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 evaluation.
TORONTO — The QB Index is back for another season, ranking the league’s starting quarterbacks from one week to the next.
Bo Levi Mitchell and Mike Reilly are sure to go back and forth all year, as per usual, but for now there’s no disagreement over Reilly’s No. 1 ranking. However, there are other questions.
Ricky Ray starts the season fourth on the list despite coming off his fourth Grey Cup Championship as a starting quarterback.
Trevor Harris is looking to join the ranks of the elite this season, coming in with a dominant 82 touchdown passes to just 35 interceptions throughout his career.
In Hamilton, Jeremiah Masoli continues to silence his critics, putting together a 344-yard game against the Calgary Stampeders.
RELATED
» Landry’s 5 takeaways from Week 1
» MMQB: Masoli answering his critics
» By the Numbers: 2018 passing leaders
Finally, don’t count out Jonathon Jennings. The 25-year-old turned a new leaf in Week 1 after a forgettable season, completing 20 of 24 passes (83%) while throwing two touchdowns and no interceptions in a win over the Montreal Alouettes.
At his age, a bounce back season from Jennings would return him to status as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
Quarterbacks win championships in the CFL and there’s never shortage of debate over the league’s signal-callers.
CFL.ca ranks the pivots:
MIKE REILLY EDM
THIS WEEK: 1 | LAST WEEK:
Last year’s Most Outstanding Player picked up where he left off, throwing for 408 yards and scoring three touchdowns — including two on the ground — to lead the Esks to a come-from-behind win over the Bombers. It was the 20th game-winning drive of Reilly’s career and more proof that No. 13 is on an island of his own as the league’s top pivot. At least for now.
BO LEVI MITCHELL CGY
THIS WEEK: 2 | LAST WEEK:
Bo Levi Mitchell was a little off target against the Ticats, completing only 17 of 36 passing attempts in a season-opening win. It wasn’t for a lack of arm strength, however, as the shoulder that bothered him throughout 2017 seemed to be just fine. Mitchell should threaten his career-highs if healthy in 2018.
TREVOR HARRIS OTT
THIS WEEK: 3 | LAST WEEK:
A dark horse MOP candidate, Trevor Harris looks to start the new season off right against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The 32-year-old has a dynamic cast of receivers and is coming off a career year in 2017, in which he threw for 4,679 yards and 30 touchdowns with only 11 interceptions.
RICKY RAY TOR
THIS WEEK: 4 | LAST WEEK:
After sitting out all of pre-season, it took three quarters for Ricky Ray to shake off the rust in the Argos’ season-opener. An uncharacteristic pick-six sunk his team’s chances of starting 1-0, but the veteran gets the benefit of the doubt just months removed from his fourth Grey Cup Championship as a starter.
JEREMIAH MASOLI HAM
THIS WEEK: 5 | LAST WEEK:
The Johnny Manziel talk is silenced for another week after a strong performance by Jeremiah Masoli against a tough Calgary defence on the road. Masoli has produced at an incredible rate in June Jones’ offence, going over 300 yards in six straight games, a span over which he’s thrown nine touchdowns and just two interceptions.
JONATHON JENNINGS BC
THIS WEEK: 6 | LAST WEEK:
Already playing under a microscope in 2018, Jonathon Jennings had a nice start against the Alouettes, completing 20 of 24 attempts in a win over the Als. The key here was no turnovers, as Jennings took only what Rich Stubler’s defence allowed to preserve a season-opening victory. Big things could be in store for the fourth-year pivot.
ZACH COLLAROS SSK
THIS WEEK: 7 | LAST WEEK:
Playing the role of game manager, Zach Collaros completed 18 of 25 attempts against a veteran Argo defence to win his Riders debut. The victory ends a 12-game personal losing streak for Collaros, who’s looking to prove he’s the long-term answer at quarterback for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
DREW WILLY MTL
THIS WEEK: 8 | LAST WEEK:
After a first quarter to dream of, Drew Willy faded for the Als, who failed to score a point in the final three quarters of a 22-10 loss to BC. Still, Willy showed off his strong, accurate arm on back-to-back touchdown passes early (one of which was called back on a holding penalty) and could prove a lot of people wrong in 2018.
CHRIS STREVELER WPG
THIS WEEK: 9 | LAST WEEK:
On the one hand, Chris Streveler averaged a meager 6.4 yards per attempt, threw two interceptions and took the loss in his CFL debut. On the other, the rookie threw three touchdown passes and put the Bombers in a position to win their season-opener up until a patented Mike Reilly comeback. Week 2 in Montreal should tell us more.
INJURED RESERVE
MATT NICHOLS WPG
THIS WEEK: IR | LAST WEEK:
A knee injury suffered in training camp will keep Matt Nichols out the first month or so of the season. Can the Bombers stay afloat in the West without their star quarterback?
