From the Pressbox

Kerry Joseph did throw 22 TD's (tied for 1st) last yr and ran for over 600 yds all with torn knee ligaments...maybe not the best quarterback (reading defences) but by far the best athlete...remember he played free safety in the NFL. His back up Marcus Crandell is the only back up in the league with a Grey Cup ring and MVP to his name...I think that makes the riders pretty deep at QB...the best receiving corp: Domingez, Flick, Murphy, Fantuz, Grant, (in the wings...David Mc Coy, Jason Mitchell (Ex USC Trojan)

The best QB...Dickenson...even though the Riders own him on the field...scariest QB (coach killer) Henry Burris...

I am a Rider fan...not a KJ fan...really a closet Burris fan...but due to KJ not being a QB his numbers are pretty amazing...and he still can't read a defence...let judge them in November we all may be surprised...

Lee

Best QB's TodayNot last 5years .TODAY I would have on my draft list
1. Ray
2.Burris
3.Josph
4.Glen
5.bishop
88. Dickenson
Can you imagine what ray's numbers would be like in bc with thier offence!!!!

I love these kind of blogs. Contrary to what some people think, I'm glad to pay Eliot's salary for this kinda stuff. It's a blog, it's interactive, it's controversial especially in it's replies.

1. Ray. Bar none the best in the league. Look at the numbers especially last year with a porous O-Line.

2. Dickenson. Always an injury away...but rock solid, lots of heart, surgical. I won't even mention Buck, in fact I won't mention any back-ups.

3. Calvillo. I'd really love to put Glenn at the number 3 especially after the game against Edmonton but alas, Calvillo just because of experience.

4. Mass. Look for Mass to rebound this year. Born leader.

5. Allen. Getting old and likely won't last the season but controls the pace of the game like no one else. Calm, collected, patient.

6. Glenn.

7. Burris. Probably the most over-rated QB in the league. Good at scrambling away from trouble but very inconsistent.

8. Joseph. Someday Saskatchewan will land a really good quarterback. Austin would be the better choice right now. Should have got rid of Joseph with Shivers and Barrett. Never consistent, never has great games. Not a good leader. Runs well but that's it. Will always rely on others to make him look good.

I know my reasons are rather non specific and highly biased. But anyone can arrange the QB's based on numbers.

Great blog,

Peace

If this question is about rating quarterbacks that will have the most positive affect to their team's success I would strongly agree that Kevin Glenn of Winnipeg would be it.

This means that he will be a big difference maker. The other first line quarterbacks are still good quarterbacks( cavillo, ray,dickenson,burris ,joseph,maas) but Kevin will make the biggest difference to his team.

There are many reasons for this:
He will be assisted in this endeavor by a much improved and almost completely healthy offensive line who will protect him better(kahn will be back soon) and a couple more effective receivers than last year( armstrong( is another deep threat ),brazzell(he is working well so far this year), terence edwards(is a terrific athlete). There are other good receivers. (stoddard,franklin,atkinson,oneil)
Kevin has a quarterbacks coach (Kit Cartwright) which he never had before. Coach Berry's offensive playbook is now fully inculcated.He has a very quick release and is very accurate most of the time.

Remember I did not say the other quarterbacks are not good quarterbacks as I know they had better numbers than Glenn had in previous years . This year will be different. Glenn already had over 400yards passing against edmonton and no interceptions against.
He threw a perfect tieing touchdown strike to Steagull under tremendous pressure with 23 seconds to go. This is a very good sign for him.
Of course we are hoping this will be the year for Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Interesting "grading" I would tend to agree with it it and not because I am a Bombers fan. Winnipeg is clearly boned if Glenn goes down and that was shown in the last two years. When he was not starting they were BAD.

I would agree with the one comment above about receivers but Armstrong, Edwards, and Stoddard are either proven or improving commodities. Brazzell also has great potential though he needs to show it more. As was evidenced in the first game this year against Edmonton we do have receivers here that can get the job done and Glenn has shown in the past that he is more than willing to seek out those other receivers.

I mean no disrespect to the other great QBs in this league a few of whom are much better than Glenn, but Glenn is the linchpin of the team's offense and without him the Bombers are foobarred. Edmonton and Hamilton don't have proven second stringers but it is too early to tell if they both have a chance at making the playoffs this year. (I do indeed hope they are improved though)

Certainly number-wise Glenn would never be a winner but looking at it in the way Elliot has certainly turns the tables. Its all a matter of perspective. Change that perspective and the whole view changes. In no way has Elliot said that the other quarterbacks in the league suck he is just saying that they they may not be as crucial to the team's success as Glenn is.

So Edmonton is not a contender this year and hence its QB is not to be taken in consideration? Come on, who's been passing 5000 plus yards even in a loosing season?!

This, of course, is the typical sport "CBC expert" unaltered BS. Pity we have to pay his salary...

Its good to see someone sees where all the excitement is. The bombers are quite the team to watch. Roberts is the most illusive player in the league since keith stokes (with better hands)The linebackers and defensive ends are spectacular. It all depends if glenn can perform like a starting qb. The first game of the season he showed alot of heart battling back to tie the game and putting up 39pts. Although, its just a matter of time before a 300lb lineman injures him. Are qbs and kickers that hard to find??

