A Look At The Quarterbacks Around The CFL

11/04/2009 03:19

By Jack Bedell
CFL.ca

While it’s not unusual for CFL teams to carry extra pivots into training camp, many times these players are simply “camp arms” to keep starting QBs as fresh as possible for the long season. This off-season, however, several teams seem to be stockpiling legitimate talent at quarterback.

Status Quo has always dictated that smart teams keep at least two pivots on the roster capable of winning ball games in the event of injury to their number one guy. Heading into 2009, though, the majority of teams in the league are three-deep at pivot with both proven and young talent, and some teams like Calgary, Hamilton and Montreal sport embarrassments of riches five and six-deep on their rosters.

Here’s a quick look around the CFL at quarterbacks under contract:

B. C. Lions

If the 2008 pre-season proved anything, it proved the Lions’ QB depth chart is pretty much 1A and 1B with Buck Pierce and Jarious Jackson. Both pivots have proven they can be effective and productive leaders. With Pierce signing a lucrative extension this off-season, he’s got the reins in his hands at present, but Jackson is definitely ready, willing, and able to take over if Pierce goes down to injury for any considerable amount of time. Third-stringer Zac Champion is going to be a player in the league, too, and is great insurance against injury disaster for B.C.

Calgary Stampeders

Henry Burris really hit his stride in 2008, and will no doubt pick up where he left off after earning a Grey Cup MVP in Montreal last November, especially considering the depth of the Stamps’ receiving corps. Unlike the security of the past few seasons, when the Stamps had serious experience behind Hank like Danny McManus and Dave Dickenson, however, the champs go into 2009 with a trio of relatively inexperienced CFL pivots—Barrick Nealy, Ben Sankey, and Will Proctor—and an Arena League exile, Dan D’Orazio, waiting in the wings. That’s a significant dip in talent from Burris that has to have Stamps fans hoping Hank stays on the field.

Edmonton Eskimos

The Stefan LeFors trade leaves a bit of a hole in terms of security behind Ricky Ray and Jason Maas on the Esks’ bench. Ray is a phenomenal talent, but he’s taken his share of hits in the past waiting to deliver long balls. Maas is a gamer who looks like he’s recovered from shoulder woes in Hamilton and Montreal, but who may not hold up to an extended period of relief should Ray go down. As good as those two QBs are, Edmonton needs to add some depth post-haste.

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For more from Jack Bedell and to see how he ranks the quarterbacks around the CFL, click here.