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....