Potential Quarterback Landing Spots

[Pigskin]

I think we resign Prukop before FA starts.

[the paw]

I think we resign Prukop before FA starts.

I would be happy if we did, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

Prukop is firmly behind Brown on the depth chart here.  If he wants to move into a #2 role, he should be exploring interest.  BC would like some experience behind Adams, and the Rider QB room is completely empty.  He owes it to himself to at least explore opportunity.

[TecnoGenius]

Ya, I expect Prukop to be back.

I'm not sure about either premise:

1. Brown kind of became the #2 but not by leaps and bounds.  I fully expected that if Zach went down for a long time, and if Brown stunk up 1-2 games, that we'd switch to Prukop.  Call Brown a tenuous #2.  But Prukop did appear to be taking on the Le Fevour role of just 3rd down and trick package.

2. I can't see any other team wanting Prukop as #2.  He's had several chances and never stood out.

From my memory, I think Prukop made 100% of his 3rd & short in 2022??  Only The Feve matched that record.  Strev never made 100% of them, though he was close.  (McGuire was good too, but blew 1-2??)  Gotta be 99.9%+ 3rd & short to make the MOS playbook work.  He never cares about getting 10Y.  He just wants that 9...

I hope we keep Prukop.  Oh ya, and bonus, he probably could help step in and keep us in a game if Zach ever goes down in a 4th Q.

[the paw]

Ya, I expect Prukop to be back.

I'm not sure about either premise:

1. Brown kind of became the #2 but not by leaps and bounds.  I fully expected that if Zach went down for a long time, and if Brown stunk up 1-2 games, that we'd switch to Prukop.  Call Brown a tenuous #2.  But Prukop did appear to be taking on the Le Fevour role of just 3rd down and trick package.

2. I can't see any other team wanting Prukop as #2.  He's had several chances and never stood out.

From my memory, I think Prukop made 100% of his 3rd & short in 2022??  Only The Feve matched that record.  Strev never made 100% of them, though he was close.  (McGuire was good too, but blew 1-2??)  Gotta be 99.9%+ 3rd & short to make the MOS playbook work.  He never cares about getting 10Y.  He just wants that 9...

I hope we keep Prukop.  Oh ya, and bonus, he probably could help step in and keep us in a game if Zach ever goes down in a 4th Q.

Your memory is faulty.  Dru Brown was #2 starting in Week 1 when he came off the bench to win the game with Zach in concussion protocol.  Prukop got the sneak plays, but Dru was the guy to run the offence in Zach's absence the whole year. 

Prukop's career profile is a lot like Cody Fajardo's before 2019.  Short yardage specialist who had experience and kept hanging around until his opportunity came.  I don't think there are very good odds that Prukop replicates the jump to a #1, but if a team is looking for a guy who has gotten a fair bit of league experience, can run the sneak effectively and is affordable, then using him to back up Dane Evans, VA or Arbuckle might make some sense. 

[Pigskin]

Your memory is faulty.  Dru Brown was #2 starting in Week 1 when he came off the bench to win the game with Zach in concussion protocol.  Prukop got the sneak plays, but Dru was the guy to run the offence in Zach's absence the whole year. 

Prukop's career profile is a lot like Cody Fajardo's before 2019.  Short yardage specialist who had experience and kept hanging around until his opportunity came.  I don't think there are very good odds that Prukop replicates the jump to a #1, but if a team is looking for a guy who has gotten a fair bit of league experience, can run the sneak effectively and is affordable, then using him to back up Dane Evans, VA or Arbuckle might make some sense. 

Yes, Brown was #2, but Prukop got a lot more playing time. I can see Buck having a couple more packages for him this year if he comes back.

[ModAdmin]

Might be a record year for QB movement...

Re Chad Kelly...

https://3downnation.com/2023/01/22/id-love-to-play-in-saskatchewan-argos-qb-chad-kelly-acknowledges-trade-speculation-sees-riders-as-good-fit/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

[Jesse]

Might be a record year for QB movement...

