September 19, 2016

Quarterback Index: Nichols joins the elite

THE CANADIAN PRESS

The CFL.ca Quarterback Index is a weekly power ranking of quarterbacks across the CFL. The ranking reflects recent performance, historical value, statistical indicators, team success and overall on-field play.

TORONTO — His team in the midst of a seven-game winning streak, Matt Nichols is getting the respect he deserves.

After a 46-29 win over the Argos, which moved Nichols and the Bombers’ record to 7-0 since switching from Drew Willy, Winnipeg’s veteran quarterback has moved ahead of Zach Collaros and into fourth place in the CFL.ca Quarterback Index.

The move puts Nichols among the league’s elite, just behind third-place Jonathon Jennings and ahead of the likes of Collaros, Trevor Harris and Riders pivot Darian Durant.

RELATED:
» Landry: 5 takeaways from Week 13
» Steinberg’s MMQB: DaVaris Daniels reaches stardom
» Durant: ‘I wasn’t going to let us lose this game’
» Bombers roll to seventh straight win

THE CANADIAN PRESS

Darian Durant put the Riders on his shoulders in Week 13 (The Canadian Press)

That term ‘elite’ is thrown around pretty loosely these days, but so far Nichols is proving he’s worthy of the title. Whether it’s his undefeated record, his 103.9 quarterback rating (fourth among current starters) or his 8:1 touchdown to interception ratio, the 29-year-old is backing up the hype that surrounded him early in his career as a highly-touted prospect.

In Hamilton, another tough outing for Collaros has the ‘Cats quarterback headed in the opposite direction. Collaros was trajecting upwards fast following his first four starts, especially after throwing 14 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. Since then, however, he’s been intercepted four times over his last two starts.

Can Nichols hold his spot in his toughest test yet against the Stamps next week? Will Collaros bounce back in a matchup with the surging Riders?

Those answers will come but for now, our rankings heading into Week 14:

Bo Levi Mitchell CGY
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1

It was hailed as a heavyweight clash between top pivots, but in the end there was no doubt Bo Levi Mitchell remains the best quarterback in the CFL. Mitchell threw for 361 yards and a pair of touchdowns, out-dueling Trevor Harris while moving to 38-7-1 in his career thanks to a 48-23 win over Ottawa. The Katy, Texas native is the odds-on favourite to win MOP.

Mike Reilly EDM
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2

Mike Reilly may have deserved better for his efforts on a blustery afternoon at Mosaic Stadium, but some poorly-timed drops and miscues by the Esks’ receivers left points off the board. Last year’s Grey Cup MVP continues to get the benefit of the doubt, but he’ll have to pull his Esks out of a three-game slide or could risk falling next week.

Jonathon Jennings BC
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3

The bye week means Jonathon Jennings neither falls nor rises, but the gap between the 24-year-old Sophomore at No. 3 and Reilly at No. 2 continues to shrink. In Week 14 the two will go head to head and both have plenty to prove.

Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca

Jonathon Jennings looks to move up the ranking in Week 14 vs. Edmonton (Larry MacDougal/CFL.ca)

Matt Nichols WPG
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 5

The QB Index remains static this week, mostly, but Matt Nichols is an exception, moving up a spot to No. 4 after picking up his seventh straight win over the weekend. Two numbers stand out for Drew Willy’s replacement in the Manitoba Capital: The win-loss record (7-0) and touchdowns to interceptions (8:1).

Zach Collaros HAM
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 4

Just as the MOP whispers started to surround Zach Collaros, the Ticats’ pivot has come down to earth with back to back sub-par performances. Collaros has thrown four interceptions over his last two games while the Ticats barely scraped by with a win at home against the struggling Alouettes.

Trevor Harris OTT
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 6

The REDBLACKS’ starting pivot has come down to earth since his scorching start to the season, last week completing just 58.6 per cent of his passes in a 48-23 loss to Calgary. Trevor Harris isn’t the root of Ottawa’s problems but he’ll have to be better if Ottawa is going to win the East Division.

Darian Durant SSK
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 7

After three losses in a row by a single possession each, Darian Durant put the Riders on his shoulders and willed them to victory. On a day when throwing the football proved difficult, Durant rushed for 61 yards on five carries, including the game-winning touchdown run in overtime.

» Durant: ‘I wasn’t going to let us lose this game’

 

Dan LeFevour TOR
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 8

There’s nothing like a good underdog story, which is exactly what Dan LeFevour is as he continues to play in the looming shadow of Drew Willy. LeFevour started hot against Winnipeg but faded late, finishing with 271 yards and four touchdowns to go with two crucial interceptions.

Rakeem Cato MTL
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 9

Rakeem Cato continues to complete passes with high efficiency (he’s 74 per cent this season), but finding the end zone has been a challenge. Cato managed only 168 passing yards against Hamilton while the Alouettes’ offence failed to score a touchdown — a common theme throughout the 2016 season.

Henry Burris OTT
This Week: 10 | Last Week: 10

With Trevor Harris playing arguably his worst game of the 2016 season and the REDBLACKS losers of five of their last seven, Henry Burris is standing by, ready if needed. The 2015 Most Outstanding Player remains invaluable to an Ottawa team fighting for a second straight division title.

Drew Willy TOR
This Week: 11 | Last Week: 11

It’s not known if or when Drew Willy will make his Argos debut under centre, but when he does it’ll be must-see TV. By many accounts, Willy has all the necessary tools to be an upper-echelon quarterback in the CFL and could flourish under Scott Milanovich.

 

Kevin Glenn WPG
This Week: 12 | Last Week: 12

While the Bombers have won seven straight under the guidance of Matt Nichols, the league’s most renowned insurance policy in Kevin Glenn is valuable to their Grey Cup hopes this season. Should anything happen to Nichols, Glenn provides a steady hand.

Travis Lulay BC
This Week: 13 | Last Week: 13

As a mentor for Jonathon Jennings and an insurance policy for the second-ranked team in the league, Travis Lulay is one of the best backups out there. That’s key for a team that feels it can contend for a Grey Cup.


Injured Reserve

Quarterbacks not currently active won’t be ranked in the QB Index but will be added when healthy.

RICKY RAY TOR
THIS WEEK: IR | LAST WEEK: IR

It’s unknown when Ricky Ray will return to action and whether he’ll start when ready, as Dan LeFevour continues to perform while Drew Willy stands in the shadows.