No QB debate — yet

Jyles could boost his stock with second strong showing

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The No. 1 quarterback is still limping around, so that removes most of the controversy from the conversation this week.

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Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 28/07/2010 (5548 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The No. 1 quarterback is still limping around, so that removes most of the controversy from the conversation this week.

It’s unlikely Buck Pierce will play when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers take on the Calgary Stampeders this weekend, meaning the starting duties will once again fall to backup Steven Jyles. No worries. Based on his efforts against Edmonton Saturday (267 yards passing, 63 yards rushing and two interceptions muted by his two touchdown runs and another through the air), Jyles has shown himself more than capable of handling the responsibility.

It’s called game experience, and it’s a valuable commodity for a young CFL quarterback.

JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA
The argument in favour of sticking with Steven Jyles comes from the Bombers'  stated long-term goal of developing young quarterbacks.
JOE.BRYKSA@FREEPRESS.MB.CA The argument in favour of sticking with Steven Jyles comes from the Bombers' stated long-term goal of developing young quarterbacks.

"There’s no substitute — you have to be on the field," Jyles said. "Take any guy — a rookie — and put him on the field. Yeah, he’ll make mistakes but as time goes on, if he’s paying attention and understanding the mistakes he’s making, he will get better and better."

Of course, one game does not a career make, nor does it fuel a QB debate, but consider this anyway: What happens if Jyles shows well against the Stamps and leads the Bombers to a second straight win?

Do the Bombers go back to Pierce (who should be healthy) in Week 6 or do they continue to ride the hot hand of the backup quarterback as long as they possibly can — knowing full well they have a capable veteran warming in the bullpen?

Almost from Day 1 of the Paul LaPolice-Joe Mack era, part of the blueprint for the Bombers has been trying to develop a young quarterback. Even last month, LaPolice told reporters: "Our mantra here, from (general manager) Joe Mack, is to develop young quarterbacks. So that’s what we’ll do."

It’s a big-picture thought that often gets lost in the world of wins and losses.

With Jyles, who at 27 is just a year younger than Pierce but with a lot less mileage on his odometer, the team has that chance. It only starts with game experience — the best way to graduate a young quarterback from holding a clipboard to calling audibles at the line.

"It’s more important than everything else," LaPolice said of game action. "I’ve coached a lot of guys who could stand up on the board and tell everybody what to do, but when they get on the field they can’t execute."

In Jyles, here’s what the Bombers have: an intelligent, fifth-year guy who has spent the last two full seasons in the same offensive system with the same coaches. He’s had a chance to get his feet wet at times and a chance to learn what it takes to be a pro. At no point has he been thrown to the CFL wolves, left to survive on his own as the pocket collapses around him in a system he doesn’t understand. His career trajectory seems to scream CFL starter at some point.

But the X-factor in all this is Pierce, specifically his health.

The popular move is to jump right back to Pierce when he’s ready to play and under most circumstances, that move would be the only option in Bomberland. Go with the familiar hand until it can’t go anymore.

Buck Pierce
Buck Pierce

This time, however, the club can set its own course.

Rather than let Pierce’s health dictate when Jyles can play, why not turn it around and save the veteran for when inexperienced Jyles eventually falters? Not only does it increase the probability of a healthy Pierce at the end of the season, but it also allows the education of Winnipeg’s future starting quarterback to continue upwards on a nice gentle arc.

Here’s a suggestion: Let Jyles play until he loses, then turn to Pierce. If you need numbers, OK: Pencil Pierce in for 9-12 games and give Jyles the rest of the starts. It’s the best of both worlds — a chance to win, with the younger QB gaining that priceless game experience everyone speaks so highly about.

If that’s the case, and the stated goal of developing a quarterback isn’t just lip service from the club, then the subject really isn’t up for debate.

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

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