DiMichele, Jyles, Pierce and Santos battle for starting quarterback job in Winnipeg

Pierce would be a front runner for the starting job if not for his recent history of injuries.

The starting quarterback race in Winnipeg should be an interesting battle to follow early in the season.

With the Bombers signing free agent quarterback Buck Pierce on Monday and beleaguered quarterback Stefan Lefors retiring on Tuesday, Winnipeg now has four pivots aspiring for the job: Adam DiMichele, Steven Jyles, Buck Pierce and Ricky Santos. Out of this group, two quarterbacks are unknown commodities, one is a veteran battling through a recent history of injury problems and the other is eager to claim a starting role that has eluded him throughout his career.

Which quarterback will get the nod?

Adam DiMichele

After excelling at Sto-Rox High School, DiMichele went on to have a successful career at Temple College. He threw for 5,024 yards (fourth on the Owls’ all-time list) and 40 touchdowns while rushing for five touchdowns. He was named the teams MVP in both 2007 and 2008.After brief stints with the Calgary Stampeders and the Philadelphia Eagles, he spent part of the 2009 season on the Bombers practice roster, before being signed to a contract during the off-season. DiMchele has not seen any playing time at the professional level and he is perhaps the most unknown of the four quarterbacks.

Steven Jyles

Jyles has been a career backup in the CFL. After spending his college career at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, Jyles signed on with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2006. He was acquired by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in a trade in 2008. Jyles has a career 1,085 yards, five touchdowns and 11 interceptions, being used primarily as a short yardage quarterback in his career. No one really knows what Jyles could achieve a starter.

Buck Pierce

During his five year career with the British Columbia Lions, Pierce threw for 8,734 yards, 48 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. However, it has been his recent injury problems that have followed the pivot around. Pierce has had off-and-on injuries since 2007. He shared playing time in the last two seasons, mainly with Jarious Jackson, and failed to cement himself in the starting role. Though he is Winnipeg’s most proven quarterback, his history of injuries is a big concern for the club.

Ricky Santos

Like DiMichele, Santos has had a polished college career. During his time with the University of New Hampshire Wildcats, Santos led the team to a 37-14 record. Santos was a three time All-American selection and finished third on the NCAA all-time career passing yardage list (13,212) and third on the touchdown passes list (123). After a brief stint with the Kansas City Chiefs, Santos began his CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes in 2008. He was traded to Winnipeg the next season. Santos did not throw any passes last season, but contributed in the short-yardage game, rushing for 24 yards and a touchdown. Last season, there seemed to be a lot of Bombers fans who wanted Santos to get the start. He could get his chance this season.

And the winner is…

Steven Jyles

Jyles has been longing for a starting quarterback job in the CFL. Now is the time to go out and get it. There is not much flashy about his numbers, but Jyles does have a 60.5% completion rating in his career. Jyle should benefit from having Paul LaPolice, who served as the offensive coordinator in Saskatchewan during Jyles last season, as head coach of the Bombers.

It seems unlikely that DiMichele will claim the job. He had an impressive college career but this does not always translate in success in the CFL. His inexperience at the pro level will also hinder his chances.

Santos is also an inexperienced quarterback, but his college accolades were so impressive that he may win the backup quarterback job. Many Bomber fans were anxious to see him get playing time last season and they may get their wish.

Pierce will provide the biggest challenge for Jyles. While Pierce has the most experience of all four quarterbacks, his injury problem is a major concern. If he remains healthy, which is a big if, Pierce could make it a close fight for the starting role. If Pierce does not remain healthy, the Bombers will not throw him into action.

When it comes down to it, if Jyles can not win the starting quarterback job against this batch of quarterbacks, maybe it is time he stop trying.

Related Posts:

• Winnipeg Blue Bombers Practice Report – Tuesday, July 5, 2011
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers Practice Report – Monday July 4, 2011
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers – And So It Begins..
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers – Final Roster Set
• Winnipeg Blue Bombers: One and Done, the End of Training Camp

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