‘Forgotten’ QB adjusting to CFL
Masoli enjoys time away from spotlight
From the cover of Sports Illustrated to the training camp turf at Commonwealth Stadium, Edmonton Eskimos quarterback Jeremiah Masoli is enjoying his place outside the spotlight.
With Steven Jyles — the centrepiece of Edmonton’s return from the off-season dealing of star signal-caller Ricky Ray — veteran Kerry Joseph and Matt Nichols the three serious contenders for the Eskimos starting quarterback job, Masoli is flying under the radar at his first Canadian Football League training camp.
“Not really. By who?” Masoli said with a laugh, with respect to being called the forgotten QB just two days into Eskimos training camp.
“The only ones that matter are the coaches.”
While he hasn’t been the early focus in Edmonton, it’s been so far, so good for Masoli with respect to blending into the Green and Gold.
“Just trying to learn at a fast pace, trying to learn from the vets and soaking up their wisdom,” Masoli said. “I’m just trying to get better everyday.”
Staying out of the spotlight hasn’t always come easily for Masoli.
After leading the University of Oregon to a Pac-10 championship in 2009 and a berth in the Rose Bowl, where the Ducks fell 26-17 to the Ohio State Buckeyes, Masoli’s football career has been anything but smooth sailing.
Some much-publicized troubles with the law in 2010, including burglary charges that resulted in him being suspended by Oregon head coach Chip Kelly for the season and subsequently his dismissal from the team entirely after pleading guilty to marijuana possession, are now behind the former college standout.
Masoli transferred to the University of Mississippi for his final college season in the fall of 2010, then tried out with the NFL’s San Francisco 49ers last summer and played a trio of games with the Omaha Nighthawks of the United Football League.
He is now trying to keep things simple as he attempts to plant his professional football roots and said it is nice become just another player for the time being.
“Yeah, it definitely is,” Masoli said. “You get used to (the spotlight), but when it’s not there, it’s good not to have that stress.
“I’m just trying to prove that I can do it, and whatever they ask of me, I can accomplish it. Just to prove my worth,” he added. “Basically, it’s just take it as it comes right now. I’m taking it day-by-day, not even worrying about the season.”
While Masoli likely won’t be in the top three quarterbacks on the depth chart when the Esks kick off their season June 30 at home against the Toronto Argonauts, that doesn’t have the 23-year-old down.
“I’ve got to get used to this field. Those long throws, getting my body into it, getting my body underneath me when I’m throwing from the far hash, that’s really the main thing,” Masoli said.
“Just the field and how wide it is and how deep I’ve got to throw some balls.”
If Masoli, who was known for his running prowess in college, where he racked up nearly 2,000 career yards on the ground and 29 touchdowns, can hone his throwing ability, his legs could eventually be what yields the San Francisco product game time.
“Eventually, I want to get to that point, but like I said, right now, I’m just trying to get the playbook down and then to feel comfortable to do those type of things.”