CFL Quarterbacks

[Buff]

Who is the top QB in the CFL right now?

I want to say Burris, but I haven't watched much in the past few years so my only exposure is mostly to seeing Burris.

My co-worker, who admittedly only started watching CFL closely in the past couple of years, thinks that Joseph is the best QB he's seen in a long time.

I think Ray, and Cavillo get some mention, and probably that feller in BC whom I can't even think of (shows how much I've been paying attention lately).

[You Need a Thneed]

Burris is the best right now, IMO, especially when he is on.

He's also started a game on Monday Night Football in his career.

Now, lets never, ever hear "top QB" or "great QB" associated with Ricky Ray EVER again.

[octothorp]

I'd rank the established starters as follows:
Burris - legitimate knock of not being able to win the big game, but otherwise, the best and most balanced QB in the league.
Calvillo - Not as athletic as Burris, Joseph or Jackson, but the most cerebral QB, with excellent game-management skills. He'd still be the guy I'd want as my QB if I've got a lead late in an important game.
Joseph - better running game than Burris, but poorer passing game, and less consistent week-to-week. He's been hurt this year by QB controversies in TO, so we'll see how he does now that this is behind him.
Jackson - Nice mix of skills, but very inconsistent.
Crandell - There's a bit of a drop-off between the top four and Crandall, but I've always liked Crandall: never spectacular, but usually solid. You know exactly what you'll get with him. Though he may very well have lost his job to Durant (who I'm not going to review because he hasn't been a starter enough to warrant a fair assessment).
Printers - Hard to say where he's at. Could have been the best in the league right now, but his NFL tryouts seemed to be more of a distraction than anything. Has the weakest receiving core in the league. Attitude has always been a problem. He has the athletic abilities of Burris and Joseph, but makes a lot of bad on-field decisions.
Ray - Completion stats are overly inflated by short passes. Occasionally he can stretch the field, but his dependency on the short game really hurts Edmonton's chances, especially given a slightly above-average group of receivers. Poor mobility.
Glenn - horribly inconsistent at the best of times, and going through the worst of times right now. He's replaced for the game next week, and may be nearing the end of his time as a CFL starter. Definitely the weak link on a team that should be at least middle-of-the-pack in the CFL.

[flamesaresmokin]

No way Joseph is the best qb in the league. The guy is a pretty poor passer for someone named outstanding player. If it wasn't for his running ability i'd say he'd be a backup at best. I'd say right now its a toss up between Burris and Ray. Both are strong passers who can single handedly win games for their teams.

Its nice to see the cfl with a bunch of solid qb's for once, instead of three teams having great ones and the rest struggeling to compete.

[mariners_fever]

Ryan Dinwiddie!

[Machiavelli]

Burris can only be the best if he shows he can perform under pressure consistently.

[OzSome]

Based on the 4 weeks this season, I have to say Henry Burris is rank #1 in my opinion. I am not saying this because I am homer but who is the most consistent QB so far? He's been making a lot of good decisions this season. The guy can pass, run and run off time clock.

#2. I am going to hate myself for saying this but our arch-rival from north's QB Ricky Ray is second. When he is on, he is hard to stop. Give the guy some time on the pocket and he will make you suffer.

#3. Jarious Jackson of BC. Ever since he took over from Pierce, BC Lions been playing well.

#4. Anthony Calvillo-MTL. The guy does not have the speed of Burris and not have the same arm as Jackson but the guy is smart QB. He knows when to run and rarely make mistake in passing the ball. Injuires to his pinky finger slows him down a bit.

#5. Kerry Joseph - TO. I wanted to put Durant on this spot but he only played a couple of games so far. Joseph has been struggling this season because of the QB controversy in Toronto. TO offensive unit is not as good as Saskatchewan's last season. He is still struggling but he'll improve once he gets familiar with everyone in TO.

#6. Darian Durante- I know 2 games so far but he's been good playing while Crandell is injured.

#7. Casey Printer - very inconsistent. When he is on, he is unbeatable but when he's off, he is just a regular QB. Haven't thrown a TD pass since last season. Without Lumsden as a scond option, defense are keying on Printer. He too will improve as time goes on.

#8. Kevin Glenn - wow, talk about riches to rag. Was awesome last season before he gets injured. This season he's been struggling. Next game, he'll be bench. I am sure he'll bounce back.

[OILFAN #81]

Originally Posted by You Need a Thneed

Burris is the best right now, IMO, especially when he is on.

He's also started a game on Monday Night Football in his career.

Now, lets never, ever hear "top QB" or "great QB" associated with Ricky Ray EVER again.