Re Chad Kelly...

https://3downnation.com/2023/01/22/id-love-to-play-in-saskatchewan-argos-qb-chad-kelly-acknowledges-trade-speculation-sees-riders-as-good-fit/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

That's definitely an option I didn't think about earlier but makes sense. I don't think Kelly wants to be  a back-up anymore (he's pretty clear about it), so if MBT stays in Toronto, I think Kelly moves on.

Evans in Sask otherwise.

Masoli is staying in Ott, VAJ in BC, I presume Harris stays in Montreal.

The only thing that isn't settled is if MBT retires and where CoFaj goes to back-up.

[the paw]

That's definitely an option I didn't think about earlier but makes sense. I don't think Kelly wants to be  a back-up anymore (he's pretty clear about it), so if MBT stays in Toronto, I think Kelly moves on.

Evans in Sask otherwise.

Masoli is staying in Ott, VAJ in BC, I presume Harris stays in Montreal.

The only thing that isn't settled is if MBT retires and where CoFaj goes to back-up.

Kelly is still under contract to Toronto, so if MBT comes back, SK will have to trade for him.  Given his repeated and direct indications that he wants to head back to the NFL, I wonder if SK would give up assets for a one-and-done.  And it's not like Toronto would have any great incentive to move him if they don't get a good price.  So I put the odds of Kelly moving on as slim, unless there is a trade-and-extend scenario that they can work out. 

I agree that Evans very likely ends up in SK, but it isn't a certainty.  With Masoli coming back, one of Caleb Evans or Arbuckle will shake loose, and depending on how the staff view Dane Evans shaky confidence, they might see either one of those as preferable. 

I see Fajardo as a potential back-up in BC or Montreal.  If the Bo Levi deal blows up in Hamilton's face, then Fajardo might be the panic button option.  Short of that, Fajardo might be doing couch duty and waiting for an injury somewhere. 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I would be happy if we did, but I won't be surprised if it doesn't happen.

Prukop is firmly behind Brown on the depth chart here.  If he wants to move into a #2 role, he should be exploring interest.  BC would like some experience behind Adams, and the Rider QB room is completely empty.  He owes it to himself to at least explore opportunity.

I for one hope Prukop stays put, he is a dynamic runner and is much better than Brown on the 3rd down sneaks, especially turning them into 10-15 yd. gains.  If he moves on I think they will have to find a replacement and it's not going to be Chad Kelly.

[theaardvark]

Collaros/Brown/Prukop is a very nice QB room.  No reason any should want to move, as any move would be lateral, and they have a better chance of continuing growth staying in a system they already know.

Guessing the musical chairs starts when Mitchell decides to sign an extension, or Ham manages to flip him to where he wants to be, if that isn't Hamilton...

[Lincoln Locomotive]

I like Prukop on third down and goal line packages.....he gets the job done and on occasion makes a big play with either his legs or via the pass!   Not as impactful as a Streveler however still effective.    As for Brown I'm not as convinced as Darren Bauming that he will be a legitimate starter in the CFL.....he is a bit smallish (5'11"- 195 lbs) and don't know if he could take the pounding.....aside from that series he ran when Zach was pulled for concussion protocols.....he didn't impress me that much when he got a chance to start.....schools still out on Brown (for me )as a QB to succeed Zach

[the paw]

I like Prukop on third down and goal line packages.....he gets the job done and on occasion makes a big play with either his legs or via the pass!   Not as impactful as a Streveler however still effective.    As for Brown I'm not as convinced as Darren Bauming that he will be a legitimate starter in the CFL.....he is a bit smallish (5'11"- 195 lbs) and don't know if he could take the pounding.....aside from that series he ran when Zach was pulled for concussion protocols.....he didn't impress me that much when he got a chance to start.....schools still out on Brown (for me )as a QB to succeed Zach

In his one start last year, he went 28/39 for 325 yards and 3 TDs.  Not sure what you're expecting from a young guy, but I think his development is right on course. 

[Pigskin]

I think Toronto would crazy to trade Kelly. MBT maybe has a year left in him. Also MBT didn't beat us in the GC, it was Chad Kelly.

[TecnoGenius]

As for Brown I'm not as convinced as Darren Bauming that he will be a legitimate starter in the CFL.....he is a bit smallish (5'11"- 195 lbs) and don't know if he could take the pounding..

