Andrew Buckley and Brandon Bridge are both Canadian quarterbacks carving out careers in the CFL. But the similarity pretty much ends there.
Buckley stayed north and played for his hometown Calgary Dinos, while Bridge went the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) route.
Bridge has been a vocal advocate for Canadian quarterbacks. Buckley has been quieter on that subject: proud to be a Canadian in the toughest position for a Canadian to thrive in the CFL, but preferring to be thought of more for his play than his passport.
Bridge’s latest foray into league politics has been to reach out to commissioner Randy Ambrosie to ask for a meeting to discuss changing the rules to allow a Canadian QB to count towards a team’s ratio. Ambrosie has promised he will meet with Bridge in the off-season.
The CFL has made progress in the effort to help grow homegrown quarterbacks, encouraging CFL teams to invite U Sports QBs to training camps. They serve as ‘camp arms’ that help work out receivers while they learn what they can at the pro level.
Buckley himself benefited from that program during his Dino career, but despite these efforts, the talent pool of Canadians remains too thin for league-wide takeover just yet.
Buckley himself benefited from that program during his Dino career, but despite these efforts, the talent pool of Canadians remains too thin for league-wide takeover just yet.
For Buckley and Bridge to go head-to-head Friday night, Bo Levi Mitchell and/or Kevin Glenn would have to falter; either by injury or the game getting way out of hand.
I’d prefer to see these two talented Canadians go at it with something on the line, but that day’s not here – yet.
But, I can still dare to dream.
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