Is the CFL Screwing Canadian QBs?

[jerrym]

Although I understand why Andrew Buckley took the opportunity to study medicine, I'm sad to see Andrew Buckley retire, as he had established himself as a Canadian backup QB. But Brandon Bridge is still speaking up for Canadian QBs.

With all the big plays he made in 2017, the 26-year-old kept hearing over and over again from his teammates he was sending a powerful message to aspiring quarterbacks in Canada that they can play the position in the CFL. ...

“If I actually failed, then it really closes the door for a lot of younger kids,” said Bridge, who stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 235 pounds. “My success is definitely really important, and that is definitely what I am going to try and do. I want to leave a legacy.
“For opening up a door and changing and breaking down a barrier and having the younger generation have an opportunity, I think that means way more than having all the accolades in the world.” ...


He discussed the issue with CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie in the off-season.
“Actually, it went well,” said Bridge. “I just told him that we were sending a terrible message to our youth.
“The CFL wants to encourage football development, but we’re not helping our development if we don’t change this ratio and let a quarterback having a Canadian nationality actually have that opportunity to actually play quarterback.” ...


Even with Collaros on the Roughriders roster, Bridge said he has to play as if he is trying to win the starting job.
“Obviously, every day I am going to have to compete no matter what, even if Zach (Collaros) wasn’t here,” said Bridge. “I would just still compete and still put my best foot forward, because there are other guys that definitely want to be the guy.
“We are all fighting for the same job, but we are all going to be supportive and help each other out.” ...


Bridge elected to remain with the Roughriders because of his comfort level with head coach and general manager Chris Jones. The signal-caller believes he has a legitimate chance to prove himself under Jones.

http://3downnation.com/2018/05/25/ri...-canadian-qbs/

[rdavies]

He discussed the issue with CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie in the off-season. “Actually, it went well,” said Bridge. “I just told him that we were sending a terrible message to our youth.

“The CFL wants to encourage football development, but we’re not helping our development if we don’t change this ratio and let a quarterback having a Canadian nationality actually have that opportunity to actually play quarterback.” ...

I have long thought this and am glad somebody has finally voiced it. I call a Canadian QB the Jackie Robinson position in the CFL. And while I applaud Bridge's great efforts, for me, it won't totally come to fruition until we see a USports trained QB leading a CFL team.

[paulwoods13]

I have long thought this and am glad somebody has finally voiced it. I call a Canadian QB the Jackie Robinson position in the CFL. And while I applaud Bridge's great efforts, for me, it won't totally come to fruition until we see a USports trained QB leading a CFL team.

I actually believe that day is coming. Buckley was No. 2 in Calgary and might have ended up starting somewhere had he not retired. O'Connor looks like an outstanding prospect (who IMO might get an NFL shot next year) and there are a few others coming through CIS who could knock that door down. The fact that the NFL is now taking the kinds of QBs who used to have to come to Canada (e.g. Russell Wilson) makes it necessary for CFL teams to widen their search. I really believe that Picton's invitation to camp was not just a PR move. Whether he'll end up as one of the QBs here all year remains to be seen, but I won't be surprised if he does (especially if we trade one of the other guys to Mtl or Wpg).

[rdavies]

I actually believe that day is coming. Buckley was No. 2 in Calgary and might have ended up starting somewhere had he not retired. O'Connor looks like an outstanding prospect (who IMO might get an NFL shot next year) and there are a few others coming through CIS who could knock that door down. The fact that the NFL is now taking the kinds of QBs who used to have to come to Canada (e.g. Russell Wilson) makes it necessary for CFL teams to widen their search. I really believe that Picton's invitation to camp was not just a PR move. Whether he'll end up as one of the QBs here all year remains to be seen, but I won't be surprised if he does (especially if we trade one of the other guys to Mtl or Wpg).

Agree, but like/unlike Buckley, does anyone have the patience to wait it out? And who's going to play the role of Branch Rickey? Not only does the player have to be good enough to make it and survive, but he's going to have to blaze the trail for the next guys. I thought Buckley had the character to be that guy and obviously he had that to choose the future he has but the next guy has to give his life and soul to the game.

I say all this without disrespecting Bridge, (he is doing a great thing) but for full impact (to me) it has to be a USports guy.

[paulwoods13]

Agree, but like/unlike Buckley, does anyone have the patience to wait it out? And who's going to play the role of Branch Rickey? Not only does the player have to be good enough to make it and survive, but he's going to have to blaze the trail for the next guys. I thought Buckley had the character to be that guy and obviously he had that to choose the future he has but the next guy has to give his life and soul to the game.

