It has been a huge game of musical chairs when it comes to quarterbacks in the Canadian Football League thanks to free agency.
Unfortunately the Saskatchewan Roughriders forgot to put out a green and white chair, so no one new came our way at the critical pivot position.
So the ‘Riders threw up their hands in a sign of defeat and re-signed Zach Collaros.
Collaros to my mind was the seventh best starting quarterback in the CFL in 2018, thanks to the dumpster fire at the position in Toronto, and Montreal’s Johnny Manziel learning that being a star in some American college does not mean immediate success in this league.
Headed into the 2019 season Collaros is again arguably seventh on the starting QB list, with the potential of dropping to ninth if a couple of pivots improve just a little.
Therein lies the issue with Collaros, he is no longer among the elite, and has very limited upside barring a green and white miracle, whereas the other quarterbacks in the lower slots on the chart do have some chance of an upswing.
The ‘Riders did sign stellar running back William Powell who is at least a legitimate run threat and safety valve for the oft-injured Collaros.
And Cody Fajardo, most recently third on the B.C. depth chart at quarterback is in Regina to offer a bit of cover if Collaros does go down again.
There would be no way to paint the Collaros signing as anything but one of desperation, but the deal is made more glaringly bad because so much quarterback talent changed hands.
Leading the way was Mike Reilly, the best in the CFL in my estimation, moving to British Columbia. One ‘Rider fan I discuss sports with thought Reilly would land in Regina, but the Lions deal was obvious months ago. It takes Reilly to his roots in the CFL, and closer to family in the state of Washington.
Since the Reilly signing the Lions added Duron Carter, and that combo could be scary good, with Reilly being the presence as a leader that just might harness Carter.
The Eskimos could have been decimated by Reilly’s departure, but they might actually be a better team in his wake. Trevor Harris was plucked from Ottawa to throw the ball and brought receiver Greg Ellingson with him. That is a very good core duo to build around.
Calgary was thought to lose Bo Levi Mitchell, but that was largely smoke and mirrors on the quarterback’s part, re-signing in the end with a team that is about as well-ran as a sport team gets.
Ottawa, which has been well-ran since joining the league, got hit hard by free agents leaving, but they did add the dark horse quarterback available in Jonathon Jennings from B.C. Jennings was in the doghouse with the Lions, but he has shown spurts of being pretty good. A fresh start with the Redblacks could be just what he needs.
Less heralded by far, but good news in my view, the Toronto Argonauts have signed Canadian quarterback Noah Picton to a three-year contract.
Picton, 23, finished his career with the University of Regina Rams (2013-2018) as one of the most prolific passers in U SPORTS history, and having watched games the last couple of seasons, he can throw a football.
While I peg the Roughriders as headed to the CFL West basement this season, the overall league has my attention in a big way. There are so many intriguing moves, and power shifts in the league that every game should be entertaining to watch as teams adjust to the changes.
