COLLAROS LOOKS SHARP AT RIDERS WORKOUT

Musings, BRADENTON, FLA. mutterings and meanderings from Day 1 of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ mini-camp:

Zach Collaros was more than

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the best quarterback on the first day of mini-camp. He was the best player among all 31 participants at the IMG Academy.

He was sharp from the warmup tosses through to the skeleton drills. Collaros completed a variety of passes, from crossing routes to dump-offs to bombs to receivers with relative ease.

A veteran of six CFL seasons, Collaros looked poised and comfortable in every situation and that has to be a good thing for the Riders going forward. He hasn’t been anointed the starter, though. That’s just Chris Jones’ method of keeping things competitive.

Based on Collaros’ performance on Tuesday, there’s a gap between him and backups Brandon Bridge, Marquise Williams and David Watford. The aforementioned trio didn’t perform badly, they just didn’t stand out in comparison to Collaros.

The praise can be tempered because Collaros is throwing against inexperienced defensive backs and there isn’t any contact. Having said that, the receivers are also just learning the CFL game.

Regardless, the Riders should be in good shape at quarterback.

Defensive backs lead the way

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with 10 on the mini-camp roster.

There are nine receivers, four quarterbacks, four linebackers, three running backs and one offensive lineman — Dalton Houghton, a converted defensive lineman from Minot State

The dominance of the defensive backs, at least numerically, is an indication there may be more openings in the secondary than elsewhere on the roster.

Jones is again attempting to

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convert players to different positions than they played in college.

DeAndre Smith, Nick Marshall and Drew Powell were all quarterbacks during their collegiate careers. Jones likes their athleticism, but knows they won’t stick with the team as quarterbacks or receivers. So all three were working out with the defensive backs on Tuesday and they didn’t look out of place.

Who knows if Jones’ moves will pay off ? Past performance proves they’re worth the gamble.