Benched QB not overly pleased

By: Adam Wazny Posted: 1:00 AM CDT Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010

WINNIPEG Blue Bombers quarterback Steven Jyles stood and answered all the questions, just like a starting quarterback is supposed to do.

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WINNIPEG Blue Bombers quarterback Steven Jyles stood and answered all the questions, just like a starting quarterback is supposed to do.

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

WINNIPEG Blue Bombers quarterback Steven Jyles stood and answered all the questions, just like a starting quarterback is supposed to do.

The only difference this time: He wasn’t the starting quarterback anymore.

“You always want to play, especially when you feel that you’re producing and you’re getting better by the week,” a somewhat annoyed Jyles said after practice Wednesday. “It’s part (of the) business… Alex is getting the call. I wish him luck.”

TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS archives
Steven Jyles — TREVOR HAGAN / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS archives Steven Jyles

In a surprising move — in the sense that the club is still in the playoff hunt with five games left — the Bombers decided to bench Jyles and hand the offence to rookie Alex Brink heading into the pivotal game against the B.C. Lions (5-8) at Canad Inns Stadium Thanksgiving Monday.

The decision was apparently made earlier this week, after head coach Paul LaPolice examined the game film from the 3-10 season the Bombers have turned in at this point. What he saw was a pivot who has completed 166 of 267 passes for 2,296 yards with 15 touchdown passes, five interceptions and seven fumbles. In his eight starts and a couple of relief appearances, Jyles has an impressive 100.6 QB efficiency rating (second only to Montreal’s Anthony Calvillo).

Armed with those numbers, Jyles didn’t disagree with the suggestion that he was being made the scapegoat.

“When it happens to any quarterback, that guy is the scapegoat,” he said. “Regardless what team it is. It’s easy to blame the quarterback.”

According to LaPolice, those numbers mean squat.

“I believe we’re the fourth-ranked offence in the CFL,” the coach started. “I believe we’re the second-ranked defence in the CFL. I believe we have the (second) leading rusher in the CFL. We have the leading receiver in the CFL, and we have the worst record in the CFL. You can take stats and put ’em wherever you want. The most important stat, I believe, myself, the fans, everyone believes, is wins, and that’s what they want.”

adam.wazny@freepress.mb.ca

New faces

The Bombers added import DB Johnny Sears and import DE Remond Willis to the practice roster. Sears was one of the last cuts out of the Cincinnati Bengals training camp. Willis has been in and out of Winnipeg all year.

Goodbye Hicks

The team released LB Bernard Hicks prior to practice Wednesday. Hicks had 12 tackles, and missed some time with a knee injury. Clint Kent assumes his linebacker spot.

10,913 yards

The career yards passing for QB Alex Brink at Washington State. The 25-year-old threw for 76 TDs and left the Cougars program in 2007 as the all-time leading passer. Brink was selected by Houston (8th round) in the 2008 NFL draft.