Looks like Jyles on the Brink

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 07/10/2010 (5818 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The glorious opportunity for headline writers aside, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ controversial decision to hand the ball to greenhorn Alex Brink either smacks of desperation or resignation.

Or both.

Because here’s the thing about professional football franchises: They never, ever concede defeat until their last playoff breath has been exhaled. Doesn’t matter how ludicrous the odds. Doesn’t matter if the quarterback’s arm is hanging by a tendon. Doesn’t matter what the record, what the time of year or if no soul on earth outside the sanctity of the locker-room believes in them.

That means that drastic measures — unless universally accepted, or being the only option left — are horses kept in the barn. Nobody wants to get a “look-see” at a young cornerback or offensive lineman making his first CFL start just because it might be of long-term benefit to the club. Nobody cares about tomorrow. Not when a post-season berth is still mathematically possible, even if it takes Einstein to contort the equation.

So here are the 3-10 Bombers, set to host the 5-9 B.C. Lions on Monday, yanking the rug out from under starter Steven Jyles despite the fact the team’s heart monitor hasn’t yet gone flat. And it’s not that Jyles has been a complete disaster, either. His 100.6 efficiency rating (completing 166 of 267 passes for 2,296 yards with 15 touchdown passes and five interceptions) is second in the CFL only to Montreal’s venerable Anthony Calvillo.

But like the Bombers themselves, Jyles has impressive stats, yet his overall record is 2-6.

Without question, however, head coach Paul LaPolice and his staff have determined that Jyles has been one of the main problems. There is no other conclusion, despite what spin they might want to put on such a critical decision.

In fact, based on Jyles’ personal stats, the concerns must be more ethereal than simple execution. The intangibles are difficult to articulate, but speak to serial underachieving on the field. And they must be serious to pull the plug on Jyles with the Bombers’ season on life support.

Regardless of how Brink, the Washington State product, might be looking in practice these days, we’re of the Allen Iverson school of thought: “We’re not talkin’ about a game. We’re talking about practice, man.”

So what conclusion can be reached other than that the Bombers have given up on Jyles, at least as a long-term solution?

It’s not as though the 28-year-old Jyles is some aging veteran widely considered to be a career backup. He’s only had a sprinkling of starts. Brink on the other hand, is about to be thrust under centre with the Bombers’ dim post-season hopes fading to black.

So this is either a Hail Mary of Doug Flutian proportions or simply a declaration by the Bombers brass that the 2011 season has begun in earnest.

Not doubt, Mr. Jyles is steaming. Seriously, he steps in for the fallen Buck Pierce, puts up decent numbers and gets benched when so many other Bombers have underperformed — pick a number, any number — in place of a baby-faced kid making his first ever professional start?

It reeks of desperation. That’s not to say the 25-year-old Brink might not be the next Ricky Ray. After all, if Brink somehow leads the Bombers to victory Monday, reaction from the frustrated masses would be swift and giddy. All of a sudden, a season of disappointment might have its silver lining.

Indeed, if you’re wondering about the motivation for such a curious move, look no further than the obvious, “What have we got to lose?”

But that conclusion only works if you don’t think Steven Jyles is the answer. If you did, even if you were on the fence, this critical game would be deemed as invaluable to Jyle’s long-term development. Because it’s the only way Jyles will learn, even if it’s the hard way.

Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter

Head Start

Weekday Mornings

A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day.

Sign up for Head Start

Sign Up

I consent to the Terms and Conditions, Cookie and Privacy Policies.

I consent to CASL agreement.

Instead, the Bombers are teetering on the Brink, and it will be difficult if not impossible to turn back now.

This isn’t about the playoffs anymore. It’s can’t be, even if Brink defies all historical data and, as a neophyte rookie, leads the Bombers to a miraculous finish.

No, this is about next year. And the next quarterback. Already.

Godspeed, Alex Brink. You’re officially on the clock for a franchise fast running out of time.

randy.turner@freepress.mb.ca

Randy Turner
Reporter

Randy Turner spent much of his journalistic career on the road. A lot of roads. Dirt roads, snow-packed roads, U.S. interstates and foreign highways. In other words, he got a lot of kilometres on the odometer, if you know what we mean.

   Read full biography