Winnipeg Blue Bombers starting quarterback decision ahead of CFL East semifinal-to-final matchup against Montreal Alouettes, Digi Mart USA News: Is Mike O’Shea waging psychological warfare with Jason Maas? It certainly seems so with the inclusion of quarterback Zach Collaros as a starter on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers lineup, with the note “Last minute decision.”
The Bombers’ veteran quarterback has not been seen at practice since suffering a rib injury in the final game of the season on October 23. Dru Brown led the Bombers to a 25-22 victory over the Toronto Argonauts in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
This week, during Wednesday’s closed-door training session, the Bombers indicated that Collaros participated in a limited capacity. On Thursday, when the media were allowed to attend training, Collaros was not on the field.
For O’Shea, there is no need to make a big deal out of it. “That’s how we’ve operated for a long time,” he said.
“With a veteran, especially a veteran of his caliber, we’ll give him every opportunity to play until he tells us he can’t.”
“We’ll see how the rest of the day goes and how I feel on Saturday,” Collaros said. “We’ll be ready no matter what happens, but I feel much better.
Thursday was more difficult, but Wednesday I was able to make some good passes.”
Maas and the Montreal Alouettes do not seem concerned about the identity of the Bombers’ starting quarterback. “To be honest, we’ve been preparing for the past two weeks to face Winnipeg’s offense.
We don’t really care who plays quarterback,” said linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku. “They both have similar skills in how they throw the ball and make decisions.
It’s going to be important to play our game and disrupt whoever is in that position.”
“I’m not losing too much sleep over it,” Maas added. “Collaros has been their starter for 12 games this year.
I know what he means to their franchise, and if there’s even the slightest chance he can play, he’ll be on their roster.”
“I know what a great quarterback he is, and I know the Bombers know it too. We’ll be ready to face them no matter who their quarterback is.”
For defensive end Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, the identity of the opposing attack in general is of little importance. “We train against the best offense in the league several times a week,” he noted.
O’Shea and Collaros are scheduled to meet with the media later Friday at Olympic Stadium.
A 14-season CFL veteran, Collaros completed 70.4 per cent of his passes (236 of 335) for 2,989 yards and 15 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.
Brown performed exceptionally well in the Eastern Conference semifinals. His 23-yard touchdown pass to Nic Demski with 44 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, followed by a two-point conversion by Demski, secured the victory for the Blue Bombers.
Demski, who was a question mark after missing both practices this week due to an ankle injury, will be in uniform.
For the Alouettes’ defense, perhaps the most important element to watch within the Bombers’ offense is a few yards behind the quarterback. Running back Brady Oliveira once again dominated the Johnston circuit with 1,493 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, which allowed him to finish third in the CFL MVP voting.
In the Bombers’ 44-28 victory over the Alouettes in August, he amassed 106 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries. In the 37-10 loss in Montreal a few weeks later, the Alouettes’ defense limited him to 44 yards on nine carries.
“You’ll need 12 helmets moving towards the ball,” Maas explained, illustrating how to stop Oliveira. “You’ll need to win the battle for the line of scrimmage and make him pay for every inch of ground he gains.”
“He’s a great running back. He gained over 1,000 yards again, way over 1,000 yards!” Maas added.
“He’s a contender for MVP and Canadian MVP year after year, and their offensive line is excellent. It’ll be a good challenge, but all it takes is playing as a team on defense.”
For the Montreal Alouettes, Maas will be able to count on the return of all his players and even some injured ones, at least for now. Offensive lineman Nick Callender, nursing a back injury, is listed in the starting lineup at left tackle, but a final decision will be made regarding his availability.
The same applies to defensive tackle Dylan Wynn.
Davis Alexander, Tyson Philpot, and Tyler Snead will be back on the field after being left out of the last two games of the season. Wide receiver Alexander Hollins will have to give up his spot.
Kicker Jose Maltos-Diaz, who has to wear a large cast on his left hand to protect his fractured wrist, will also be in the game, replacing Lewis Ward.
The Blue Bombers are attempting to become the first team in CFL history to reach the Grey Cup final via the crossover rule. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m.
Saturday at Percival Molson Stadium.
This report by La Presse Canadienne was translated by CityNews.
