Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
Berg vs. Ferg returns for another season on CFL.ca as columnists Pat Steinberg and Marshall Ferguson debate over some of the league’s most contentious storylines. This week they debate over whether Travis Lulay has earned the right to start over Jonathon Jennings.
Veteran quarterback Travis Lulay hasn’t missed a beat since coming off the bench in Week 4 for the injured Jonathon Jennings. The 33-year-old has posted back-to-back 400-yard performances and thrown five touchdown passes, leading the Leos to a 4-1 record and first place in the West.
Injuries cost Lulay his starting spot to Jonathon Jennings back in 2015. The 25-year-old has proved himself to be one of the most exciting up-and-coming quarterbacks in the CFL. He led BC to the Western final last season, and appears to be a central piece to the Lions’ future success.
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The Lions now face a dilemma, albeit a good one, when Jennings is taken off the one-game injured list; does the 25-year-old get his starting spot back, or should BC ride the hot hand of Lulay if he continues to preform?
Berg and Ferg weigh in on who should take the field for the Lions when both pivots are healthy.
| BERG VS. FERG: LAST WEEK’S RESULTS |
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CFL.ca |
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Steinberg – 475 (57%) Ferguson – 359 (43%) |
Steinberg – 328 (74%) Ferguson – 115 (26%) |
Steinberg – 803 (63%) Ferguson – 474 (37%) |
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BERG (5-2): THE LIONS NEED TO STICK WITH JENNINGS
Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca
@Fan960Steinberg
Travis Lulay has been superb since taking over for the injured Jonathon Jennings. In essentially two full games at the helm, Lulay has averaged more than 400 yards passing and has been a big part of a 4-1 start for the BC Lions. But for the Lions to get to their eventual goal this season and beyond, I still believe Jennings has to be their starting quarterback.
As well as Lulay has played, and as strong as his resume is, I think Jennings still gives BC the best chance to win when he’s calling the signals. In just his first full year as a No. 1 pivot, Jennings finished third in passing yards and touchdowns in 2016 and was a driving force as the Lions made it to the Western Final. Jennings is highly explosive, can make big-time throws on the run and is able to do damage with his feet, as evidenced by his four rushing touchdowns last season. Because of all the tools he possesses, I think Jennings is the most multi-faceted quarterback in the league when he’s healthy and on his game.
My advocacy of Jennings is not an indictment on Lulay, though. Heck, in last week’s Berg vs. Ferg, I argued Lulay is the best backup option in the league . . . because he is. Lulay has been great and looks far closer to the MOP caliber player he was five and six years ago than he has in ages. Despite that, though, Lulay’s touchdown to interception ratio is just 5:4 in two games, even with his 840 passing yards.
But Jennings isn’t just the right answer for right now; he’s also BC’s quarterback of the future. That’s just as big a reason why I believe he should be installed as the team’s starter once he’s 100 per cent recovered from his shoulder injury. The more playing time in important, big-time situations Jennings can get, the better. Plus, I don’t think the Lions want to risk any type of hard feelings with such an important part of their future. By having Lulay usurp him as starting quarterback, that potential certainly exists.
At this point, there’s really no need to rush Jennings back to action. He suffered a shoulder injury on a really hard hit and making sure he’s totally healthy upon return is paramount. And, knowing how well Lulay has played in relief, there’s even less temptation to hurry Jennings back under centre. But when he’s healthy and ready to come back, the Lions need to return Jennings to his spot as No. 1 quarterback. It’s BC’s best option for right now and the future.
FERG (2-5): LULAY’S CONSISTENCY SHOULD BE REWARDED
Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca
@TSN_Marsh
I was there when Jonathon Jennings got hurt, and I wasn’t happy about it. He is as exciting and promising a young quarterback as there is in recent CFL memory and has the ability to make jaw dropping plays in a moment’s notice. That being said, Travis Lulay has been the more consistent quarterback of the two since stepping in off the bench two weeks ago.
As a result, I believe there SHOULD be a discussion in BC about what to do moving forward.
Lulay has a veteran savvy to his game, a quickness of decision making that you might not find in a player with less time spent in the league such as Jennings. That has benefited Lulay through essentially two starts. He has become a fantasy favourite pumping out starter stats for backup value.
Lulay was the unquestioned Lions starter for five successful and productive seasons before losing his job to injury and eventually Jennings.
Losing your job by injury isn’t fair, but it’s part of the game. Most importantly, it’s a two way street and football is about wins not loyalty.
I love watching Jennings play football as much as anybody out there but think about the situation specific to the BC Lions: A relatively young team with a lot of explosive playmakers on offence, many in need of a veteran to guide them.
Lulay gives that veteran guidance and more importantly seems to have regained that trademark zip on the football that made the Lions Canada’s most entertaining team in a 2011 Grey Cup run.
Finally, think about the timeline. Wally Buono is on the sidelines and, personally, I hope he never stops coaching, but that isn’t realistic. Wally loves guys who are loyal. Lulay has been nothing but loyal as a pillar of the orange cats which is all to say I believe Buono will trust one of his long-term guys as long as he is playing the game the right way and helping the team succeed.
I don’t think that stops anytime soon.
DON’T SIT ON THE FENCE!
While both sides are pretty convincing, someone’s got to take it. Whose argument convinced you the most?
You can vote for this week’s winner both on CFL.ca and Twitter. Meanwhile, continue the conversation by tweeting @Fan960Steinberg and @TSN_Marsh.
The winner will be revealed in the following week’s Berg vs. Ferg.
