Bennett: Davis is ‘a guy who’s ready for this opportunity’
OTTAWA — Sometimes it takes time to become a starting quarterback in the CFL.
Waiting in the wings for an opportunity may take several seasons for pivots across the league.
For Dominique Davis, his opportunity is now, after spending time as Trevor Harris’ back up in Ottawa. Harris has departed to the Edmonton Eskimos, leaving Davis to take over the reins of the REDBLACKS offence.
After the team’s first pre-season game, head coach Rick Campbell said Davis would under centre when their season opens on June 15 against the Calgary Stampeders. The 29-year-old was competing for that spot with off-season acquisition, Jonathon Jennings.
Episode 161: Who is the next great QB?
EPISODE OVERVIEW: Bo Levi Mitchell, Mike Reilly, Trevor Harris… all former back-up QB’s in the CFL who waited for their moment to shine. With some pre-season looks at QB’s across the league, who has the potential to be the next big time CFL quarterback?
EPISODE RUNDOWN: REDBLACKS Are Dom. Davis’ team (0:00); Dane Evans the insurance plan (4:30); The value of the backup pivot (8:00); RJ Sheldon injury (13:12); ‘Chez’s Oregon injury (15:40); Shamawd’s release (19:00); Argos embrace Raps success (24:00); Duron tweets, takes shots at Bo (28:15); Bombers/Esks pre-season (37:30); Als/Argos pre-season (41:50).
Both Jennings and Davis played in the pre-season contest against Hamilton. Davis completed five of his seven pass attempts for 118 yards while Jennings connected on four of eight for 75 yards.
On this week’s episode of The Waggle presented by Sport Clips, Davis Sanchez and Donnovan Bennett discussed what separated Davis.
“Davis looked more comfortable,” said Bennett. “He looked like he had more of a command of the offence. They’ve said that this wasn’t a decision based off of just this camp, or even this year. They’ve seen the work from him previous years and they’ve had him in their building, they understand what they’re about.”
With the REDBLACKS last season, Davis completed 24 of 39 passes for 373 yards, one touchdown and an interception. He also added 40 carries for 73 yards and six major scores on the ground.
He has the abilities but what about the talent around him?
That’s the question that Bennett had when talking about Davis’ ability to lead the REDBLACKS. This off-season saw quite a bit of change in the nation’s capital. Along with Harris’ departure, the team lost All-Star receiver Greg Ellingson and left tackle SirVincent Rogers.
“He is a guy who’s ready for this opportunity,” said Bennett. “Will he have enough talent around him to make him look good?”
That question will be answered soon enough as Davis and the REDBLACKS get set to start their season on Saturday in Calgary.
