Rourke NFL workouts: chooses Jacksonville

[KnowItAll]

does Sean Salisbury count?

[OV:54-40]

Going to be very interesting to see which NFL teams Rourke "works out" for. Hope he and his agent play this smart; and again - IMO - IF there was already real, serious NFL interest by a particular team, they would already have the contract lined-up, to be signed at first opportunity, would have told Nathan and his agent that, and could hope that his "try-out" tour does not garner more serious interest ?

And I believe Jeff Garcia was the last CFL star QB to go down to the NFL (after his GC win 98 season) and end up making starter soon (and he had 49er legend Bill Walsh in his corner) - so been close to a quarter century since a CFL QB was taken seriously by the NFL super experts. Kramer & Salisbury were examples of a bit of NFL first, then a bit of CFL, then back to the NFL.

[DanoT]

In the 1950s Als QB, Sam Etcheverry was the best QB in the CFL. He ended his career as what is likely to be the first CFL QB to go to the NFL with what amounts to a cup of coffee as a back up.

[OV:54-40]

In the 1950s Als QB, Sam Etcheverry was the best QB in the CFL. He ended his career as what is likely to be the first CFL QB to go to the NFL with what amounts to a cup of coffee as a back up.

Not sure I would call Etcheverry's 2 seasons with the Cardinals a cup of coffee; he led them in pass attempts in his first year there (61) and had over 100 attempts his 2nd season.

[Hambone]

In the 1950s Als QB, Sam Etcheverry was the best QB in the CFL. He ended his career as what is likely to be the first CFL QB to go to the NFL with what amounts to a cup of coffee as a back up.

There was also one time BC Lion Randy Duncan. Duncan was the runner up for the 1958 Heisman Trophy. Green Bay made him the first overall pick in the 1959 NFL Draft. Duncan opted for BC because "that was the Packers before they hired Lombardi (in other words tire fire) and the CFL offered a lot more dough". BC cut Duncan after 2 disappointing seasons. He would sign with the then Dallas Texans (later KC Chiefs) of the fledgling AFL. He played one disappointing season there while also attending law school. When Hank Stram traded for Len Dawson Duncan retired to pursue what would be a successful law practice.

[Toppy Vann]

Dieter Brock did a year with the LA Rams and if this is correct he left playing for coaching despite success so maybe we can't put him in a failed attempt camp.


This is bizarre, if true:

Why did Dieter Brock retire?
Tests on his knee led to a back injury, which could, ultimately not be remedied, as a result of his throwing motion. And with that, the ballad of Dieter Brock was over. He retired that season, and went into coaching.

His CFL HOF says:

After graduating from Jacksonville State in 1974, Dieter Brock signed a one-year contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and assumed the starting quarterback role in October, 1975. Always known for his strong arm, Brock trained by throwing weighted steel balls at a target.

Brock had 34,830 yards on 4,535 pass attempts and 2,602 completions. He threw 210 touchdown passes and had a 57% completion ratio. On October 3, 1981 Brock completed 41 passes, 16 of them consecutively, and completed an outstanding 87% on the day. He was the CFL passing leader in 1978, 1980, 1981 and 1984.

Brock played in the 1984 Grey Cup championship where his team lost to Winnipeg.

Story on Brock here:

THE MOST BIZARRE ROOKIE QUARTERBACK IN NFL HISTORY

It certainly didn’t help that they’d (LA RAMS( opted for a fluid quarterback system. Depending on how things were going, either Jeff Kemp or Vince Ferragamo would take to the field, and the results spoke for themselves. It worked, but it wasn’t sustainable. What they needed was someone reliable, who knew how to win games, and had to arm talent to really unlock the potential in the explosive players in LA. A legend in the Canadian game was too intriguing to pass up.

Moving on from Ferragamo, the Rams got in contact with someone they’d heard could throw a football the length of a field three times over. That man, as it turned out, was actually 34 years old. Undeterred, they brought him in for a trial, to see if the myth was as real as they heard. They signed him the same day. Dieter Brock, 11 years removed from graduating, was an NFL quarterback. And no one knew how to handle him.

Despite Eric Dickerson holding out for the early parts of the season, the Rams jumped to a 7-0 start with Brock at the helm. The fact that it took Ben Roethlisberger in 2004 to break the record for most consecutive rookie QB wins kind of says it all. No, they weren’t dominant. But during that stretch, only 2 games were decided by a touchdown or less. Through the first half of the season, the Rams went 7-1. Brock himself was named NFC Offensive Rookie of the Week in week 4, for his two-touchdown effort. The Rams looked legitimate.

https://thetouchdown.co.uk/the-most-biz ... l-history/

[Toppy Vann]

Joe Theismann's venture to the NFL was as a punt returner to start with Washington. I believe that he left to play QB but took a risk to get there as he was a talented athlete not just a QB.

