Prospect has eye on spot in lineup
Were Collaros to go one for 10 during regular season game, then start to panic
Robservations ...
Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Zach Collaros completed just one of 10 passes during Saturday’s controlled scrimmage in Saskatoon. On the surface, that stat could be a cause for alarm, especially when the travails of the Roughriders’ alleged passing game in 2018 are factored into the equation. But, at a time like this, it is best to take a deep breath and remember that the Roughriders are still in training-camp mode. If Collaros had gone 10-for-10 in the scrimmage, this scribbler’s indifference to the results would have been the same.
Even when the Roughriders’ pre-season schedule begins
— as it will Friday against the host Calgary Stampeders — the results won’t really matter, either. So calm down ... relax ... and reserve the right to panic if Collaros posts sickly statistics in the regular-season opener.
Who knows? Perhaps the 1-for10 showing is a testament to the Roughriders’ defence. Such is the problem with training camp. If a receiver looks impressive, for example, does that indicate that a defensive back is suspect? It is all such a waste of time, energy and thought. (But we hope that you are enjoying our exhaustive training-camp coverage.)
Thank goodness the CFL pre-season schedule has been pared to two games per team. Until 1986, each club played four games of fake football. In the fourth such outing, back in 1977, Ron Lancaster threw six interceptions. Was that a signal that No. 23, then 38, was destined for a dismal season? Nope. He was named the Roughriders’ most outstanding player in 1977.
THE STARR TREATMENT
The sad news that Bart Starr died Sunday at age 85 reminded me of a story that underlines why he will always be so beloved. During his time as the Green
Bay Packers’ quarterback, he was approached by an autograph-seeker in a hotel lobby. However, the young fan did not have a pen, and neither did Starr. Instead of declining the request, Starr headed to the elevator, went to his hotel room, got a pen, returned to the lobby, and graciously signed the autograph.
Of course, Starr’s signature was legible, as was the case decades ago when athletes gave autographs. Nowadays, an (ahem) autograph basically consists of a hurried loop or two, followed by a uniform number. This isn’t simply a case of a prominent athlete rushing through a signature to accommodate a mass of requests. If you receive an autograph from a fourth-line WHL player, it is likely that you won’t be able to read his name.
Lancaster had it figured out. “I used to tell players — and I never did get this across to many of them when I was coaching — to ‘try to sign your name so people can read it, because there’s going to come a day when they’re not going to be able to read it,’ ” The Little General told me in 2008. “Some guys are only there for a year and some are there forever, but you have no idea who that person is because you can’t read the name. I said, ‘Why don’t you write it so people can read it? It might take a couple of seconds longer. They’re asking for your autograph for a reason. At least make it legible for them.’ ” Lancaster’s signature, of course, was a classic. And if you wrote to him for an autograph, he would accommodate the request AND include a thank-you letter.
NFL Films’ Steve Sabol had a great line about the clean-living Starr: “He leaves the vodka out of his screwdrivers.”
Bill Buckner, who died Monday at age 69, was also a great friend to autograph collectors. The former slugger was always very quick to respond to fan mail.
ANOTHER TAKE ON DRAKE
Enough of Drake, already! On Saturday, for example, the Toronto Raptors’ Kawhi Leonard dunked over the Milwaukee Bucks’ Giannis Antetokounmpo. It was THE play of the game
— a truly magnificent slam by Leonard. Instead of replaying the dunk, Sportsnet zoomed in on Drake. Shortly thereafter, the network switched to a commercial. Ummm, about that dunk ...
NBA final prediction: Golden State Warriors over Toronto in five games.
BLUE NOTE
The St. Louis Blues are Regina’s Team. Consider the fact that St. Louis held its training camp at the edifice formerly known as the Brandt Centre in 1981, 1982 and 1983. Over the years, the Blues have employed Reginans such as Tyler Bozak, Red Berenson, Doug Wickenheiser, Mike Sillinger, Terry Harper, Fran Huck, Curt Bennett and Garth Butcher. The list of ex-regina Pats to have played for St. Louis includes Berenson, Wickenheiser, Sillinger, Harper, Huck, Butcher, Ed Staniowski and Barret Jackman.
Nice people who deserve a plug: Larry Keesey, Gilles Riendeau, Rob Pyne, Robinson Payne, Tim Novak, Alexa Roth, Cheryl Mclean-kiel, Gary Fleming, Claire Abrey and Tanya Boychuk.