Collaros to sit out preseason tilt vs. Riders

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This article was published 29/05/2023 (325 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Mike O’Shea has seen all he needs to from quarterback Zach Collaros as the 2023 CFL season inches closer.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach confirmed Collaros will not be taking part in the club’s preseason finale against the visiting Saskatchewan Roughriders Friday night.

“It’s the same thing we talk about every year with Zach,” O’Shea said after training camp practice Tuesday. “We think we have a plan. Then we work the plan with him, ask him what he thinks he needs. Couple that with what (offensive co-ordinator) Buck (Pierce) thinks and what I think and come up with an answer. And that’s the answer.”

O’Shea made his decision after watching Collaros play the the first quarter and the first five minutes of the second quarter in a 25-23 road victory over the Edmonton Elks Saturday. Collaros and the first-team offence struggled at times, including starting the game off with back-to-back two-and-outs before Collaros connected with Kenny Lawler for a 67-yard touchdown.

Collaros finished the game five-for-eight passing for 93 yards and the touchdown, while setting up a second TD Drive — capped off by a one-yard QB sneak from Tyrrell Pigrome — before getting pulled in the second.

It was the first preseason game Collaros has been a part of since joining the Bombers late into the 2019 season. The club has only had two prior preseason games with Collaros on the roster, with both coming in 2022, as there were no games played in the COVID-19-shortened 2021 campaign and the 2020 season was completely wiped out.

“Throughout my career it’s kind of been a mixed bag. There’s been some years I haven’t played at all; there’s been some years I played one, some years I’ve played both,” Collaros said. “So, if I’m going to be out there… we had two or three two-and-outs. I asked to be out there for another drive in the second quarter and Osh and (offensive co-ordinator) Buck (Pierce) allowed it. It’s good. It’s good to get out there and throw the ball around.”

Run D needs to open their eyes

The Bombers run defence, or lack thereof, had a poor showing on Saturday.

Edmonton’s starting tailback Kevin Brown tallied 55 yards on four carries and Shannon Brooks also got in on the action with 72 rushing yards on 13 attempts.

The majority of the damage occurred in the first half when the Bombers were rolling with their first-team defence.

“We didn’t have all our starters. It’s early, we’ll see at the beginning of the season how things progress. We still have Jake (Thomas) who hasn’t played in a preseason game, Cameron (Lawson) who hasn’t played in a preseason game, Jackson (Jeffcoat) who hasn’t played in a preseason game and those are the guys we rely on to stop the run. We’re fine, we’re fine,” assured defensive end Willie Jefferson.

“We’re dynamic on the inside (of the defensive line). That’s one thing we don’t have to worry about.”

O’Shea was asked what his team needed to do better against the run.

“Tackle. Be in the right gap. Open our eyes, maybe. Instead of close them. Don’t duck our heads. Move our feet. Be stronger at the point of attack. Be in the right gap,” he said.

“Rushing plays make yards for a couple of reasons, right? We’re not in the right place, or we miss a tackle. So, it happened a lot.”

Behind the starters, the Bombers have a lot of unproven names on the D-line. Shawn Lemon, the reigning West Division nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player, could be someone to keep an eye on as the 35-year-old veteran was released by the B.C. Lions last week.

“Right now, we’re really focused on developing the guys we have at camp,” said O’Shea.

“The interest level on that is more of a question for (general manager) Kyle (Walters).”

With that said, American newcomers Caleb Thomas and Aaron Sterling showed promise in Edmonton as both recorded sacks. Thomas, a tackle who closed out his college career at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, made arguably the biggest play of the game as he blocked a potential 52-yard game-winning field goal attempt by Dean Faithfull.

“I knew it was a deep field goal, so the kicks usually come out a little flatter. I just kind of looked at him the whole time during the field goal and I said ‘Yeah, I can definitely get some push, put a hand up and see what happens.’ And you know, I just trusted it and the play came our way,” said Thomas.

Game Day transportation information

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The Bombers are warning fans of potential traffic delays on game days as road work is currently being done on University Crescent.

The club is encouraging fans to check the Waze app for live traffic updates and to try to arrive early to ensure they make it in time for kickoff.

For public transportation, there are five park and ride locations, as well as two pick-up spots for the BLUE Rapid Transit line.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

Taylor.Allen@freepress.mb.ca

Jeff Hamilton
Multimedia producer

After a slew of injuries playing hockey that included breaks to the wrist, arm, and collar bone; a tear of the medial collateral ligament in both knees; as well as a collapsed lung, Jeff figured it was a good idea to take his interest in sports off the ice and in to the classroom.

   Read full biography