Lyall Wozensenky who played with Theismann' in the CFL said after Thiesmann retired with the broken leg and said he didn't know what he was going to now kind of laughed (not at the injury) and said Joe Thiesmann does nothing without knowing exactly what he was going to do, including how he ended up as QB in the NFL. Theismann tells the funny story that he only left the Argos as the GM (former Ticat OL) John Barrow who was GM like he played. The Woz would say he made a calculated move to just get into the NFL in any role then show he could play.

Lyall Wozensenky was just featured in a movie "A Christmas to Savour" Joe Theismann.

He rose to fame playing quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL). Theismann spent 12 seasons with the Washington Redskins, where he was a two-time Pro Bowler and helped the team to consecutive Super Bowl appearances, winning Super Bowl XVII over the Miami Dolphins and losing Super Bowl XVIII. He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003.

Following his retirement from football in 1985 after a career-ending injury to his right leg, Theismann worked as a sportscaster and an analyst on pro football broadcasts with ESPN for nearly 20 years

In 1974, the Washington Redskins obtained Theismann's rights from the Dolphins in exchange for the team's first-round draft pick in 1976 (the Dolphins selected linebacker Larry Gordon with the pick).[19] Theismann left the CFL and joined the Redskins, where he served as the team's punt returner during his first season.[20] In 1978, Theismann became the Redskins' starting quarterback, succeeding Billy Kilmer.

In 1982, Theismann led the Redskins to their first championship in 40 years against the Dolphins in Super Bowl XVII. He threw two touchdowns and, with the Redskins trailing 17–13 in the third quarter, made arguably the most important defensive play of the game – after his pass was deflected by Dolphins lineman Kim Bokamper, causing what appeared to be an interception and sure touchdown (which would have given Miami a two-score lead and effectively taken MVP running back John Riggins out of the game), Theismann himself was able to knock the ball out of Bokamper's hands,[21] keeping the score close enough for Washington to stick to the run-heavy strategy that would eventually lead to victory. He also led the team to an appearance in Super Bowl XVIII the following year, and would go on to set several Redskins franchise records, including most career passing attempts (3,602), most career passing completions (2,044) and most career passing yards (25,206), while also throwing 160 touchdown passes, with 138 interceptions. On the ground, he rushed for 1,815 yards and 17 touchdowns. He was named NFL MVP in 1983 by four organizations.[20] He earned the Player of the Game Award in the second of his two Pro Bowl appearances. Theismann also punted once in his career, for one yard against the Chicago Bears.[

[Toppy Vann]

The only two parallels to Nathan Rourke that didn't work out are Bo Levi Mitchell and Dave Dickenson who left for two seasons and some 4 NFL teams.

Bo was called the Mike Sillinger of NFL tryouts by Dave Naylor on Twitter in 2019. Ironically Bo never left but 3 weeks into the season had the pec injury BUT in Bo's case he'd been with the Stamps for some time.

Dickenson on backing up Drew Brees and Doug Flutie and why he came back to the CFL:



Ex-Calgary QB Dickenson regroups in Calgary

"I know there's interest out there but I don't know if anybody is going to give me a shot (at playing)," Dickenson told the Calgary Sun.

"I still think I can make it work down south. I was competing with Doug (Flutie) and Drew (Brees) on a pretty even basis (before being released by the Chargers) and that gave me the confidence I can get it done down there if I get a chance."

https://www.cbc.ca/sports/football/ex-c ... y-1.395198

If he can suit up for three more games, Dickenson can qualify for an NFL pension, paying out $1,500 US a month after age 55. But says he still has more ambitious goals than earning the pension.

Dickenson not ready to hand backup QB position to Brees
AUG. 29, 2001 12 AM PT

SAN DIEGO -- Technically, the job is still up for grabs.

Theoretically, Dave Dickenson could play the game of his lifeFriday in Arizona -- while Drew Brees falls flat on his face -- andseize the Chargers’ backup quarterback spot behind starter DougFlutie.

Realistically, Dickenson believes, the decision has already beenmade.

https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/sd ... story.html

BLM:

https://www.sportscasting.com/vikings-t ... -mitchell/

[Toppy Vann]

Report: B.C. Lions star QB Nathan Rourke meeting with Jaguars, Broncos

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter
CFL QB Nathan Rourke met with the Raiders last week, is visiting with the Jacksonville Jaguars today and is scheduled to visit the Denver Broncos on Tuesday.
10:59 AM · Dec 5, 2022

The Ohio University product, 24, will likely be looking for an NFL landing spot where he has a good chance to earn the No. 2 role.

Jarrett Stidham is the backup with the Raiders, C.J. Beathard is the No. 2 for the Jaguars and Brett Rypien is the backup for the Broncos this year.

Twitter's response to this tweet by Shefter: https://tinyurl.com/47w7h3vp
Lots of positive comments!

https://www.sportsnet.ca/nfl/article/re ... s-broncos/

[DanoT]

No question that Joe Theisman had his career well planned out and that is one of the reasons he went to the CFL initially instead of the NFL, so he gained experience as a successful starting CFL QB and then when the oppourtunity to start in the NFL came, he was more than ready and had great success. This is the route and results that I hope Rourke takes.

