It appeared that incumbent Matt Nichols had pulled ahead of newcomer Mike Reilly in the battle to be the Eskimos QB. After what was reportedly a good training camp, Nichols was given the reigns as the team’s starter for the first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. As the game ended though, Nichols suffered a torn right ACL, and Reilly became the Eskimos starter by default.
Nichols underwent surgery on Tuesday to repair the damage, and the prognosis is that he is out for the entire season. For Nichols, finally getting his chance to be the starter from day one of a season, was not going to happen.
Nichols suffered the injury trying to run down Riders’ defensive back Carlos Thomas, who had intercepted a deflected pass and was making his way towards the Eskimo endzone for the touchdown. It is a play that has many questioning if Nichols did the right thing in going all out to prevent the touchdown in what was essentially a meaningless tune-up game for both sides.
Nichols suffered a concussion fighting for extra yards in a game against Hamilton last season. He also broke his fibula and ankle in the CFL playoffs against the Argonauts, in a desperate, and some say ill-advised attempt to escape a Ronald Flemons sack. Observers are starting to question if he has to change his approach to survive the rigors of pro football.
To his credit, Nichols isn’t ducking the question. Before Eskimos practice on Tuesday he said, “I don’t really plan on changing the way I play. The quarterback position is a little bit more than just being able to throw a football. It’s about being a team leader.”
Now the Eskimos turn to Mike Reilly and hand him the reigns to the offence. Reilly was acquired in an off-season trade from the BC Lions. Stuck behind CFL All-Star Travis Lulay in B.C. Reilly has only thrown 77 passes in the CFL. He started two games for the Lions in his three years there. He did show promise, and looked good in starts at the end of the season when the Lions had their playoff spot clinched and rested Lulay. This prompted the Eskimos to deal for Reilly in order to bring in some competition for the QB position.
With Nichols injury, the competition is over. The job is Reilly’s, time to take the ball and run with it (or throw it). Reilly will get a start in the Eskimos final Pre-Season game, this Friday in Vancouver to face his old team, the B.C. Lions.
Veteran CFL Quarterback Kerry Joseph is expected to serve as Reilly’s backup, moving up the depth chart due to Nichols’ injury.
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