Unlike the start of the season where Collaros was not playing, due to a suspension, and I asked if he should play, this week I ask if he should sit out?
In the CFL you take every win you can. However, the issue with that strategy is that it can leave you wanting in the long run…just ask Montreal after Calvillo retired. And as I have mentioned many times, the Bombers are also trending in that direction with no clear number two quarterback that can actually get the job done. And with Collaros coming out of the last game with a head injury – and his history of head injuries – the Bombers may need that number two quarterback sooner than later. You can pick up the hit at the 3:07 mark.
Yet despite that hit, Collaros has been practicing this week.
The other issue looking the Bombers right in the eye – leading to Collaros looking right in the eye of would-be tacklers – is issues with Winnipeg’s O-Line. And it sure does not help that Bryant still has not practiced this week and will be questionable for Saturday’s game against Toronto. That is going to allow Toronto to get more pressure on Collaros unless the Bombers can come up with a very good game plan.
Toronto, while sitting at 1-5, is going to be a tough out for Winnipeg. Toronto has the league leader in sacks! Their Andrew Chatfeild has 5. You know he will be quarterback hunting on Saturday; and that is not good for the Bombers nor for Zach. So what do you do?
It is inconceivable that the Bombers sit Zach until they fix the offensive line. That may take weeks, it may take until NFL cuts occur, and it may never happen this year. So the real question is, should Zach be playing this game? Zach was down for a while in the last game. And although he says that the hit itself was clean, he thought the hit was late.
Let us put this all together. You have a quarterback with a history of concussions. He was pulled the last game and after his evaluation he thought he should not go back into the game. It was his choice to not return to the game; he did not feel right. And as mush as I applaud a player for taking their health and safety into their own hands, it does leave us with a few questions.
He is going to line up behind a suspect offensive line. Will he be hearing footsteps and seeing ghosts as Toronto brings some pressure? Will he be able to stand in there and take a hit to make a throw? And if he does, will he be able to continue to play? Or will he be able to climb the pocket and make a throw? The two things he cannot do is get smoked by another hit, nor throw interceptions; things that both happened on that play.
So, should Collaros be playing on Saturday? There is no definitive answer here. If you are wondering if he gives the Bombers the best chance to win, I think the answer is obvious. Yes. If you wonder when and how they are going to develop their next quarterback, I think you still play Zach because I do not believe that they have their next quarterback on the roster. If you are thinking about further down the road this season and the bigger picture of trying to make it to, and win, the Grey Cup, then maybe you rest Zach one week to make sure that he is really good to go.
What did you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.
Catch all my articles here.
