July 26, 2016

Quarterback Index: Record-breaking day moves Masoli up

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Five out of the eight teams that took the field in Week 5 put up 30 or more points. And Ottawa managed 29 with its third-string quarterback playing the majority of the game. All those points mean quarterbacks were carving up defences. Let’s see how the performances affected the year-long QB Index.

1) Mike Reilly
Edmonton Eskimos
(Last Week: 1)

Edmonton’s offence was rolling on the strength of Reilly’s right arm for two quarters and the opening series of the third. In that time the Eskimos racked up 31 points and looked to be in control until the unit stalled.

2) Bo Levi Mitchell
Calgary Stampeders
(Last Week: 2)

The spoils were shared as Calgary’s gunslinger found three different receivers on three touchdowns passes. Other pivots are receiving more of the spotlight early in the season as Mitchell has been consistently impressive.

3) Jonathon Jennings
BC Lions
(Last Week: 5)

Pivotal injuries are the main reason why Jennings moves up despite being on a bye week.

RELATED:
» Landry: 5 takeaways from Week 5
» Masoli, Roosevelt, Reilly named Shaw Top Performers
» Ray could have sprained MCL

Ricky-Ray-2016 (3)

Ricky Ray’s status is unknown after he left his Week 5 match up with a knee injury (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

4) Ricky Ray
Toronto Argonauts
(Last Week: 6)

An ultra-efficient performance was put in by Ray as the Argos had a win sewed up, but that was before Vaughn Martin fell into his left knee and could’ve caused an MCL injury.

5) Kevin Glenn
Montreal Alouettes
(Last Week: IR)

KG played well and Montreal was in a position to possibly take the lead in the third quarter while inside Toronto’s 10-yard line, but T.J. Heath jumped a route and intercepted Glenn, which killed the Alouettes’ momentum.

6) Jeremiah Masoli
Hamilton Tiger-Cats
(Last Week: 9)

When you set a CFL record you move up the ranks. 23 straight passes completed while leading a comeback from 25 points down was awesome theatre to watch.

7) Mitchell Gale
Saskatchewan Roughriders
(Last Week: 10)

Raise your hand if you had Gale guiding the Riders to their first win of the season instead of Darian Durant? I see none in the air. Saskatchewan appears to have found a very capable 26-year-old backup and maybe he can be more than that.


Related: Starting quarterbacks up in the air for Week 6 & 7

Matt Smith/CFL.ca

Darian Durant’s status is unknown for Week 6 (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)


8) Brock Jensen
Ottawa REDBLACKS
(Last Week: NR)

On the road in a hostile environment at Mosaic Stadium, the rookie CFL quarterback was unfazed

9) Matt Nichols
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
(Last Week: NR)

After entering the game in the fourth quarter, Nichols capitalized on a short field and drove the Bombers for a touchdown. He was decisive and threw the ball down the field.

10) Travis Lulay
BC Lions
(Last Week: 8)

If Lulay was a starter he would rank ahead of at least a few signal callers on this list.

11) Drew Willy
Winnipeg Blue Bombers
(Last Week: 7)

After a poor start to the season, Willy has been benched. Watching the game from a different view might help Winnipeg’s top paid passer.

Injured Reserve

TrevorHarris_2016_2

Trevor Harris may be out of the huddle after leaving his Week 5 match up with a knee injury (CFL.ca)

Trevor Harris
Ottawa REDBLACKS

After getting twisted and taken down awkwardly, Ottawa hopes Harris isn’t out long term.

Darian Durant
Saskatchewan Roughriders

A severely sprained ankle kept No. 4 out of action in Week 5.

Zach Collaros
Hamilton Tiger-Cats

Hamilton’s franchise pivot has been increasing his reps in practice.

Henry Burris
Ottawa REDBLACKS

Hank has graduated from throwing Nerf footballs to deflated ones.

CFL Starters

Justin Dunk is picking his best lineup based on Week 5’s results. With the game on the line, who’s making his starting depth chart this week?

Starters_Template_2016_W5

Offence:

QB – Jeremiah Masoli
RB – Jerome Messam
REC – Naaman Roosevelt, Brad Sinopoli, Luke Tasker, Derel Walker, Duron Carter
OL – Ticats

Defence:

DL – Stampeders
LB – Joe Burnett, Bear Woods, Simoni Lawrence
DB – Fred Bennett, Buddy Jackson
HB – Abdul Kanneh, T.J. Heath
S – Courtney Stephen