Brown's a wildcard.  He might have the tools to be a starter, but he's definitely one of those "needs many years developing" guys, not a instant-hit Rourke.  I think at this stage in his career Brown has more upside than Dom Davis did.  But he may suffer from the same problem Dom did: not enough football IQ.  D's take advantage of slightly less sharp QBs.  (I may be wrong about the IQ, but that's my impression so far.)

Brown does have a quick release, pretty good arm, plenty of zip, and is fairly mobile.  Definitely better throwing mechanics than Strevie.

My guess on Brown legit starting within 3-5 years?  33% chance.

[TecnoGenius]

I think Toronto would crazy to trade Kelly. MBT maybe has a year left in him. Also MBT didn't beat us in the GC, it was Chad Kelly.

Yes, and it's painful to think about.  If MBT doesn't bust his hand we likely win that game.  The 19 yard Kelly run is what lost the game.  MBT doesn't make that run, and any throw of his has 50/50 chance of being incomplete.  Or INT!

Is Kelly a starting QB?  I doubt it.  Such a small sample size.  He looked good in the GC because our D didn't plan on or practice for Kelly playing anything other than SY.  Anyone rolling the dice with Kelly is taking a very big risk indeed.  I'd love for it to be SSK....

[blue_gold_84]

I think Toronto would crazy to trade Kelly. MBT maybe has a year left in him. Also MBT didn't beat us in the GC, it was Chad Kelly.

Kelly threw 4 passes for 43 yards. LOL

No QB played well in that game.

[BlueInCgy]

BLM signs three year deal with the TiCats

[Jesse]

Yup. Only a matter of time.

[Pigskin]

Kelly threw 4 passes for 43 yards. LOL

No QB played well in that game.

This is true, but his 4/6, 43 yards passing and another 20 yards of rushing in the 4th. quarter was enough to beat the bombers, and win a GC.

[pjrocksmb]

Our qb trio is deadly

[TecnoGenius]

It's getting close to FA, and SSK still does not have a QB.  Things aren't looking good for our neighbors in green.  If I was a SSK fan I'd be hitting the panic button right about now.

A poll on Riders forum shows that 25% of fans think Cody will be in green in 2023.  Doesn't say whether it's in a starting role, though.

Most loose QBs have already been snapped up, either by their previous team (e.g. Masoli) or by a new team (e.g. BLM).  How many champ contender-level QBs are actually free into FA?

I'm not sure what SSK is thinking, or what their plans are.  Things seem dire.  The Riders forum seems to be nonchalant for the most part.  Maybe they are too afraid and depressed to discuss it at length.

So who is going to lead SSK to the promised land?  And is it ST sales meltdown if it's just Cody or some washed up retread?  My gut says SSK is going to have a worse season than 2022... think 2013 Bombers bad.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Lol does this topic really need its very own thread? Guess the Bowl is a little slow for ol Tecno these days.

Yah Sask has no QBs signed big whoop!

[Blue In BC]

They can't sign any QB that hasn't reached free agency. So what do you expect?

[Lincoln Locomotive]

They must have been wooing Chad Kelley because Kelley stated he published he would "love to play for the Green Riders"! 
Bit of a gamble for them if they'd consider risking it on someone who hasn't really proven he's more than just a flash in the pan.    Whether he does or not.....either way the Riders aren't in great shape QB-wise!

[Sir Blue and Gold]

They don't really want to sign Fajardo so they have to wait until free agency. Barring a trade, their options (at present) appear to be: Trevor Harris, Nick Arbuckle, Caleb Evans, McLeod Bethal-Thompson, Matt Shiltz, Dakota Prukup, Antonio Pipkin or Michael O'Connor.

[GCn19]

They must have been wooing Chad Kelley because Kelley stated he published he would "love to play for the Green Riders"! 
Bit of a gamble for them if they'd consider risking it on someone who hasn't really proven he's more than just a flash in the pan.    Whether he does or not.....either way the Riders aren't in great shape QB-wise!

