Screw Frito...
Eskimos enjoy depth at quarterback
Canadian Press
11/7/2003
EDMONTON (CP) - The Eskimos plan to ride the arm of sophomore quarterback Ricky (Frito) Ray to the Grey Cup, but they have the luxury of having an all-star to back him up.
When the Eskimos take on the Saskatchewan Roughriders at Commonwealth Stadium in the CFL Western final Sunday, former potato chip salesman Ray will be at the helm, but he'll have Jason Maas on the bench if needed.
Ray is the youngest starting quarterback in the league at age 24. Maas was an all-star two years ago before he got hurt and Ray replaced him.
``This year Maas spent most of his time healing,'' said receiver Ed Hervey, who was a frequent recipient of Maas' long bombs two years ago. ``Maas is capable of starting on any of the other teams in this league.
``He shows all the time that he can make plays that win games.''
Maas, 27, spent the entire season on the sidelines recovering from a back injury suffered in 2002.
He didn't come into a game until mid-season and was relegated mainly to mop-up duty when he did.
But he got a chance to shake the rust off in the final half of the final game of the season and he was excellent, said Eskimos coach Tom Higgins.
Higgins said it was a huge plus for the team to get Maas into the game against Winnipeg, just in case the team has to call upon his services Sunday.
``If needed to be called upon . . . he has a half under his belt,'' said Higgins.
Edmonton and Saskatchewan are probably the two deepest teams at quarterback. In addition to Ray and Maas, the Eskimos are high on their third-string quarterback, Bart Hendricks.
Saskatchewan has former Eskimo quarterback Nealon Greene at the helm, with Henry Burris and Kevin Glenn as backups.
Linebacker Roger Reinson said that, if Maas was upset about being shunted out of the starting role, he doesn't show it.
``He has been absolutely fantastic in the locker room,'' said Reinson. ``He has been nothing but a great team player.
``A lot of players could have turned an absolute 180 degrees, but he has done what he has to in order to help the team, whether it is holding a clipboard or holding the ball on field goals.
``He could step in easily and we wouldn't skip a beat.''
The two quarterbacks are a study of contrasts.
Although they are roughly the same size - Maas is six-foot two and weighs 211 and Ray is six-three and 210 - they have radically different demeanours.
Cool and calm under pressure, Ray appears to have slushies flowing through his veins while Maas wears his heart on his sleeve and has been known to slam a helmet onto the turf or kick over a Gatorade cooler when the game wasn't going his way.
Higgins calls Maas a fiery Joe Kapp-type of player, reminiscent of the Hall of Fame quarterback. He said Maas has ``a fabulous touch going deep,'' while Ray just gets the ball any way he can to whomever is open.
Ray learned what he calls ``the duck and chuck'' game playing arena football and has become a master of shovelling the ball off quickly to hard-charging receivers and running backs. But he can light it up with a long pass now and then to keep the secondary on its heels.
``He really has grown,'' said Higgins. ``He has the ability to make quick decisions.
``He's a dynamic leader. Any of our offensive players would do anything for him because of his attitude.''
While Ray has become known for his ball control, his long, sustained drives downfield and his pinpoint accuracy, Maas' trademark is an aggressive no-holds-barred attack - a go-for-the-throat, big-play mentality that pushes him to throw for the end zone from anywhere on the field.
Ray said its great to have a quarterback of Maas' ability to back him up.
``He knows what it is all about,'' says Ray. ``He's a guy who has been around the league for awhile and knows what to expect.
``The team has a lot of confidence in him.''
Maas said it has been a tough year, but he's taken a lot of positives from it. He said he has learned a lot just watching Ray from the sidelines.
``I don't feel like I took a major step back not playing,'' he said. ``My back is fully healed so one year after surgery I feel pretty good.''
He said the playing time in Winnipeg helped him get his confidence back. He took some hits and his back held up fine.
Neither quarterback knows what the future holds. Ray's contract expires after this season and he has his eyes on the NFL, but he said that doesn't mean he won't be back in the CFL next year.
``Who knows what will happen after this year?'' he said. ``I think everybody kind of had the idea I'm gone after this year.
``The real thing is I am coming back unless something out of the ordinary happens.''
Maas, too, is anxious to remain an Eskimo.
``There's a lot of things that can happen,'' he said. ``I want to be here and I want to compete.
``I just want to be healthy and playing at a high level.''
Notes - Reinson, who was born in Melville, Sask., says there will be at least one Saskatchewan resident cheering for him and the Eskimos if they make it to Regina next week. His mom lives in Regina. ``Mom had better wear the green and gold this week or there will be repercussions,'' he said.
