Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
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 — They have 75 years between them, but that’s not enough to stop Henry Burris and Darian Durant from making a charge in the latest CFL.ca Quarterback Index.
The veteran pivots both moved up multiple spots in this week’s ranking, as Durant manufactured an overtime win on the road against Ottawa while in the same game Burris came off the bench to lead his REDBLACKS on a late-game comeback not once but twice.
Burris came up shy of the win but the REDBLACKS will turn in his direction after naming him the starter for Week 17.
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Mike O’Shea’s Bombers came up big in a Week 16 win over the Lions (The Canadian Press)
While the top four players remain static — Jonathon Jennings holds his spot ahead of Matt Nichols despite being on the losing end of a head-to-head — there are plenty of questions from there on out.
They start with Trevor Harris, who takes a spot on the bench as his team looks to find some rhythm entering a critical home-and-home with the Ticats for first in the East, and continue with Drew Willy and Rakeem Cato, both coming off disappointing Week 16 performances.
We look at who belongs where heading into Week 17:
Bo Levi Mitchell CGY
This Week: 1 | Last Week: 1
Despite being 13-1-1, Mitchell and the Stampeders are holding nothing back. That much was clear in a 48-20 onslaught of the Toronto Argonauts on Thanksgiving Monday at BMO Field, where Mitchell’s career record improved to 41-7-1. It’s looked so easy for the Katy, Texas native, who appears to be a runaway for Most Outstanding Player come November.
Mike Reilly EDM
This Week: 2 | Last Week: 2
The Stampeders are the team everyone’s talking about but Reilly and the Esks look like a team that could beat anyone right now. Reilly threw for 346 yards and a pair of touchdowns in a decisive win over Montreal over the weekend as he and first-year head coach Jason Maas continue to get on the same page.
Jonathon Jennings BC
This Week: 3 | Last Week: 3
The only thing holding back Jennings during his sophomore season? Interceptions. Jennings has thrown the second-most among starters and threw two of them in a 37-35 loss to Winnipeg in Week 16. Still, the 24-year-old continues to produce at an elite pace while leading his Lions to what will now officially be their 20th straight post-season appearance.
Matt Nichols WPG
This Week: 4 | Last Week: 4
Despite only throwing for 233 yards, Nichols put in another strong outing in a home win over the BC Lions, throwing two touchdown passes and even catching one on a trick play. The Bombers aren’t asking him to put the world on his shoulders but he’s done just about everything else this season as the team clinches its first playoff berth since 2011.
Darian Durant SSK
This Week: 5 | Last Week: 7
Riders fans wondering who their starting quarterback might be in 2017 are starting to get a clearer picture. The veteran Durant looks every bit the part after leading his team to three straight wins, most recently a thrilling overtime victory over the Ottawa REDBLACKS. At 34, Durant is showing he can still play the game at a high level.
Henry Burris OTT
This Week: 6 | Last Week: 10
From Most Outstanding Player to injured pinky finger to sitting on the bench, 2016 has been a whirlwind of a season for Burris. Rick Campbell hopes the 41-year-old can provide the same spark for the REDBLACKS’ 2016 season as he did during a late-game comeback vs. the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 16.
Trevor Harris OTT
This Week: 7 | Last Week: 5
The quarterback controversy is back in the nation’s capital as Harris finds himself back on the bench. It’s hard to pin the blame on a quarterback leading the CFL with a 116.3 rating, but the reality is Harris’ REDBLACKS are 3-7 over their last 10 games. Campbell just couldn’t ignore the reigning Most Outstanding Player in Burris standing by ready to go.
Jeremiah Masoli HAM
This Week: 8 | Last Week: 12
The Ticats have announced that Collaros will not play in Week 17 which means Masoli gets another shot. Many had written the Ticats’ backup off after he had gone 3-3 to start the season and Collaros returned from injury, but the team has fared no better with No. 4 back under centre. Masoli is getting a golden opportunity to prove he can be more than a backup.
Rakeem Cato MTL
This Week: 9 | Last Week: 8
A week after taking strides in a win over the Argos, Cato took a step back in a loss to the Eskimos. That’ll happen with young quarterbacks and Cato is no exception, but the 24-year-old faces some pressure the rest of the way because Vernon Adams Jr. is watching and soon the Alouettes may have only the future to play for.
Drew Willy TOR
This Week: 10 | Last Week: 9
Fans will pin the Argos’ recent struggles on quarterback play and Willy in particular, but the entire team has struggled of late and that was especially the case in a one-sided loss to Calgary. So far it has been a struggle for Willy but Milanovich will be patient with his newly-minted starter.
» RELATED: Collaros ruled out for Week 17
Collaros stands on the sidelines during the Ticats’ Week 15 loss to Calgary (CFL.ca)
Injured Reserve
Quarterbacks not currently active won’t be ranked in the QB Index but will be added when healthy.
ZACH COLLAROS HAM
THIS WEEK: IR | LAST WEEK: 6
Collaros is back on the shelf for at least another week, meaning the team will lean on Masoli heading into a home-and-home with the Ottawa REDBLACKS.
RICKY RAY TOR
THIS WEEK: IR | LAST WEEK: IR
Ray may be working towards a return to the sideline but even then his role will likely remain mentor to Willy as the Argos look towards the future.
