We need a backup quarterback!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I didn't list Crum because he's fallen to # 3 in the short term.  I don't know whether Crum, Evans or Powell will ever be good QB's but they do have some skills.

The intent wasn't any long term view. More about if Collaros went down for 2 or 3 games, who would be a better option at # 2. Who would you rather have kind of question.

Obviously, you can't just get another player and airlift him onto the roster and playbook.

I think you answered your own question, they will sink or swim with Strev. this season, if the results are not good, it will spur reconfiguration of the QB room next off-season.

[bunker]

https://www.tsn.ca/video/should-the-bombers-be-confident-in-streveler-stepping-up-if-he-s-named-starting-qb%7E2963034

Although he was defending Streveler to some extent on the panel, Matt does not sound very confident in Strevelers ability to run a complete offence if required.

[DM83]

Hmmmm.  Stats are for losers.
Football is a game of emotion and controlled aggression. Football is the ultimate team game.  Twelve guys need to work together as a team to make a play successful.

Streveler needs to be a controlled passer.  Short quick passes, let the receivers and #20 get yak yards.  Sort of like Montreals QB.

[TecnoGenius]

Are you not forgetting the loss in Calgary? Technically he did not start that game, but he played the majority of it. He almost pulled it out except for a brutal interception in overtime.

Our whole team still sucked in the CGY loss.  Nothing had gelled yet.  Nothing was working.  OL was hot garbage.  Receivers had already been dropping like flies.

The only reason we almost pulled it off at that point is it turns out CGY is a way worse team this season.  I don't hang any of that loss on Strevie.

[TecnoGenius]

SMS has nothing to do with bringing in a #2. None of them are paid an extravagant amount. It's the opportunity allotted to them. Being the back-up for an increasingly injured 36 year old QB isn't the worst position to be in for an "up and comer".

The GC-caliber QBs that could be available, that can be your #2 are paid quite a lot compared to Strev's $110k.

Guys like MBT, Masoli, VAJ are all going to be at least $200k -- around double Strev salary.  Some maybe $300-$450k.  The only "deals" on a #2 are if you lucked out with a clear future-star ELC like MTL's Alexander or EDM's Ford.

However, if you're rolling into playoffs and you know there is no Zach, you pull the trigger on a legit MBT, Masoli, VAJ, or even Ford.  You DO NOT get a future-loser like Powell, Evans, Dukes, Arbuckle, Fine, Dolegala, etc., because you'll have a better chance of winning it all with knows-the-team Strev.  (Well, I might remove Powell from that list... maybe.)

But I don't think we are willing to give up Huge Nice Things (stars or high DPs) unless we are very certain we will make the cup in '24.  We can't hamstring '25 for some vague and iffy '24 hopes.

But I think it's all moot because Zach will be fine and start nearly every game all the way through the GC!!    

[TecnoGenius]

The bigger concern is getting someone up to speed before Zach retires.  No one wants a repeat of the Elliot/Brinks/Goltz era

That's nearly impossible in the CFL for an expects-to-win-every-year team.  You have to get very lucky in that you dig up a future-star ELC and he comes off ELC right at the same moment your current starter retires/leaves.  When has that ever happened??

No, in the CFL what you do is outbid and out-woo every other team for a league top-3 QB in FA.  And that's almost certainly what WFC will do when Zach retires (which hopefully will occur in FA and not mid-season!).

[Blue In BC]

I think you answered your own question, they will sink or swim with Strev. this season, if the results are not good, it will spur reconfiguration of the QB room next off-season.

I knew and expected that when I made some posts on the subject. My effort was more about quantifying where Streveler would land in comparison to other # 2's around the league.

He's a popular player and great all around guy. His energy is worth the price of admission. However his skill set is limited. We didn't have a lot of choices in free agency due to SMS costs of alternatives.

Brown wanted a chance to start and a big pay check that wasn't going to happen in Winnipeg.

I would have preferred Streveler as our # 3 QB but I don't think he'd have accepted that.  That wouldn't have resolved a better issue at # 2.

Teams have to decide what they can spend to retain players across the roster. I think we made the best choice we could given the other decisions / needs made about our roster.

That said I think we'll see what we might do in free agency in 2025. Upgrading at one position usually means we might lose another high cost player.

We lost some valuable players in free agency like Hardrick and Grant due to SMS capabilities. It's the nature of the game and transitional rosters. You can't keep or get everyone you might like to have on the roster.

[theaardvark]

The QB shuffle will depend on who retains current starters, which current starters retire, which backups are forced into games and either prove they are worthy or reveal their flaws.

"Stealing" a QB from another organization can only happen if there is a legit path to that vaunted starter spot.

I have total faith in the Mafia both finding a solution, and doing what it takes to make it happen.

[Blue In BC]

The QB shuffle will depend on who retains current starters, which current starters retire, which backups are forced into games and either prove they are worthy or reveal their flaws.

"Stealing" a QB from another organization can only happen if there is a legit path to that vaunted starter spot.

I have total faith in the Mafia both finding a solution, and doing what it takes to make it happen.

Faith only takes you so far. We won't know for some time about which QB's might be potential free agents. Some that are not potential free agents may be released or renegotiate contracts.  Potential free agents may look for greener grass elsewhere.

A team with an older starter might be viewed as an opportunity for an up and coming QB.

It's a decent bet that VAJ is traded this off season due to Rourke returning and the impact of his contract.

Several teams will be in the running. No, I'm not suggesting Winnipeg would be one of them unless Collaros decides to retire.