They can't woo a QB currently under contract to another team. If Toronto does not want to trade Chad Kelley they won't. At the end of the day, Kelley is under a very team friendly rookie contract. MBT may yet retire, and if he doesn't this is most certainly his last year, the Argos would be nuts to trade their QB of the future to SSK just cause he is making noise about wanting to start. They can keep Kelley happy by increasing his role this year and get him the valuable reps he will need to transition to starter after this year. Imo, Kelley is going nowhere.

BTW, Kelley stated he would love to start for the Riders in a media scrum in which he was directly asked if he would consider being a starter for the Riders.

[Pigskin]

They can't woo a QB currently under contract to another team. If Toronto does not want to trade Chad Kelley they won't. At the end of the day, Kelley is under a very team friendly rookie contract. MBT may yet retire, and if he doesn't this is most certainly his last year, the Argos would be nuts to trade their QB of the future to SSK just cause he is making noise about wanting to start. They can keep Kelley happy by increasing his role this year and get him the valuable reps he will need to transition to starter after this year. Imo, Kelley is going nowhere.

BTW, Kelley stated he would love to start for the Riders in a media scrum in which he was directly asked if he would consider being a starter for the Riders.

Kelly had a good quarter of football in the GC. Can he do this consistently in a 18 game season.

[theaardvark]

FA will be interesting.. I think the musical chairs for starting QB's is going end really quick, and backups might just sit out playing the game an wait for an injury to allow them to sign for starter money rather than languish as a backup for backup money.   Or choose a team with an injury prone or questionable performance QB with a lot of play time incentives...

There is a lot of talent out there in the almost was/might be category, and who knows who will take a shot at making one of them work.

SSK has a huge issue with signing a QB in that they have no Oline... not just a bad one, but actually none.  Fajardo, as much as he struggled, was not to blame for SSK's woes last year...  and he is probably the best option for SSK *IF* they can improve the Oline... they missed step one of that when Dejarlais signed in OTT...

[Blue In BC]

FA will be interesting.. I think the musical chairs for starting QB's is going end really quick, and backups might just sit out playing the game an wait for an injury to allow them to sign for starter money rather than languish as a backup for backup money.   Or choose a team with an injury prone or questionable performance QB with a lot of play time incentives...

There is a lot of talent out there in the almost was/might be category, and who knows who will take a shot at making one of them work.

SSK has a huge issue with signing a QB in that they have no Oline... not just a bad one, but actually none.  Fajardo, as much as he struggled, was not to blame for SSK's woes last year...  and he is probably the best option for SSK *IF* they can improve the Oline... they missed step one of that when Dejarlais signed in OTT...

They might have Couture in their sights.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They might have Couture in their sights.

They might, but Couture has the option of playing wherever he likes, so I think he ends up closer to home in BC.

[Jesse]

They might have Couture in their sights.

They have everyone in their sights....doesn't seem like there's much desire to actually go there.

[TecnoGenius]

Lol does this topic really need its very own thread? Guess the Bowl is a little slow for ol Tecno these days.

Yah Sask has no QBs signed big whoop!

But SSK is "Canada's Team"!!  Derp derp

They can't sign any QB that hasn't reached free agency. So what do you expect?

Didn't stop HAM from figuring it out.  SSK could have sent anyone an 8th RDP for "talking rights" like HAM did.  But they didn't.

Either SSK has a FA QB in the bag already but can't say anything until day 1 of FA, or they are going to get screwed.  I really don't see any other outcome.  I'm not sure the clowns there (O'Day et al) have any idea what they are doing.

They must have been wooing Chad Kelley because Kelley stated he published he would "love to play for the Green Riders"! 
Bit of a gamble for them if they'd consider risking it on someone who hasn't really proven he's more than just a flash in the pan.    Whether he does or not.....either way the Riders aren't in great shape QB-wise!

Maybe SSK does have something in the bag in Kelly; maybe they've been talking with Pinball.  This would actually be a good move for SSK.

All the remaining CFL QBs that have been listed here (ex-MBT) are what Aards said: almost-maybes or could-have-beens or who-knows.  Even Kelly.  But at least after winning that GC I think the greenie fans would be willing to give him a shot (over Cody).

