LATE HIT ON COLLAROS WAS A DISGRACE
Spotter should have immediately removed QB but real culprit is the man who delivered blow
For the most part on Saturday night, watching the Saskatchewan Roughriders defeat the visiting B.C. Lions 35-16 felt like a version of the movie Groundhog Day.
It was the scenario that has played out most of the year for the Roughriders — stingy defence, solid special teams, and an offence that minimized mistakes.
Oh, and there was also the matter of handling adversity — a topic I mentioned last week.
The Roughriders shrugged off misfortune once again on Saturday. They withstood a vicious hit to their starting quarterback, Zach Collaros, and won a game despite a passing attack that was virtually non-existent.
The formula for such a win goes against the grain in a quarterback-oriented league. But what do I know?
The Riders showed up on a mission to secure a home playoff game. Check that box.
The Lions showed up to send a message that they can beat a good team on the road ... and failed miserably. Sound the alarm bells.
“You are what your record is,” I was always told. B.C’S road record is 2-7.
Worst of all was the late hit on Collaros. It was a disgrace.
I’m not criticizing head referee Andre Proulx and his crew, either. Yes, they missed an obvious unnecessary-roughness call, which was only applied once Roughriders head coach Chris Jones threw a challenge flag.
Yes, the CFL’S spotters erred by not ensuring that Collaros, who has a history of concussions, was not immediately removed from the game.
Yes, the Lions’ Odell Willis should have been ejected for that hit. And, yes, he should be suspended.
But why are Proulx, the spotters, the rules, and the league the villains here?
The real culprit is the man who chose to deliver the blow to the quarterback’s head. Period.
What if Collaros hadn’t been able to get up and was carried off the field? Any different opinions?
The fact that Collaros was able to remain in the game for two more plays ( both of which were hand-offs) simply does not change the fact that he absorbed a horrible hit — one that is absolutely not acceptable anymore in football. I have nothing against Odell. After all, we traded for him in 2012 when I was the Roughriders’ general manager. But that hit is what it is.
I’m hopeful that Collaros will be able to play in the playoffs, despite this incident, and am encouraged by Jones’ comment that the quarterback’s removal from the game was precautionary.
The CFL released a statement Monday regarding the Willis hit. The league’s release read as follows:
“It was a high hit and should have been flagged in accordance with our standards. We are reminding our officials to rule in favour of player safety when the location or severity of contact is in doubt. We are also instructing the umpire to join the referee in ruling on roughing the passer so that aspect of the play is viewed from additional sight lines. This play will be reviewed for possible discipline.
“The injury spotter, having noticed that Collaros appeared to be under some distress, should have stopped the game and removed Collaros prior to a replay challenge being initiated. This play, along with our Injury Spotter Protocol, will be reviewed and discussed with all of our Injury Spotters with the intention of improving our process.”
Regular-season records mean absolutely nothing going into a playoff run, and in terms of defining your success for the year.
In 2001, for example, I was with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers when we had a record of 14-4 and lost in the Grey Cup to an 8-10 Calgary squad.
In December of 2001, do you think we were celebrating having a good record that year after losing a championship? Who was remembered for having a good year? Hint: It wasn’t Winnipeg.
Without going back and looking, do you recall how the 2013 Roughriders — eventual Grey Cup champions — ended that regular season?
The last nine games played out as follows: Four losses, followed by three victories, followed by two losses.
A 3-0 playoff run, and the fourth championship celebration in franchise history, ensued.
My point is that going into the playoffs on a hot streak, or with a great record, means as much as you want it to signify — but it is far from the be-all and end-all.
The season to this point has been a success for the Green and White. A home playoff game is a very nice accomplishment for the organization. Such a feat is not easily achieved.
Winning in pro sports isn’t a given. You have to earn it.
On Saturday, the Riders merited full marks for attaining a very important goal. But larger goals remain. FANTASY PLAYERS TO WATCH
Taman: Ottawa’s Mossis Madu runs wild on the Argos’ defence. Yes, I said Mossis Madu. Vanstone: Calgary’s Eric Rogers, robbed of a touchdown catch by a bad call last week, will score multiple majors this time around. Review of Week 19 fantasy picks: I picked Winnipeg ’s Darvin Adams, who had five receptions for 126 yards (including a 50-yard touchdown) in a 29-22 victory over Calgary. Vanstone picked ex-roughrider Prachae Rodriguez, for whom I traded in 2010, just to bug me. He bugs me enough by telling me to read his columns.
Sigh.
Taman’s Take appears weekly