Alternative approach

One coach decides to switch his starting quarterback hoping to generate a win, another alternates his starter and his backup hoping for a similar result.

Welcome to the Great Canadian Quarterback Switch in the 2011 Canadian Football League season, which has given armchair quarterbacks a lot to discuss.

The decision by Calgary Stampeders head coach John Hufnagel to replace Henry Burris, who had started 69 games in succession, with backup Drew Tate was hardly a surprise going into Friday's home game against Saskatchewan. Burris had continuous problems with consistency in the seven games leading up to the switch.

For whatever reason, last year's Most Outstanding Player became the most inconsistent player on the team. He seemed to struggle at home, where Stamps fans had become increasingly hostile and unforgiving. Hufnagel, a onetime quarterback, and offensive co-ordinator, Dave Dickenson, who also played the position, knew enough and had seen enough to make the change.

Tate has shown ability when inserted into previous games, in particular the week before against Toronto. He rallied the team from a 28-9 halftime deficit created largely by Burris and generated two touchdowns on 19-of-28 completions for 263 yards and rushed eight times for 45 yards, but the Stamps defence took some penalties in the end to turn the game over to the Argos for a victory.

The change to Tate worked against Saskatchewan, producing a 25-13 win, albeit against a team that is physically and mentally beat up from a season gone hopelessly wrong -- much more so than Calgary. The Riders advanced to the Grey Cup last year; but won't even qualify for the playoffs this season. So perhaps Calgary's win over Saskatchewan should be viewed in context. But the Stamps looked like a different team, more poised and focused, and Tate did a better job of ball control.

Tate brought energy and exuberance to the team, a young quarterback full of fire and unwilling to give up his chance as the starter. Tate looks the part of a quarterback, a rugged warrior with an unkempt beard and a wild mop-top hair style. And he has a temper. But that's not necessarily a bad thing.

With two games left to go and the Stamps tied with B.C. in second in the West, only two points back of division-leading Edmonton, this is a chance for Calgary to make a charge -- and for Tate to prove he's not a one-game wonder. It is his job to lose. His time is now.

The Stamps conclude the season on the road next week in Montreal and finish at home against Winnipeg. It will be interesting to see how it all shakes out. There is certainly more optimism now in Calgary.

Then there is the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, which have been as inconsistent this year as Calgary. The Tiger-Cats, at 8-8, have clinched a playoff position and finish off with games against Saskatchewan and Toronto, both 4-12. The Ticats can't move up any higher even if they win out because they've lost the season series' to both Winnipeg and Montreal, which are tied for first at 10-6.

Head coach Marcel Bellefeuille, whose skill set is on the offensive side of the ball, decided in the last two games to use both of his quarterbacks, Kevin Glenn, and backup Quinton Porter. It resulted in a 27-25 loss to Montreal in the first game, which saw Glenn play the opening series, then Porter come on in relief for the rest of the half, followed by Glenn starting and playing most of the half, but being forced to give way late in the fourth quarter because of an injury.

The two pivots played again on Saturday night and collectively helped engineer the biggest upset of the season -- a 42-10 humbling of the B.C. Lions, who were the hottest team in the league with an eight-game win streak. The game was more about the defence punishing the Lions high-flying attack, but Glenn and Porter each contributed with a touchdown. The bigger and more robust Porter, who may finally be coming into his own, completed 8-of-10 passes for 116 yards. Glenn threw for a similar amount on 9-of-18 completions. Porter also ran twice for 24 yards and sacrificed his body to take some hits.

Bellefeuille said in an interview that both quarterbacks have different abilities and he wants to give them plenty of playing time to put the team in the best possible position going into the playoffs. What may have seemed odd initially -- at least to these eyes - makes sense now. Bellefeuille knows what he sees in Glenn; he needs to know more about Porter than just inserting him into the game for third-down sneaks.

The next step may be to start Porter, who has struggled in that role in the past. Yes, he played almost an entire first half two games ago, but playing in the opening series is different because anything can happen to affect the mindset, positively or negatively.

Facing the Als in Montreal is tough because they rarely lose their and are smarting from a loss to Winnipeg. Both teams are tied for first at 10-6. You just know the Als will be in a bad mood, and the fans are raucous at the best of times.

It's up to Bellefeuille to decide whether Porter is up to the task of starting. Either way, he will be playing. Hufnagel and Bellefeuille cannot be faulted for the moves they have made so far with their quarterbacks. You can't argue with the result.

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.