While I do not believe SSK is "Canada's Team", I do think they are treated differently and cannot afford to go into 2023 with nothing to offer the raging fans.  And it will be a sad day for the CFL when Mosaic looks as empty on TV as OTT did in 2022.  The outcome I'd love to see is a "promising" young QB coming in to give them all hope and sell STs, and then by mid-season be Brohming the joint out and crushing their hearts. 

Ultimately I want to see O'Day and Dickenson The Lesser fired. 

[TecnoGenius]

Lol does this topic really need its very own thread? Guess the Bowl is a little slow for ol Tecno these days.

That is true.  I'm hitting that 3 month CFL-withdrawl hump right about now.  Days are getting longer and I'm pining for the end of May.  Doesn't help I'm rewatching the 2023 season now.  Just a few more months.  Just a few more months...

[BlueInCgy]

But SSK is "Canada's Team"!!  Derp derp

Didn't stop HAM from figuring it out.  SSK could have sent anyone an 8th RDP for "talking rights" like HAM did.  But they didn't.

True cost of the ?talking rights?, since BLM signed with the Cats, is the Cats 1, 3, and 6th round draft picks in 2023 and 2 round pick in 24.  Huff is a freaking genius.

[Big Daddy]

That is true.  I'm hitting that 3 month CFL-withdrawl hump right about now.  Days are getting longer and I'm pining for the end of May.  Doesn't help I'm rewatching the 2023 season now.  Just a few more months.  Just a few more months...

In your crystal ball?!

[TecnoGenius]

In your crystal ball?!

Holy smokes, you'll never guess what happens in week 8!  And the GC is epic!  I always told you guys my computer PVR is exceptionally good.  Builtin Tardis.

Haha, thanks for catching that.  You know what I meant.... need to start going to sleep earlier, I suppose.

True cost of the ?talking rights?, since BLM signed with the Cats, is the Cats 1, 3, and 6th round draft picks in 2023 and 2 round pick in 24.  Huff is a freaking genius.

Holy smokes x2!  That is insane.  Still, HAM will now have BLM, who has at least a 10% chance of not sucking, and can at least sell STs.  SSK still has squat bupkis.  I think this is going to end very badly for our green neighbors.

[Nic16]

I think Sask has their eyes on Harris, but the ALS are trying to re-sign him.

Option 2 is waiting to see what the Argos or shall I say what MBT decides to do. Option 1 could become a trade for Kelly if MBT returns for another year.

Option 3 is trading for Evans or waiting for Hammy to cut him.

Option 4 is running Fajardo back out there.

[theaardvark]

How come no one is talking about a Darian Durant comeback?   He was a ong time favourite in SSK, and I bet he could still play.  Riders can give him, say, $70 up front for signing, and lots of playing incentives. 

And then he can retire a Rider...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

True cost of the ?talking rights?, since BLM signed with the Cats, is the Cats 1, 3, and 6th round draft picks in 2023 and 2 round pick in 24.  Huff is a freaking genius.

Seems a bit steep, CFL.ca has the trade listed as:

The Tiger-Cats completed the trade on Monday, sending the Calgary Stampeders a third-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft and future considerations.

[BlueInCgy]

Seems a bit steep, CFL.ca has the trade listed as:

The Tiger-Cats completed the trade on Monday, sending the Calgary Stampeders a third-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft, a fifth-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft and future considerations.

https://twitter.com/markonfootball/status/1617911193641058304?s=61&t=9oBa3sfPSJMPhBSoXC93Aw

Mark Stephen reporting otherwise.

[theaardvark]

True cost of the ?talking rights?, since BLM signed with the Cats, is the Cats 1, 3, and 6th round draft picks in 2023 and 2 round pick in 24.  Huff is a freaking genius.

HAM does not just get just talking rights, they also get 2023 first rounder (5th overall) and a 20241 3rd rounder... so not quite the haul... but still substantial for a guy on an expiring deal that was NOT going to resign... better than VAN got for Horvath

[Pigskin]

I am seeing Calgary and Hamilton swamping picking in the first round. Calgary has no pick in the 2nd round. And then they get Hamilton's 3rd round pick. Calgary picks for the first 4 rounds. 4/22/24/33. So Hamilton will now pick 6th in the 1st round, instead of 4th. It looks like, Calgary and Edmonton have both forfeited there picks in the 2nd. round.