I'm sorry, I didn't read the blog, but it probably has as much to do with the game as the content provided by the Lee & Walby.
Pure babble!!
Nothing mentioned about two Raymond,Alta boys playing on opposing teams.
Canadians making it in the CFL.
Do you guys do any research?
Just show-up and babble!
Collect the paycheck!
Oh, I forgot!
It's your last year, CBC!
Thank God for that!

Ill give you guys the top 3 1- Dickenson
2- Pierce
3- Jackson

change these friggin toronto loving announcers what alot of crap put hamilton to try to turn a team around run them to the ground like there doing

A quaterback is only as good as his offensive line allows him to be. There is no doubt in my mind that all of the guys are exceptional atheletes or they would not be where they are today, but to say that one is better than the other is rather absurd. We have all heard the phrase "Any given sunday". I agree with this 100%. Let a player be judged on the entire career not one losing game or season. I have seen many flashes in the pan. Guys that have super speed, soft hands, great leaping ability and while they may be great for a game or season, does this make hime the best. Who is the best Boxer? Who is the best hockey player? These titles are given based on career acheivements. And besides it's a team sport. Where does the individual fit in?

I was suprised to see Kerry Joseph so low on the list. I think last season with Sask was sort of a breaking-in season, and I think this year he will thrive.

I think a bigger problem for Winnepeg (who I really like!) other than "if Glenn gets injured, they're toast" is that who else can Glenn pass to other than Stegall?

After the SSK at MTL game, one of the radio guys was saying that Montreal and Toronto are both being held back by over-committment to one man (Cavillo and Allen). I think Damon Allen is absolutely terriffic, but as E.Friedman reminded everyone after the interview, Allen said after a bad game last season "I'm 43" and has never mentioned his age before. I think the toll is wearing him down and his intensity is slipping. And as for MTL and TOR in a potential final for the East, I give TOR the edge because Bishop should have no problems with Marcus Brady.

A quaterback is only as good as the receivers he can throw to and with the re-addition of Marc Boerigter to the stamps receiving core they are without question the best in the league. Stamps will contend for first in the west with Burris at the helm.

... How can you say that a aging 30+ year old is the best QB in the league.... Just look at he number so far this year. My money is on Ricky Ray.

I predict Burris won't complete his
season in Calgary.Will be detroned by promising newcomers.Then,he will be to traded
to
Saskatchewan.

I have to laugh at the comment's or opinions and of coarse opinions are like backsides everyone has one.It will be interesting to hear the opinions come labour day.This year it will be Sask and Bc fighting for first and second place in the west, although i would like to say Sask and edmonton, i just don't think so. Lets not over look saskatchewan's Q.Bs i think this year they will be a contender. But that's my opinion. Who is the best well lets give them a few games and we will see.come labour day then tell me who is number 1 and at the bottom untill then it's just your opinion although i think you are wrong they should be. But i think some of these younger guys are gonna come through.All in all lets hope they are all good and it is close and it will be an exiting season for fans across the league. GO RIDERS GO

I agree with the Dickenson pick but strongly disagree with your Calvillo assessment. As tonight's game against Sask. showed, he is vulnerable and my prediction is that he has will not do well this year. Ricky Ray, Jason Maas, Kerry Joseph and Kevin Glenn follow Dickenson.

Can people not read???? Not once did he say anything about the Grey Cup being contested by Winnipeg or Montreal. He not so simply stated that Kevin Glenn is the most important player in the league because if the Bombers lose him, and they very well may, they would be sunk. Oh ya, Go Lions!

Ray is better than Calvillo for sure. An interesting take though.

Nonsense. Ricky Ray is the best QB in the league 19/22 for nearly 300 yards and 3 TD's in the first half last night on a team with 20 newcomers.

Also, who says the Esks won't be a contender? I say they will be.

It's one thing to have confidence behind a Dave Dickenson when you are not the number one quarterback and can enter a game and force a defence to make all kinds of adjustments. Buck Pierce can be taken seriously when he begins every game as number one and must shoulder the role as leader. Having said that, any quarter back is only as good as his offensive line. Rate the offensive lines in the league and see which quarterback is achieving. This game begins in the trenches as the saying goes.

I never get excited until Labour Day. I believe in longevity.

This doesn't make any sense. What's the purpose of this post? Are you grading the QB's or finding out who is more or less important?

It has been decided by Elliot Friedman that the Grey Cup will be contested by two men from the same conference: Kevin Glenn and Anthony Calvillo. Wonderful.

The Lions are in because they have two QB's in the top 5 - but wait, they're out because the main guy might get injured.

Calgary's disqualified because their main guy is being pushed by a promised starter. Sorry Henry - you'd have better luck winnning the Cup in Saskatchewan.

Figure out what you want to tell us, Elliotte - and stick with the gameplan before you start playing games.

Scientific? Not really. Just one man's opinion. I take it as stricty tongue-in-cheek.
Keep entertaining us Elliot.