Winnipeg Blue Bombers issue statement regarding Zach Collaros ruling

[Blue In BC]

If the money doesn't leave the club, then I'm pretty sure it's off-SMS.  I was thinking the exact same thing as you, but I didn't do the math.  Don't forget to back out the signing bonus and MM, if any.

$34k is a nice bump to entice anyone we may find ourselves needing to entice to sign in the next few months.

IIRC his advance money was $100K, so that equates to $5K-$5.5K reduction in my $34K estimate, so maybe down to $28K give or take. Noting that was about the amount we went over the SMS in 2024.

So it is a worthwhile savings if they get it.

[Blue In BC]

1. The rules are the rules and Zach knew what the rules are because he knows other players who missed a call.
2. It's 3 ways of contact Phone call, Text, & email not one.
3. It's 24 hours to get back, not 1 hour.
4. Testing him now wouldn't mean that he was clean when they tried to get in contact with him.
5. There shouldn't be any SMS relief for a suspension.
6. Knowing that he has to get back to the league within 24 hours means he should check his voice mails once a day.

Item 5: I don't agree with you but that doesn't mean you are incorrect. I would point out that there may be a difference between an on field resulting in a suspension as opposed to an off season suspension.

There is a systemic problem with the process. So again, I can't really agree with any of those ideas.

[TBURGESS]

Item 5: I don't agree with you but that doesn't mean you are incorrect. I would point out that there may be a difference between an on field resulting in a suspension as opposed to an off season suspension.

There is a systemic problem with the process. So again, I can't really agree with any of those ideas.

Suspension shouldn't equal SMS relief otherwise teams could find reasons to suspend players just to get SMS relief.

I'm not arguing that the process is perfect. I'm saying the process is the process that we had when Zach was contacted, therefore he gets a suspension that he earned from not following that process. 

Going forward, I'd like to see that club & the agent to be notified at the same time as the player, to increase the chances that contact is made. . 

[Blue In BC]

Suspension shouldn't equal SMS relief otherwise teams could find reasons to suspend players just to get SMS relief.

I'm not arguing that the process is perfect. I'm saying the process is the process that we had when Zach was contacted, therefore he gets a suspension that he earned from not following that process.

Going forward, I'd like to see that club & the agent to be notified at the same time as the player, to increase the chances that contact is made. .

A suspension by the league is not the equivalent of a team suspension.

Everything about the suspension process is a systemic problem. Every time a player is suspended and appeals it takes forever to resolve. That's not the case in this example. However Collaros was suspended for 2 games if he choose to appeal and 1 game if he didn't appeal.

That in itself is BS. Suggesting that the process is the process makes this right or fair is unreasonable. The process already has lots of grey in making final decisions.

I don't believe this has ever happened previously. So the intent of the law and the execution of the law needed to be considered. I would suggest it was well in the power of the league to just issue a fine and enforce the test rather than an immediate suspension.

Not that the status of a player should carry the most weight but geez.  Collaros is a top player level and it creates a horrible PR message.

[blue_gold_84]

The process is ostensibly broken and only further reinforces the CFL's bush league image, IMO.

[TBURGESS]

A suspension by the league is not the equivalent of a team suspension.

Everything about the suspension process is a systemic problem. Every time a player is suspended and appeals it takes forever to resolve. That's not the case in this example. However Collaros was suspended for 2 games if he choose to appeal and 1 game if he didn't appeal.

That in itself is BS. Suggesting that the process is the process makes this right or fair is unreasonable. The process already has lots of grey in making final decisions.

I don't believe this has ever happened previously. So the intent of the law and the execution of the law needed to be considered. I would suggest it was well in the power of the league to just issue a fine and enforce the test rather than an immediate suspension.

Not that the status of a player should carry the most weight but geez.  Collaros is a top player level and it creates a horrible PR message.

I don't see any valid argument that suspensions should reward teams with SMS relief. 

Suspensions should have an appeal process. The fact it takes too long could/should be dealt with between the CFL and the PA, but have nothing to do with suspending Zach in particular. 

Intent isn't part of the suspension, neither is the status of the player. 

Think of it like a speeding ticket. Missing the speed change sign doesn't mean you don't have to pay the ticket. 

[blue_gold_84]

Think of it like a speeding ticket. Missing the speed change sign doesn't mean you don't have to pay the ticket.

False equivalency.

[theaardvark]

Not sure if the player salary under a league imposed suspension is levied as a fine paid to the league/PA or if it the suspension just means no game cheque, in which case it is an $SMS gain.

Yes, players suspended by the team for violations or inability to perform their contracts do not get paid, and that does give $SMS relief for the contract not paid.  Like Lawler's suspension.

$30k is not a lot of $SMS releif, and we will have to roster an additional player in his stead with a full game day cheque, so if we do not get $SMS relief for the suspension, it actually costs the team $SMS.

On the other side of things, we get to carry 3 non-Collaros QB's into the first game of the season...  kind of a silver lining.  Although it looks like the Elgersma conundrum is all but solved if he signs in Green Bay, which looks likely.

[Blue In BC]

I don't see any valid argument that suspensions should reward teams with SMS relief.

Suspensions should have an appeal process. The fact it takes too long could/should be dealt with between the CFL and the PA, but have nothing to do with suspending Zach in particular.

Intent isn't part of the suspension, neither is the status of the player.

Think of it like a speeding ticket. Missing the speed change sign doesn't mean you don't have to pay the ticket.

You fail to see the difference between an in game violation and an off season issue. Beyond that, IIRC Lemon was suspended for permanently. Should his salary for an entire season be counted against the SMS last year?

I think posters can give you a bunch of reasons why it should not count against the SMS. Likewise can probably give you reasons why you " can't see a valid argument ". That's an odd position to take an IMO you be be in an extreme minority.

