CFL combine

[Blueforlife]

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/28/top-results-from-the-2025-cfl-invitational-combine/

[BomberFan73]

Biggest thing I took from that article, was the side link to Zach talking about retirement.
Crazy to think that cut is still bugging him.

[Jesse]

Biggest thing I took from that article, was the side link to Zach talking about retirement.
Crazy to think that cut is still bugging him.

The link, for those wondering:

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/28/bombers-qb-zach-collaros-has-thought-about-retirement-but-wont-put-deadline-on-cfl-career/

[ModAdmin]

Doesn't sound like he is considering imminent retirement.  He clearly still loves the game and all that it entails including practising and playing.  He is aware his lifespan as a player is dwindling but I would suggest he will be back this season and perhaps even beyond if his body and performance permit him.

[Blue In BC]

Is there any one of these candidates that is of particular interest to posters for the Bombers to draft if available?

[Waffler]

Not sure if he can play but OL Anthony Horth, Sherbrooke put up 41 bench presses. Only the 2nd most all time at the CFL combine. Would have also been 12th all time if he was at the NFL combine.

https://www.instagram.com/thecfbnetwork/reel/DGoAhLmxkCK/

[Horseman]

Not sure if he can play but OL Anthony Horth, Sherbrooke put up 41 bench presses. Only the 2nd most all time at the CFL combine. Would have also been 12th all time if he was at the NFL combine.

https://www.instagram.com/thecfbnetwork/reel/DGoAhLmxkCK/

Yes, he did put up the highest reps in the bench press, BUT, he was not chosen to advance to the main combine, so there is your answer on whether he can play OL.

[TecnoGenius]

link to Zach talking about retirement.
Crazy to think that cut is still bugging him.

Article says "hit his throwing hand on a helmet".

In Nov/Dec I analyzed that play in great detail with all my computer PVR tools and I'm basically positive he hit it on a DL hand or something.  No helmet was anywhere nearby when his hand came down.  (The only way I could be convinced otherwise is to get more shots at a 90 degree angle from the shots we have so that I can get a depth perception of the DL helmet that was coming into the scene.)

My point being that I would hope that WFC has taken all the tape and analyzed the play as much as I have to determine precisely what occurred.  And if it's determined a helmet is not responsible, it should be studied what did happen.

My theory is a fingernail.  But try cutting your skin with a normal fingernail swipe/squeeze... it's basically impossible.  The DL had fingerless gloves.  Is there shenanigans?

The reason why WFC must do the above is to ensure we don't ever have a repeat of that nonsense.  What a stupid way to lose all chance of winning a cup game.  We should force our QBs to have thin knuckle tape, or gloves, or some other tech that can protect those inner finger joints without affecting the ball contact (much).

[theaardvark]

Article says "hit his throwing hand on a helmet".

In Nov/Dec I analyzed that play in great detail with all my computer PVR tools and I'm basically positive he hit it on a DL hand or something.  No helmet was anywhere nearby when his hand came down.  (The only way I could be convinced otherwise is to get more shots at a 90 degree angle from the shots we have so that I can get a depth perception of the DL helmet that was coming into the scene.)

My point being that I would hope that WFC has taken all the tape and analyzed the play as much as I have to determine precisely what occurred.  And if it's determined a helmet is not responsible, it should be studied what did happen.

My theory is a fingernail.  But try cutting your skin with a normal fingernail swipe/squeeze... it's basically impossible.  The DL had fingerless gloves.  Is there shenanigans?

The reason why WFC must do the above is to ensure we don't ever have a repeat of that nonsense.  What a stupid way to lose all chance of winning a cup game.  We should force our QBs to have thin knuckle tape, or gloves, or some other tech that can protect those inner finger joints without affecting the ball contact (much).

I've heard this a few times, not sure if it just you repeating it.

For a player to create a weaponized fingernail, and maintain it through a game, without causing other injury, to others or himself, and then manage to deploy said weapon at the optimum time to injure a QB's finger, well...  I think that what causes Reynolds Wrap Hats.

Could there be a stitched logo on the glove that has a sharp edge?  Or a plastic protection pad that got exposed?  Or maybe a lace on the ball came loose?  Shoulder pad, or any of dozens of different pieces of equipment, including his own helmet. 

Without seeing the wound, and how deep, clean and straight the cut was, conjecture about the cause is pretty speculative at best.  Could even have happened on a previous play, and then ripped open with the force of the throw.  I cut my knee through my jeans on the bumper cars, and there was no blood, but after walking about 20 feet, there was blood flowing into my shoe.  Took stitches to close it.  But at the time of the injury and for a minute after, nothing apparent.

Knowing what happened, how and when may remain a mystery.  But learning how to deal with it, I really hope has been a lesson learned.  If he can't grip the ball, and needs a glove he's never worn ever, then he sits.

[dd]

I've heard this a few times, not sure if it just you repeating it.

