CFL starting quarterbacks often are already known way before the season, such as in Saskatchewan,Calgary, Edmonton, Toronto and Hamilton, but for the four other teams it’s a toss up. Saskatchewan is already set with Durant, likewise for Calgary with Bo Levi Mitchell. Grey Cup Champ Mike Reilly will no doubt be the starter in Edmonton and Hall Of Famer Ricky Ray is the starter in Toronto while Zach Collaros leads Hamilton. For Ottawa, Montreal, Winnipeg and B.C. the starter is less obvious.
Ottawa
Many fans are wondering why Ottawa is on the list after Henry Burris led the Redblacks to a Grey Cup birth and a MOP season. Well GM Marcel Desjardins planned for the future and signed QB Trevor Harris to a two-year deal. Presumably, he will leave Burris as the starter this year and have Harris take over next season. But Harris is a very capable starting quarterback, and if history once again proves itself right, Burris won’t have a good year. After a good year, he has a decline, and this is where Harris steps in. Burris may start just the first ten games, as Harris gets his shot in the final six. So who will be the starter in Ottawa next year?
Montreal
Montreal’s three quarterbacks aren’t MOPs but can lead Montreal to a good season if S.J. Green, Duron Carter and the rest of the receiving core have anything to do with it. The first candidate is probably Kevin Glenn. Glenn is a veteran quarterback and has bounced around the league. He also isn’t the quarterback he used to be and may struggle in Montreal’s offence. The next candidate is the young gun Rakeem Cato. Cato impressed Montreal greatly last year before getting hurt. Cato is flashy but lacks experience, and often makes the wrong play when he is under pressure, but Calvillo is on the sideline as the offensive coordinator, and could help him. The third quarterback, but a bit of a long shot, is Canadian Brandon “Air Canada” Bridge. He is young and just entering his second season, and needs a bit more seasoning and help from Calvillo, but don’t be surprised to see Bridge start a game if Montreal is having a bad year. Glenn is the starter out of the gate, but if he struggles Cato and Bridge will get their opportunity.
Winnipeg
When Winnipeg acquired Matt Nichols last year, many presumed him to be the backup to Drew Willy. Nichols did impress last season and with Willy being unable to stay healthy, Nichols will have a legitimate shot in training camp to be the starter. With an entire new offence under Paul LaPolice, it puts both quarterbacks on even playing grounds, and ultimately training camp will decide who starts between. Willy is the starter but has two-three bad games in row and Nichols takes over in Week six or seven.
B.C.
British Columbia has two quarterbacks vying for the starting job in Grey Cup Champion Travis Lulay and young gun Jonathan Jennings. Jennings immersed into the seen last year after Lulay was hurt and never looked back from it. Jennings helped lead the Lions to a playoff berth and many would see him as the starter, but Lulay is still healthy, according to many B.C. Lions representatives, which should give Jennings competition. Whoever they pick, B.C. should be heading back to the playoffs but Jennings will likely be the team’s starter.
Main Photo.