Note that I pointed out that Collaros was subject to a 2 game suspension where he could have appealed. He choose a 1 game suspension which didn't allow an appeal.

2 games for missing a drug test he didn't know he was to take. OTOH a player suspended 1 game for taking a cheap shot on another player. Or a player suspended for actually failing a drug test.

Take about equivalency. Yikes.

[Blue In BC]

Not sure if the player salary under a league imposed suspension is levied as a fine paid to the league/PA or if it the suspension just means no game cheque, in which case it is an $SMS gain.

Yes, players suspended by the team for violations or inability to perform their contracts do not get paid, and that does give $SMS relief for the contract not paid.  Like Lawler's suspension.

$30k is not a lot of $SMS releif, and we will have to roster an additional player in his stead with a full game day cheque, so if we do not get $SMS relief for the suspension, it actually costs the team $SMS.

On the other side of things, we get to carry 3 non-Collaros QB's into the first game of the season...  kind of a silver lining.  Although it looks like the Elgersma conundrum is all but solved if he signs in Green Bay, which looks likely.

An ELC QB or close to it will only be about $4K but it is an additional issue as it applies to SMS.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

1. The rules are the rules and Zach knew what the rules are because he knows other players who missed a call.
2. It's 3 ways of contact Phone call, Text, & email not one.
3. It's 24 hours to get back, not 1 hour.
4. Testing him now wouldn't mean that he was clean when they tried to get in contact with him.
5. There shouldn't be any SMS relief for a suspension.
6. Knowing that he has to get back to the league within 24 hours means he should check his voice mails once a day.

Have to agree, the process is not perfect but the rules are currently the rules and Zach has no legitimate excuse for not following them.  Not properly managing any of your communication channels is going to lead to a heck of a lot of problems in any line of work, if he can't handle the responsibility he should appoint a custodian who can.

If they allowed Zach a free pass due to his star status it would generate accusations of favouritism from every other team in the league and many players would be quick to use the same convenient excuse, making the CFL drug testing process much less efficient.  Remember the CFLPA was involved and approved this plan on behalf of their members.

[Blue In BC]

Have to agree, the process is not perfect but the rules are currently the rules and Zach has no legitimate excuse for not following them.  Not properly managing any of your communication channels is going to lead to a heck of a lot of problems in any line of work, if he can't handle the responsibility he should appoint a custodian who can.

If they allowed Zach a free pass due to his star status it would generate accusations of favouritism from every other team in the league and many players would be quick to use the same convenient excuse, making the CFL drug testing process much less efficient.  Remember the CFLPA was involved and approved this plan on behalf of their members.

On the surface that makes sense. In reality there are too many reasons why it doesn't in the off season. A player could be on an African safari, be out hunting or on a cruise ship somewhere without access to WIFI? Who knows.

[dd]

The system isn't broken, the people within it are!!

If you are a player in the CFL, you will be subject to random testing, you will be notified via phone, text and email of your need to show up for a test, failing to do so, will result in a suspension. Pretty cut and dry.

If you are going to be out of cell phone or WIFI, notify the club and agent, as failing to do so during your period of inaccessibility may result in a suspension.

Carrying on like you're a 5 year old and not checking your phone is nobody's fault but you're own. Its a condition of your employment you do. Quit making excuses for this, as there is no excuse for this. It's embarrassing and disappointing that a grown man can't be more responsible than this.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I've been silent on this as it's played out, and I'll be careful with my words. I apply a bit of a PR hat when something like this comes out and in my experience in doing this kind of work what is not said is as interesting as what is said.

Firstly, it sounds very much like a process that needs improving, however, applying some common sense: according to 3Down, Collaros estimates he's been drug tested between 7 and 10 times over his 14-year career.

Two pretty big questions that come to mind, and I've yet to see them formally answered in any official communication(if they have thanks for linking it):

1. Is this very first time he's been contacted in the off-season?

2. What is the gap of time between the day he was contacted to be tested and when he actually got tested?

If I was doing the releases and the answer to number one was yes and number 2 was a very short interval I would have absolutely included it. I see no downsides. If the answer is no and a large gap then as a fan I have additional questions and with a PR hat on I can see why we're taking the suspension.

Source:
https://3downnation.com/2025/05/07/cflpa-condemns-flawed-process-that-led-to-suspension-of-winnipeg-blue-bombers-qb-zach-collaros/

[TBURGESS]

You fail to see the difference between an in game violation and an off season issue. Beyond that, IIRC Lemon was suspended for permanently. Should his salary for an entire season be counted against the SMS last year?

I think posters can give you a bunch of reasons why it should not count against the SMS. Likewise can probably give you reasons why you " can't see a valid argument ". That's an odd position to take an IMO you be be in an extreme minority.

Note that I pointed out that Collaros was subject to a 2 game suspension where he could have appealed. He choose a 1 game suspension which didn't allow an appeal.

2 games for missing a drug test he didn't know he was to take. OTOH a player suspended 1 game for taking a cheap shot on another player. Or a player suspended for actually failing a drug test.

Take about equivalency. Yikes.

A suspension is a suspension. I don't care what it's for or why it was given. I'd say a permanent suspension = the contract is voided, but a game suspension doesn't mean a void contract, but that's pure conjecture on my part.

Maybe the Kenny Lawler suspension is what we should expect. Did we pay him? Did it count against the SMS? The same thing should happen with Zach.

He chose to take one game without an appeal, how is that a problem for you? If he had any recourse, he would have taken the 2 games with an appeal.

The suspension was for ignoring the phone calls, text messages, email & voice mail about a drug test for more than 24 hours as required. That's the rule. Them's the breaks. Collaros understands and accepts it. You should too.