I don't think a Cdn QB has to give any more of his life and soul than any other QB, or have any more patience. Masoli waited five years to get a chance to start in the CFL; wouldn't a Cdn who wants to play QB be willing to work his way slowly up the depth chart as well? Wouldn't just about any player at any position be willing to do so, for a chance to become a starter in professional football?

[rdavies]

Not if he can make more dough as a cop or firefighter in his hometown. We've seen a lot retirements this year.

[paulwoods13]

Not if he can make more dough as a cop or firefighter in his hometown. We've seen a lot retirements this year.

In that respect, Cdn QBs are no different than players at any other position.

[PullTogether73]

If ever there was a story to support OV's assertion about the bias against USports QBs in the CFL, this has to be it imo...

http://3downnation.com/2018/05/27/da...season-opener/

Some snippets:

The 24-year-old spent parts of two seasons (2016 and 2017) playing receiver with the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFL.

The last time he played in a game as a quarterback was in 2015 at Hampton University. As a senior, Watford passed for 2,088 yards, 21 touchdowns against 14 interceptions and rushed 75 times for 172 yards and three touchdowns. He spent three years at the University of Virginia and transferred to Hampton for his final year of NCAA eligibility.


Where to start???
24 years old and hasn't played QB in 2 years.
I have never heard of Hampton University. (Wikipedia says...Hampton University (HU) is a private historically black university in Hampton, Virginia. Students= 4,646)
Hampton University Pirates play in NCAA Division I Football Championship as a member of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

He played one year at a VERY small FCS (not even FBS) college after getting little playing time in three years at Virginia.
His numbers at Hampton are hardly impressive (2/3 as many interceptions as TDs, 2.29 yards per rush).

So, how does this guy get a chance to START an exhibition game for the Roughriders while NO top tier USports QB gets a chance to attend training camp???

[jerrym]

I actually believe that day is coming. Buckley was No. 2 in Calgary and might have ended up starting somewhere had he not retired. O'Connor looks like an outstanding prospect (who IMO might get an NFL shot next year) and there are a few others coming through CIS who could knock that door down. The fact that the NFL is now taking the kinds of QBs who used to have to come to Canada (e.g. Russell Wilson) makes it necessary for CFL teams to widen their search. I really believe that Picton's invitation to camp was not just a PR move. Whether he'll end up as one of the QBs here all year remains to be seen, but I won't be surprised if he does (especially if we trade one of the other guys to Mtl or Wpg).

I agree that there may be an opportunity for a Canadian QB to be successful in the CFL soon. Besides Picton in 2018, and O'Connor who is draft eligible in 2019, there is Nathan Rourke from Oakville in 2020. Although he is playing Division I football at Ohio University, "he shone in minor football and high school in Burlington and Oakville, ON, then transferred to Edgewood Academy in Alabama for his senior year and promptly threw 59 touchdown passes with just three interceptions, 3,789 passing yards and a 75 per cent completion rate while helping his team win the state championship." (https://ca.sports.yahoo.com/blogs/cf...034127104.html).

This led to his signing with Kansas City Community College where his 2,367 passing yards earned him a scholarship at Ohio University. In his 2017 sophomore year (his first at this level) Rourke led his team to a Bahamas Bowl victory and an 8-4 record, and rushed for 912 yards, second in the nation among QBs, and first among Division I QBs. NFL Draft Scout already ranks him #23 out of 86 QBs in American college ball (http://draftscout.com/ratings/dsprof...2020&genpos=QB)

Rourke rushed for multiple touchdowns in seven outings, including four occurrences of three rushing touchdowns in a game. He eclipsed the 100-yard mark on the ground five times, with his career-high 165 taking place at InfoCision Stadium in Akron.
The first-year starter was a solid passer too. Rourke threw for 2,203 yards and 17 touchdowns, while only tossing seven interceptions. His accuracy varied from week-to-week, but with a year of experience under his belt, Rourke should definitely make progress in this category in 2018.

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2018/1/16...w-ohio-bobcats


He knows he has to work on his passing footwork, but the Ohio HC says he was the first player to show up at their first meeting with a notebook in hand, taking notes on how to improve, showing his dedication to doing just that. He is also no longer under the NFL radar.

With two more years to polish his game, Rourke could be a steal in the 2020 NFL Draft.

https://herosports.com/college-footb...onference-aiai


He wants to play in the NFL but if that doesn't work out he would come to the CFL. Hopefully, if that happens, teams won't just look at his rushing stats and say let's make him a RB.

The tweet below shows highlights of 2017 season.

Nathan Rourke Official Sophomore Highlights!

🔥@nathan_rourke🔥

Stats:
====
Pass Yds: 2203
Pass TD: 17
Rush Yds: 912
Rush TD: 21 pic.twitter.com/fRZPrKYNP5

— the CNtaco (@theCNtaco) April 16, 2018