It’s an interesting combination of skills, back stories and experiences that the men who make up the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback depth chart bring to this week’s spring camp.
Three of the four pivots who will be on the field Wednesday through Friday gathered at the Bomber Store late Monday afternoon to meet with media and kibbitz with a long line of fans in advance of the mini-camp that serves as a tease to the real thing next month.
There is the veteran, Matt Nichols, who established himself as the club’s QB1 last season and is now working to become one of the Canadian Football League’s elite pivots.
Dominique Davis (left), Dan LeFevour (centre) and Matt Nichols (right) signing autographs Monday afternoon.
“Honestly, going into this season feels more normal to me than going into my last seven seasons have been,” Nichols said. “From second grade all through college I was always the starting quarterback… this feels more natural to me than coming in as the second or third guy like I have through most of my (pro) career where you’re trying to make your way but you don’t want to step on anyone’s toes. I can really be myself and continue to grow as a player.”
There is the veteran, Dominique Davis, who did not throw a single pass last year but is unofficially the new No. 2.
“Coach LaPo always tells us he doesn’t define the depth chart, we do,” preached Davis. “I’m just going to go into camp and compete, do the best I can and hopefully earn that No. 2 spot.
“This will be my sixth professional year. It’s been a long six years. I’m going to continue to keep my head down and keep working and be patient until my number’s called.”
There is the veteran, Dan LeFevour, who has bounced all around pro football while battling injuries and long odds to now be with his ninth pro team.
“It’s been a journey,” LeFevour said. “I saw an article earlier this offseason about Kevin Glenn and how grateful he’s been for his journey. He’s got something to talk about with anyone everywhere he goes, it seems like, and he’s really proud of his career path. I’m the same way.
“This is my ninth team in eight years. I’ve had a lot of different experiences that people my age don’t get to have.”
And finally, the Bombers spring camp will also include the unknown commodity that is rookie Myles Carr, who arrives after spending the last two years ripping it up for the Texas AM-Kingsville Javelinas.
Now, regardless of the varying levels of experience, all four pivots – including the fresh-faced Carr – have to know whenever the ball is snapped and coaches are watching that they are being evaluated.
Nichols will use camp to fine tune what he learned working on in the offseason – he did a ton of self-assessment watching his own film while also studying the CFL’s other QBs – and get comfy again in offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice’s offence.
Davis wants to use the three days as a springboard to main camp next month and prove he can take the next step in his development. LeFevour admittedly has some catching up to do, while Carr gets an early lead on who the club might keep around as a potential practice roster developmental pivot.
And they all know that these opportunities are so rare that they dare not refer to what’s happening this week as ‘just mini-camp.’
Consider, as evidence, how the Bombers quarterback depth chart has evolved over the calendar year. The 2016 season opened with Drew Willy locked in at No. 1, Nichols as the back-up, Davis at No. 3 and with Bryan Bennett on the practice roster.
The curtain closed on the year with Willy in Toronto, Nichols the starter, and with veteran Glenn and Davis in reserve and Bennett still on practice roster. Just a few months later, Glenn and Bennett are now Saskatchewan Roughriders, with LeFevour now pulling on Bomber colours after starting against them just last September and getting ‘his faced kicked in’, to use his term.
To sum up, then, things move fast in pro sports. All quarterbacks – especially those like Nichols, Davis and LeFevour – understand full well depth charts are always written in pencil, not ink.
LeFevour, in the end, might have summed up that sentiment best when asked where he thinks he stands on the QB pecking order.
“What’s that going to do? What’s that going to do for me to think about that stuff?,” he said with a grin and a shrug. “I don’t even know if they’ve told anyone. I think it’s clear that Matt’s No. 1 and from there I don’t know. I don’t worry about it.
“Anyone’s goal is to start. If you ask anyone it would be silly not to say they want to play. Otherwise, why play professional sports… go play intramurals or rec league or something. I think that’s everyone’s goal in the room: to play.”
THE BLUE QB CREW
The Bombers open their 2017 spring camp, featuring quarterbacks and first and second-year CFLers, Wednesday at Investors Group Field. Here’s a look at the four quarterbacks who will be participating:
MATT NICHOLS
Age: 30
Height : 6-2
Weight: 214
Years Pro: 7
Years with Blue Bombers: 2
Contract status: Signed new deal in January that runs through the 2019 season.
Juicy stat: Nichols is 12-8 as a starter in Winnipeg – 10-3 last year and 2-5 after arriving via trade from Edmonton in 2015. In those five losses in ’15 – four of them by a TD or less – the Bombers were just five for 11 in field goal attempts while missing two converts.
His 2016 season: Replaced Drew Willy in late July and led the club on a seven-game win streak. The Bombers were 10-3 with him at the controls and he passed for a career-high 390 yards in the West Semi-final loss to B.C.
On the horizon: Slips behind the wheel of an offence as the clear-cut starter for the first time since his days at Eastern Washington. Runs an efficient attack, takes care of the football and the team has rallied around his leadership.
Nichols on the difference in being No. 1 vs. chasing No. 1: “The main thing is just knowing exactly where you fit in. You can picture yourself out there on game day Week 1… sometimes it’s tough being the second or third guy where you never really know when your opportunity is going to be. I can visualize myself being out there on Canada Day.”
DOMINIQUE DAVIS
Age: 27
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215
Years Pro: 6
Years with Blue Bombers: 2
Contract status: Signed a two-year extension in January.
Juicy stat: Did not throw a single pass in a game in 2016, despite dressing for all 18 for the Bombers. His only individual stat was a one-yard run in a game against Edmonton in July.
His 2016 season: See above. Even with that, Davis moved up the depth chart as he became more comfortable in the offence.
On the horizon: At a critical stage in his career given his age and the amount of grooming he has had. Has all the physical gifts to succeed and has been willing to bide his time while learning. Now needs snaps to prove himself.
Davis on re-signing rather than test free agency this offseason: “This is one place I knew I could keep growing as a quarterback. I’m familiar with the offence and this system and this city. I feel like the fans like me a lot and I just want to continue to grow. I showed my gratitude right back to them and signed ASAP. As soon as they wanted me and told me what the plans were going into the next season I bought in and signed those papers.”
DAN LEFEVOUR
Age: 30
Height: 6-3
Weight: 230
Years Pro: 7
Years with Blue Bombers: 0
Juicy stat: In 2007 he became just the second player in NCAA history – Vince Young of Texas and now with the Riders is the other – to pass for 3,000 yards and rush for 1,000 yards in one season.
His 2016 season: Was signed by the Argos last summer when injuries sidelined Ricky Ray and made three straight starts in September, throwing six TDs against six interceptions and going 1-2.
On the horizon: He’s an intriguing addition to the Bomber depth chart not just because of his experience, but because of his physical skills. At 6-3, 230, he has a linebacker body and can be a load to bring down when he gets outside of the pocket. His arrival makes the battle for the No. 2 spot juicy.
LeFevour on his spring camp goal: “I’ve got to play catch up. But this is my ninth team in eight years and this is something I’ve learned to adapt to. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”
MYLES CARR
Age: 22
Height: 6-2
Weight: 228
Years Pro: 0
Juicy stat: Threw for 4,995 yards and 52 TDs in his final two years in college. Finished his college career ranking second all-time in school history.
His 2016 season: Connected on 64 per cent of his throws last year and averaged 225 passing yards per game.
On the horizon: A first chance to make a good impression. The Bombers plan to bring at least four QBs to main camp and keep a younger guy around in a developmental role. A good showing here in three days would certainly help.
