So who's No. 1 now?
Crandell sends message he wants his starting job back
Did Marcus Crandell's performance last night clarify the Stampeders' quarterbacking situation or further muddle the mess? With the first half of the CFL season in the books, GM/head coach Matt Dunigan expected to have a clear picture of his quarterbacks' status with an undisputed No. 1, a competent backup and a third stringer being groomed in the wings.
But through nine games, including last night's 25-18 overtime loss to the B.C. Lions, the 2-7 Stamps are still unsure who will take the reins down the home stretch, however unlikely the team's post-season chances.
Three weeks ago, it seemed Dunigan had given up on Crandell, handing the ball instead to rookie Tommy Jones -- but the veteran's showing last night could be enough to win back the job.
Crandell completed 30 of 46 passes for 303 yards and one touchdown while also throwing an interception.
In the second quarter, Crandell pieced together a four-for-four drive, capped with a touchdown toss to Nik Lewis to again offer a hint of optimism.
But a veteran quarterback allowing the clock to run out while scrimmaging at B.C.'s 26-yard line to end the first half is an inexcusable rookie gaffe. Crandell threw away the chance to build on a tenuous 12-11 lead, tarnishing an impressive 15-of-18 passing performance in the opening 30 minutes.
"Disappointed more than surprised," Dunigan said of Crandell's clock miscue.
"That's a tough one. ...It was just a mental lapse and that's tough to swallow.
"It's unacceptable at this level. You just have to be more aware."
Crandell also fumbled away the ball on a crucial third-and-one gamble late in the fourth quarter, leaping to gain the first down, while showing occasional wildness in the second half after completing 15 of 18 first-half passes.
"It was all right," Crandell said of his performance. "It felt great to be back in the offence with a chance to make some plays."
Added Dunigan: "I thought Marcus was on his game, there was a few balls he'd like back, had some open receivers and overthrew a few, plenty of dropped balls."
Jones had already been tagged the team's No. 1 pivot prior to last weekend's loss in Regina, just his third start of the season.
But his erratic performance against the Roughriders, completing just 13 of 32 passes while serving up three interceptions, also raised questions about Dunigan's work-in- progress.
A knee injury suffered late in that contest opened the door for Crandell to redeem himself last night, possibly winning the starting job in the process.
Crandell also entered the game convinced he could not only help the Stamps win but also reclaim his starting job, which he's owned since 2001.
Dunigan dodged questions in recent days as to whether Crandell could regain the starting job if he played well enough last night after a three-week layoff.
Dunigan said he'd assess the starting job this week before facing Hamilton Friday while Crandell said last night it wasn't a concern.
"I'm not worried about that," Crandell said.
He played well enough to raise questions about Dunigan's next move but offered few definitive answers.