Regardless that puts a legit starter inn limbo and I expect Hamilton to be where he ends up. They need a younger but more established QB and I'm guessing BLM will be released or retire. Age, injury history and SMS considerations.

That in turn may bounce Powell to not re-sign there in free agency.

It will be an interesting conversation when we see the potential free agency list and how that unfolds in the early game. Domino effect happens quickly. We might even see some time make a conditional trade for the right to speak with a QB before free agency.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Faith only takes you so far. We won't know for some time about which QB's might be potential free agents. Some that are not potential free agents may be released or renegotiate contracts.  Potential free agents may look for greener grass elsewhere.

A team with an older starter might be viewed as an opportunity for an up and coming QB.

It's a decent bet that VAJ is traded this off season due to Rourke returning and the impact of his contract.

Several teams will be in the running. No, I'm not suggesting Winnipeg would be one of them unless Collaros decides to retire.

Regardless that puts a legit starter inn limbo and I expect Hamilton to be where he ends up. They need a younger but more established QB and I'm guessing BLM will be released or retire. Age, injury history and SMS considerations.

That in turn may bounce Powell to not re-sign there in free agency.

It will be an interesting conversation when we see the potential free agency list and how that unfolds in the early game. Domino effect happens quickly. We might even see some time make a conditional trade for the right to speak with a QB before free agency.

If V.A. becomes available, which is most likely, Walters has to seriously consider going after him as a starter in a move reminiscent of how he replaced Nichols with Zach.  By doing so he would bring in a very capable QB who could ensure another 3-5 years of competitive play.

[markf]

Collaros and Streveler have both struggled at times this season for the same reasons. I'm not hanging any blame on either one of them. I'm sure they both wish they'd have played better but that goes for the whole team. As a team they are improving and have managed their way into first place, something many fans here would have thought an impossibility just a few games ago. I like being in first place and I like the job that the people in charge of personnel on this team have done. It's all a process. So far so good.

Collaros was about to bury the Riders the other day. Everything was clicking.

Streveler...it's silly to think that he can't play quarterback in the CFL. He's already shown that he can. Including the passing game.

Fan forums sometimes suffer from  some kind of herd thinking.

[Blue In BC]

If V.A. becomes available, which is most likely, Walters has to seriously consider going after him as a starter in a move reminiscent of how he replaced Nichols with Zach.  By doing so he would bring in a very capable QB who could ensure another 3-5 years of competitive play.

VAJ has a relatively team friendly contract compared to Collaros. OTOH Collaros has some money guaranteed on his deal in 2025. The size of his contact and guaranteed money probably make trading him very difficult.

VAJ is younger and has less of an injury history. So I understand the logic but don't think we'd even be in the conversation.

From the Lions point of view, they'll want to get him out of the west division. That's why I see Hamilton as a team in need and a trade choice for the Lions. They're going to have high draft picks in 2025 unless something changes over the rest of the season.

I could see the Stamps interested but that's a conflict for the Lions.

IMO Bombers will be in the market for a younger up and coming # 2 Qb that sees a chance to start in 2026. I'm not sure if Collaros plays after 2025.

Lots of QB's will be 34- 39 by early next season. We may see a lot of changes across the league.

[theaardvark]

The ace in the hole is team dynamic and Buck Pierce.  We have an outstanding group of receivers, the best RB in the league, and an Oline that is always among the best in the league. 

When choosing a new home, seeing how our players are treated, the quality of the facility and fans, all things being equal, why wouldn't a QB choose us as his new home.

Not to rehash an old saw, but Cavillo bounced around a bit before he became AC13..

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

VAJ has a relatively team friendly contract compared to Collaros. OTOH Collaros has some money guaranteed on his deal in 2025. The size of his contact and guaranteed money probably make trading him very difficult.

VAJ is younger and has less of an injury history. So I understand the logic but don't think we'd even be in the conversation.

From the Lions point of view, they'll want to get him out of the west division. That's why I see Hamilton as a team in need and a trade choice for the Lions. They're going to have high draft picks in 2025 unless something changes over the rest of the season.

I could see the Stamps interested but that's a conflict for the Lions.

IMO Bombers will be in the market for a younger up and coming # 2 Qb that sees a chance to start in 2026. I'm not sure if Collaros plays after 2025.

Lots of QB's will be 34- 39 by early next season. We may see a lot of changes across the league.

Not saying it would be an easy move but if Walters put his mind to it and offered BC a very attractive package in return, it could be done. He would have to weigh the cost against going after another QB that could be available, if there are any of a higher quality. It would be sad if he went after someone like Jake Maier instead.

[Blue In BC]

Not saying it would be an easy move but if Walters put his mind to it and offered BC a very attractive package in return, it could be done. He would have to weigh the cost against going after another QB that could be available, if there are any of a higher quality. It would be sad if he went after someone like Jake Maier instead.

Like I said:

1. Trading Collaros would be an issue due to his contact.
2. Trading draft choices or neg list choices might not be enough even if you get past issue named in Item #1
3. Every free agency we tend have about half the roster as potential free agents.
4. Lions will look for the best deal, but will look east as 1st choice.

I do not believe we'll be in the conversation for VAJ unless Collaros has a season ending / extending into 2025 injury.

We'll be in the hunt for another # 2 possibly if one becomes available in free agency. Those under contract no so much.

I also believe we will shed some SMS prior to free agency. Either by retirement, decisions to move on from some older players, not being able to get some wanted players to agree to new deals. Happens every year with every team.

Not a lot of point mentioning where some of those changes might be.