REVOLVING ROSTERS
CFL rivalries heating up
TORONTO The hype is already starting to build for the CFL season opener at BMO Field, and it’s still more than two months away.
Members of the Argonauts and Tiger-Cats who took part in this week’s CFL media sessions got the talk going early — especially players like defensive tackle Bryan Hall, who went from the Tabbies to the Boatmen via free agency in February.
“There’s been a lot of chirping, especially with the Ticat guys,” Hall said. “I saw Speedy (Brandon Banks) down there. I told him he’s washed up. I saw (Luke) Tasker. I told him he’d never be Steve. Zach (Collaros), you know, he won’t be back this year. Simoni (Lawrence), I never liked him. I could go on and on.”
The Ticats didn’t offer Hall a new contract, so he simply added that rejection to the list of negative moments in his life that motivate him to play well. Football players commonly refer to it as having a chip on their shoulder.
“I got a whole bag. Family sized. All dressed,” Hall said. “They just keep stacking. I have a (boat) load of chips.”
Asked if they get heavy, Hall responded: “Naw. That’s what I hit with, my shoulder. They’re going to feel all those chips June 23. You can believe that.”
MEANWHILE, IN THE HAMMER ...
Receiver Chad Owens is still getting used to the fact he’ll be playing for the Ticats this season after spending the last six seasons with the Argos.
“It’s an adjustment,” Owens said. “It’s one that was hard at first. Not hard because I’m a Ticat, because I’m grateful for the opportunity and I’m looking forward to it and definitely excited to be part of a great organization with unbelievable support by the fans, great coaching and great teammates, but I put so much time and effort in Toronto, so it’s a big adjustment.
“I’m OK now. I’m good, but you think about it at times and it’s like, oh man. I’m human.”
Sources say the Argos didn’t offer a contract to Owens, the CFL’s most outstanding player in 2012, so you can bet he’ll be fired up to play at BMO on opening night as well.
ROAD TO RECOVERY
One player who would love to be on the field opening night is Ticats quarterback Zach Collaros.
The only catch is he might not be able to play.
Collaros was well on his way to being named the CFL’s most outstanding player last season when he tore his ACL in late September. Collaros reported Wednesday that his rehab is going well but admitted there is some doubt surrounding his status for training camp and the opener.
“I’ll be involved in everything, and after practice I’ll do what I have to do to be ready to go when I get the opportunity,” Collaros said, “but I’m trying to not even think about that because it just kind of pisses me off.
“Especially when we play Toronto the first week. Like, dang. Come on. Like, they couldn’t hold that for four weeks?”