Experience only matters if it bring more to the organization than can be served by youth. If “experience” is just time served then it really isn’t quality experience. Nichols has received meaningful game reps, but to date he has been unable to show consistency. Additionally Nichols has been unable to convert his potential that comes with his college resume into above average play. Nichols has shown flashes, such as 3 TD’s in the Sun against the REDBLACKS at Commonwealth, but overall he has a 56.5% Completion Percentage with 4 TD’s, 5 Ints and 1 Fumble in 11 Qtrs for a QB Rating of 72.6 this season and QB rating of 77 last season.

To date I have heard a lot of excuse making for Matt Nichols play, but the reality is there is something off about Nichols’ game. Matty looks to be wound to tight and if he is to get back to the Matt Nichols of 2012 with a QB Rating of 107.7 he needs to RELAX. He seems to be forcing the ball into coverage, gunning it in the rain when more touch was needed and the worst part is brooding over others play and decisions. As the saying goes, he needs to go along to get along and be less Jay Cutler in the room and more like Mike Reilly as a leader. If he doesn’t he will lose the huddle and that will be disastrous in a contract year for Nichols.

I believe Nichols is putting pressure on himself, because he wants a #1 QB position and this is his opportunity to show he is a #1. As a fan base let’s stop focusing on what is fair to Matt Nichols and look towards what is fair to the Edmonton Eskimos. Matt Nichols is not going to be a #1 in Edmonton while Mike Reilly is with the Esks and as such Nichols will be a Free Agent exploring places like Ottawa where he could replace the 41 year old starter. What is fair to the Esks is to develop a #2 QB that will be around for the next 2 to 3 years behind Mike Reilly. This is not lost on Hervey and Jones and hence the call to bring Franklin in late in 3rd and 4th Qtrs no matter the situation to get meaningful reps and quality experience for a guy that is most likely the #2 next season and beyond.

James Franklin could have come in and looked like a rookie and thrown 3 picks, but instead he came in and three 3 TD’s. Some say that’s unfair to Nichols, but yet these same folks where fine with Nichols getting the lion share of playing time against the REDBLACKS in the sun while he threw 3 TD’s and not considering what is best for the Esks this season and beyond. IMHO Coach Jones is doing the right thing with Franklin in putting him in situations to succeed and build for the long-term as it is what is best for the Esks today, tomorrow and beyond.