August 6, 2018

Quarterback Index: Starting from the bottom

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 evaluation.

TORONTO — There’s nowhere to go but up for Johnny Manziel.

The former college phenom had a debut to forget for the Montreal Alouettes, throwing four interceptions on the way to a 50-11 blowout loss to his former team.

Still, for the once highly-touted prospect, it’s a start. Manziel has a long road back to redemption as a professional football quarterback, but he’s finally gotten his first real taste of the league and the challenges in front of him.


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Speaking of comebacks, a different newcomer had a much more enjoyable first start in the three-down game when Argos quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson led the Boatmen from 24 points down to an improbable win over first-place Ottawa.

Meanwhile, Zach Collaros was solid in his return from injury in Edmonton, while Ticats pivot Jeremiah Masoli played like he had something to prove against his former teammate in Manziel.

More in this week’s QB Index:

BO LEVI MITCHELL CGY
THIS WEEK: 1 | LAST WEEK: 1

Bo Levi Mitchell‘s 11.9 yards per attempt against BC marked his second-highest of the season, pushing his 2018 average to a career-high 9.3. The Stamps’ quarterback continues to challenge defences vertically, yet remains an efficient 66 per cent with a 13:4 touchdown to interception ratio. He’s a big part of Calgary’s 7-0 start.

MIKE REILLY EDM
THIS WEEK: 2 | LAST WEEK: 2

After racking up 400-plus yards and five touchdowns against the Als, Mike Reilly showed against the Riders he’s perfectly suited for a tough, low-scoring defensive battle as well. Despite facing constant pressure and completing just 48.1 per cent of his passes, the Eskimos’ pivot protected the football and made enough plays to lead the team to its fifth win of the season.

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

It’s almost too close to call between Matt Nichols and Ticats pivot Jeremiah Masoli, but the veteran gets the nod going into their head-to-head clash in Week 9. The two quarterbacks have a very different playing style but Nichols is leading an impressive Winnipeg offence that’s averaging 322 yards per game (third-best in the CFL) and has scored 38 or more points on four different occasions.

JEREMIAH MASOLI HAM
THIS WEEK: 4 | LAST WEEK: 4

Jeremiah Masoli played like he had something to prove against his former teammate in Johnny Manziel, throwing two passing touchdowns and adding another on the ground in a 50-11 win over the Alouettes. Masoli has all the tools to be an elite quarterback but needs to improve on his 7:8 touchdown to interception ratio to take the next step.

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

Trevor Harris continues to struggle with consistency after failing to put away the Argos in the fourth quarter of a key divisional game, though it’s unfair to place the blame for Thursday’s collapse squarely on his shoulders. Harris is still playing at a high level and has the chance to lead Ottawa to an East Division title.

TRAVIS LULAY BC
THIS WEEK: 6 | LAST WEEK: 6

Travis Lulay showed a lot more positive than negative in Saturday’s loss to the Stamps, playing mostly mistake-free football while sustaining drives on offence to keep Bo Levi Mitchell off the field. Thursday’s home contest vs. the Eskimos will be a massive test for Lulay and the Lions, and almost comes as a must-win game in the highly-competitive West.

McLEOD BETHEL-THOMPSON TOR
THIS WEEK: 7 | LAST WEEK: NOT RANKED

How’s that for a debut? After a slow first half, McLeod Bethel-Thompson shocked BMO Field and the Ottawa REDBLACKS, guiding the Argos to comeback win from 24 points down. It’s safe to say the 30-year-old will continue to get a look as the Argos’ starting quarterback following the demotion of James Franklin. The strong-armed pivot could have a long-term future in the CFL.

ZACH COLLAROS SSK
THIS WEEK: 8 | LAST WEEK: INJURED RESERVE

After missing time since Week 2, Zach Collaros had a solid return to the lineup for the Riders in Week 8, throwing for 261 yards, including a 59-yard touchdown pass to Duron Carter. The Riders are clearly better with Collaros behind centre, but time will tell whether he can keep them in contention in the West.

JOHNNY MANZIEL MTL
THIS WEEK: 9 | LAST WEEK: NOT RANKED

Johnny Manziel called his CFL debut ‘humbling’ after throwing four interceptions against the Ticats in a 50-11 loss. It wasn’t all his fault — one pick went off the hands of his running back, while he was under constant siege from Hamilton’s defensive front — but it was proof that Manziel isn’t going to become a star or make the Alouettes a contender overnight.

OUT: MTL Vernon Adams Jr., SSK Brandon Bridge, TOR James Franklin

INJURED RESERVE

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

Ricky Ray remains on the long-term injured list and shouldn’t be counted on for a return this season, although nothing has been made official by the Argos.