ARGONAUTS.CA STAFF
With files from The Canadian Press
VANCOUVER – It has been a tale of two halves in many of the Toronto Argonauts’ contests this year, with the team often playing admirably in the first half, only to come unravelled after half time.
For newly appointed starting quarterback Steven Jyles, his debut was also a tale of two halves, however in reverse.
The rust that accumulated over the last 11 months was evident in the first half for the pivot, who was thrust into the starting role after the sudden release of Cleo Lemon. Jyles, who was also hindered by tough field position in the first quarter, fittingly began the game on Toronto’s one yard line and bowed out of his first drive after two quick incompletions.
“He struggled with some things but I thought, in the second half, he played very well. He made the plays we haven’t seen in the two years since I’ve been here. Those are the kind of things we’ve got to have. Now we just put it all together and things will be much better.”
– Jim Barker on Steven Jyles’ Argos debut
A relatively mobile quarterback, Jyles stayed glued in the pocket for the most part in the first half, trying to get comfortable with his receivers and relying little on the strength of Cory Boyd to take some of the pressure off.
Shutout in the opening two quarters, Jyles completed just 4 of 11 passes for 34 yards and generated only 5 first downs in the process. Toronto entered the locker room facing a 15-0 deficit.
Credit half time adjustments or simply shaking the rust off but Jyles opened the second half with an impressive 8-play drive which covered 58 yards, leading to a Noel Prefontaine field goal. The next Argos possession saw him lead his team 51 yards on 7 plays for another field goal.
“At half time I told the guys to stick with me and things will turn around,” Jyles said after the game. “When you work with guys for one week it’s tough to have the timing.”
Jyles and the rest of the offence failed to put more points on the board but his growth throughout the game was evident. The former Blue Bomber finished the day 18 of 33 for 220 yards – By no means exceptional numbers but the agile quarterback did start to move the pocket and the ball in the second half.
Whether by design or byproduct of broken plays, Jyles used his legs to help the offence move the ball in the second half, rushing for 47 yards on 5 carries and stretching out numerous plays to buy time as he looked downfield for targets.
Argos GM & Head Coach Jim Barker understands that it is going to take some time for Jyles to get back into game condition and develop chemistry with his offensive line and receivers.
“He struggled with some things but I thought, in the second half, he played very well,” said Barker.
“He made the plays we haven’t seen in the two years since I’ve been here. Those are the kind of things we’ve got to have. Now we just put it all together and things will be much better.”
Jyles and the Argos’ next chance to do so comes next Saturday in Saskatchewan.