On the surface, it appears that Steven Jyles has made more ill-advised passes than Maxime Bernier — albeit in a different, non-scandalous fashion.

Despite a propensity for interceptions, Jyles is the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ presumptive No. 2 quarterback as the 2008 CFL season looms.

Roughriders head coach Ken Miller indicated Saturday that he is leaning “a little bit” toward Jyles as the second-stringer, behind Marcus Crandell and ahead of Darian Durant. Miller was quick to inject a qualifier, adding that “we’ll see how this week of practice goes.”

In practice, Jyles has been a sensation. In preseason games, not so much.

All nine of Jyles’ passes were caught June 13 in the Roughriders’ preseason opener — a 33-13 victory over the B.C. Lions on Taylor Field. However, two of the throws were snared by Lions defenders, and one interception was returned for a touchdown. Jyles quickly atoned by throwing a touchdown pass and running for another major, demonstrating the mobility and rocket-powered arm that have elicited plaudits from the coaches.

Six days later, neither Jyles nor Durant was able to ignite a rookie-laden Saskatchewan offence during a 37-7 loss to the Edmonton Eskimos, who showcased their veterans before a Commonwealth Stadium crowd.

In Edmonton, Durant and Jyles combined for 83 aerial yards — or three fewer yards than Regina-born rookie tailback Stu Foord produced along the ground on an otherwise nightmarish night for the Green and White.

Durant completed four of 10 passes for 27 yards. Jyles was 7-for-16 for 56 yards, while serving up two more interceptions (including one in the end zone when the intended receiver, Rob Bagg, was open).
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