Some points in defence of quarterback Collaros
Robservations ...
The Zach Collaros detractors are again making themselves audible after the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ offence failed to score a touchdown in Monday’s 19-12 CFL victory over the visiting Edmonton Eskimos. Four points in defence of the Roughriders’ pivot: (1) Collaros outplayed his opposite number, the thrice-intercepted Mike Reilly; (2) Saskatchewan has an 8-3 record with Collaros as the starter; (3) His nicest throw of the day should have been a 42-yard touchdown toss to Kenny Shaw, but the ball glanced off the receiver’s face mask; (4) Collaros made some precise passes to move the chains when there was little, if any, margin for error.
Aforementioned miscue aside, Shaw has been a nice addition to the Roughriders’ receiving corps.
Fun fact: The Roughriders are fourth in the league in points per game (25.7) but seventh in offensive points per game (20.1). Thirteen of Saskatchewan’s 35 touchdowns have been scored by the defence or special teams. Edmonton, by contrast, has scored all 42 of its touchdowns on offence.
Saskatchewan has a mere 11 touchdown passes after 15 games. At this rate, the 2018 Roughriders could very well finish with fewer touchdown receptions than as many as five individuals — Hugh Campbell (who had 17 scoring grabs for the Green and White in 1966), Jack Hill (14 in 1958), Joey Walters (14 in 1981), Jeff Fairholm (13 in 1991) and Weston Dressler (13 in 2012). Campbell, Hill and Walters posted their totals over 16 games, as opposed to the current 18.
Willie Jefferson bailed out the Roughriders with a gamewinning pick-six on Monday. Without anyone in hot pursuit, Jefferson was wise to allow some time to elapse before crossing the goal-line with 1:37 left in the game. He erred, though, by holding the football over his head in celebratory fashion well before reaching the end zone. Roughriders head coach Chris Jones correctly lamented the lack of ball security. Why be so careless in a game-changing situation?
The Roughriders pulled off a larcenous trade with the Montreal Alouettes on Wednesday, acquiring a starting-calibre offensive lineman (Philip Blake) and a useful fullback/receiver (Patrick Lavoie) for an unproductive pass-catcher (Joshua Stanford) and a second-round draft pick in 2020. Blake’s addition is especially timely, considering that the Roughriders’ offensive line is not coming off its finest game. Will Alouettes GM Kavis Reed receive a tax receipt for his donation?
After barely contributing during an injury-plagued rookie season (or a small portion thereof ), linebacker Cameron Judge is demonstrating why the Roughriders selected him second overall in the 2017 CFL draft.
The Roughriders’ signing of linebacker Sam Hurl was greeted with some skepticism during the off-season. After all, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ defence wasn’t exactly the Steel Curtain with Hurl manning the middle. But now, Hurl is an important (if unheralded) member of a stellar Saskatchewan defence.
George Yannitsos of 4Seasons Sports Palace fame is the special guest on this week’s Rider Rumblings video podcast. To access the podcast, which truly is lifechanging, visit leaderpost.com, itunes or Google Play Music.
Nice people who deserve a plug: George Yannitsos, Cyndi Cherney, Arielle Zerr, Steve Daniel, Tom Gartner, Alan Ford, John Lipp, Randy Beattie, Steve Tunison, Jill Tunison, Kevin Clive and Tom Fuzesy.