How do you figure? He's won a couple Grey Cups, been Grey Cup MVP and been a great QB in the league for years. Even right now, at worst he is in the top 3 in the league.

[malcolmk14]

Dickenson, and I'm not sure how it's even close.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Buff

Who is the top QB in the CFL right now?

I want to say Burris, but I haven't watched much in the past few years so my only exposure is mostly to seeing Burris.

My co-worker, who admittedly only started watching CFL closely in the past couple of years, thinks that Joseph is the best QB he's seen in a long time.

I think Ray, and Cavillo get some mention, and probably that feller in BC whom I can't even think of (shows how much I've been paying attention lately).

You co-worker admitted that he only started watching closely the pat couple of years but then comments that KJ is the best he has seen in a long time? Is it me or does that not seem a bit contradictory?

Either way there is no way that KJ is close to the best QB in the game and not a chance he is the best in a long time.

I would say that the QBs would be ranked something like this:

1. Burris
2. Ray
3. AC



4. Joseph
5. Jackson
6. Glenn
7. Printers
8. Durant/Crandell

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

Dickenson, and I'm not sure how it's even close.

The back-up QB for Calgary is the best QB in the CFL right now? and it isn't close?

Those coaches in Calgary must be real dopes. And all the GM's in the league that failed to offer him a contract must be morons as well.

[malcolmk14]

I'll concede that he may not be quite as good as Burris right now, if you'll concede that he's better than the other seven starters in the CFL.

[JayP]

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

I'll concede that he may not be quite as good as Burris right now, if you'll concede that he's better than the other seven starters in the CFL.

He's not though. Consistency is absolutely paramount from the QB position.

[malcolmk14]

That's a fair argument. Alright, consistency is not his strong suit. He is injury-prone and can't play a full season. I still think that he's easily the most talented QB in the league, however. If you had to pick one QB to have the ball in his hands for a Grey Cup-winning drive, picking anyone over Dickenson would be absurd.

He had an MVP season in 2005, the only reason he never won the award is because he lost four games to a concussion.

He had unbelievable games in the 2006 playoffs, and won Most Outstanding Player in the Grey Cup.

And last year, after missing almost the entire season, he came back (too late) in the West Final and went 14/19 for 128 yards and a TD.

So given all of that, I will admit, he's not consistent enough to be considered among the leagues elite... But if I need a touchdown in a big game, I'd much rather give him the ball than a choke artist like Burris.

[worth]

There have been quite a few times when Burris has marched down the field for a TD winning drive in the last 2 minutes of a game. I don't think he's a choke artist, and he's been much more consistent lately. He's thrown for over 300 yards in 14 or 15 of his last 16 or 17 games. That's pretty incredible. He's really grown a lot as a QB and is at the height of his game right now. When he's on, there's no better QB at the moment.

The winning the big game tag that he's got I feel is unfair as well. He hasn't played great in those playoff games, but neither has anyone else. It's not like everyone else played a superb game and Henry threw the game away. because he hasn't. He's thrown picks, but the defence was no where near good enough, and the offence around burris has been horrible in big games also.

[Cowboy89]

Originally Posted by worth

There have been quite a few times when Burris has marched down the field for a TD winning drive in the last 2 minutes of a game. I don't think he's a choke artist, and he's been much more consistent lately. He's thrown for over 300 yards in 14 or 15 of his last 16 or 17 games. That's pretty incredible. He's really grown a lot as a QB and is at the height of his game right now. When he's on, there's no better QB at the moment.

I've noticed the past couple of seasons that he's done a good job of simplifying his game. It used to be once his primary and secondary targets were unopen he'd try to force a ball at another reciever and get picked often. He's realized that he doesn't have great vision out there compared to pocket passers such as Ray and Calvillo, and once the second target is covered he either moves to the check down or tucks the ball and runs with it. Last year his body wasn't prepared to handle the increased running and thus he had a couple of injuries. However this year, he's bulked up and is much faster. Much greater run threat. I haven't been the biggest Hank fan, however I think his heart and soul is poured into this team and he's doing his best. So far this season it's working and I'm not sure I'd want anyone else back there for the Stamps.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by moon

You co-worker admitted that he only started watching closely the pat couple of years but then comments that KJ is the best he has seen in a long time? Is it me or does that not seem a bit ontradictory?

Looking back, I think he was basing his opinions off of last week's game.

[Buff]

I was wondering if my thoughts of Burris being the #1 guy in the league was due to me watching mostly Stamps games, but it looks like I'm not too terribly out of touch if others seem to think Burris is top QB too.