Untested Bombers QB gets chance to shine in meaningless game

Davis has dressed for nine games as the No. 3 but has yet to throw a pass

By: By Ed Tait Posted: 9:54 PM CST Monday, Nov. 2, 2015

It means diddly poo in the standings. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will finish fourth in the West Division, eighth overall in the Canadian Football League standings and miss the post-season for the fourth consecutive year — regardless of what the numbers on the scoreboard read Friday in Toronto against the Argonauts.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/11/2015 (3610 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

That’s a whole pile of ugly for a once-proud franchise that has had its share of sand kicked in its face over the last, oh, 25 years.

It was interesting, then, to hear the excitement in Dominique Davis’s voice after practice Monday. And to watch him attempt to slow down his answers and breathe while meeting with the media.

JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files
Dominique Davis, pictured way in the back to the left wearing #6, may be the starting QB for the Blue Bombers on Friday. Wait, who? He's the Bombers' No. 3 man, but has yet to pass a ball since he came to Winnipeg in July. — JOE BRYKSA / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS files Dominique Davis, pictured way in the back to the left wearing #6, may be the starting QB for the Blue Bombers on Friday. Wait, who? He's the Bombers' No. 3 man, but has yet to pass a ball since he came to Winnipeg in July.

Yes, try telling him this is a nothing game.

Now, who the bleep is Dominique Davis, you ask?

Well, if you are to read anything into the quarterbacks’ workload at Monday’s session, Davis — the former Calgary Stampeders, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Atlanta Falcons, East Carolina University, Fort Scott Community College and Boston College pivot — might just be making his first professional start Friday night.

This is significant for a couple or three reasons:

1. It’s just another example of how bad 2015 has been when the regular-season finale is essentially an extra pre-season contest for 2016 and;

2. It hammers home both how valuable No. 1 quarterback Drew Willy is to the franchise and how the 5-1 start to the 2014 campaign seems more like a mirage with every passing day.

First, the obligatory quote from Davis:

“There’s nothing set in stone right now, but I will prepare as if I am starting this weekend,” said the 26-year-old Lakeland, Fla., product. “It’s been a l-o-o-o-n-g time. If I do get the call, this would be my first-ever professional start. I’m excited for the opportunity and am just going to make the best of it.

“I feel like I’ve been here long enough to have a feel for the playbook and have a feel for the receivers and how they run their routes. It’s just about finally getting out there when the bullets are flying.”

Bombers coach Mike O’Shea wouldn’t confirm Davis will start, but did concede he will see playing time against the Argos. All of this means he will likely become the fifth quarterback to throw a pass for the Bombers this season after Willy, Robert Marve, Brian Brohm and Matt Nichols.

And that’s the real juicy component behind the Bombers’ current mess.

In busting out of the gate at 5-1 last season the Bombers, led by Willy, won a pair of games by one point, were a respectable plus-one in the turnover ratio and were flashing just enough offensive balance with a mix of pass and run to keep defences from coming after them like a rabid Boxing Day crowd.

But since then the Bombers are a horrific 7-22, have lost half of those games by a touchdown or less and — without Willy giving them decent QB play — have been a listing ship in stormy waters being swamped by wave after wave.

That’s why giving Davis a few turns becomes an important evaluating tool for O’Shea & Co. They have hitched their wagon to Willy and while there must be concerns about his durability, this team is 10-14 in games he has started.

Nichols, a free agent, is the kind of veteran QB who can help a team tread water for a spell. Marve is gonzo, Brohm is, well, you know. That leaves Davis and another prospect, Bryan Bennett, as the giant question marks on the QB depth chart.

“I just want to show that I know how to play this game and that I can go out there and get a win,” said Davis. “Even though we are eliminated from the playoffs, this game does mean a lot for a lot of guys that don’t get an opportunity to play the game.”

Again, though, it’s also showing the Bombers how valuable Willy is to this franchise. Consider this team is now 2-9 without him — both wins coming with Nichols behind centre — and is still desperately trying to answer all the questions behind him.

Davis has been here since July and dressed for nine games as the No. 3 QB. But he’s yet to throw a pass.

“I’m still zero,” he said. “I can finally put some numbers up there if I get the call.”

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @WFPEdTait