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The QB landscape in the
CFL has potential to be shook up this offseason to an extent not seen in many
years. Free agents like Franklin, Masoli, Harris, Lulay and Bridge; potential
retirements like Ray; potential cuts like Collaros and Durant; not to mention
potential new entrants like Johnny Manziel. Change is coming and the first
dominoes have already fallen with Harris re-signing and Franklin being traded to
Toronto. So let’s take a look at where things are at today and what that is
likely to mean for the Riders.
The Franklin trade is the
biggest domino as he was the biggest fish this offseason. While there is still
no guarantees as he is still potentially a free agent come February, let me
break it down like this: Franklin knows he’s getting paid this offseason, it’s
just a matter of who is signing the cheque. So he will only sign in Toronto if
he gets starter’s money (otherwise he will just wait until someone else gives
it to him). Money is more important than playing time so in theory if Toronto
could pay him starters $ and retain Ray it would be workable. The only way I
can see that working cap-wise is if both Franklin and Ray take a low base pay
with heavy incentive based on playing time but I can’t see Franklin agreeing to
that. So this is where my logic kicks in (scary territory I know). Toronto
would not have given up a highly rated young Canadian OL unless they were very
sure they could sign Franklin. That means they are willing to pay him the big
$. That means they do not expect Ray back. No guarantees but as a betting man,
my money is on Ray retiring and Franklin leading the Argos in ’18. Sorry to
break your hearts Rider fans.
So given that the long assumed
saviour of the franchise is off the market where does that leave the Riders? I
see essentially 2 options: stand pat or add one more to the mix.
Stand Pat
Glenn, Adams and Williams
remain under contract and the odds of Bridge returning are highly probable.
Montreal is likely his only other option and there may be just a bit of
ill-will there (plus the whole Kavis Reed dumpster fire thing). So option A is
bring everyone back and have an open competition. The only way I see this
scenario working is if one of the young guys wins the starting job. Glenn had
an admirable year but at some point I think we need to admit that the odds of
him leading a team to a championship are pretty slim. I’d take him as an
insurance policy/back-up… though if history has taught us if he’s the back-up,
misfortune is guaranteed to befall the starter. Bridge showed a ton of
potential but still has some big flaws in his game. Adams is a highly thought
of player but all we really know at this point is that he can execute poorly
designed and blatantly obvious QB runs.
The biggest advantage of
this approach is salary. Not having to shell out big bucks on QB allows us to
build strength in other arears of the roster. We managed the second most
offensive TDs with this combo last season so while its not the flashiest
approach, it is workable.
Add one more
Assuming we are not
satisfied with our current group (and I don’t think Jones is ever fully
satisfied) there are some options to explore. I list them in order of both
likely and value to the team:
1 – Zach Collaros
He’s currently under
contract but given that he’s reportedly making over $500k and not the starter
it’s only a matter of time before he’s cut or traded. Any trade would need to
be contingent on renegotiating his salary. In 2015 he was hands down the best
player in the CFL. While he’s certainly not looked anywhere close to that form
since returning from injury, I’m convinced that a fresh start with a good
support cast will revitalize his career. You could likely land him at an
affordable incentive laden deal (essentially swap him for Glenn). There’s risk
but the upside is higher than anyone else available. We apparently made
inquiries about a trade mid-season so we are at least somewhat interested.
2 - Jeremiah Masoli
I can't see him leaving Hamilton after how well things went went June Jones took over. But he is technically a pending FA and he has all the tools (strong arm, great runner, that "it" factor at times). He's still very inconsistent but grew by leaps and bounds this season. Highly unlikely but you never know.
3 – Travis Lulay
He'll be coming off major injury and already has a ton of wear and tear on him but he proved last season that he's not dead yet. I don't see him leaving BC and I don't us being super interested... but he's technically an option. Though one that certainly isn't a step in the right direction age-wise.
4 – Johnny Football
Please no! If the football gods have any mercy they will spare us this carnival circus. Hamilton owns his neg rights and June Jones has been kissing his ass as much as one can without physical contact so hopefully there's nothing to worry about here. But we totally didn't secretly work him out and only met with his publicist so sadly there is some interest there.
5 - The rest: Durant, Willy, LeFevour
Hahaha, nope.
So assessing everything I think the most likely scenario is either Collaros or our current guys with an edge to the current guys. Jones has brought stability and long term viability to almost very aspect of this team... except QB, so this is a big decision. Personally I want Collaros but Jones tends not to ask my opinion in these matters.