For a player to create a weaponized fingernail, and maintain it through a game, without causing other injury, to others or himself, and then manage to deploy said weapon at the optimum time to injure a QB's finger, well...  I think that what causes Reynolds Wrap Hats.

Could there be a stitched logo on the glove that has a sharp edge?  Or a plastic protection pad that got exposed?  Or maybe a lace on the ball came loose?  Shoulder pad, or any of dozens of different pieces of equipment, including his own helmet. 

Without seeing the wound, and how deep, clean and straight the cut was, conjecture about the cause is pretty speculative at best.  Could even have happened on a previous play, and then ripped open with the force of the throw.  I cut my knee through my jeans on the bumper cars, and there was no blood, but after walking about 20 feet, there was blood flowing into my shoe.  Took stitches to close it.  But at the time of the injury and for a minute after, nothing apparent.

Knowing what happened, how and when may remain a mystery.  But learning how to deal with it, I really hope has been a lesson learned.  If he can't grip the ball, and needs a glove he's never worn ever, then he sits.

Exactly. There was nothing nefarious about what happened, he cut his hand and needed stitches, couldn't grip the football, so we put him in anyways....the only thing wrong is 'we put him in anyways'. We didn't have a serviceable backup due to our own roster mismanagement, its our fault that happened, not some mysterious, fictious fingernail. Own it. We screwed up. Hopefully lesson learned and we have a #2 prepared. How much time did Arbuckle have to prepare for his GC game?? How many reps did he have in the regular season?? Minimal, yet Dinwiddie developed a game plan around that, and made it work. He adapted to what he had, not force someone to play like someone else. Man we need that page in our game plan playbook!!!

[Jesse]

Exactly. There was nothing nefarious about what happened, he cut his hand and needed stitches, couldn't grip the football, so we put him in anyways....the only thing wrong is 'we put him in anyways'. We didn't have a serviceable backup due to our own roster mismanagement, its our fault that happened, not some mysterious, fictious fingernail. Own it. We screwed up. Hopefully lesson learned and we have a #2 prepared. How much time did Arbuckle have to prepare for his GC game?? How many reps did he have in the regular season?? Minimal, yet Dinwiddie developed a game plan around that, and made it work. He adapted to what he had, not force someone to play like someone else. Man we need that page in our game plan playbook!!!

Yup.

QB whacks hand on something is an unfortunate but unavoidable circumstance. Always need to have a dependable plan B.

[blueraid]

No word on how Zack's injured hand is progressing....Although something like the injury he suffered seems trivial to some, a qb's grip on the ball is paramount to his game...It probably was a 'one off' as far as Collaros is concerned.. I just wonder if he'll take to wearing some type of protection on his throwing hand this season...Could be quite an adjustment for a qb this late in his career and affect his game...Guess it's a wait and see on that one

[Jesse]

No word on how Zack's injured hand is progressing....Although something like the injury he suffered seems trivial to some, a qb's grip on the ball is paramount to his game...It probably was a 'one off' as far as Collaros is concerned.. I just wonder if he'll take to wearing some type of protection on his throwing hand this season...Could be quite an adjustment for a qb this late in his career and affect his game...Guess it's a wait and see on that one

Normally I'd say "why would we hear about a random injury during the off season"?

But he literally talks about in an article quoted above.

[TecnoGenius]

Could there be a stitched logo on the glove that has a sharp edge?  Or a plastic protection pad that got exposed?  Or maybe a lace on the ball came loose?  Shoulder pad, or any of dozens of different pieces of equipment, including his own helmet.

I'm not saying it has to be some conspiracy or a weaponized fingernail... it could be as you said above, or it could be dude had a sharp hangnail that day.  I don't know.

My point is WFC should analyze all the tape and find out what it was!  Not for conspiracies or retribution (though if it was "on purpose" then there should be consequences), but for the simple matter of avoiding a repeat situation.

If you knew what caused it, you could conceivably come up with mitigation, potentially one that wouldn't affect Zach's familiar passing style (of affect it very little).

Can you imagine if Zach hits TC and he can't throw properly anymore?  (His statements to date don't inspire massive confidence!)  That would mean this booboo was a career-ender.  And that would be unfortunate for everyone who wears or likes blue & gold.

Without seeing the wound, and how deep, clean and straight the cut was, conjecture about the cause is pretty speculative at best.  Could even have happened on a previous play, and then ripped open with the force of the throw.

This is a great point.  Sometimes a gash like that you don't notice it for a little bit.  I've had that before -- it's just numb.  I will check the PVR and see if there is something more obvious on the previous play(s).

I would hope WFC has already done all of this.  Too bad it's not reported.  All we get from the pundits still is "hit a helmet".  But everyone may just be working off of what the talking heads said during the game.

I always marvel at the incuriosity of most people.

[Jesse]

I always marvel at the incuriosity of most people.

I feel like I can guarantee you that the WFC didn't spend much or any time on this.

His finger hit something. It's always a risk, happens fairly regularly. Some wear gloves to mitigate environmental factors, some choose not to.

I don't know what you expect to find that would change anything moving forward.