Making his Ottawa Redblacks debut, quarterback Jake Maier delivered an instant and impactful statement with limited action in the CFL team's pre-season opener Friday night at Montreal's Percival Molson Stadium. The 29-year-old veteran made it clear that if there is indeed a battle for the starting quarterback job, he is capable of pulling off an upset.
Impressive Performance
Maier was as sharp as aged cheddar while playing the first quarter and one snap in the second quarter against the Alouettes' first-team defence in the 27-12 Redblacks victory. He completed 10 of 14 passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns while leading an offence that had most of its starters back in Ottawa.
Among those not making the trip was Dru Brown, who has been the team's No. 1 QB for the past two seasons. Even though new head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie has declared a competition for positions, it is believed the Redblacks will open the season with Brown at quarterback, if only because he is being paid as a starter.
Contract Details
According to figures published by 3DownNation, Brown's contract is the ninth most lucrative among all CFL signal-callers with a hard money salary of $321,000 and potential bonuses that bring it to a maximum value of $387,000. Maier is listed as the top-paid backup in the league with a deal that has a hard money value of $200,000 and a maximum value of $263,000.
Game Highlights
A former starter in Calgary and Saskatchewan, Maier immediately showed why he was pursued by Ottawa's management in the off-season. On the opening drive, he guided the Redblacks to the end zone on an eight-play, 67-yard drive that culminated in a 12-yard touchdown pass to second-year receiver Keelan White. The Maier-led offence managed just one first down and six plays before turning the ball over with a punt on the second series. But on the third set of downs, Maier had it back in high gear, marching 72 yards on five plays before ending with a four-yard scoring toss to White to open the second quarter. The highlight of that drive was a Maier bomb to veteran Geno Lewis that covered 59 yards.
Coach's Praise
Jake's been doing that all camp, he's had a really good camp, Dinwiddie told A.J. Jakubec on TSN1200's Live from the Locker Room post-game show. He's been in a similar system before, so he's familiar with some of the concepts we're asking. But I thought he controlled the huddle, made sure he communicated with some of the younger receivers to make sure they're on the same page.
Maier credited the play of the offensive line by pointing out he had three drives and didn't touch the ground one time. He also said he was very pleased with the effort and the competitiveness, and just the buy-in of the group that came out today.
Ottawa plays its final pre-season game next Friday at TD Place against the Alouettes.
