has acquired criticism from followers.
Fajardo is 2-1-1 since coming back from a hamstring harm that saved him out for 4 video games. In the stretch with out Fajardo, backup QB Davis Alexander went 3-0 as a starter and gained the fourth sport in reduction.
“The reality is the two worst positions you can play in pro sports in Montreal is to be the starting quarterback for the Alouettes and the goaltender for the Montreal Canadiens,” Als GM Danny Maciocia advised Zurkowsky. “The actuality is Anthony Calvillo went by it, Vernon Adams went by it, Trevor Harris went by it. Cody went by it final yr.
“Grey Cup or no Grey Cup, MVP or no MVP, he’s going to go through it again this year. He’ll go through it as long as he’s the starting quarterback in Montreal, and when he’s no longer the starting quarterback, the next guy will go through it.”
Meanwhile, two of high QBs from the previous two years haven’t discovered high type. The B.C. Lions confirmed Nathan Rourke will stay as starter after a bizarre change to Adams at halftime of their final sport, a loss to Toronto, however the Canadian definitely hasn’t hit his 2022 stage since coming back from the NFL final month.
Argos quarterback Chad Kelly additionally has been hit or miss since coming back from a nine-game suspension. The 2023 CFL MOP was outplayed by Mitchell in a loss to the Ticats final week.
It all factors to a different low season of dramatic motion at QB. But earlier than then, we’ll wait and see which QB can step up for the most important moments of 2024.
Armstead vs. Redblacks
Ryquell Armstead was altering his tune this week.
After the working again signed with the Saskatchewan Roughriders final week, Armstead was fast to poke the bear when requested about his former workforce, the Redblacks.
“It’ll be good to see those guys, it’ll be good to smile at the ones that put you down and tried to belittle you and keep proving them wrong as well,” mentioned Armstead, who was launched by the Redblacks after some self-discipline issues final month. “I’m just thankful and I’m very ready to see those guys.”
This week, after working for 207 yards in a win over the Calgary Stampeders in his Riders debut, Armstead performed down the chance to actual revenge in opposition to the visiting Redblacks on Saturday.
“It’s going to be amazing to see familiar faces … Put in a ton of blood, sweat and tears,” he mentioned. “But at the end of the day, I’m with Sask. I’m ready to ride and I’m looking forward to the opportunity.”
No matter what Armstead says to the media, you may wager he’ll be enjoying with some emotion in opposition to Ottawa.
Game of the Week
The surging Ticats can put the warmth on West groups for a possible crossover playoff berth if they will upset the Lions in Vancouver on Friday.
Hamilton can be no worse than two factors behind the third-place workforce within the West with a victory.
An East workforce has by no means crossed over to the West playoffs.
Here is the complete Week 17 schedule.
Friday: Edmonton Elks (5-9) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (8-6), 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT
Friday: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (5-9) at B.C. Lions (7-7), 10:30 p.m. ET / 7:30 p.m. PT
Saturday: Ottawa Redblacks (8-5-1) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (6-7-1), 3 p.m. ET / midday PT
Saturday: Montreal Alouettes (11-2-1) at Toronto Argonauts (7-7), 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
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