Three Canadian QBs signed, 16 more in camps, but a rule change is still needed

From one perspective, the remarkable numbers of Canadian quarterbacks in CFL rookie and veteran training camps this week is a big step forward. From another perspective, the 19 Canadian quarterbacks in camps may mean next to nothing towards the goal of eventually having a Canadian start at quarterback in the CFL. Both of those views have some merit. Giving this many Canadians a chance to at least be around CFL teams and players and learn from them should help, and three of these quarterbacks have already been signed by CFL teams (the rest are there through a CIS quarterback internship program), which is higher than we've usually seen. However, while the CFL persists with its current rule that doesn't count Canadian quarterbacks' nationalities against the ratio, it's highly unlikely we'll see a Canadian starting in this league any time soon.

It's good to see so many Canadian quarterbacks at least get to be around CFL teams. Giving them a chance to spend time with the league's rookies (rookie camp ran from Wednesday to Friday) and veterans (full camp begins Sunday) can only be good for their development. They'll get to learn from top coaches and players, and that can be valuable experience. 16 of these players (eight of them with Montreal) are here through the CIS quarterback internship system, so they'll be returning to Canadian college football with what they've learned, and that could have knock-on benefits; better quarterback play could help the overall calibre of the CIS game, which is a vital pipeline of talent to the CFL. Moreover, having three Canadian quarterbacks actually signed (South Alabama product Brandon Bridge, drafted in the fourth round by the Montreal Alouettes, Calgary Dinos product Andrew Buckley, drafted in the seventh round by the Calgary Stampeders, and Manitoba Bisons' product Jordan Yantz, signed by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as an undrafted free agent) illustrates that there are Canadian pivots out there CFL teams deem worthy of a contract. Under the current rules, though, there's next to no incentive for CFL teams to keep these guys around.

That's because quarterbacks' nationalities aren't counted under the league's ratio rule, which requires 21 Canadians,  20 imports and three "quarterbacks" on the 44-man active roster. Thus, unlike players at any other position, there is no roster incentive for CFL teams to invest in or develop Canadian quarterbacks; they're not rewarded at all for doing so. Some would argue that Canadian QBs should be able to succeed on their own merits, but even that isn't really possible under the current system; there are so many high-profile former NCAA quarterbacks out there who teams often think might offer more immediate help regardless of if they're actually more skilled. Bridge might be an exception here, as he's a rare Canadian quarterback who found NCAA success and drew NFL interest, but even he's still raw compared to many potential CFL quarterbacks.

Moreover, merely counting nationalities doesn't force teams to start Canadian quarterbacks. In fact, even if nationalities were counted right now, you likely wouldn't see a Canadian quarterback starting this season. You would provide teams with more incentive to keep Canadian quarterbacks around and develop them to a place where they could be able to start, though.

We've seen that at other positions that were once American-dominated, such as running back; 2013 CFL most outstanding player Jon Cornish has won the last three rushing titles, but Calgary didn't make him a starter right out of college, as the Stampeders already had Joffrey Reynolds. His Canadian status made it easier for them to keep him around, though, and find a point where they first alternated him with Reynolds and then made him their primary running back.

Furthermore, with running backs, we haven't seen the whole CFL forced to use Canadians there merely because they're counted. Allowing running backs (and every other non-quarterback position) to count towards the ratio simply rewards the teams that do chose to develop a Canadian there (such as Calgary and B.C.) with added flexibility elsewhere. A similar move with quarterbacks would make it worthwhile for teams who have found talented Canadian pivots to invest in developing them, but it wouldn't lead to every team being forced to keep a Canadian quarterback around. While seeing so many Canadian pivots in camp is nice, allowing quarterbacks' nationality to actually count in their favour instead of against them is what's probably needed if we want to see a Canadian actually start at quarterback in the CFL some day.

(Update: this post initially had the old 19-20-3 numbers for the ratio. The current numbers are 21-20-3 under the 2014 CBA.)