Best Quarterback/Receiver Duos
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by user Erooster
For the past nine weeks, the CFL has been celebrating the greatest duos for each of the CFL’s nine teams. These duos celebrate the best quarterback/receiver combo that each team has to offer. In this article, I will highlight each duo and some of their accomplishments. The duos are listed quarterback then receiver.
Edmonton Eskimos (1979 – 1983)
Warren Moon joined the CFL after the NFL snubbed him as a credible quarterback, because of the color of his skin. The only opportunity given to Moon in the NFL was as a tight end. The former rivals, Moon of Washington and Kelly of Washington State, both arrived in Edmonton in 1978. This combo joined a team that became the ultimate Grey Cup dynasty. After a season sitting on the sidelines with an injury, Brian Kelly broke out in 1979 with 61 catches for 1098 yards and 11 touchdowns. During their years together, Kelly caught 266 passes from Moon for 5,046 yards and 40 touchdowns.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2000 – 2004)
This duo was matched up in 2000. Stegall joined the Bombers in 1995 after playing in the NFL. Jones was traded from the BC Lions to the Bombers in 2000. From that point, this was the ideal combo. Milt used this time to become the best wide receiver/slot back in any generation of the CFL. Jones and Stegall together combined for 332 passes for 5,728 yards and 62 touchdowns.
Saskatchewan Roughriders (1963 – 1969)
Both men joined the team in 1963. After three seasons playing the number two pivot for the Rough Riders in the nation’s capital, Lancaster was traded to Saskatchewan for $500. The two first hooked up in a game in September against Edmonton. Lancaster came off of the bench with torn rib cartilage (he did miss three games that season), but played a great game to establish himself as the number one quarterback. This was also the first game for Washington State rookie, Hugh Campbell. The duo teamed up for 284 passes for 4,941 yards and 59 touchdowns.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1998 – 2002)
Unlike the other duos, McManus and Flutie played together before their great performance in Hamilton. This duo played with each other for 10 previous seasons on three separate teams. In 1997, the Tabbies finished with the worst record in the league at 2 – 16. After signing free agents McManus and Flutie, the team finished the 1998 season with a 12 – 6 record. The pair finished with 372 passes for 5,386 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Montreal Alouettes (1998 – 2006)
This pair came together in Montreal in 1998. Calvillo was the seasoned QB, after seasons in Las Vegas and Hamilton. Ben was a rookie out of BYU. The pair wasted no time in hooking up. In just a short amount of time, Cahoon became regarded as one of the best receivers in the league. This pair are the only duo that is still competing, so their career numbers are still being added upon. But, as of the fifth week of the season (currently in tenth week), their totals are 490 passes for 6,982 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Toronto Argonauts (1981 – 1985)
In 1980, Greer joined the Boatmen as a rookie free agent out of Alabama State. A season that saw the Argos finish with a 6 – 10 record. Holloway joined the team the following season, in a trade with the Ottawa Rough Riders. The team had another horrible season, finishing at 2 – 16. But, the fans could sense that something magical had taken place between the two players. Fan expectation for the following season intensified. Holloway went on a tear for the Boatmen, throwing 4,661 yards and 31 touchdowns. Greer had a break-out season as well, finishing the season with 77 passes for 1,356 yards and 10 touchdowns. More importantly, the duo advanced to the team’s first Grey Cup Championship game since 1971. The duo finished with 219 passes for 3,791 yards and 27 touchdowns.
Ottawa Rough Riders (1962 – 1969)
The 1960’s has been called the ‘Golden Era’ for football in the nation’s capital. In the 1958 season, Ottawa drafted Jackson out of McMaster University. The quarterback played four seasons for the Rough Riders, posting big numbers and winning the 1960 Grey Cup. Tucker joined the team in 1962, as a rookie out of the University of Western Ontario, however the duo did not team up until 1963. The duo posted great numbers in their time together, having 254 passes for 5,700 yards with 51 touchdowns.
British Columbia Lions (1982 – 1986)
Dewalt joined the Lions in 1980 after signing as a free agent from the University of Texas, Arlington. The Cleveland Browns of the NFL drafted Dewalt in the ninth round that year as a running back, but chose instead to come north of the border to get an opportunity as a professional quarterback. Fernandez joined the team that same year coming out of San Jose State. They each had good rookie seasons, but fortunes changed in 1983 when the team started play in their new domed stadium and the addition of a new head coach. The Lions overcame nearly twenty years of poor play in that season, advancing to the Western Championship game. The duo finished with 284 passes for 4,923 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Calgary Stampeders (1992 – 1995)
Both Flutie and Pitts joined the CFL in 1990. Flutie, after playing in the USFL and the NFL, joined the BC Lions, Pitts with the Stamps. After posting big numbers in BC, Flutie signed with Calgary as a free agent. The two CFL All-Stars brought the Grey Cup back to Calgary in their first season together, the cup that hadn’t seen Calgary since 1971. Together this duo had 307 passes for 4,816 yards and 42 touchdowns.
Fan Voting
The fans are now able to vote for the greatest duo on the CFL/Making the Connection webpage at: http://www.cfl.ca/index.php?module=page&id=0127. The winners will be announced during halftime of the 94th Grey Cup in Winnipeg on 19 November 2006.
Personally, I would like to see the Flutie/Pitts duo win the fan voting. But, I would just love to see some voting by the members of the ACGM crew. Not that I could track that, but it would be a great thing to see.
Date
Sat 08/19/06, 12:10 am EST
