Quarterback Index: The return of Ricky Ray

CFL.ca Staff

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 evaluation.

TORONTO — After a one-week hiatus, Ricky Ray was back doing what he does best in Week 9, quarterbacking the Argos to a one-sided victory over the Montreal Alouettes at BMO Field.

The 37-year-old continues to turn back the clock as he fights for his spot among the league’s elite passers, heading into the second half of the season with 2,798 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and five interceptions.

Matt Nichols helped the Bombers end the Eskimos’ unbeaten run in Week 9 (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)

Ray’s impressive showing still wasn’t enough to unseat Matt Nichols, however. Nichols put forth quite possibly the most dominant start of his career, throwing for 390 yards and a touchdown on 32-of-40 passing while helping the Bombers hand the West Division-leading Eskimos their first loss of 2017.

For the first time in a month, every starting quarterback in the CFL is healthy and determined heading into Week 10.

MIKE REILLY EDM
THIS WEEK: 1 | LAST WEEK: 1

Reilly’s dominant second half in Winnipeg wasn’t enough to erase a 17-3 halftime deficit, sending the Eskimos to their first loss of 2017. Still, he’s the early MOP favourite and could be getting reinforcements soon with the return of Brandon Zylstra on the horizon.

BO LEVI MITCHELL CGY
THIS WEEK: 2 | LAST WEEK: 2

Following his scorching start, Mitchell has failed to go over the 300-yard mark in four straight games, topping up at 253 in a Week 5 win over the Riders. In the end, the only numbers that count are the four wins and zero losses over that span. All the reigning MOP does is win.

Bo Levi Mitchell and the Stamps continue to get the job done in the win column (Graham Hughes/CFL.ca)

MATT NICHOLS WPG
THIS WEEK: 3 | LAST WEEK: 3

Amid the deafening roar at Investors Group Field on Thursday screeched the silence of the last remaining detractors as Matt Nichols and the Bombers took down the CFL’s top-ranked team. Nichols’ performance (390 yards, 80%, 1 TD, 0 INT) may have been the best by any quarterback this season.

RICKY RAY TOR
THIS WEEK: 4 | LAST WEEK: IR

Just when you thought he may be out for a little while, Week 9 was about revival and redemption for 37-year-old Ricky Ray. He’s been in the league 15 years but his arm is as lively as ever and on Saturday, Ray connected on four first-half touchdown passes to vault his team into first place.

KEVIN GLENN SSK
THIS WEEK: 5 | LAST WEEK: 4

Ray and Glenn rounding out the top five tell us that quarterback can be an old man’s position. Glenn has been solid in 2017, exiting the Riders’ bye week with 2,104 passing yards, 14 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Fair to say the veteran’s career legacy is about to be written?

The return of Ricky Ray drops Kevin Glenn a spot despite not even playing in Week 9 (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

TREVOR HARRIS OTT
THIS WEEK: 6 | LAST WEEK: 5

Both Harris and the REDBLACKS broke out of their recent slumps over the weekend, the former going off for 394 passing yards and two touchdowns in a road win over the Ticats. Harris’ numbers this season are elite and if he can reverse his win-loss record, he won’t stick in this spot for long.

JONATHON JENNINGS BC
THIS WEEK: 7 | LAST WEEK: 8

Jennings moves up a spot ahead of Week 10 after a hard-fought effort in a loss to the Stamps. The young pivot with the mesmerizing athletic ability has the confidence of both Wally Buono and his teammates — now he just needs to recapture last year’s form.

DARIAN DURANT MTL
THIS WEEK: 8 | LAST WEEK: 7

After throwing for only 93 yards and failing to generate a single offensive point, Durant falls to the second-last spot in the quarterback index. That outing can be seen as an anomaly but the 10:8 TD:INT ratio needs to improve if the Als hope to win the East.

ZACH COLLAROS HAM
THIS WEEK: 9 | LAST WEEK: 9

Collaros was pulled in the second half after throwing for only 102 yards in an eventual loss to the Ottawa REDBLACKS. With the Ticats on the bye in Week 10, it’s unknown whether Kent Austin rolls with his usual No. 1 or makes a change under centre for the Labour Day Classic.