James Franklin

[paulwoods13]

So our starting QB suffers a long-term injury, thanks to a protection breakdown, in a blowout Week 2 loss. This has now happened two years in a row. Someone must have done something seriously bad for karma to treat us this way.

Oh well, at least we won't have to endure a QB controversy for the next six weeks -- until, that is, MBT throws a pick or makes a bad read. Then the calls for Prukop or even O'Connor will begin. Or should that be Glenn?

[Neely2005]

Looks like 6 games out. Makes the QB decision easier

6 weeks of MBT?!? We're screwed.

[Stevoman]

6 weeks of MBT?!? We're screwed.

This is a brutal situation for the Argos and I feel bad for Franklin but this can also be MBT's chance to run with the starters role. Franklin also gets the chance to recover physically and mentally and come back stronger to take over if MBT falters.

The only chance the offence has of success is for some quick release passing and I do think that's MBT's strength. But as others have said multiple times, the way the line is playing, it probably doesn't make a difference who the QB is.

[Wobbler]

Perhaps Bethel-Thompson will do well. I don't think he represents a meaningful step down from Franklin at this point.

My main concern is that we need to find out if Franklin can successfully run our offense, and we learn nothing while he's on the sideline. If this season ends and we're still not sure whether he's "the guy", that would be terrible.

[argolio]

6 weeks of MBT?!? We're screwed.

Right, as opposed to the last two weeks.

[Al&Kat]

We should start asking the TiCat fans how it feels to go 0 and 8 ...

[Al&Kat]

Agree MBT is not a major step down from Franklin, but what matters most here is the Defence.
In 2018 we went into every game knowing we had to score more than 30 points because that is what our D was going to give up.
Same story, different year. Best we can hope for with MBT will be to maybe score two TD's in the same game for the first time,
but losing 33-7 or 35-14 or 38-21 still feels the same.

[Neely2005]

Right, as opposed to the last two weeks.

At least Franklin still has development potential. MBT is what he is.

[argolio]

At least Franklin still has development potential. MBT is what he is.

Potential is for backups. Starters need to play like starters, not like guys who have potential.

Might not make a difference with how poorly the entire team is playing, but MBT deserves the chance to see if he can spark the team. He played as well as Franklin in camp and preseason. There is no other choice right now.

[Neely2005]

Potential is for backups. Starters need to play like starters, not like guys who have potential.

Might not make a difference with how poorly the entire team is playing, but MBT deserves the chance to see if he can spark the team. He played as well as Franklin in camp and preseason. There is no other choice right now.

So there's no development process between being a backup and being a starter? You just flip a switch and you're immediately a starter?

Masoli certainly seemed to struggle for quite a few of his starts at the beginning. It's almost like he was still developing his potential while he was a starter.

[argolio]

So there's no development process between being a backup and being a starter? You just flip a switch and you're immediately a starter?

Masoli certainly seemed to struggle for quite a few of his starts at the beginning. It's almost like he was still developing his potential while he was a starter.

Once you win the confidence of the coaches to be a starter, development time is over. You're expected to produce. It's a win now league. If you struggle, you'll be replaced as soon as they think the next guy can do the job. Which isn't to say Franklin can't be the answer long-term. But he's no longer a guy on his rookie contract.

Hamilton's season was gone when Masoli established himself as the starter in 2017. They could afford to give him an extended run. And he won 6 games. He also had the advantage of extensive playing time in 2016 when Collaros was injured.

[Neely2005]

Once you win the confidence of the coaches to be a starter, development time is over. You're expected to produce. It's a win now league. If you struggle, you'll be replaced as soon as they think the next guy can do the job. Which isn't to say Franklin can't be the answer long-term. But he's no longer a guy on his rookie contract.

Hamilton's season was gone when Masoli established himself as the starter in 2017. They could afford to give him an extended run. And he won 6 games. He also had the advantage of extensive playing time in 2016 when Collaros was injured.

Yeah Masoli developed because he was given the chance to grow and develop by playing.

[argotom]

Potential is for backups. Starters need to play like starters, not like guys who have potential.

Might not make a difference with how poorly the entire team is playing, but MBT deserves the chance to see if he can spark the team. He played as well as Franklin in camp and preseason. There is no other choice right now.

A step back is required for all of us here, myself included on evaluating the QB's.
The OC or whomever is calling the plays and setting up the scheme has to prepare a game plan around the ability of the QB's, not so sure that has been game planned.
Franklin in the early back up stages of his career in Edmonton was more successful when rolling out using the wheels to set up the pass.
Haven't seen much of that including the Trestman era.
MBT of course is a pocket passer so the key for me would be quick release crossers, draws and the occasional downfield toss to keep the defence honest.

[argolio]

Yeah Masoli developed because he was given the chance to grow and develop by playing.

Being 0-10 will do that. And he stayed healthy.

[jerrym]

I don't know whether Franklin will develop into a good starter or not but quite a few good QBs took significant time to mature into good QBs, including Anthony Calvillo. Please do not reply James Franklin is not Anthony Calvillo.

[Neely2005]

Any update on his injury and when he's expected back?

[Neely2005]

In the off season Corey Chamblin visited James Franklin to assure him that he'd be the Starter. It seems that once again he's being passed over for MBT.

https://torontosun.com/sports/footba...-boss-chamblin

[ArgoGabe22]

In the off season Corey Chamblin visited James Franklin to assure him that he'd be the Starter. It seems that once again he's being passed over for MBT.

https://torontosun.com/sports/footba...-boss-chamblin

And Wally Pipp was probably assures he’d be back in lineup after his rest day.

[Argo57]

In the off season Corey Chamblin visited James Franklin to assure him that he'd be the Starter. It seems that once again he's being passed over for MBT.

https://torontosun.com/sports/footba...-boss-chamblin

He just returned from the 6 game so I understand him not seeing action today, now that a playoff birth is pretty much a pipe dream I expect Franklin to get a lot of playing time in the second half of the season.

[ArgoRavi]

He just returned from the 6 game so I understand him not seeing action today, now that a playoff birth is pretty much a pipe dream I expect Franklin to get a lot of playing time in the second half of the season.

If MBT continues playing the way he is, I wouldn't count on this. Great to have Franklin back for short yardage situations though.