Zach Collaros

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'm not sure why people ever put these expectations on MCI. He's a FB. He's on the field being a FB. This is all he was ever supposed to be.

This isn't the 70's. Many teams don't even have the position anymore. We're not giving Brady the ball enough, I don't want to take more reps away from him.

If he's out there anyway MCI should be the last line of defence protecting Zach, Brady slipped past the D-line headed for the flats on the play Zach got smoked.

[Blueforlife]

Did Zach get 6 gamed from the concussion? 

Hope he's okay, league needs players like him.

No news yet I believe on the nature or seriousness of the injury, not on 6 game to my knowledge.  Gut tells me out one or two.  Agree we need all our stars to be healthy in this great league. 

[TecnoGenius]

We end up losing an olineman every year to free agency. How long can you do that?

That's why I like the idea of planning around a 3 IMP OL.  The FA OL losses are always NATs.  They are the extreme high-value "can't keep 'em all" ratio signings.

IMPs demand far less $ per unit of talent, and aren't FA sniped as much.  Yoshi is the rare exception, and was only paid $$ because SSK wanted a big run game improvement.

I think our OL will be good if they do my "desired lineup".  AND *if* Big Stan can maintain 80%+ of '24 performance.

But Neuf also has to stop ending up on his butt, which is becoming an every-game thing.

Go back to Eli+Wallace on jumbo.  Our jumbo has suffered with only Eli.

I am convinced that 75% of our O problems are the OL right now.  That and no legit REC threat.

[TecnoGenius]

Zach made a couple of really nice in-stride hits in this last game.  You know, the bread & butter stuff most good QBs do in their sleep.  Ya, we rarely do that.

The best connection was a short crosser to Demski where the ball is placed perfectly in front of him at full sprint with a D draped on his back, near the lane, trying to get an INT.  (Yes, I think that was better/harder than the big bomb.)

That's the Zach we need to see, and the tough-catch REC play we need to see.  For that play the OL held up enough.  Amazing what Zach can do when he has a moment to throw!

My point is, Zach wasn't playing bad at all on the plays the OL held them back.

[Blueforlife]

That's why I like the idea of planning around a 3 IMP OL.  The FA OL losses are always NATs.  They are the extreme high-value "can't keep 'em all" ratio signings.

IMPs demand far less $ per unit of talent, and aren't FA sniped as much.  Yoshi is the rare exception, and was only paid $$ because SSK wanted a big run game improvement.

I think our OL will be good if they do my "desired lineup".  AND *if* Big Stan can maintain 80%+ of '24 performance.

But Neuf also has to stop ending up on his butt, which is becoming an every-game thing.

Go back to Eli+Wallace on jumbo.  Our jumbo has suffered with only Eli.

I am convinced that 75% of our O problems are the OL right now.  That and no legit REC threat.

Live and die on back of OL

Zach made a couple of really nice in-stride hits in this last game.  You know, the bread & butter stuff most good QBs do in their sleep.  Ya, we rarely do that.

The best connection was a short crosser to Demski where the ball is placed perfectly in front of him at full sprint with a D draped on his back, near the lane, trying to get an INT.  (Yes, I think that was better/harder than the big bomb.)

That's the Zach we need to see, and the tough-catch REC play we need to see.  For that play the OL held up enough.  Amazing what Zach can do when he has a moment to throw!

My point is, Zach wasn't playing bad at all on the plays the OL held them back.

Agree all, those critical of Zach this season are being a little harsh imo

[TecnoGenius]

Live and die on back of OL

It's funny how when your OL is good to great, you don't think about it at all and take it for granted.  You just think "this is how it works".  And then when you have an OL that looks worse than EDM's or OTT's you realize how nothing else can be done until that problem is fixed.

The funny part is Mafia has always known this and prioritized this.  This may be the worst year for OL troubles since 2014?

[TecnoGenius]

Oh ya, at this moment (and perhaps forever more) Vanterpool and/or Randolph are NOT the answer at LT (toldyaso).  Heck, I'm not sure either is the answer at RT, though Randolph has been ok.  We need Big Stan near 100% at LT, and Lofton back at RT.  Van or Ran are LG.  Wallace to jumbo.  Boom, we're back to a top OL.

Then prioritize sniping the next Big Stan in FA, no matter the cost.  Maybe steal from CGY again...

[TecnoGenius]

Dru returned to sidelines in civvies the HAM@OTT game after getting concussed (well, on protocol at least)...

Edit: and Dru does chaw?  That's a weird habit for a QB

[Blue In BC]

Collaros, Brown and Alexander all injured this week. Alexander moved to 6 game IR today. We'll see what happens with Collaros and Brown to see if they miss games or how many.

In 2025, we've seen Kelly out from injury in 2024. Brown and Alexander had already missed some time. Rourke and Harris missed some time.

Every QB that played this weekend threw at least 1 pick. I think I counted 18 in total.

Tough week.

[Waffler]

Just finished recording our latest @Wpg_BlueBombers
 Handled Internally podcast with Zach Collaros, Pat Neufeld and Darren Cameron.
Should be available later today.

- Ed Tait

This must be good news for Collaros!

[TecnoGenius]

In the last few seasons Zach always has a couple/few games on the "worry list" then returns.  It's gotten pretty normal.  I guess we should knock wood that's all that happens.

[The Zipp]

any word on ZC from the coaches show?

[The Zipp]

from ed tait:

Zach Collaros offers a health update to open the podcast: "Good. Feeling better today. Obviously with my history of upper-body related injuries in this league it (coming out of the game) was kind of a precautionary thing there in the middle of the game.
Obviously I wish I could have stayed out there."
Good to go this week?
"We'll see as the week goes on."

[TecnoGenius]

"We'll see as the week goes on."

Padawan Zach learning well from Master MOS.      

[dd]

He ll play vs Argos. Sounds like he's feeling better