1st & 10 | The Complete Blue Bombers QB Picture

[Tecno]

Of the very best QBs that I've seen over the past 20+ years watching the CFL, they usually look pretty good as soon as they get an opportunity.

Ya, maybe it's not really "how long they sat holding the clipboard?", maybe it's more "when they first stepped on the field in reg season, did they suck?".

I didn't even know there were guys named Rourke, Kelly, or Alexander on a roster in the CFL until the moment they stepped on the field (usually in injury relief).  Then they all lit it up.  Same for Dru Brown -- the lighting it up part, not the "didn't know" part, but that's only because I'm a WPG fan.

The Cody & T.Harris examples are probably the best Calvillo-like counter-examples.  But those examples are getting real stale (like a decade ago stale).  There's really no current new guy starting who didn't light it up and have instant success.

You just gotta have that "it" factor immediately.  Wilson has had a few (big!) opportunities to light it up.  He's been mediocre (but not crap) every time.

[Jesse]

Ya, maybe it's not really "how long they sat holding the clipboard?", maybe it's more "when they first stepped on the field in reg season, did they suck?".

I didn't even know there were guys named Rourke, Kelly, or Alexander on a roster in the CFL until the moment they stepped on the field (usually in injury relief).  Then they all lit it up.  Same for Dru Brown -- the lighting it up part, not the "didn't know" part, but that's only because I'm a WPG fan.

The Cody & T.Harris examples are probably the best Calvillo-like counter-examples.  But those examples are getting real stale (like a decade ago stale).  There's really no current new guy starting who didn't light it up and have instant success.

You just gotta have that "it" factor immediately.  Wilson has had a few (big!) opportunities to light it up.  He's been mediocre (but not crap) every time.

This is what I'm saying.

[Blueforlife]

Rourke looked legit from his first snap, same with Davis Alexander. They had no problem reading defenses and executing plays. Guys who have it have

That happens but is exceedingly rare.  Those are two generational talents imo.  BO was the last one before that who was awesome early.  Some need to be seasoned.  BO needed seasoning mid career.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, maybe it's not really "how long they sat holding the clipboard?", maybe it's more "when they first stepped on the field in reg season, did they suck?".

I didn't even know there were guys named Rourke, Kelly, or Alexander on a roster in the CFL until the moment they stepped on the field (usually in injury relief).  Then they all lit it up.  Same for Dru Brown -- the lighting it up part, not the "didn't know" part, but that's only because I'm a WPG fan.

The Cody & T.Harris examples are probably the best Calvillo-like counter-examples.  But those examples are getting real stale (like a decade ago stale).  There's really no current new guy starting who didn't light it up and have instant success.

You just gotta have that "it" factor immediately.  Wilson has had a few (big!) opportunities to light it up.  He's been mediocre (but not crap) every time.

You're using this phrase pretty loosely, in the case of BLM as with most other QB's there is mucho homework invested to achieve instant success. His first year in the league he ran SY behind Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn, it wasn't till half way through his second season that injury to Glenn and Tate pushed him into the role of starter.  From that point forward you could say he achieved instant success, even though earlier game action confirmed he had the right set of tools to be a good CFL QB.  Not dissimilar to Dru Brown or Alexander's path to "instant success" in their 2nd or 3rd season.

[Jesse]

You're using this phrase pretty loosely, in the case of BLM as with most other QB's there is mucho homework invested to achieve instant success. His first year in the league he ran SY behind Drew Tate and Kevin Glenn, it wasn't till half way through his second season that injury to Glenn and Tate pushed him into the role of starter.  From that point forward you could say he achieved instant success, even though earlier game action confirmed he had the right set of tools to be a good CFL QB.  Not dissimilar to Dru Brown or Alexander's path to "instant success" in their 2nd or 3rd season.

The point is, when they did hit the field, it looked time time worth the investment. They ran the offence, didn't simply take the short dump off passes, and showed signs of being a capable starter - even if they weren't quite there yet.

Other QBs come on, get that deer in a headlights look, and never lose it.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The point is, when they did hit the field, it looked time time worth the investment. They ran the offence, didn't simply take the short dump off passes, and showed signs of being a capable starter - even if they weren't quite there yet.

Other QBs come on, get that deer in a headlights look, and never lose it.

If that's the criteria Artopoeus looked pretty sharp in the short time he played in pre-season.

[Tecno]

If that's the criteria Artopoeus looked pretty sharp in the short time he played in pre-season.

I would say PS and garbage-season don't count.  They have to be thrust into a real game where all the guys and fans are counting on them.  PS is a glorified practice and doesn't impose the same mental stress.

[markf]

I am surprised that people think coaching is unimportant in quarterback success.

Specially while blaming much of our offensive failure last season on coaching.

[Pete]

The point is, when they did hit the field, it looked time time worth the investment. They ran the offence, didn't simply take the short dump off passes, and showed signs of being a capable starter - even if they weren't quite there yet.

Other QBs come on, get that deer in a headlights look, and never lose it.

vernon adams did nothing the first 3 years before he became effective. Fajardo much the Same, But if a qb isn't able to to move the offence in the first two years they don't seem to progress talent wise and all of a sudden be able to read defenses. For example Wilson hasn't been able to make things happen.
I would suggest also qbs that rely on their running ability to be effective don't end up being consistent starter material ie Crum, Streveler, Jones

[Jesse]

vernon adams did nothing the first 3 years before he became effective. Fajardo much the Same, But if a qb isn't able to to move the offence in the first two years they don't seem to progress talent wise and all of a sudden be able to read defenses. For example Wilson hasn't been able to make things happen.
I would suggest also qbs that rely on their running ability to be effective don't end up being consistent starter material ie Crum, Streveler, Jones

Adams absolutely showed flashes in his rookie season. Fajardo was only used as a gadget guy, so it's kinda hard to say in his case, but most examples are guys who looked capable when they hit the field; again, even if they weren't given the opportunity to start.

None of them average 4 yards per attempt because they can only complete dump offs.