Toronto Argonauts Quarterback Controversy

You may or may not care about sports, but if you do, and follow the CFL (Canadian Football League), there's an interesting development brewing in Toronto Argonauts land.

Damon Allen (yes, brother of NFL hall of famer Marcus Allen), a CFL all-star, who has been in the league for 20+ years as a quarterback, who also happens to be around 43-years-old, has just been relegated to third string QB behind Michael Bishop and Mike McMahon (two considerably younger guys). I am shocked that Damon is still playing, but he is able to stay semi-competitive, so the argument goes - why not, just let him play until he either embarrasses himself or decides to end his career on his terms?

Yeah, but here's the thing...Doug Flutie aside, how many QBs in their late 30s (or even early 40s, which is a real stretch) can stay competitive consistently? Even if he can still play, he will have to realize that his speed, reaction time, and scrambling will simply not be what it used to be, and if he is playing against guys half his age, it is only a matter of time (and when you're 43, it is really only a matter of time) before it's time to hang up the jersey. Even in the last game he played, he was yanked for Bishop at the end of the game and Bishop played well - unfortunately, Allen wasn't able to put it in the end zone. He'll no doubt make it to the CFL hall of fame, but with Bishop playing well last game, may as well give the young kids a chance. I mean, we're not talking about the Esks here years ago who had Ricky Ray AND Jason Maas, two young skilled QBs with a long future. This isn't even Dickenson/Printers a few years back in B.C. (personally, I think they should have kept Printers on and over time phased Printers as the starting QB, as much as I like Dickenson).

McMahon played well in training camp and deserves a shot. Besides, there is nothing wrong with slowly phasing onself out and passing the torch. Look at Stevie Y. in Detroit or even Messier at the end - they weren't putting up career numbers in the end, but still had the sense to mentor the younger guys who will one day fill their shoes. And I'd say both guys are considered pretty classy guys, team-player types.

All that being said, it may be that the media is blowing this out of proportion. Never once have I heard Damon complain about the lack of play time or that he is now third-string with the playbook on the sidelines. I think that while Pinball Clemons is a really swell guy (I've met him before as he dropped by our school once when I was in theological college), he wants to be sensitive to Damon's feelings as a veteran all-star CFL quarterback. I heard Clemons on a sports-based radio talk show this morning on the way to work, and he said that Damon was disappointed, but not upset, and is willing to do whatever it takes to help the team.