September 7, 2018

Berg vs. Ferg: Which young QB can win games now?

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 the focus shifts to the CFL’s young up-and-coming pivots.

Chris Streveler and Antonio Pipkin have taken different routes as quarterbacks in their young professional football careers.

Pipkin came to a franchise that’s spent half a decade looking for answers behind centre, trying out quarterback after quarterback without finding a fit. Pipkin, while young and talented, was an afterthought throughout the off-season and in training camp, becoming a camp casualty before necessity brought him back into the fold.

Since then, the Alouettes’ 23-year-old quarterback, while still raw and inexperienced by CFL standards, has teased with his raw potential, leading a last-place team to back-to-back wins and breathing new life into the franchise — in the process keeping Johnny Manziel on the bench.

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Streveler was considered mere camp fodder back in the spring, when Matt Nichols was firmly entrenched at the top of the depth chart with veteran Darian Durant coming in to provide insurance. When Durant retired and Nichols got injured, the 23-year-old Streveler found himself in line to make his first career start in the team’s season-opener.

The University of South Dakota product tantalized with his strong arm and running ability, almost pulling off an opening-day upset before guiding Winnipeg to a 56-10 win over the Montreal Alouettes in the Als’ home-opener. Streveler may have a bright future in the CFL, and some fans would prefer to see him sooner rather than later with Nichols feeling the heat as the No. 1 starter.

One quarterback is putting the pressure on starter Matt Nichols. The other has put Johnny Manziel on the bench. Which young quarterback is better suited to lead a franchise right now?

Steinberg and Ferguson pick their sides in the latest Berg vs. Ferg.

BERG VS. FERG: LAST WEEK’S RESULTS

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Last time, Berg and Ferg debated over Labour Day heroes.

» View previous Berg vs. Ferg

Poll Result: Who needs to come up biggest on Labour Day?

Last Week’s Poll:

Steinberg:  Jeremiah Masoli (59%)

Ferguson:   Mike Reilly (41%)

BERG (7-6): PIPKIN’S HOT HAND IS HARD TO IGNORE

Pat_Steinberg_2016Pat Steinberg, CFL.ca
@Fan960Steinberg

Antonio Pipkin has really impressed me in his three CFL starts. I was skeptical on Montreal’s chances to get themselves back in the East Division playoff picture, but since Pipkin has gotten the ball at quarterback, his team has been competitive in every game. I know the sample size is very small, but until he shows me otherwise, it’s in the best interests of the Alouettes to see how far Pipkin can take them.

Let’s start with the obvious: Montreal is 2-1 in games Pipkin has started. Knowing they were 1-7 prior to him getting the ball, it’s tough to argue with those results. To make matters better, the Als have gone up against difficult opposition in two of Pipkin’s three starts. His 2018 debut came in a hard fought loss to Edmonton, while Pipkin’s last start, and second win, came against division-leading Ottawa.

On top of the results, though, Pipkin has looked dangerous and dynamic. While he’s only thrown one touchdown pass thus far, Pipkin has been accurate as a passer. His 64.3 per cent completion rate puts him in the same realm as players like Bo Levi Mitchell, Zach Collaros, and Matt Nichols, albeit with a much smaller sample size. But when you factor his 135 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns, you start to get a picture of Pipkin’s dual-threat ability.

We’ve seen lots of quarterbacks burst onto the scene in this league only to come back down to earth, and there’s still that possibility with Pipkin. As it stands right now, though, it hasn’t happened and he’s been the catalyst in kick starting Montreal’s season. Until he proves otherwise, the Alouettes would be well served to stick with Pipkin’s hot hand for as long as possible. All of a sudden, the playoffs aren’t as crazy a conversation as they were a few weeks ago.

FERG (6-7): STREVELER HAS SURROUNDINGS TO SUCCEED

Marshall_Ferguson_2016

Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca
@TSN_Marsh

Antonio Pipkin has proven in his young career to be an extremely talented player with a lot of upside. Of course this is all ironic thanks to the Manziel trade and the fact Pipkin was released by Montreal recently before being recalled due to injury to get his chance in the CFL.

For Chris Streveler we haven’t been afforded the opportunity yet to see what he can truly do. In a short time period Winnipeg offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice put together a game plan for Streveler which was heavy in quarterback runs and – rightly so – accentuated his strengths as an athlete first and a passer second.

I believe Streveler to be the more likely of these two quarterbacks to guide a team to the playoffs because given a larger emphasis in the offence Streveler would adapt to more aspects of the CFL game and find ways to expand his capability.

As a package player he is rarely given this type of focus in preparation but what little flashes he has shown have been extremely enjoyable.

The other reason Streveler is the more realistic of the two young passers to help a team make the playoffs is his surroundings. Winnipeg has more skill and youth and the offensive skill positions than Montreal does and even if it were in a crossover situation Streveler has the type of skill set that is conducive to late-season and playoff football.

I love Antonio Pipkin’s game. He has earned every bit of praise received since taking over for Johnny Manziel in Montreal, but given the same attention and influence in preparation I believe Streveler would be the more likely rookie to help Winnipeg try to make the playoffs.

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.

Fan Poll
Which young QB would you entrust your offence with?
Chris Streveler
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Antonio Pipkin
Vote