It hardly constitutes any kind of mental agility test or a dry run, but it can serve as a sneak peek into the window of a man’s state of readiness.
And if Chris Streveler can handle managing the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offence against a ferocious Edmonton Eskimos defence as effectively as he answered questions from a throng of media on Tuesday, well, the rookie quarterback might just be taking the first steps in a long Canadian Football League career.
A 23-year-old pivot who has officially been a professional for only 38 days, Streveler will take the first snap from centre for an injured Matt Nichols Thursday night in the 2018 CFL season opener.
Thanks to CFL stats guru Steve Daniel, the University of South Dakota product will become just the 12th straight-from-college quarterback to start Week 1 for a team since 1959, the first since Anthony Calvillo with the Las Vegas Posse in 1994 and the first Bomber since John Schneider in 1968.
“Every single day for me, I still am just trying to come in and learn and get better,” began Streveler following practice on Tuesday. “This was never ever something I thought about. It was just about myself and trying to get better every day.
“I’m not going to be able to replace what (Nichols) means to this team as a leader or the player that he is. He’s been in the league for a really long time and I’m thankful to be able to learn from him in the short period of time I’ve been here. I’m not going to be able to replace that, but hopefully I can just fit in and do as well as I can and give the team a chance to win.”
That was the theme behind most of Streveler’s responses Tuesday: team first, whatever it takes to win. It was textbook, his session came minus any chest-thumping or bold predictions. He was respectful, gracious, well-spoken and was hardly swallowed up by the moment.
Asked what a good or strong performance for him might look like Thursday night, Streveler added:
“I only care about winning. That’s really all I care about. I was talking to some guys today… whatever I have to do to give the team a chance to win, help the team win, that’s what I want to do, that’s what I’m willing to do, no matter what that is.”
“It’s not just me. There are so many guys, but as long as my play gives the team a chance to win I’m happy.”
Streveler was officially told he would be starting Monday morning. Offensive coordinator Paul LaPolice then told him to take a moment to head to the locker room and text his parents, both of whom will be at Thursday’s game. And then he tossed his phone into his locker and headed out to practice to continue prepping for the Esks.
All of this, indirectly, is what has endeared Streveler to the Bombers coaching staff. This moment doesn’t seem too big for him and his ability to process everything from learning the three-down game, to the playbook, to making his first start this soon is all part of the Streveler package.
“The message to Chris all week has been no different than what Matt Nichols gets: we make good decisions with the football, when there are opportunities to take shots downfield we take them, and operate our offence,” said LaPolice, who had his media scrum momentarily interrupted as he was doused with Gatorade by Andrew Harris for his 48thbirthday. “He doesn’t have to play above himself, our players don’t have to play more because we have a guy who doesn’t have a lot of starts under his belt. He just has to play the game we call for him and make good decisions. No different than what we would have said for Matt Nichols.
“He earned the right from Day 1 of training camp all the way to last week’s evaluation. We’ve been charting everything we do from passing with all the guys. He’s had a good camp.”
LaPolice gave a few examples of Streveler’s rapid learning curve. He spoke of how the young QB gets the ball out of his hands quickly, or took a check-down pass that led to a first down rather than throw deep because an opponent had dropped back into zone coverage.
“He’s operating what we ask him to do,” LaPolice said. “He’s got a strong arm. He’s a confident guy. Some guys have trouble calling the terminology and saying the plays… he’s got multiple college degrees so he can hear it once and regurgitate it to the players. There’s just an air of confidence about him.”
The Bombers began closely following Streveler’s success last year with the Coyotes after he continually posted eye-popping numbers. He was added to the team’s negotiation list two days before the Grey Cup and signed here after attending mini-camp in April.
Since then, Darian Durant has retired and Nichols was injured last week, moving Streveler from what would have been a scrap for the third spot on the depth chart to QB1.
“Crazy. It’s a crazy scenario how it happened,” said LaPolice. “He’s been a successful kid. I don’t know what his mindset is, all I know is every day he comes in and he’s not overwhelmed by things. He takes it one day at a time, he’s always doing his studying and he went from the college ranks to starting at South Dakota and for two years, was one of the best quarterbacks at the 1AA scholarship level.
“We’ll see how the moment goes, but we have confidence in him.”
BOMBERS REPORT | June 12, 2018
The Bombers completed their final full practice today in advance of Thursday’s home opener – and CFL season opener – against the Eskimos.
Here is the news of the day before the team has its walk-through practice Wednesday…
THE LEGGETT WATCH:
Bombers LB/DB Maurice Leggett had his busiest day of practice in months – dating back to last October’s ruptured Achilles injury. He worked with the second defensive unit and took some reps returning kicks, but has yet to get the green light from head coach Mike O’Shea.
“We’ll have to see how he feels,” said O’Shea. “Once again, as I said yesterday were just being cautious with it, making sure he’s fully ready to go.”
QUOTABLE:
“It’s just understanding the biggest job of the quarterback is making good decisions with the football. If he does that, I like our chances because he’s an impressive kid. He’s a very poised individual. He’s got the leadership qualities that you look for in a quarterback and it’s impressive for a guy just coming out of college. Just having him up for rookie camp and mini-camp, he’s just continued to get better and better and better. He’s building confidence for himself and also other guys in the offence.” – Bombers QB coach Buck Pierce.
NOTABLE:
TSN released its annual Top 50 CFL players list on Tuesday and it included a league-high nine Bombers, led by RB Andrew Harris, ranked third behind Edmonton QB Mike Reilly and Calgary QB Bo Levi Mitchell.
The other eight Bombers were OL Stanley Bryant (12), QB Matt Nichols (14), LB Adam Bighill (18), CB Chris Randle (23), LB Maurice Leggett (36), S Taylor Loffler (39), K Justin Medlock (42) and WR Darvin Adams (43).
“We had a talk with the offence the other day and it’s crazy to think I am where I am,” said Harris. “Coming from Winnipeg, junior, the route I took and playing a position that’s generally an American position… I’m definitely proud of myself and honoured to have the opportunities I’ve been given. A lot of good people have given me opportunity and the right guidance along the way. Great coaching. Ultimately, it comes down to my teammates and those guys are the ones who set you up for success.”
