Make Jyles Number 1, send Buck to bullpen

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 19/08/2010 (5761 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MONTREAL — A media throng gathers around Steven Jyles, ready to hang on his every syllable. And the folks from TSN are hovering because they’re itching for a sit-down chat with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting quarterback.

Yes, this is Jyles’ world now is and has been for four of the last five weeks as he stepped out from the shadows of anonymity and into the spotlight as Buck Pierce’s replacement.

And so here’s a meaty question to debate as the Bombers ready to take the field tonight against the powerhouse Montreal Alouettes:

Given Jyles’ obvious maturation — he is 1-2 as a starter, but does have the second-best QB-efficiency rating in the CFL — should the Bombers consider a role reversal at the most important position on the field?

In other words, knowing Pierce’s injury history and the need for Jyles to get more time at the controls, maybe it’s time the two switched job titles — Jyles becomes No. 1, Pierce the gritty veteran off the bench.

OK, so it doesn’t exactly have everybody all giddy reminiscing about the glory days of Clements-Hufnagel, but it does have potential.

And it does provide an opportunity for the Bombers to get an answer to the question two CFL organizations before them gave up asking about Jyles: can this exceptionally gifted athlete morph into a legit starting pivot?

"I’m very patient," said Jyles Wednesday as his career path was discussed. "It was very frustrating my first two years in the CFL being behind Ricky Ray. You think, ‘Man, I’m never going to get a chance to play?’ But then I talked to guys like Damon Allen, Marcus Crandell and they always told me it takes guys four or five years before they actually get on the field. You’re talking about Anthony Calvillo, Henry Burris, Kevin Glenn… all these guys had to wait.

"I came to learn to accept that you’re going to get your chance one day… keep being productive in practice and you’ll get a shot one day."

That day is here and now. And while his career starts can still be counted on one hand, Jyles does seem to be making a positive transformation. He threw two picks in his first start — a win over Edmonton — but hasn’t thrown one since. He’s moved the squad with his legs, but also whiffed on a couple of opportunities to be a hero late in losses to Calgary and Hamilton.

But those lessons aren’t learned by holding a clipboard, they come from being on the field.

"I’ve studied all the quarterbacks in the CFL," Jyles explained. "I watch the elite quarterbacks in this league and the one thing they all do well is they’re patient; they take what defences give them and they run the offence.

"Watching guys like Dave Dickenson when I first got here, Henry Burris, Anthony Calvillo… these guys, they just move the ball. It’s all about getting first downs. That’s the one thing I learned from playing behind Ricky Ray. Throwing the five-yard route, it’s not bad sometimes because if that guy catches the ball and makes one guy miss it’s still a big play.

"Throughout the course of time I’ve learned you have to be patient on the field, too."

Yes, that ‘CLICK’ football fans are hearing might just the light bulb going on for the 27-year-old Louisianan.

Now by no means is this meant to be an indictment of Pierce. Love the guy’s heart and leadership. And when he’s healthy it’s apparent the men in the huddle will follow him anywhere.

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But every time he goes down in a heap, every time he exits the pocket, everyone in Bomber Nation cringes. So, that said, imagine what having that kind of option coming off the bench could provide for a franchise that has recently struggled to find one QB, let alone two?

Here’s a bigger question: What do the Bombers have to lose?

"I’ve sat behind some guys," Jyles said. "But that was just the cards that were dealt to me and I’m thankful for it because I am playing football and that’s what I love to do. And now I’m finally getting a chance to play.

"I’m very confident. I’ve studied the game for some time now and I know what I can do. I follow my rules, study, and I’ll be fine on the field. The defence is going to win some battles, but if you take care of your part of it, you’ll be OK."

ed.tait@freepress.mb.ca