BTW, Theisman's assessment of John Barrow as a poor CFL GM was correct but it was the opposite of Barrow as a player. In an era of small CFL coaching staffs in the 50s and 60s, QBs called the plays on O and MLBs called the plays and formations on D, except in Hamilton where Barrow at DT was the team leader and the one calling the plays, not the MLB. Barrow's DT teammate, the flamboyant Angelo Mosca, got all the attention, but everyone in Hamilton knew it was Barrow who was the better player. In fact Barrow was one of the best DT in CFL history, getting 6 Eastern nominations as the Most Outstanding D lineman and winning in 1962. Barrow lost the national award to B.C.'s Tom Brown in '63 and '64 even though Brown was a MLB, not a lineman. (Typical crazy, inept CFL All Star selection process....see 2022 All Star fiasco for continuing confirmation)

[Toppy Vann]

No question that Joe Theisman had his career well planned out and that is one of the reasons he went to the CFL initially instead of the NFL, so he gained experience as a successful starting CFL QB and then when the oppourtunity to start in the NFL came, he was more than ready and had great success. This is the route and results that I hope Rourke takes.

BTW, Theisman's assessment of John Barrow as a poor CFL GM was correct but it was the opposite of Barrow as a player. In an era of small CFL coaching staffs in the 50s and 60s, QBs called the plays on O and MLBs called the plays and formations on D, except in Hamilton where Barrow at DT was the team leader and the one calling the plays, not the MLB. Barrow's DT teammate, the flamboyant Angelo Mosca, got all the attention, but everyone in Hamilton knew it was Barrow who was the better player. In fact Barrow was one of the best DT in CFL history, getting 6 Eastern nominations as the Most Outstanding D lineman and winning in 1962. Barrow lost the national award to B.C.'s Tom Brown in '63 and '64 even though Brown was a MLB, not a lineman. (Typical crazy, inept CFL All Star selection process....see 2022 All Star fiasco for continuing confirmation)

I guess the only thing we can take comfort in is that Nathan Rourke comes across as a thoughtful, sensible decision-maker so it may be that Rick Campbell like Dave Dickenson and Jon Hufnagel weren't tearing their hair out worrying that Bo Levi Mitchell would go.

To be clear I didn't recall the Theismann story he said at one of the Argos reunions exactly but I don't recall him saying he was a poor GM. IIRC it seemed more along the lines of a contract and how Barrow wasn't a guy you could talk to. Again, it's a fuzzy recollection. The Woz IIRC disputed his leaving the CFL at that time as anything other than a typical Theisman strategic move.

Here's a story in a fan forum.

https://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/re ... ann-pt-ii/

Whatever happened to... Joe Theismann Pt. II
← return to Redskins Fan Forum

ROBERT JANIS The Washington Times - June 11, 2008, 08:30AM

"The team’s general manager, John Barrow, offered him $75,000 but Theismann turned it down believing that he could get more from an NFL team."

When Theismann joined the Redskins Sonny Jurgensen and Billy Kilmer were sharing the quarterback position. There was no room for anyone else. Theismann’s demeanor seemed to alienate both Jurgensen and Kilmer. “Billy wouldn’t say ‘boo’ to me,” said Theismann. He was on talking terms with Jurgensen.

When I did an article on Billy Kilmer (can be seen at: http://capitalnewsservice.net) I asked him about Theismann. He confirmed that the two didn’t get along. “Theismann started off on the wrong foot,” said Kilmer. “In 1974 he was brought in and there was a players’ strike so the rookies played two or three exhibition games without the veterans in camp. Theismann had a good game in one of those exhibitions and a reporter with the Washington Post asked him, ‘What do you think is going to happen when Jurgensen and Kilmer come back to camp.’ And Theismann said, ‘I’m going to put those two old men on the bench.’ And it was quoted in all the newspapers. I called Sonny and said, ‘Did you see what he said?’ Sonny laughed and said, ‘Yeah, well we’ll have him catching punts at the end of the year.’ And my God, we did.”

[Toppy Vann]

Nathan Rourke 2022 CFL Highlights
651 views Dec 13, 2022
Highlights from BC Lions Quarterback Nathan Rourke after his record-breaking sophomore season in the CFL

[DanoT]

^^^An amazing highlight reel!

[Toppy Vann]

B.C. Lions will know ‘sooner rather than later’ if star Canadian QB Nathan Rourke will be back next season
By Josh Smith -December 15, 2022

The CFL’s breakout star of 2022 is currently on a tour working out for NFL teams, having already visited with the Jacksonville Jaguars, Denver Broncos, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, according to 3DownNation‘s Justin Dunk.

Campbell’s co-GM Neil McEvoy echoed his partner’s nonchalant attitude.

“At the end of the day, football teams need two quarterbacks. Right now we have two so regardless of what happens, we’re going to have to find one or stick with what we have. We feel we are in a good spot either way.”

https://3downnation.com/2022/12/15/b-c- ... xt-season/

[johnchow604]

Speaking of CFL Qb's in the NFL, congrats to Chris Streveler on a pretty good performance today for the Jets.